This Week in Startups

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

J+M kick off the show by discussing and testing out OpenAI’s ChatGPT. (1:59) Then, they wrap up the news with a16z’s announcement that they are shutting down future.com (37:40). Producer Rachel ends the show with another edition of OK Boomer featuring Litquidity’s Jack Raines. (50:03) (0:00) J+M Kick off the show (1:59) Molly gets party theme suggestions from OpenAI’s new Chat GPT (9:58) LinkedIn Marketing -  Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at https://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups (11:23) Compounding improvement of AI technology + David Friedberg’s ChatGPT poem and script (18:33) Odoo - Get access to all of Odoo’s apps, services, and maintenance for under $25 at https://odoo.com/twist (19:40) Molly and Jason discuss how ChatGPT works using RLHF (26:57) Advice for founders + Molly & Jason test out ChatGPT (36:13) MicroAcquire - Sell your business with no fees at https://try.microacquire.com/twist (37:40) a16z sunsets future.com + media layoffs (50:03) OK Boomer with Litquidity’s Jack Raines FOLLOW Jack: https://twitter.com/Jack_Raines 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, J+M go through a tale of two interviews: SBF at DealBook (3:14) and on Good Morning America (31:58). Then, Lon Harris joins to discuss Disney's new in-house automatic de-aging tool and more! (47:00) (0:00) J+M tee up today's segments! (3:14) Covering Sam Bankman-Fried's two recent interviews, reacting to clips from SBF at the NYT DealBook conference (12:14) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist  (13:43) SBF chimes in on VC responsibility and drug usage at FTX (27:31) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist  (28:46) Finish up with clips from DealBook: FTX US and a final round of applause (31:58) SBF's Good Morning America interview with George Stephanopoulos  (37:54) Nutrisense - Use code TWIST and get $30 off at nutrisense.io/twist (39:24) Finishing on SBF's GMA interview and comparing the two interview styles (47:00) Lon Harris joins to discuss Disney's new in-house automated de-aging tool (1:07:48) $WBD in talks to license animated content to Amazon, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's new artist-led venture, Lon's recommendations, Jason's nineties stories, and more! FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood FOLLOW Lon: https://twitter.com/lons Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

First up, Jason answers two great questions from the most recent cohort of Founder University! (1:34) Then, Molly and Producer Rachel discuss Spotify Wrapped's marketing genius and a potential new contemporary. (22:33) Finally, AMP Robotics Founder Matanya Horowitz joins Molly for another edition of The Next Unicorns! (40:02) (0:00) Molly tees up today's segments! (1:34) Ask Jason! Is the Generative AI boom for real? (11:42) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist  (13:12) Ask Jason! How to survive text-to-image tools as a designer (15:00) Ask Jason! How to build relationships with investors before you start fundraising (21:07) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://LinkedIn.com/unicorn (22:33) Molly and Producer Rachel break down this year's Spotify Wrapped (and a new contemporary!) (38:38) Crowdbotics - Get a free scoping session for your next big app idea at crowdbotics.com/twist (40:02) Molly is joined by AMP Robotics founder Matanya Horowitz to talk about building recycling-focused robots! (52:04) AMP's customers, target market, company mission, and how they train AI FOLLOW Matanya: https://twitter.com/mhorowit 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, J+M cover Twitter vs. Apple and the app store duopoly (2:10) before breaking down Google's employees per department. (32:48) They wrap up talking about Snap announcing a return to the office for all employees (37:09) and more crypto chaos. (58:18) (0:00) J+M tee up today's topics! (2:10) Twitter vs Apple (9:23) Mayfair - Get 4% APY on your idle cash automatically at https://getmayfair.com/twist  (10:53) Apple/Google app store duopoly, Steve Jobs's original App Store pitch (21:43) Blueground - Get up to $1000 off your booking at https://promos.theblueground.com/twist  (23:15) App Store as a blocker for startups, Apple's interesting priorities (32:48) Google's employees per department breakdown, YouTube's insane efficiency (35:40) Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub - Apply in 5 minutes, no funding required, sign up at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups (37:09) Google's dramatic headcount increase since 2019, Snap asks employees to return to the office 80% of the time starting in February, end of entitlement in tech (58:18) BlockFi goes bankrupt and sues SBF, Miami nightclubs see ~99% decline in crypto payments 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

Jason welcomes back Kruze COO Scott Orn for another edition of Startup Finance Basics! Jason and Scott break down the state of the market (0:00), 2023 budget planning (9:21), and how to nail investor comms! (14:58) (0:00) Jason welcomes Kruze COO Scott Orn and they discuss the state of startups and VC (9:21) What a 2023 budget plan should look like at a Seed stage startup (14:58) Bias for action, investor comms