

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

Apr 1, 2022 • 1h 51min
GoPuff & Fast trimming staff + Bradley Tusk on tech regulation + Glimpse Co-founder Akash Raju | E1424
First Jason and Molly discuss instant delivery company GoPuff and 1-click checkout company Fast making layoffs (2:22). Then, Bradley Tusk of Tusk Ventures joins to discuss Uber’s Taxi strategy in NYC, sports betting and tech regulation (40:06). Then in our Ok Boomer segment Rachel talks to Akash Raju, co-founder of Glimpse, brands pay Glimpse a subscription fee for the products to be featured in short-term rentals (1:36:47).
(00:00) Jason and Molly intro the show
(02:22) GoPuff to layoff ~3% of its workforce to cut $40M in costs ahead of IPO
(11:43) Ourcrowd - Check out the deal of the week at https://ourcrowd.com/twist
(12:56) Red flags with GoPuff story
(26:22) Boast - Get your R&D tax credits without the hassle at https://boast.ai/twist
(27:42) Fast considering layoffs, trying to find buyer, fail to raise at two different valuations over past few months
(38:02) Coda - The All-in-one doc for teams, get a $1,000 credit at https://coda.io/twist
(39:18) Introducing the Bradley Tusk interview
(40:06) Bradley Tusk of Tusk Ventures joins to talk about Uber and regulation
(57:05) The future of gambling
(1:26:00) Psychedelics
(1:36:46) OK Boomer intro - Akash Raju from Glimpse
(1:37:47) OK with Producer Rachel and Akash Raju, CEO + Co-founder of Glimpse
FOLLOW Bradley: https://twitter.com/bradleytusk
Check out Bradley's companies: https://www.bradleytusk.com
FOLLOW Akash: https://twitter.com/akashraju4
Check out Glimpse: https://www.tryglimpse.com
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Mar 31, 2022 • 1h 14min
NFT exclusive restaurant: FlyFish Club CEO David Rodolitz + Reviewing We Crashed & The Dropout with Lon Harris | E1423
Lon Harris joins us for This Week in Streaming to break down WeCrashed episode 4 AND The Dropout episode 6 (1:54). Then, we have David Rodolitz, the CEO and Co-Founder of FlyFish Club, which is NYC’s first NFT restaurant (45:20).
(00:00) Jason and Molly intro the show
(01:54) Lon Harris on WeCrashed
(12:23) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist
(13:33) The persuasive power of Adam Neuman
(16:09) Shifting to discuss The Dropout
(22:55) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist
(24:13) Lessons from The Dropout
(32:20) Gun.io - Get $250 off your first developer hire at https://Gun.io/twist!
(33:37) Lon’s thoughts on "the slap"
(44:59) Transitioning to our interview with David Rodolitz
(45:20) David Rodolitz, CEO of FlyFish Club
FOLLOW Lon Harris: https://twitter.com/lons
FOLLOW David: https://twitter.com/rodolitz
Check out FlyFish Club: https://www.flyfishclub.com/
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Mar 30, 2022 • 1h 12min
Facebook funding anti-TikTok lobbyists with Taylor Lorenz + SEC SPAC crackdown, Fast vs. Bolt | E1422
First up, Taylor Lorenz joins to talk about her newest scoop for the Washington Post: Facebook hired a GOP firm to trash TikTok (2:18)! Then, we discuss the SEC considering cracking down on SPACs (39:40), lastly we cover Fast, a 500-person one-click checkout startup, reportedly generating less than $1M in revenue (1:01:14).
Read Taylor's Article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/03/30/facebook-tiktok-targeted-victory/
Taylor Lorenz’s book: www.goodreads.com/book/show/58818667-extremely-online
FOLLOW Taylor: https://twitter.com/TaylorLorenz
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
(00:00) Jason and Molly intro the show
(02:18) Taylor Lorenz from the Washington Post on Facebook using Targeted Victory
(11:27) Coda - The All-in-one doc for teams, get a $1,000 credit at https://coda.io/twist
(12:41) Separating the legitimate concerns from fake stories
(21:03) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist
(22:21) Measuring the likelihood of TikTok being banned in the U.S.
(31:20) Embroker - Get an extra 10% off insurance for your business at https://Embroker.com/twist
(32:37) Should journalists be encouraged to build their own brands?
(39:40) SEC meeting TODAY (3/30/22) to discuss crackdown on SPACs, specifically allowing investors to SUE over “embellished projections”
(1:01:14) Bolt’s one-click checkout competitor “Fast” having trouble raising $100M at a $1B valuation, according to The Information

