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This Week in Startups

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Sep 17, 2022 • 46min

Paid newsletter pricing disruption, Instagram Reels underperforming + OK Boomer | E1562

Friday variety is back! First up, J+M do a Startup Breakdown and cover newsletter platform beehiiv and how it could disrupt Substack's pricing model (2:27). Then, they cover leaked documents from Meta that show Reels is underperforming (12:52) before Producer Rachel wraps the show with another edition of OK Boomer! (26:18) (0:00) J+M tee up today's segments! (2:27) Startup of the Day Breakdown! beehiiv charges a flat subscription rate for newsletter subscriptions, price comps with Substack (11:28) Indochino - Get $50 off any purchase of $399 or more by using code TWIST at checkout https://www.indochino.com (12:52) Leaked Meta documents show Instagram's "Reels" product is underperforming (22:51) Producer Rachel joins to tee up today's OK Boomer guest! (24:48) Zapier - Try for free today at https://zapier.com/TWIST  (26:18) OK Boomer: Josh Kaplan joins to break down his background and starting Smooth Media (35:14) WorkOS - Go to https://workos.com to learn how to make your app enterprise-ready. (36:43) Why newsletters are an efficient way for influencers to monetize FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood FOLLOW Rachel: https://twitter.com/_rachelbraun FOLLOW Josh: https://twitter.com/JKaplan1 
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Sep 16, 2022 • 1h 6min

Adobe acquires Figma for $20B, Patagonia founder donates profits + Streaming consolidation | E1561

J+M kickoff the show by discussing Adobe acquiring Figma for $20B! (2:30) Then, they cover Patagonia's founder donates nearly all profits to solve climate change. (21:53) Finally, Lon Harris joins to discuss streaming consolidation, consumer burnout, and some interesting new projects! (46:36) (0:00) J+M tee up today's topics! (2:30) Adobe acquires Figma for $20B in a cash and stock deal! (14:42) LinkedIn Marketing -  Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at https://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups (16:12) Post-merger thesis, large deal user diligence (21:53) Patagonia founder donates his profits to solving climate change (29:46) SnackMagic - Get 10% cashback up to $1000 until October 15th with code HOLIDAY, and see more at snackmagic.com/twist (31:08) Lon Harris joins to break down the state of streaming: consolidation is coming (37:26) Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub - Apply in 5 minutes, no funding required, sign up at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups (38:49) More cuts coming to $WBD, price increases coming to Disney+ and other services, streaming fatigue (46:36) New content to keep an eye on!: new Blade Runner series green lit at Amazon, Spotify series coming to Netflix, and more FOLLOW Lon: https://twitter.com/lons FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1
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Sep 15, 2022 • 1h 44min

Crypto news: Do Kwon arrest warrant, ETH merge, Orange DAO + The Blueprint Part 10 | E1560

First up, Jason is back with the tenth and FINAL edition of The Blueprint, where he explains the seven ways to create wealth (2:12). Then, Vinny and Sunny join J+M for a crypto roundtable, covering: Do Kwon's arrest warrant (24:04), the ETH merge (49:54), an Orange DAO breakdown (1:14:24), and more! (0:00) J+M tee up today's topics! (2:12) The Blueprint Part 10: The seven ways to create wealth (13:01) Visa - Learn more about Visa’s online Small Business Hub at Visa.com/smallbusinesshub (13:57) The Blueprint Part 10 continued: The seven ways to create wealth (19:20) J+M catch up on the current state of early-stage dealmaking (22:39) Brave - Download today at https://brave.com/twist to browse faster, search privately and so much more (24:04) Vinny and Sunny join! First topic: a South Korean court issued an arrest warrant for Do Kwon (36:51) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist  (38:07) How to make crypto safer for retail investors (49:54) ETH merge, insane stats on crypto power usage (1:14:24) Orange DAO breakdown (1:33:23) Vinny challenges Jason's Disney Jay Trade FOLLOW Sunny: https://twitter.com/sundeep FOLLOW Vinny: https://twitter.com/vinnylingham FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1
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Sep 14, 2022 • 1h 24min

