This Week in Startups

In this episode: Alex talks with Shensi Ding from Merge, who shares her transition from finance to tech and highlights the critical role of integrations in modern businesses. They explore the challenges of building and maintaining these integrations, emphasizing the importance of standardized data models. Shensi discusses partnerships and the strategies to overcome resistance. The conversation delves into trust-building, enhancing integration observability, and expanding Merge's offerings to include AI applications. They also touch on financial efficiency, growth strategies, and Merge's evolution beyond APIs, concluding with insights into future plans and potential acquisition interest. * Timestamps: (0:00) Alex kicks off the show with guest Shensi Ding of Merge. (5:18) Shensi's journey from finance to tech and the importance of integrations (10:20) The challenges of building and maintaining integrations (11:19) Coda. Empower your startup with Coda’s Team plan for free—get 6 months at https://www.Coda.io/twist (13:17) Identifying the market gap for Merge and the benefits of standardized data models (17:39) Partnership building, Salesforce integration, and overcoming resistance (20:07) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠ (21:16) Further discussion on trust-building and integration challenges (26:04) Enhancing integration observability and customer support (30:01) Micro1 - Visit https://www.micro1.ai/twist to get 10 free AI Interviews and 2 weeks free per hire (31:21) Expanding Merge's integration list and its AI applications (35:27) Discussing financial efficiency, runway management, and team dynamics (43:16) Growth strategies, customer base expansion, and go-to-market experiments (47:10) Pricing strategies, customer value, and market trends (50:05) Future plans for Merge, acquisition interest, and long-term vision (52:26) Evolution of Merge beyond API focus. * Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com Check out the TWIST500: twist500.com Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Check out Merge here: https://www.merge.dev/ * Follow Shansi: X: https://x.com/shensi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shensiding/ * Follow Alex: X: https://x.com/alex LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm * Thank you to our partners: (11:19) Coda. Empower your startup with Coda’s Team plan for free—get 6 months at https://www.Coda.io/twist (20:07) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠ (30:01) Micro1 - Visit https://www.micro1.ai/twist to get 10 free AI Interviews and 2 weeks free per hire * Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

Ramsey Shaffer, CEO of Uptrends AI, discusses his AI tool for investment advisors that streamlines market news management. Ana Malhotra, co-founder of Roam, shares her innovative yard-sharing service for dog owners lacking secure outdoor spaces. Tyce Herrman from Ullama presents software that ensures architects' 3D models meet building codes, emphasizing the integration of AI for compliance. The trio highlights the challenges and triumphs of their ventures, showcasing groundbreaking ideas that could redefine their respective industries.

Andrew Lissimore, Founder and CEO of Headphones.com, shares his journey from a side hustle to a thriving audio business. He emphasizes the power of a premium domain and YouTube for growth. The Prandtl Dynamics team from the University of Toronto unveils their groundbreaking anti-drone technology using sound waves, merging audio innovation with defense. The discussion also touches on TollBit’s successful Series A funding and their strategies to scale in a competitive market, highlighting the persistent drive for innovation among startups.

Hans von Spakovsky, a fellow at the Heritage Foundation specializing in election integrity, discusses the growing concerns around election security and documented fraud cases. He emphasizes the need for improved technology in elections and the importance of maintaining public trust. Meanwhile, Rafat Ali, CEO of Skift, shares insights into the travel industry, addressing rumors about major players like Uber and Expedia. The conversation also touches on customer acquisition and the evolving dynamics of loyalty programs in travel, revealing intriguing industry trends.

John Lepore, co-founder of Black Box Infinite, merges science fiction with technology, focusing on Apple’s Vision Pro and Hollywood VFX. He unveils an innovative Formula 1 experience that promises to redefine race viewing through immersive technology. The conversation also dives into advancements in self-driving cars, highlighting Tesla's safety upgrades. Additionally, they explore the intersection of tech and storytelling, illustrating how cinematic influences shape real-world innovations and consumer engagement in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Sarika Garg, CEO and co-founder of Cacheflow, brings two decades of B2B SaaS experience to the table. She shares insights into the challenges of B2B software sales and the evolving landscape of product-market fit. Sarika discusses HubSpot's acquisition of Cacheflow, highlighting the integration plans and the benefits of strategic partnerships. The conversation also touches on the importance of funding, scaling strategies, and how remote work influences company dynamics. Sarika's journey offers valuable lessons for aspiring founders and investors alike.

Scott Orn, COO of Kruze Consulting, shares his expertise in startup finance. He delves into essential cash flow management tips and warns about the dangers of over-funding without product market fit. Scott discusses accounting methods that boost investor confidence, highlighting the importance of accrual accounting. He also stresses the need for transparency and regular communication with VCs. Plus, insights on navigating tough financial questions and regulatory challenges make this a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Andrew Farah, CEO of Density, shares insights on optimizing office space using innovative radar sensors. He introduces the 'waffle,' a user-friendly product that offers real-time data on room occupancy. The discussion highlights the implications of new FTC regulations on subscription models and explores the challenges of hardware integration in startups. Farah also touches on the impact of autonomous vehicles and nuclear energy advancements, shedding light on their potential to shape future urban landscapes and sustainability efforts.

Sandeep Madra, a tech expert renowned for his AI insights, joins the discussion on groundbreaking innovations. They explore Tesla's revolutionary Robotaxis and the challenges of regulatory approval. Exciting demos reveal ChatGPT-4's new Canvas for real-time collaboration. The conversation dives into Meta's Movie Gen and Notebook LM, highlighting AI's impact on user experience. Sandeep discusses the implications of autonomous tech on urban planning and the future of ridesharing, painting a vivid picture of how AI is reshaping industries.

Toby Kraus and Ben Parker, co-founders of Lightship RV, are revolutionizing travel with their all-electric RVs, aiming to blend sustainability with adventure. They share insights from their Tesla backgrounds and the unique features of their prototypes. Nimit Sawhney, CEO of Voatz, discusses the importance of securing elections through innovative digital voting solutions and the role of blockchain in enhancing voter integrity. The episode also dives into Tesla's ambitious plans for self-driving robotaxis, highlighting their potential impact on transportation.