This Week in Startups

Kirsten Green of Forerunner Ventures shares insights on AI in consumer companies, investable cultural shifts, and Forerunner's investment framework. She discusses standing out in consumer venture, searching for business gaps, and the value of unique user experiences. The conversation touches on market dynamics, challenges in hardware investments, and successful VC strategies. Kirsten also explores the influence of social media, AI vulnerability, and the importance of diverse revenue streams in consumer businesses.

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… OpenPhone. Create business phone numbers for you and your team that work through an app on your smartphone or desktop. TWiST listeners can get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠ Squarespace. Turn your idea into a new website! Go to http://www.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. Lemon.io - Hire pre-vetted remote developers, get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist Todays show: Base Power’s Justin Lopas joins Jason to discuss the critical link between energy availability and GDP per capita, focusing on Texas' deregulated energy market and recent power outages (2:16). They also dive into ERCOT's role (7:40), dynamic grid pricing (20:04), batteries' potential for grid resilience (23:09), and more! * Timestamps: (0:00) Base Power’s Justin Lopas joins Jason (2:16) Discussion on Texas energy grid and recent power outages (5:34) Deregulated energy market in Texas (7:40) How the Texas grid works and the role of ERCOT (9:35) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠ (10:50) Issues with the Texas energy system, power outages, and comparison with California's energy issues (20:04) Dynamic grid pricing in Texas (23:08) ERCOT's procedures during overload conditions and the role of batteries in grid resilience (25:39) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST (30:40) Cost comparison with Tesla Powerwalls (36:09) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist (45:12) Current deployment status, operational challenges, and regulatory challenges in the energy market (50:32) Proposal for trusted vendor programs and preferred vendor status (1:03:41) Correlation between energy availability and GDP per capita (1:04:19) Solving the energy problem to boost human prosperity * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Check out Base Power: https://www.basepowercompany.com * Follow Justin: X: https://x.com/JLopas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinlopas * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Thank you to our partners: (9:35) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠ (25:39) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST (36:09) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Eight Sleep. Good sleep is the ultimate game changer. The newest generation of the pod, the Pod 4 ultra has arrived. Head to eightsleep.com/twist and use code TWIST to get $350 off the Pod 4 Ultra. Mercury. With Mercury, you can simplify your financial operations with banking and software that power your critical financial workflows, all within the one thing every business needs, a bank account. And with new bill pay and accounting integrations, you can pay bills faster and stay in control of company spend. Apply in minutes at https://www.Mercury.com Northwest Registered Agent. Start your business fast and secure with Northwest Registered Agent! In just 10 clicks and 10 minutes, set up your entire business identity - name, address, mailservice, phone, email, website, and domain. Everything You Need to Launch Your Business in Minutes! For $39 business formation visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist * Todays show: Steve Jurvetson and Gerard Barron join Jason to discuss the growth and challenges of the EV market (1:50). Then, they discuss TMC’s involvement in polymetallic nodules and robotic vacuuming for ocean nodules (15:34), the geopolitical aspects of deep-sea mining (40:50), and AI’s impact on technology (52:01). * Timestamps: (0:00) Steve Jurvetson and Gerard Barron join Jason (1:50) EV market growth and challenges (2:42) The mission of The Metals Company (5:54) Gerard Barron explains polymetallic nodules (13:59) Eight Sleep - Head to https://www.eightsleep.com/twist and use code TWIST to get $350 off the Pod 4 Ultra. (15:34) Robotic vacuuming and ocean nodules (19:17) Environmentalists' perspectives on ocean mining (28:16) Mercury - Join 200K startups who use Mercury to operate at their best at http://mercury.com (29:47) Deep dive into VC with Steve Jurvetson (36:16) Northwest Registered Agent - For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today. (40:50) Geopolitical aspects of deep-sea mining and future outlook (52:01) The age of AI and its impact on technology * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Check out The Metals Company: https://metals.co * Follow Gerard: X: https://x.com/gtbgtb LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerardbarron * Follow Steve: X: https://x.com/FutureJurvetson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevejurvetson Check out: https://future.ventures * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Thank you to our partners: (13:59) Eight Sleep - Head to https://www.eightsleep.com/twist and use code TWIST to get $350 off the Pod 4 Ultra. (28:16) Mercury - Join 200K startups who use Mercury to operate at their best at http://mercury.com (36:16) Northwest Registered Agent - For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today. * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Northwest Registered Agent. Start your business fast and secure with Northwest Registered Agent! In just 10 clicks and 10 minutes, set up your entire business identity—name, address, mail service, phone, email, website, and domain. Everything You Need to Launch Your Business in