

This Week in Startups
Jason Calacanis
Jason Calacanis covers startups, tech, markets, media, and all the hottest topics in business and technology. He also interviews the world’s greatest founders, operators, investors, and innovators.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 21, 2023 • 47min
SpaceX's Starship launch, Tiger Global's 20% markdown + Ask Jason! | E1726
The podcast dives into the thrilling details of SpaceX's Starship launch, showcasing its groundbreaking capabilities. It discusses BuzzFeed's 15% workforce reduction and delves into Fox News's significant settlement over the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit. The conversation then shifts to challenges in the venture capital landscape, highlighted by Tiger Global's $12.7 billion markdown. Reddit's new strategy to charge AI companies for data also sparks interest. Finally, listeners can enjoy a Q&A segment featuring insightful questions from the audience.

Apr 20, 2023 • 1h 2min
Startup pitch competition: Jason invests $25K | E1725
Alexandra Bellensweig, the passionate Founder and CEO of HumHum, discusses redefining dating through a mindful approach that prioritizes mental wellness and genuine connections. Meanwhile, Russell Palmer of Cyberfilm AI introduces innovative AI tools designed to streamline the filmmaking process, from scriptwriting to storyboarding. They explore the challenges in both dating and filmmaking, emphasizing the importance of emotional insights and technology in carving new paths in their respective industries.

11 snips
Apr 19, 2023 • 1h 2min
Building the future of VFX and video editing with Runway CEO Cristóbal Valenzuela | E1724
Cristóbal Valenzuela, CEO of Runway, discusses revolutionary advancements in generative AI for video editing. He highlights how their innovative tools are transforming the filmmaking landscape, making it more accessible for aspiring creators. The conversation delves into the AI Film Festival, showcasing unique AI-driven short films. Cristóbal also emphasizes the potential of Runway's technology to drastically reduce production costs, democratizing filmmaking and reshaping storytelling in the industry.

13 snips
Apr 18, 2023 • 58min
Google’s search engine “panic,” AI-generated hits, Coinbase considers leaving US market | E1723
Google is reportedly in a frenzy as Samsung considers switching its default search engine to Bing. The tech giant is working hard to outpace its competitors in AI with the intriguing Project Magi. Meanwhile, AI-generated music is making waves, with a viral hit raising questions about copyright and the future of the industry. Lastly, Coinbase's potential relocation outside of the US raises eyebrows, adding another layer to the discussion on tech regulation and corporate strategy.

Apr 17, 2023 • 1h 5min
Uizard’s Tony Beltramelli on text-to-UI & PMF + building a Notion CRM w/ Kelly Schricker | E1722
Tony Beltramelli, CEO of Uizard and an AI design innovator, shares insights on transforming UI design by turning text into functional interfaces with a live demo. He discusses achieving product-market fit and the competitive landscape in AI design tools. Kelly Schricker from Founder University offers practical advice on selecting and setting up CRMs, including a demonstration of building one in Notion, emphasizing key strategies and common pitfalls businesses should avoid.

Apr 14, 2023 • 57min
Hyfe’s Joe Brew on using AI to quantify coughs + Presh on generating content with ChatGPT | E1721
Joe Brew, the Co-founder and CEO of Hyfe, discusses innovative AI-driven technology that quantifies coughs to aid disease prevention. He explains how this method diagnoses respiratory issues and the potential impact on public health. Joining later is Presh, who showcases how startups can harness ChatGPT for effortless content creation, turning ideas into engaging materials. The conversation dives into acoustic AI and the unique setup for monitoring chronic coughs, emphasizing a new era of health insights through sound.

14 snips
Apr 13, 2023 • 1h 22min
The rise of AutoGPTs and AI anxieties with Sunny Madra and Vinny Lingham | E1720
Sunny Madra, Co-founder of Definitive Intelligence, and Vinny Lingham, Co-founder of Civic, dive into the fast-paced evolution of AI, comparing it to previous product launches. They explore the anxieties faced by artists and developers in the age of automation and the emergence of AutoGPTs. The duo discusses how AI is transforming job roles, the significance of creativity in art versus machine-generated pieces, and speculates on future trends as Twitter and other platforms integrate AI into their operations.

19 snips
Apr 12, 2023 • 1h 12min
Copy.ai CEO Paul Yacoubian on keeping up with GPT’s rapid evolution & AI’s potential impact | E1719
Paul Yacoubian, CEO of Copy.ai, a trailblazer in AI-driven copywriting tools, discusses the rapid evolution of AI, focusing on advancements from GPT-2 to GPT-4. He shares insights on how these developments will cause dramatic shifts across industries and enhance productivity in marketing. Paul also demonstrates Copy.ai's functionalities and tackles legal concerns related to training datasets. The conversation reveals AI's potential to democratize creativity while reshaping job roles and the future of business.

9 snips
Apr 11, 2023 • 52min
Stanford & Google’s Westworld-like AI experiment, BloombergGPT, SF CRE collapse | E1718
Discover the groundbreaking AI experiment by Stanford and Google, featuring lifelike characters in a simulated world that mimic human behavior. Delve into Bloomberg's launch of its financial AI model, BloombergGPT, and explore how it reshapes analyst roles. Jason also tackles the precarious state of San Francisco's commercial real estate, grappling with high vacancy rates, and discusses the collapse of an instant delivery startup. What does this mean for the future of jobs and urban development? Tune in for the insights!

15 snips
Apr 11, 2023 • 1h 26min
PrayingForExits on the state of VC, ZIRP fraudsters, revolutionary product launches & more | E1717
In this engaging chat, PrayingForExits, an anonymous VC and keen commentator, dives into the psyche of startup founders through the lens of Logan Roy from 'Succession.' Explore the common traits of ZIRP fraudsters and what that means for the venture world. He ranks GPT-4 among game-changing product launches and discusses AI's looming impact on employment and consumer behavior. The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of venture capital and the importance of purpose-driven leadership in tech entrepreneurship.