Bob Iger joins VC firm as venture partner, Twitter whistleblower hearing, KKR tokenizes fund | E1559

First up, J+M discuss Bob Iger joining Thrive Capital as a venture partner (2:09), then they break down the most interesting moments from the Twitter whistleblower hearings (24:48). After that, they discuss KKR tokenizing part of its new healthcare fund (57:43), before wrapping on the Launch House allegations. (1:06:22) (0:00) J+M tee up today's topics! (2:09) Legendary former Disney CEO Bob Iger joins Thrive Capital as venture partner (12:23) Revelo - Get 20% off the first 3 months by mentioning TWIST at https://revelo.io/twist (13:45) How Iger linked up with Josh Kushner, false perceptions of VCs (23:32) Dell For Startups - Apply for Dell for Startups and get an additional 10% off at http://dell.com/twist (24:48) J+M react to clips from Twitter whistleblower Peiter "Mudge" Zatko's congressional hearing today (33:13) Assure - To get 20% off your first Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) visit https://Assure.co/twist (34:33) More clips from the hearing and reflections on Twitter's security issues (57:43) KKR tokenizes part of its new healthcare fund to allow QPs to invest more easily (1:06:22) Launch House allegations FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1
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Sep 13, 2022 • 1h 1min

Bolt cancels $1.5B Wyre deal, $ROKU adds TikTok-style feature, Deere's self-driving tractors | E1558

J+M are back recapping this week's episode of All-In and how to stop brigading on Twitter (1:42). They also cover Bolt cancelling its $1.5B acquisition of crypto payments startup Wyre (19:46), Roku adding a TikTok-style feature (30:31), and two We Live in the Future stories! (39:48) (0:00) J+M tee up today's topics! (1:42) All-In recap, how Twitter can reduce brigading, and more (18:26) This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp - Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/twist (19:49) Bolt cancels $1.5B Wyre acquisition (29:05) Liquid IV - Get 15% off at https://liquidiv.com using promo code TWIST (30:34) Roku adds TikTok-style feature to its streaming software (38:17) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist (39:51) We Live in the Future: John Deere's self-driving tractors (49:48) We Live in the Future: $5B Moon-themed hotel might be coming to Dubai (56:22) China is ramping up its moon operations due to discovering a new mineral FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1
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Sep 11, 2022 • 51min

How VCs view founders with a side hustle + Bringing ESG to VC with Joe Blair | E1557

Sunday special! First up, J+M break down how VCs view founders with a side hustle (1:44), and how founders can actually make their side hustles accretive to their startup. (12:45) Then, Molly interviews Bay Bridge Ventures Co-Founder & GP Joe Blair on his ESG-focused VC firm. (28:00) (0:00 Molly tees up today's segments! (1:44 How VCs view founders with multiple roles (11:24) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://linkedin.com/twist (12:45) How to create side hustles that are accretive to your startup (20:52) J+M tee up today's climate interview (26:56) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist  (28:00) Joe Blair, Co-Founder & GP at Bay Bridge Ventures, joins Molly to break down his institutional ESG and sustainability-focused firm (36:09) Spokn - Get 3 months free at https://getspokn.com/twist  (37:37) Bay Bridge's thesis, evaluating what qualifies as an ESG investment, diligence on hard tech, and more
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Sep 10, 2022 • 56min

Muck Rack raises $180M, Elly Health Co-Founder Cecilia Anderson + OK Boomer | E1556

Friday Variety is back! First up, J+M break down Muck Rack's $180M Series A (10:43). Then, Elly Health Co-Founder Cecilia Anderson joins Molly to discuss her startup (21:16). Finally, Producer Rachel interviews Contra Founder Ben Huffman for another edition of OK Boomer. (32:38) (0:00) Jason tees up today's segments! (1:19) Jason recaps his crazy evening at the Lady Gaga concert (9:53) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist  (10:43) Muckrack (a database for journalists) raised a $180M Series A(ish) (19:18) WorkOS - Go to https://workos.com to learn how to make your app enterprise-ready. (20:48) Elly Health Co-Founder Cecilia Anderson joins the show to break down her startup (30:52) Neo.Tax - Get $500 off R&D tax credit fees at https://neo.tax/twist  (32:10) Producer Rachel interviews Contra founder Ben Huffman on another edition of OK Boomer! Check out Elly Health: https://www.ellyhealth.com FOLLOW Ben: https://twitter.com/_BenHQ FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
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Sep 9, 2022 • 1h 10min