Minutes! For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist Wistia - The all-in-one video platform for business, with tools that help you create, manage, and measure the impact of your videos. Try Wistia for free at https://www.wistia.com/startups1 HiddenLayer - Generative AI is revolutionizing industries. HiddenLayer’s AI Detection & Response Solution secures your Generative AI & LLMs from malicious attack. Helping you generate more – by enabling seamless & secure Generative AI. Visit https://www.HiddenLayer.com/TWiST to learn more. * Todays show: Rory O’Driscoll joins guest host Mark Suster to discuss: advice for founders with traction but not yet booming (2:33), thirty years of internet cycles and their impact on venture capital (13:25), the approach to big-picture thinking vs. immediate traction and strategizing exits (36:58), and more! * Timestamps: (0:00) Rory O’Driscoll joins guest host Mark Suster. (2:33) Rory’s advice for founders with traction but not yet booming. (9:09) Aligning incentives between founders and venture; reminding CEOs to be "selfish.” (10:23) Northwest Registered Agent - For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today. (13:25) Reflections on thirty years of internet cycles and their impact on venture capital. (18:25) Debating AI: Does it favor the incumbents? (20:07) Wistia - Try Wistia for free at https://www.wistia.com/startups (21:35) What Rory and Scale Venture looks for when investing in AI. (26:20) How OpenAI has changed the landscape (29:18) HiddenLayer - HiddenLayer’s AI Detection & Response Solution secures your Generative AI & LLMs from malicious attack. Visit https://www.HiddenLayer.com/TWiST to learn more. (30:30) Debating “faux-mentum” vs. long-term sustainability in investments. (34:34) Balancing deep passion and business savvy when evaluating founders. (36:58) Rory’s approach to big-picture thinking vs. immediate traction and strategizing exits (44:02) The importance of picking vs. price discipline. (1:00:58) Advice for founders dealing with “busted cap tables.” (1:08:07) Rory’s advice for his younger self. * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Check out Scale Venture Partners: https://www.scalevp.com/ * Follow Rory: X: https://x.com/rodriscoll LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roryodriscoll/ * Follow Mark: X: https://twitter.com/msuster LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksuster/ * Thank you to our partners: (10:23) Northwest Registered Agent - For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today. (20:07) Wistia - Try Wistia for free at https://www.wistia.com/startups (29:18) HiddenLayer - ****HiddenLayer’s AI Detection & Response Solution secures your Generative AI & LLMs from malicious attack. Visit https://www.HiddenLayer.com/TWiST to learn more. * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… LinkedIn Ads. To redeem a $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups 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 http://www.vanta.com/twist DevSquad. Most dev agencies only offer developers. Why? Because product management is hard. Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at http://devsquad.com/twist. * Todays show: Jason and Alex discuss xAI raising $6B (2:07), the TWiST500 (30:11), the startups building our drone future (39:55), North Korean tech talent taking American remote tech jobs (55:50), and more! * Timestamps: (0:00) Jason and Alex kick off the show (2:07) xAI raised $6B series B (10:03) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups (11:30) The evolution of smartphone adoption over time (19:08) Global Internet users from 2005-2023 (26:06) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist (26:57) The control over silicon and Apple’s move switch from Intel (30:11) TWiST500 announcement (38:24) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at http://devsquad.com/twist (39:55) Armed robot dogs, drone warfare, and the startups building our drone future (55:50) North Korean nationals taking American remote tech jobs * Links and articles from show: https://x.ai/blog/series-b https://www.twz.com/sea/rifle-armed-robot-dogs-now-being-tested-by-marine-special-operatorshttps://news.crunchbase.com/ai/defense-military-ai-tech-startups-vc-funding-anduril-shield-ai/?utm_source=cb_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20230703 https://www.axios.com/2024/05/21/north-korea-it-workers-us-hiring https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/24/north-korea-crypto-hacking-activity-soars-to-record-high-in-2023-new-report-shows.html https://www.statista.com/statistics/273018/number-of-internet-users-worldwide https://www.axios.com/2024/05/26/china-robot-gun-dog-military-cambodia https://www.allencontrolsystems.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMnkqY98Cyo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8igjcW39T4k * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * 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: (10:03) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups (26:06) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist (38:24) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at http://devsquad.com/twist * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Squarespace. Turn your idea into a new website! Go to http://www.