This Week in Startups

Discover the ethical dilemmas surrounding Anthony Bourdain's AI deepfake voice and how it could inspire new startups. Delve into the ongoing DOJ investigation of Lordstown Motors and the risks intertwined with pre-revenue electric vehicle companies. Explore the evolving business landscape as companies adapt to divergent COVID policies in Florida and California. Each topic uncovers creative potential, moral complexities, and important lessons for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

The episode dives into Facebook's shutdown of CrowdTangle, raising concerns about media transparency and political bias. It discusses the White House's efforts to combat misinformation and explores Florida's plan to provide internet to Cuba. A new $1B fund for creators highlights Facebook's shift towards supporting content creators. Additionally, insights on stablecoins from Jerome Powell shed light on the evolving cryptocurrency landscape and the ongoing regulatory pressures it faces.

Adena Hefets, CEO of Divvy Homes, shares her mission to empower Americans towards homeownership. She delves into how Divvy's innovative model allows renters to build equity without traditional mortgage barriers. The conversation takes a thoughtful turn discussing the current housing market, including inventory shortages and rising prices. Hefets highlights the challenges facing landlords and emphasizes the need for accessible homeownership solutions that can stabilize the market while fostering financial growth for all.

In this engaging discussion, Josh Lessing, CTO of AppHarvest and former CEO of Root AI, dives into the revolutionary role of AI and robotics in agriculture. He shares insights on how technology can combat climate change and enhance crop yields. The conversation also critiques the ongoing challenges in public education, highlighting the consequences of lowering academic standards. Additionally, the podcast touches on Amazon’s struggle with innovation amid corporate bureaucracy and discusses France's significant antitrust fine against Google.

The discussion kicks off with the Chinese government's crackdown on tech firms and the implications for US IPOs. Insights into the traits of successful founders reveal the importance of product quality over personal charisma. Listener questions tackle finding technical co-founders and what signals indicate startup success. Advice for new angel investors emphasizes diversification and seeking companies with proven traction. The role of accelerators is explored, weighing the mentorship against equity stakes. Overall, a blend of critical insights for founders and investors.

The discussion kicks off with Biden's executive order aimed at curbing Big Tech's dominance, stirring bipartisan thoughts on antitrust regulations. Then, the spotlight shifts to Tether, featuring insights from a whistleblower about its complex operations and the risks it poses to the crypto market. The conversation delves into Tether's financial entanglements with Bitfinex, highlighting concerns over transparency, regulatory challenges, and the potential fallout from a Tether collapse on the broader cryptocurrency landscape.

This week features Alex Lieberman, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Morning Brew, who shares insights on growing a newsletter business from college to empire. He discusses the challenges of expanding into a media company and effective angel investing strategies. The conversation also delves into the ethics of politicians trading stocks, highlighting the implications of their access to inside information. Additionally, they analyze the dynamics of Nextdoor's SPAC announcement and its community impact.

Evan Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Steezy, shares his journey of transforming dance education through an innovative app. He discusses the simplicity of creating a minimum viable product and the challenges of monetizing a consumer SaaS business. The conversation also delves into the rise of online dance classes during the pandemic, the influence of TikTok on dance culture, and strategies for blending online and in-person experiences. Zhou emphasizes the importance of quality content in a crowded market, making dance education accessible to everyone.

Robinhood's public offering is making waves! Key metrics reveal 18 million funded accounts and a surge in active users. The discussion dives into regulatory hurdles and the impact of trading practices on user education. Jason also compares Robinhood's growth to other financial startups, emphasizing its unique position in a competitive landscape. Resilience shines as they navigate challenges and eye future expansions in financial services. Tune in to uncover how this disruptor is reshaping online trading!

Jason Kelly, CEO and co-founder of Ginkgo Bioworks, shares insights on delivering effective investor updates, highlighting transparency as key to building strong investor relationships. He delves into the revolutionary potential of synthetic biology, discussing how Ginkgo is helping customers optimize product creation. The conversation also tackles the ethical implications of DNA editing, and the importance of navigating biosecurity in biotech, balancing innovation with responsibility.