Kim Kardashian's new PE firm & impact on VC + how Amazon can turn a profit on Rings of Power | E1555

First up, J+M discuss Kim Kardashian's new PE firm and break down what this means for the broader private investing industry (2:29). Then, Lon Harris joins the show to break down the controversy, history, and math around Amazon's Rings of Power series (25:58). (0:00) Today's segments! (2:29) J+M break down SKKY Partners, Kim Kardashian's new PE firm! (12:04) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist  (13:34) Has VC entered the public consciousness? Will VC see more high profile celebrities crossing over and starting funds? Is this the future of VC? (24:54) Helpware - Go to https://helpware.com/TWIST to get $1000 off your first invoice (25:58) Lon joins to break down Amazon's Rings of Power taking over online discourse, but first they talk about Twitter being a net negative for society (36:00) Policygenius - Go to https://policygenius.com to get a free life insurance quote (37:26) Lon explains controversy in Tolkien fandom, the trio gives quick reviews for Rings of Power and House of the Dragon (54:50) Bezos's vanity play, how Amazon can turn a profit on Rings of Power FOLLOW Lon: https://twitter.com/lons FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1
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Sep 8, 2022 • 1h 33min

Instagram to shut down Shopping, reacting to Apple's event & more + The Blueprint Part 9 | E1554

J+M have big hotel energy today as the duo lets it fly on a bunch of topics including: Trump's documents (2:21), Code Conference poker stories (18:40), Instagram shutting down "Shopping" + Zuck's new look (33:36), Starlink (1:04:37), and more! Then, Molly joins Jason for part 9 of The Blueprint! (1:13:00) 0:00 J+M intro today's segments 2:21 Theories on Trump's classified documents 17:18 SnackMagic - Get 10% cashback up to $1000 until October 15th with code HOLIDAY, and see more at snackmagic.com/twist 18:40 Molly's big interview + Jason's tells poker stories from the Code Conference 29:06 Visa - Learn more about Visa’s online Small Business Hub at Visa.com/smallbusinesshub 30:02 Jason brainstorms a publicity stunt 33:36 Instagram looks to sunset "Shopping" feature, Zuck changes his public persona 40:02 Brave - Download today at https://brave.com/twist to browse faster, search privately and so much more 41:28 Jason confronts his Zuck-induced insecurity 48:11 Why Instagram is shutting down its "Shopping" tab 49:16 Reacting to Apple's event, new watch, AirPods, and iPhone 14 1:04:37 Starlink helping bring broadband to rural areas via school COVID subsidies 1:13:00 The Blueprint Part 9: Molly Wood on manifesting your future! FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1
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Sep 7, 2022 • 1h 9min

Jason's DTC investment thesis, Jokr looking to raise $50M, liquidation preference breakdown, witness in Elizabeth Holmes trial goes rogue | E1553

First up, Jason explains his DTC investment thesis (3:00), before he and Molly give some insight into the Bay Area heat wave (13:41). Then, Jason and Molly dive deep on reporting that instant delivery startup Jokr might be raising a new round with unusual liquidation preferences (25:50), then Jason breaks down what liquidation preferences are with some spreadsheets. To wrap, J+M cover a witness in the Elizabeth Holmes trial going rogue! (53:27) (0:00) J+M tee up today's topics (3:00) Holiday weekend catch up + Jason explains his DTC investment thesis (12:15) Notion - Sign up for FREE at https://notion.com/twist  (13:41) Bay Area heat wave, Burning Man recap (24:31) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST (25:50) Jokr look to raise between $35M-$50M from existing investors, why they have closed operations in the US, how immigration and labor plays into Jokr's decision (33:43) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist (35:01) Breaking down liquidation preferences and why Jokr investors are looking for an unusually large liq pref in its upcoming round (53:27) A witness in the Elizabeth Holmes case has gone rogue! FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

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