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. OpenPhone. Create business phone numbers for you and your team that work through an app on your smartphone or desktop. TWiST listeners can get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠ Lemon.io. Hire pre-vetted remote developers, get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist * Todays show: David Weisburd hosts Jaime Matus, Michael Eisenberg, and Jason Calacanis to discuss AI investments and the potential washout of overfunded startups (4:11). They also touch on VC hypocrisy (38:47), and the role of geography in the VC ecosystem (54:53). * Timestamps: (0:00) David Weisburd intros Jaime Matus, Michael Eisenberg, and Jason Calacanis (4:11) Pitchbook data summarizing the total amount of capital invested in AI (12:12) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST (16:33) Predicting a washout of overfunded AI startups and sky high valuations (25:30) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠ (26:57) Discussing Michael Eisenberg's career and investment experiences (37:22) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist (38:47) Discussion on Greg Isenberg's tweet about VC hypocrisy (54:53) Fundraising rankings by ecosystem * Follow Jaime: X: https://x.com/JaimeMatusVC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-matus Check out: https://www.invariantes.com * Follow Michael: X: https://x.com/mikeeisenberg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mieisenberg Check out: https://aleph.vc * Follow David: X: ⁠https://twitter.com/DWeisburd⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd⁠ Check out: ⁠https://10xcapital.com * Follow Jason: X: ⁠https://twitter.com/jason⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jason⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Thank you to our partners: (12:12) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST (25:30) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠ (37:22) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist * Check out the Launch Accelerator: https://launchaccelerator.co * Check out Founder University: https://www.founder.university * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

In this episode, David Sacks and Evan Owen of Glue join Jason to demo their new “slack killer” product (4:38), explain the role of AI within Glue (14:14), discuss building products with remote vs in-person teams (36:47), and more! * Timestamps: (0:00) David Sacks and Evan Owen join Jason to show us newly launched Glue. (2:42) David Sacks answers, “Why build another product?”. (4:38) Evan jumps into a demo of Glue. (9:37) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST (12:15) Popular data sources users are incorporating into Glue. (14:14) Digging deeper on the AI of Glue and when it will be able to be proactive in its participation. (19:42) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist (21:07) Glue’s strategy on converting users from tools like slack in this competitive landscape. (27:18) Glue’s approach to pricing. (30:16) Dot Tech Domains - Don’t miss our “Jam with JCal” contest. To apply and get more details go to https://jamwithjcal.tech/ (31:45) Training models and the heated subject of privacy and security. (34:12) How building a company now, fourteen years after Yammer, has been different for Sacks. (36:47) Diving into the topic of building products with remote vs in-person teams. * Check out Glue: https://gluegroups.com/ Glue on X: https://x.com/GlueAI * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Follow David: X: https://x.com/DavidSacks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidoliversacks/ * Follow Evan: X: https://x.com/kainosnoema LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanaowen/ * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Thank you to our partners: (9:37) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST (19:42) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist (30:16) Dot Tech Domains - Don’t miss our “Jam with JCal” contest. To apply and get more details go to https://jamwithjcal.tech/ * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Zendesk - The best customer experiences are built with Zendesk. Qualifying startups can join their Startup program and get Zendesk products free, for six months! Visit http://www.zendesk.com/twist today to get started. Mercury - Mercury is the fintech startups use for banking* and all their financial workflows. Paying bills, staying in control of company spend, and closing the books doesn't need to be so complex — that's why Mercury powers it all from the one thing every business needs: the bank account. Join 200K startups who use Mercury to operate at their best at http://mercury.com *Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust, Members FDIC. HiddenLayer - Generative AI is revolutionizing industries. HiddenLayer’s AI Detection & Response Solution secures your Generative AI & LLMs from malicious attack. Helping you generate more – by enabling seamless & secure Generative AI. Visit https://HiddenLayer.com/TWiST * Timestamps: (0:00) Jason and Alex kick off the show (1:50) Nvidia earnings for First Quarter Fiscal 2025 (12:53) Zendesk - Get six months free at http://www.zendesk.com/twist (14:32) Continuing discussion on Nvidia's earnings (22:39) News Corp and OpenAI strike ‘multi year global partnership’ (29:21) Mercury - Join 200K startups who use Mercury to operate at their best at http://mercury.com (30:51) Apple News+ is driving big numbers for The Daily Beast (39:03) HiddenLayer - HiddenLayer’s AI Detection & Response Solution secures your Generative AI & LLMs from malicious attack. Visit https://HiddenLayer.com/TWiST to learn more. (40:14) Wearable AI startup Humane is exploring a sale (50:56) Windows Recall (1:08:45) Farcaster raises $150M: Is crypto making a comeback? * Links and articles from show: https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/nvidia-announces-financial-results-for-first-quarter-fiscal-2025 https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/21/farcaster-a-crypto-based-social-network-raised-150m-with-just-80k-daily-users/ https://gizmodo.com/humane-ai-pin-selling-billion-1851493143 https://www.semafor.com/article/05/19/2024/as-clicks-dry-up-for-news-sites-could-apples-news-app-be-a-lifeline https://www.wsj.com/business/media/openai-news-corp-strike-deal-23f186ba?mod=latest_headlines https://s201.q4cdn.com/141608511/files/doc_financials/2025/Rev_by_Mkt_Qtrly_Trend_Q125.pdf https://x.com/dsiroker/status/1792956339515273537 * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * 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: (12:53) Zendesk - Get six months free at http://www.zendesk.com/twist (29:21) Mercury - Join 200K startups who use Mercury to operate at their best at ⁠http://mercury.com⁠ (39:03) HiddenLayer - HiddenLayer’s AI Detection & Response Solution secures your Generative AI & LLMs from malicious attack. Visit https://HiddenLayer.com/TWiST to learn more. * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

