This Week in Startups

Molly and Jason react to the breaking news that Bahamian authorities have arrested Sam Bankman-Fried. (1:27) Then, from earlier in the day, Molly and Jason chop it up about the news of The Block’s CEO Michael McCaffrey receiving $40M from Alameda Research. (27:41) We then close with a story about Walmart’s new BNPL service. (45:25) (0:00) Molly kicks off the show (1:36) Molly and Jason react to SBF getting arrested (14:51) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist (15:55) Kevin O’Leary’s FTX deal + Predicting what happens to SBF (26:11) Nutrisense - Use code TWIST and get $30 off at nutrisense.io/twist (27:41) Alameda gave Michael McCaffrey $40M (45:25) Walmart launches a BNPL service FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

Molly and Jason talk about their big weekends. (2:27) Then they discuss the culture war in tech right now (13:47). Followed by our new favourite game, ChatGPT or Google Search. (47:15) Then we wrap up with a breakthrough in the world of nuclear fusion. (1:17:16) (0:00) J+M Kick off the show (2:27) Molly and Jason Catch up after the weekend (12:24) FanDuel Sportsbook - Sign up with promo code TWIST to place a $1000 risk-free bet at https://sportsbook.fanduel.com (13:47) The culture war in tech (28:00) Crowdbotics - Get a free scoping session for your next big app idea at crowdbotics.com/twist (29:23) Organizations getting bloated (47:15) ChatGPT or Google Search + is Google in trouble? (1:12:40) Check us out on Substack! (1:17:16) WLITF: A major breakthrough in nuclear fusion FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

J+M kick off the show discussing TAM, SAM, and SOM on this week’s edition of VCSS. (2:40) Then, HubSpot Co-Founder and Partner at Propeller Brian Halligan joins Molly to discuss his $100M venture fund to invest in protecting the world’s oceans. (26:00) (0:00) J+M tee up today's segments! (2:40) Exceeding your TAM + overestimating your TAM (7:39) House of Macadamias - Get 20% off at https://houseofmacadamias.com/twist by using code TWIST20 (9:07) Inducing a market and Bottom-up TAM (21:15) AgeTech Collaborative - Find out more and apply at https://agetechcollaborative.org/twist (22:49) Molly introduces Brian Halligan (26:00) Why the ocean + from founder to investor (38:00) AgeTech Collaborative - Find out more and apply at https://agetechcollaborative.org/twist (39:39) Propeller’s investments, their EIR program & thesis FOLLOW Brian: https://twitter.com/bhalligan FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

First up, Lon Harris joins to cover James Gunn's DC reboot (2:14), the business of superhero films (28:18), the top films of the year debate (37:15), and more! Then, Producer Rachel is back with another edition of OK Boomer, featuring through the Noise and Tribescaler founder Alex Banks! (1:21:27) (0:00) J+M tee up today's segments! (2:14) Lon Harris joins the show to discuss DC's James Gunn-led revamp (9:29) Odoo - Get access to all of Odoo's apps, services, and maintenance for under $25 at https://odoo.com/twist (10:37) Lon's thoughts on James Gunn's new DC plan, and what's working in the box office right now (26:44) AgeTech Collaborative - Find out more and apply at https://agetechcollaborative.org/twist (28:18) The business of superhero films (35:40) AgeTech Collaborative - Find out more and apply at https://agetechcollaborative.org/twist  (37:15) Jason reacts to AO Scott's Best Movies of 2022 list (44:19) Lon's top movies of 2022 (58:06) Other ongoing stories at Warner Bros Discovery and HBO Max (1:21:27) OK Boomer: Producer Rachel interviews Through the Noise and Tribescaler founder Alex Banks FOLLOW Lon: https://twitter.com/lons FOLLOW Alex: https://twitter.com/thealexbanks FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

Kruze COO Scott Orn is back with Jason to explain how founders can nail their investor updates! (0:00) Kruze's Scott Orn joins Jason to discuss the MOST important metrics and information that founders should include in their investor updates to make them concise and effective (11:49) Other non-financial items to include (14:50) How to break bad news to investors Check out Kruze: https://www.kruzeconsulting.com FOLLOW Scott: https://twitter.com/scottorn FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

