This Week in Startups

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.

Discover groundbreaking startups reshaping the tech landscape, from AI-driven developer tools like Qodo to innovative solutions in robotics with Figure and Dusty Robotics. Dive into the flourishing fintech sector with insights on Circle and Altruist as they navigate the path to IPO. Explore the rapid growth of companies in cybersecurity, emphasizing their vital role for small businesses. Finally, get a glimpse of emerging names in cloud security, highlighting a future that's full of promise and innovation.

Todays show: Kruze’s Scott Orn joins Jason on the latest edition of Startup Finance Basics! In this episode, they break down the unique aspects and dynamics of the current AI boom, contrasting AI startup revenue, costs, and growth rates with traditional SaaS models (4:11). They also dive into AI tools' impact on productivity and labor efficiency (8:12), the accounting challenges and operational issues AI startups face (14:27), and more! * Timestamps: (00:00) Kruze COO, Scott Orn, joins Jason (1:06) Unique aspects and dynamics of the current AI boom (4:11) AI startup revenue, costs, and growth rates vs traditional SaaS (8:12) AI tools and their impact on productivity and labor efficiency (14:27) Accounting challenges and operational issues in AI startups * Check out Kruze: https://kruzeconsulting.com * Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Follow Scott: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottorn X: https://twitter.com/scottorn * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * 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

M.G. Siegler, a seasoned venture capitalist and former tech journalist, dives into the intricacies of the current venture capital landscape. He discusses the challenges of high startup valuations and the shrinking early-stage returns. The conversation turns to Google's ongoing antitrust case and its implications for the tech industry. Siegler also highlights the dire need for transparency in leadership and how regulation influences M&A activity, offering insight into how these trends may shape the future of innovation.

Richard Humphrey, co-founder of Radian Aerospace and former airline founder, shares his journey from aviation to spaceplane technology. He discusses the revolutionary Radian One, the advantages of spaceplanes over rockets, and analyzes innovative launch mechanisms. Humphrey also delves into funding challenges, the historical context of past projects like X-33, and future goals for low-cost, reusable space travel. The conversation ignites excitement about the potential impact of these advancements on the space economy and commercial flight.

AnhPhu Nguyen and Caine Ardayfio, Harvard students and innovators, discuss their breakthrough AR glasses that identify people in real-time. They tackle privacy concerns and ethical implications surrounding this powerful technology. The duo shares their entrepreneurial aspirations and academic focuses, examining the balance between innovation and responsible tech use. They also explore the larger trends in AR and AI, highlighting the importance of navigating ethical considerations in today's data-driven world.

Naveen Rao, CEO and co-founder of Mosaic ML, discusses the transformative potential of open-source AI and the challenges posed by evolving regulations. He shares insights on the integration into Databricks and the importance of ethical AI practices. Elliot Easterling, CEO of Bonbon.tech, highlights innovative rewards strategies that enhance user engagement for publishers, utilizing machine learning and gamification to drive deeper customer relationships. Both guests emphasize the shifting dynamics in technology and the importance of adaptive strategies in today’s landscape.

The ongoing ILA strike highlights tensions between labor and automation, affecting U.S. ports and their efficiency. Innovative logistics solutions are emerging, especially in port automation, which contrasts sharply with global advancements. Meanwhile, venture capital dynamics are shifting, evidenced by CRV's $275 million return to investors. There's also an in-depth analysis of OpenAI's staggering $150 billion valuation and its implications for the tech landscape, raising questions about job displacement in an increasingly automated future.