Mar 30, 2022 • 55min
$625M Axie Infinity Ronin Bridge hack, $TWLO insider trading, Subject's learning platform, $HOOD extends trading hours | E1421
First we explain the $625M hack of Axie Infinity’s Ronin Bridge (1:34), then we discuss the engineers at Twilio who allegedly insider traded (17:30). Next we discuss Robinhood extending its trading window by four hours a day (29:50) and wrap with our startup of the day is Subject, a company providing high school courses for credit online (37:39).
00:00 Molly tees up today's topics
01:34 Axie Infinity’s Ronin blockchain was hacked for over $600M
13:31 Wealthfront - Get your first $5,000 managed for free, for life at https://wealthfront.com/TWIST15:00 Regulation and Axie Infinity hacks
17:30 SEC has charged three Twilio employees for insider trading
28:39 iTrust Capital - Visit https://itrust.capital/twist to create your Crypto IRA today
29:50 Robinhood extends trading window by 4 hours
36:22 Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST
37:39 Startup of the Day: Subject.com (accredited learning platform)
48:22 Final thoughts on the 2022 Oscars moment
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Mar 29, 2022 • 1h 14min
Oscars recap, FTX investors don't hold board seats, Apple working on hardware subscriptions | E1420
All news show. First, we recap the Oscars, including "The Slap" and Apple winning Best Picture (02:17). Then, we discuss $32B crypto derivate exchange FTX not having investors on its Board of Directors (42:45), Apple's reported hardware subscription (01:02:12) and Jason's Hot Tub story (01:09:57).
(00:00) Jason and Molly intro the show
(02:17) Talking about the 2022 Oscars slap: initial thoughts, reactions, etc.
(11:47) LinkedIn - Post your first job for free at https://linkedIn.com/twist
(13:18) More thoughts on the 2022 Oscars slap
(23:47) Rocket - Go to http://getrocket.com/twist and use promo code TWIST for 20% off your first placement.
(24:58) “Coda” from Apple TV+ becomes first streaming movie to win best picture at Oscars
(37:28) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist
(38:45) Toxic celebrity culture and how that ties into founders
(42:45) FTX, one of the fastest growing crypto exchanges in the world is worth $32B and no investors have board seats
(01:02:12) Bloomberg reported that Apple is working on a hardware subscription for iPhones and iPads
(01:09:57) The Hot Tub story
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Mar 27, 2022 • 57min
Understanding non-dilutive fundraising options + Continuum Ag Founder Mitchell Hora | E1419
Sunday Double-header! First, in VC Sunday School, Jason explains non-dilutive funding's impact on startups (2:18). Then, Molly interviews Continuum Ag Founder Mitchell Hora. His company helps farmers analyze their soil and create a roadmap improve it via a holistic approach known as regenerative agriculture (21:33).
(00:00) Jason and Molly tee-up the show
(02:18) VCSS: Discussing non-dilutive funding
(12:37) Intercom - Get advanced Intercom features and Early Stage Academy at a 95% discount https://www.intercom.com/early-stage
(13:53) More on venture debt and factoring
(18:33) Jason and Molly Introduce the Climate Guest
(20:17) Cyvatar - Get your first 2 months free at https://cyvatar.ai/twist
(21:33) TWiCS w/ Mitchell Hora of Continuum Ag
(30:20) Thorne - Personalized, scientific wellness. Go to https://Thorne.com/u/TWIST
(31:23) Mitchell Hora on the importance of healthy, balanced soil
Check out Continuum Ag: https://continuum.ag
FOLLOW Mitchell: https://twitter.com/Continuum_Ag
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Mar 26, 2022 • 50min
Teenage hacking phenom allegedly caught, Molly's Hall of Fame induction & OK Boomer | E1418
Another Friday variety show! First up, Jason and Molly break down the 16-year old hacking phenom who was allegedly behind the recent hacks at Microsoft, Nvidia and Okta, and might have just been caught (1:13). Then, the duo covers Molly's induction into LIBSYN's Podcasting Hall of Fame (6:46) and reminisces on the early days of podcasting including their first podcast together over 16 years ago (11:19). Finally, Producer Rachel is back with another edition of OK Boomer, this time with Miami Hack Week founder Ja’dan Johnson (20:19).

Mar 25, 2022 • 1h 3min
Streaming news! Breaking down WeCrashed E1-3 & The Dropout E5 with Lon Harris | E1417
Lon Harris joins Molly and Jason to talk WeCrashed, The Dropout and Super Pumped! First, they play a round of "Boff, Marry, Kill" between the three shows (1:16), before breaking down the first three episodes of WeCrashed (16:15) and the two lead performances (24:25). They finish with a quick chat on The Dropout and examine the potential of a "tech cinematic universe" (34:15).

Mar 24, 2022 • 1h 1min
Katie Haun's $1.5B web3 fund, Yuga Labs worth $4B, Apple's BNPL play + ChroniFI's Ben Miller | E1416
Jason and Molly take on another Five in Five! Five stories in (a little over) five minutes each: Katie Haun's record-breaking $1.5B debut web3 fund (2:50), Yuga Labs raising $450M at a $4B valuation (12:42), Apple's potential BNPL play (25:23), Worldcoin's $100M raise and privacy concerns (29:59) and Nothing's new iPhone competitor (40:13). Then, Molly talks to ChroniFI Founder & CEO Ben Miller on building a consumer software product that helps people plan for financial independence. (48:59)

Mar 23, 2022 • 55min
How Apple can win podcasting, Bezos' leadership, MBAs raising search funds & FDNY robodogs | E1415
Tuesday news day! Jason and Molly break down the following stories: Apple's "new" creator tools, and brainstorming on how they could dominate podcasting again (2:23), Jeff Bezos' letter to shareholders from 2000, when Amazon's share price was down ~80% from its dot-com bubble peak (16:02), understanding search funds and why elite MBA grads are raising them (38:23). Finally, they wrap with a WLiTF segment about the FDNY purchasing a couple of Boston Dynamics "robodogs" to help with search and rescue missions. (47:15)