Sunny and Vinny are BACK to break down all the important topics in crypto: SBF updates (2:52), how $GBTC played into the industry unraveling (11:34), why we should be paying attention to Genesis (25:51), Michael Saylor's recent comments (44:13), and more! (0:00) Jason tees up today's crypto roundtable! (2:52) Sunny and Vinny are back to talk about the current vibes in crypto and some updates on the SBF situation (10:20) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist  (11:34) How the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust played into the industry unraveling (24:21) Supergut - Get 30% off with code TWIST at https://supergut.com  (25:51) Why Genesis is more concerning than $GBTC (35:00) Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub - Apply in 5 minutes, no funding required, sign up at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups (36:29) Decentralized exchanges, importance of self custody, how Solana's price drop relates to Genesis (44:13) Michael Saylor's recent comments on Ethereum and Ripple being securities, problems with the "foundation" entity workaround FOLLOW Vinny: https://twitter.com/VinnyLingham FOLLOW Sunny: https://twitter.com/sundeep FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

First up, Jason answers some founder questions! (1:46) Then, MycoWorks Co-Founder Sophia Wang joins for this week's edition of The Next Unicorns! (10:12) (0:00) Molly tees up today's segments! (1:46) Ask Jason! What happens if a VC finds a great startup/founder to invest in, but they've already invested in a similar business (4:31) Ask Jason! What is the ideal number of slides in a pitch deck? What are some general tips to spruce up a pitch deck? (8:34) LinkedIn Marketing -  Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at LinkedIn.com/nextunicorn (10:12) Molly welcomes MycoWorks Co-Founder Sophia Wang to discuss her founding story, why she got into Mycelium solutions, and more! (19:37) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist  (21:05) Sophia breaks down the technology process at MycoWorks (27:39) MycoWorks's unusual fundraising journey (30:15) Blueground - Get up to $1000 off your booking at https://promos.theblueground.com/twist  (31:43) Sophia explains her role as Chief Culture Officer, and explains some of the brands they work with FOLLOW MycoWorks: https://twitter.com/MycoWorksInc FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

First up, Molly breaks down some news stories, including Meta's ad troubles in Europe (1:24) and Semafor's saga with its climate editor departing. (9:51) Then, Jason answers questions from founders! (20:25) Finally, Producer Rachel joins Molly to discuss what happened with Hive Social. (32:10) (0:00) Molly tees up today's segments! (1:24) Molly covers Meta's targeted ad troubles in Europe - are we headed for a new standard for ad-based business models? (8:24) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST (9:51) Breaking down Semafor parting ways with its climate editor and a major crypto lending business is stopping its US operations (19:12) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://linkedin.com/twist (20:25) Ask Jason! What percentage of equity should a startup give to an advisor? (27:22) Ask Jason! General advice for founders pitching investors? (29:31) Ask Jason! In this environment, should early-stage startups focus on profitability from day one? (32:10) Rachel Reporting: Molly and Producer Rachel break down what happened with Hive Social and discuss broadcast platforms vs consumption platforms FOLLOW Rachel: https://twitter.com/_rachelbraun FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

J+M start the show with some BREAKING NEWS: Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield is leaving Salesforce! (5:09) Then, they cover Circle canceling its SPAC (26:06), SBF's interactions with regulators and the media (40:29), and a Startup of the Day! (57:50) (0:00) Molly tees up today's news topics! (1:48) J+M catch up from the weekend (5:09) BREAKING: Slack Founder and CEO Stewart Butterfield is leaving Salesforce two years after the Slack acquisition was announced (12:49) Mixpanel - Apply for $50K in credits at https://mixpanel.com/startups  (14:14) Is this a Salesforce issue or a Slack issue? Is Salesforce's Co-CEO leaving last week just a coincidence? (24:43) Crowdbotics - Get a free scoping session for your next big app idea at crowdbotics.com/twist (26:06) Circle cancels its SPAC over missed regulatory deadlines (39:11) Fitbod - Get 25% off at https://fitbod.me/twist  (40:29) SBF and Maxine Waters, Semafor's potential illicit funds from SBF (57:50) Startup of the Day! Loft Dynamics is building a VR helicopter flight simulator for ~95% cheaper than traditional simulators FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

J+M are back for another edition of VC Sunday School. This week, they discuss momentum investing in venture capital! (1:35) Then, Molly interviews Convective Capital’s Bill Clerico on investing in firetech startups. (27:58) (0:00) Molly tees up Sunday’s segments! (1:35) VC Sunday School: Momentum investing: fair strategy, or sign of a bubble? (12:56) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist (14:30) Contrarian investing in VC (26:28) Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub - Apply in 5 minutes, no funding required, sign up at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups (27:58) Molly is joined by Convective Capital’s Bill Clerico and talks about investing solely in firetech startups (35:30) Bill breaks down the different types of firetech startups that he’s investing in FOLLOW Bill: https://twitter.com/billclerico FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1