This Week in Startups is brought to you by…Squarespace. Turn your idea into a new website! Go to Squarespace.com/TWIST for a free trial. When you’re ready to launch, use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.Gusto. Gusto is easy online payroll, benefits, and HR built for modern small businesses. Get three months free when you run your first payroll at Gusto.com/twist.*Gusto pricing shown in ad is based on pricing prior to March 2025Runway. Looking to up-level your financial planning? Runway is the modern and intuitive way to model, plan, and align your business for everyone on your team. Sign up at ⁠runway.com/twist⁠ to get your first 3 months free.*Timestamps:(1:18) Alex kicks off the show!(2:27) Our Fund of Funds panel from Liquidity Summit 2024 take the stage.(2:54) Insights from Ben Choi on Fund of Funds(6:25) Emerging Manager Funds with Michael Downing(9:47) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST(13:38) Challenges for Emerging Managers in Venture Capital(20:25) Gusto - Get three months free when you run your first payroll at http://gusto.com/twist(21:30) Venture Capital Performance with Seyonne Kang(32:12) Runway - Sign up at https://runway.com/twist to get your first 3 months free.(33:30) Monique Woodard on Raising a First Fund(38:35) Debunking Myths of Raising a First Fund(40:46) Importance of Individual vs. Institutional Investors(42:18) Building Relationships for Subsequent Funds(43:45) Identifying Your Ideal LP Persona(45:19) Leveraging Your Fund's Unique Strengths(49:24) Strategies for Fund 2 and Beyond*Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.comCheck out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.comSubscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp*Check out Cake Ventures: https://www.cake.vc/Check out Stepstone Group: https://www.stepstonegroup.com/Check out Next Legacy Ventures: https://www.nextlegacy.com/Check out MDSV Capital: https://www.mdsv.vc/*Follow Monique:X: https://x.com/moniquewoodardLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquewoodard/*Follow Seyonne:X: https://x.com/stepstonegroupLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seyonne-kang-b283021/*Follow Ben:X: https://x.com/benjichoiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bchoi/*Follow Michael:X: https://x.com/michaeldowningLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldowning/*Follow Alex:X: https://x.com/alexLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm*Thank you to our partners:(9:47) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST(20:25) Gusto - Get three months free when you run your first payroll at http://gusto.com/twist*Gusto pricing shown in ad is based on pricing prior to March 2025(32:12) Runway - Sign up at https://runway.com/twist to get your first 3 months free.*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/TWiStartupsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartupsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartupsSubstack: https://twistartups.substack.com*Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Vanta. Compliance and security shouldn't be a deal-breaker for startups to win new business. Vanta makes it easy for companies to get a SOC 2 report fast. TWiST listeners can get $1,000 off for a limited time at https://www.Vanta.com/twist CloudDevs. Building the best remote team is tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. Visit https://www.clouddevs.com/twist for an unbeatable offer on hiring elite LATAM talent today. Sprig. The Product Experience platform that generates AI-powered opportunities to continuously improve your product at scale. Visit https://www.sprig.com/twist to book a demo and get a $75 gift card. * Todays show: Alex Wilhelm joins Jason to discuss AI regulation bill SB 1047 (1:46), the biggest supercycle today (6:18), OpenAI’s growth trajectory (25:20), the AR and VR technology evolution (48:51), and more! * Timestamps: (0:00) Jason and Alex kick off the show (1:46) AI regulation bill SB 1047 (2:34) Defining the AI supercycle (6:18) Concurrent supercycles: Self-driving cars and fusion (8:03) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://www.vanta.com/twist (9:08) Detailed discussion on SB 1047's impact and reactions (17:14) AI regulation in California: A broader perspective (19:54) CloudDevs - Visit https://www.clouddevs.com/twist for an unbeatable offer on hiring elite LATAM talent today. (21:01) Industry leaders' reactions to SB 1047 veto and open source in AI (25:20) Rule-breaking in startup success and evaluating OpenAI's valuation (36:47) Sprig - Visit https://www.sprig.com/twist to book a demo and get a $75 gift card. (38:00) Infrastructure ownership for tech giants and the future of startups in AI (48:51) AR and VR technology evolution and market potential (55:38) AR glasses' impact on daily life and mental health (1:05:59) AR vs. VR applications and social implications (1:07:27) Audience Q&A * Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Mentioned on the show: https://x.com/martin_casado/status/1840490481777770850 https://x.com/AndrewYNg/status/1840497561821651069 https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/09/29/governor-newsom-announces-new-initiatives-to-advance-safe-and-responsible-ai-protect-californians/ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-09-29/meta-steps-up-pressure-on-apple-vision-with-orion-ar-glasses-and-cheaper-quest-3-m1nkq76p https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKgJTJojVEw * Follow Alex: X: https://x.com/alex LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Thank you to our partners: (8:03) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://www.vanta.com/twist (19:54) CloudDevs - Visit https://www.clouddevs.com/twist for an unbeatable offer on hiring elite LATAM talent today. (36:47) Sprig - Visit https://www.sprig.com/twist to book a demo and get a $75 gift card. * 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