This Week in Startups

Jason Calacanis
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Oct 7, 2022 • 1h 11min

Ask Jason! + Streaming news with Lon Harris | E1579

Jason opens the show by answering listener questions for 20+ minutes! (1:19) Then, Lon Harris joins to break down Netflix's new mega-hit, the death of network TV, and more! (30:22) (0:00) Jason tees up today's topics! (1:19) How founders building hardware and deep tech products can more efficiently raise capital (3:58) Settling Co-Founder disputes (8:28) Jason's thoughts on Seattle as a place to live and as a startup hub (9:58) Is now the right time to jump to FAANG with a high-paying role? (13:06) Athletic Greens - Get 1 year of Vitamin D free and 5 free travel packs with your first purchase at athleticgreens.com/twist (14:20) Benefits of taking VC for a founder that's already successfully bootstrapping (19:40) How There Will Be Blood relates to entrepreneurship (23:35) Is there an age cutoff for investing in founders? (28:56) Revelo - Get 20% off the first 3 months by mentioning TWIST at https://revelo.io/twist (30:22) Lon Harris joins the show to discuss the biggest stories in streaming (34:17) Netflix has a new hit show about Jeffrey Dahmer (38:48) Babbel - Save up to 55% off your language learning subscription at https://babbel.com/twist  (39:59) Understanding Netflix's numbers with the Dahmer show, and the financials around the show's creator Ryan Murphy (47:30) Network TV is dying, Comedy Central's big mistake, and more general streaming talk FOLLOW Lon: https://twitter.com/lons 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
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Oct 5, 2022 • 1h 5min

Twitter ideas, Elizabeth Holmes trial update, universal USB-C + Ellevest's Sallie Krawcheck | E1578

J+M start the show by suggesting some Twitter product ideas (1:59), before ripping through a lightning round of news. (16:26) Then, Molly welcomes Ellevest CEO and Co-Founder Sallie Krawcheck to kick off another season of The Next Unicorns! (31:09) (0:00) J+M tee up today's topics! (1:59) Jason suggests some Twitter product ideas (14:48) LinkedIn Marketing -  Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at LinkedIn.com/nextunicorn (16:26) News lightning round: Elizabeth Holmes has sentencing postponed due to incident with a key witness, Europe votes in favor of universal USB-C charging (28:55) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist  (31:09) Ellevest CEO Sallie Krawcheck joins Molly to discuss her women-focused investing platform (39:06) Helpware - Go to https://helpware.com/TWIST to get $1000 off your first invoice (40:31) Ellevest total assets, launch story, COVID's harsher impact on women (51:39) Sallie's background on Wall Street, turning haters into customers (1:00:13) Sallie shares thoughts on the current macro environment Check out Ellevest: https://www.ellevest.com FOLLOW Sallie: https://twitter.com/salliekrawcheck FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Ellevest State of Women’s Financial Wellness in 2022: https://s3.amazonaws.com/production.assets.ellevest.com/documents/Ellevest-The-State-of-Womens-Financial-Wellness-in-2022.pdf
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Oct 4, 2022 • 1h 1min

Twitter deal updates, Poshmark acquired, Liquid Death's $700M valuation & more | E1577

First J+M say as much as they can about the Twitter news (2:03), before breaking down Poshmark being acquired by Naver (6:38). Then, they break down Liquid Death's $700M valuation (34:05) and Selena Gomez raising at a $100M valuation for her pre-revenue mental health startup. (46:05) (0:00) J+M tee up today's topics! (2:03) Elon Musk proposes closing the Twitter deal at the agreed-upon price of $54.20/share (6:38) Poshmark acquired by Naver (15:50) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist  (17:06) The booming "circular economy" space, Naver's acquisition thesis, "Goodwill Finds", Google's circular economy program (26:54) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST (28:17) Jason's ideas for a circular economy startup (34:05) Liquid Death raises $70M at a $700M valuation, on pace for ~$130M revenue in 2022 (38:43) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist (40:06) Importance of branding and packaging in CPG (46:05) Selena Gomez raises $5M at a $100M valuation from Serena Williams VC firm for her startup Wondermind, mental health startup space 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
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Oct 3, 2022 • 1h 24min

Tesla AI Day, SEC charges Kim Kardashian for unlawfully promoting token, Section 230 & more | E1576

Monday! First up, J+M go down the rabbit hole on Tesla AI Day, what impact some form of general AI might have on the world, and more! (2:09) Then, the duo covers the SEC charging Kim Kardashian for unlawfully promoting a token (35:29), before wrapping with the SCOTUS announcing they will hear two cases regarding Section 230. (59:05) (0:00) J+M tee up Monday's topics! (2:09) J+M open with some thoughts on Tesla's AI Day (11:48) Notion - Sign up for FREE at https://notion.com/twist  (13:21) What could the advancement of AI do for creating businesses and humanity as a whole? (24:24) SnackMagic - Get 10% cashback up to $1000 until October 15th with code HOLIDAY, and see more at snackmagic.com/twist (25:50) Examples of what impact general AI might have on the future, Tesla's AI advantage (34:15) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist (35:29) SEC charges Kim Kardashian with unlawfully promoting crypto token (59:05) SCOTUS will hear two cases regarding Section 230, how algorithms play into the publisher vs. platform debate 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
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Oct 2, 2022 • 43min

How VCs decide to sell a position + Future's Jean-Louis Warnholz | E1575

On VC Sunday School, J+M discuss how and when VCs decide to sell a position. (2:01) Then, Molly is joined by Future's Jean-Louis Warnholz to discuss his startup, Future, which offers a climate-friendly debit card! (21:28) (0:00) J+M tee up topics for Sunday! (2:01) On VC Sunday School, J+M discuss how and when VCs decide to sell a position (9:07) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist  (10:14) Jason talks about his fund management strategy (18:13) Molly tees up today's TWiCS guest! (19:54) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist  (21:28) Jean-Louis Warnholz joins to discuss his climate-focused debit card (31:10) Harmonic - Get $4000 off at https://harmonic.ai/twist (32:28) Jean-Louis Warnholz breaks down Future's business model Check out Future: https://www.future.green FOLLOW Jean-Louis: https://twitter.com/thefuturescore FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
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Oct 1, 2022 • 1h 2min

The virtuous cycle of tech startups, Mr. Beast turns down $1B offer + OK Boomer: Taylor Bell | E1574

First up, J+M discuss the virtuous cycle of tech startups (2:15) before breaking down Mr. Beast turning down a $1B acquisition offer for his media business (24:58). Then, Producer Rachel is joined by content creator Taylor Bell to discuss her lessons from growing a brand to 180K+ subscribers while having a full-time job. (39:02) (0:00) J+M tee up today's segments! (2:15) Demystifying "Friends and Family" rounds, history of angel investing (10:32) Athletic Greens - Get 1 year free of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs with first purchase at athleticgreens.com/twist (11:57) The virtuous cycle of tech startups, angel investing (23:53) Paperclip - Go to getpaperclip.com/twist to get the app free for life (24:58) Mr. Beast turned down a $1B acquisition offer for his media company (33:24) Producer Rachel joins to tee up today's OK Boomer guest! (37:45) MasterClass - Get 15% off an annual membership at https://masterclass.com/startups  (39:02) Taylor Bell joins Producer Rachel to discuss starting and growing a YouTube channel to 180K+ subscribers while having a full-time job FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood FOLLOW Rachel: https://twitter.com/_rachelbraun FOLLOW Taylor: https://youtube.com/taylorbell Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1
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Sep 29, 2022 • 1h 19min

Meta's text-to-video tool, Zuck's grand plan, Vision Fund to cut staff 30% + $WBD lawsuit | E1573

J+M discuss Meta's new text-to-video tool and what the future of creativity might look like (2:59), then they break down Zuck's grand plan (14:49) before discussing what a recession might mean for startups (27:18) and SoftBank reportedly cutting 30% of its Vision Fund staff. (36:41) (0:00) J+M intro today's segments! (2:59) Meta announces text-to-video tool (13:33) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist  (14:49) Breaking down Zuckerberg's grand plan (21:58) Meta freezes hiring, signals that we've entered a recession (25:52) LinkedIn Marketing -  Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at https://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups (27:18) How a recession and big tech layoffs will impact startups (35:28) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist (36:41) SoftBank is reportedly planning to cut at least 30% of Vision Fund staff (41:29) Jason welcomes Lon Harris and the pair discuss HBO's House of the Dragon and its 10-year time jump (51:37) Warner Bros Discovery sued for allegedly misrepresenting HBO Max subscribers by 10M during the Discover / WarnerMedia merger (57:48) Favorite actors to watch doing anything, rockstars in today's world (1:03:03) CCP censors a popular film for its realistic depiction of rural life in China FOLLOW Lon: https://twitter.com/lons 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
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Sep 28, 2022 • 56min

Apple allows in-app NFT purchases + Bitcoin's role during global macro headwinds | E1572

Sunny Madra and Vinny Lingham are BACK for another crypto roundtable! First up, a full breakdown of the current NFT space: Apple allowing in-app NFT purchases (1:35), best uses cases & platforms for distribution (15:07). Then, they discuss Bitcoin's role during global macroeconomic headwinds. (37:46) (0:00) J+M tee up today's crypto roundtable! (1:35) Apple allows in-app purchases of NFTs (13:33) TripActions - Go to https://tripactions.com/twist and get a $500 Amazon gift card after making your first travel booking OR paying off your first $1000 of liquid spend (15:07) NFT use cases, best platforms for minting and distributing NFTs seamlessly (26:19) WorkOS - Go to https://workos.com to learn how to make your app enterprise-ready. (27:49) NFT platforms adopting open standards to reach critical mass (31:38) Celsius reportedly plans to issue "IOU" tokens representing its debt (36:28) Spokn - Get 3 months free at https://getspokn.com/twist  (37:46) Global macro headwinds, Bitcoin's role in the monetary system going forward (53:18) Will we ever find out who Satoshi is? FOLLOW Sunny: https://twitter.com/sundeep FOLLOW Vinny: https://twitter.com/vinnylingham 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
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Sep 28, 2022 • 1h 3min

Cathie Wood's new VC fund, Bill Gurley's best insights, Girls Who Code on banned books list | E1571

J+M break down Cathie Wood's new VC fund (1:53), Bill Gurley's best insights from his interview with McKinsey (26:13), and Girls Who Code making a banned books list in a Pennsylvania county (0:00) J+M tee up today's venture-heavy topics! (1:53) Cathie Wood's new VC fund: Ark Venture Fund (12:34) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist  (13:42) Opening up VC funds and early-stage investing for retail investors, signs of the start of a recession (24:46) Revelo - Get 20% off the first 3 months by mentioning TWIST at https://revelo.io/twist (26:13) Reacting to Bill Gurley's interview with McKinsey (33:51) FanDuel Sportsbook - Sign up with promo code TWIST to place a $1000 risk-free bet at https://sportsbook.fanduel.com (34:54) More on Gurley's insights: short memories in VC, accepting reality, startups raising too much money, layoffs (47:32) Girls Who Code made a banned books list in a Pennsylvania county 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 FanDuel Disclaimer: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Refund issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).
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Sep 26, 2022 • 1h 16min

British pound crashes, Do Kwon's red notice, NASA's DART mission, TikTok nears US deal | E1570

J+M break down the British pound dropping below $1.04 (5:15), Interpol issuing a red notice for Do Kwon (27:07), NASA's DART mission (53:52), and TikTok discussing an agreement with the Biden administration! (59:44) (0:00) J+M tee up today's topics! (2:48) Importance of focus, avoiding the news cycle in the grand scheme of things (5:15) British pound crashes to lowest level ever against the USD (13:15) Indochino - Get $50 off any purchase of $399 or more by using code TWIST at checkout https://www.indochino.com (14:38) Breaking housing and energy in the economy, income inequality's impact globally (25:34) Grammarly - Sign up for a free and get 20% Grammarly Premium at https://grammarly.com/TWIST (27:07) Interpol issues red notice for Do Kwon on behalf of South Korea (35:39) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://linkedin.com/twist  (36:54) Do Kwon tweeting on the lamb, more theories around where he might head to (47:15) New decentralized crypto derivatives platform Nibiru raises a $7.5M seed at a $100M valuation (53:52) WLITF: NASA's DART mission and planetary defense (59:44) The Biden administration drafted a preliminary agreement with TikTok to try and resolve national security concerns 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

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