This Week in Startups

The hosts dive into the buzz surrounding Adam Neumann's staggering $350M raise, questioning if the backlash is justified. They also analyze American Airlines' groundbreaking deal with Boom Supersonic for 20 jets, pondering the future of high-speed air travel. A standout startup, Goodfellows, aims to bridge the generational gap by connecting the young and elderly. Finally, insights from 'The Blueprint' spotlight the art of trendspotting in today's fast-paced world.

A lively debate kicks off around Apple's controversial return-to-office policy and Malcolm Gladwell's take on remote work dynamics. The hosts delve into the rise of 'overemployment' and 'quiet quitting,' sparking discussions about workplace culture shifts and tech unions. Exciting news follows with Meta's partnership with DoorDash to enhance Facebook Marketplace deliveries. As they tackle managing remote work, they share tools and insights aimed at adapting to the evolving landscape of employment and productivity.

Adam Neumann is back in the spotlight, securing a whopping $350M from a16z for his new venture, Flow, which aims to disrupt residential real estate. The conversation delves into Marc Andreessen's controversial housing policies, raising eyebrows over his investment choices. Insights emerge on communal living concepts and innovative housing solutions amid ongoing industry skepticism. The hosts balance their excitement with caution, reflecting on Neumann's past while exploring the implications of his ambitious vision for modern urban living.

Dr. Lisa Dyson, the visionary Founder and CEO of Air Protein, dives into the groundbreaking process of transforming recycled carbon dioxide into sustainable meat alternatives. She discusses the science behind Air Meat, linking it to NASA's research for long-term sustainability. The conversation also reveals the self-destructive traits found in both founders and investors that can hinder startup success. With insights on the importance of focus and ambition, this episode offers a fascinating peek into the future of food.

Howard Lindzon, founder of Social Leverage and StockTwits, shares his insights on the distinct mindsets of public and private market investors. He discusses the impact of liquidity, detailing why he prefers Netflix over Disney. Lindzon also explores future blockchain use cases and how remote work affects less experienced employees. Meanwhile, Ben Smith, founder of Goal House NYC, highlights the rise of co-living spaces for young professionals and the importance of community in today’s fast-paced world.

Lon Harris, podcast host of Binge Boys, dives into the shifting dynamics of the streaming world, discussing how Disney surpassed Netflix in subscribers and what that means for content creation. He critiques sensational media coverage, particularly around political figures like Trump, raising alarms about quality journalism's decline. Later, Jeff Liu, CEO of Ephemeral, shares insights into the emerging trend of temporary tattoos, exploring their societal impact and the unique processes behind this innovative art form.

Sunny Madra, co-founder of Definitive Intelligence, and Vinny Lingham, co-founder of Civic, dive into a robust crypto landscape analysis. They discuss the implications of the US Treasury blacklisting Tornado Cash and its effects on privacy in digital transactions. The duo evaluates Coinbase's Q2 earnings and debates the need for smart regulation and governance in the crypto space. They also tackle the evolving market after a major pullback, emphasizing the importance of fundamentals and ethical concerns surrounding anonymity in financial transactions.

Acquired's Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal join the show to discuss how they think about public market investments (1:43), VC token sales (27:25), a VC market overview (45:40), the Vision Fund's impact on Silicon Valley (1:00:33), and Amazon's core pillars! (1:13:21) (0:00) Jason intros today's guests and topics: Crossover Pod with Acquired! (1:43) Private markets overview, Jay Trading, Ben's investment thesis for TSMC and Shopify (13:44) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist  (14:52) Jason makes two live Jay Trades, better solutions for employee stock options (26:14) Dell - Apply for Dell for Startups and get an additional 10% off Dell Latitude products at https://dell.com/twist  (27:25) Crypto regulation, VC token sales (39:33) Zapier - Try for free today at https://zapier.com/TWIST (41:02) The burden of going public, final ideas on digital asset regulation (45:40) Major takeaways from PitchBook's Q2 US VC Monitor: exit value collapse, deal volume down, seed not impacted as much, signs of life in the early-stage (1:00:33) Reflecting on Masa's precarious position and the impact that SoftBank's Vision Fund has had on the VC industry (1:13:21) Ranking the most impressive pillars of Amazon's business: AWS, Prime, marketplace, advertising

Join Alex Skryl, CEO of NutriSense, a SaaS platform focused on continuous glucose monitoring, as he dives into the benefits of real-time health data. He discusses how tracking glucose levels can transform dietary habits and weight management, appealing especially to those at risk for diabetes. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of technology in personalized health solutions, highlighting how tailored support can drive wellness in today's fast-paced world. Tune in for a mix of science, health insights, and entrepreneurial humor!

Jay Koh, co-founder of The Lightsmith Group, dives into the hefty $369 billion earmarked for climate and energy in the Inflation Reduction Act. He discusses how this legislation can transform the climate VC landscape and elevate America as a global climate tech leader. The episode also tackles the bias against first-time founders in the VC world, revealing the pros and cons while emphasizing the importance of strategic government investment in fostering innovation and economic resilience amid climate challenges.