

This Week in Startups
Jason Calacanis
Jason Calacanis covers startups, tech, markets, media, and all the hottest topics in business and technology. He also interviews the world’s greatest founders, operators, investors, and innovators.
Episodes
Mentioned books

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:
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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
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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