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 http://www.vanta.com/twist LinkedIn Ads - To redeem a $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups Equinix - The Equinix Startup program offers a hybrid infrastructure solution for startups, including up to $100K in credits and personalized consultations and guidance from the Equinix team. Go to https://www.equinixstartups.com to apply today. * Timestamps: (0:00) Alex Wilhelm joins Jason to dive into this week’s news. (1:17) Announcing new co-host on TWiST Alex Wilhelm of TechCrunch fame! (3:03) Alex breaks down what’s on the docket for today! (4:16) The OpenAI equity issue. (10:38) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist (12:39) OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4o. (15:33) Why ChatGPT is better than Siri. (17:50) OpenAI’s net revenue in the wake of last week’s announcements. (20:04) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups (22:06) Comparing the needs of consumers vs enterprise for ChatGPT. (24:17) OpenAI has pulled “Sky” one of the voices for the new ChatGPT 4o due to it sounding like Scarlett Johansson (28:48) Equinix - Join the Equinix Startup Program for up to $100K in credits and much more at https://deploy.equinix.com/startups (30:01) Alex’s favorite topic around how much founders paying themselves. (38:46) A billion-dollar deal in cybersecurity. (45:43) Breaking news Scar Jo! (56:24) What’s going on with crypto-venture capital. (58:02) A look at “decentralized twitter” called Farcaster. * Links from episode: OpenAI Equity link: https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-openai-nda-clause-vested-equity-ilya-sutskever-2024-5 OpenAI revenue growth https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/20/chatgpts-mobile-app-revenue-saw-biggest-spike-yet-following-gpt-4o-launch/ Founder salary report: https://pilot.com/founder-salary-report-2024 CyberArk-Venafi deal: https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/20/cyberark-snaps-up-venafi-for-1-54b-to-ramp-up-in-machine-to-machine-security/ Crypto VC rising: https://www.reuters.com/technology/venture-capital-funding-crypto-rises-24-bln-pitchbook-says-2024-05-20/ Check out Farcaster: https://www.farcaster.xyz/ * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * 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: (10:38) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist (20:04) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups (28:48) Equinix - Join the Equinix Startup Program for up to $100K in credits and much more at https://deploy.equinix.com/startups * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… OpenPhone. Create business phone numbers for you and your team that work through an app on your smartphone or desktop. TWiST listeners can get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠ Coda. A new doc that brings words, tables and teams together. All your valuable data, plans, objectives, and strategies in one place. Go to https://www.coda.io/twist to get a $1,000 credit! Northwest Registered Agent. Northwest Registered Agent will form your business quickly and easily. In just 10 clicks and 10 minutes, set up your entire business identity—name, address, mail service, phone, email, website, and domain. For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today. * Todays show: David Weisburd hosts Mel Williams, Delian Asparouhov, and Jason Calacanis to discuss discuss crypto regulation (17:05), AI spending (27:21), and immigration's role in startups (55:43). * Timestamps: (0:00) David Weisburd intros Mel Williams, Delian Asparouhov, and Jason Calacanis (3:46) WSJ reports that top crypto funds are back in the market (9:38) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠ (10:54) Jason's proposal for a "sophisticated investor test" for crypto investments (17:05) The limitations of current SEC regulations and the potential political impact of crypto regulation (26:03) Coda - Get a $1,000 startup credit at https://coda.io/twist (27:21) AI spend is up across the board in 2024 (39:42) Northwest Registered Agent - For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today. (41:01) GPT-4o demos and the rapid commoditization of AI technology (48:29) The impact of AI on the economy (55:43) Immigration and its impact on the startup ecosystem (1:06:11) Self-censorship and the importance of a free society * Follow Mel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mel-williams-00584a5 Check Out: https://truebridgecapital.com * Follow Delian: X: https://x.com/zebulgar LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/delian-asparouhov-87447742 Check out: https://foundersfund.com https://www.varda.com * Follow David: X: ⁠https://twitter.com/DWeisburd⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd⁠ Check out: ⁠https://10xcapital.com * Follow Jason: X: ⁠https://twitter.com/jason⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jason⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Thank you to our partners: (9:38) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠ (26:03) Coda - Get a $1,000 startup credit at https://coda.io/twist (39:42) Northwest Registered Agent - For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today. * Check out the Launch Accelerator: https://launchaccelerator.co * Check out Founder University: https://www.founder.university * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast