This Week in Startups

Jason chats with David Heinemeier Hansson (2:03) about global governments reacting to COVID, Basecamp’s Twitter cycle blowup last spring when more than 1/3 of the company left, the shift from debating in the public square (Twitter) to debating in private with friends on group chats. We also talk about why David now sees a case for Bitcoin after Canada leans toward authoritarianism.  (00:00) Jason and Molly intro today’s episode, David Heinemeier Hansson, OK Boomer with Tony Tran of Lumanu (02:03) Jason catches up with David Heinemeier Hansson (07:05) DHH on Living in Denmark during COVID (10:31) Ourcrowd - Check out the deal of the week at https://ourcrowd.com/twist (11:41) Social media: a weapon of mass disfunction (20:08) Eight Sleep - Go to https://eightsleep.com/twist to check out the Pod Pro Cover and get $150 off at checkout! (21:40) DHH on keeping politics out of the workplace and offering severance for company culture unity (31:14) Marlow - Get 15% off your individual or team memberships at https://getmarlow.com/twist (32:41) Jason and DHH on the joys of working at home (39:41) Jason and DHH discuss the downsides of social media (46:50) Why DHH changed his position on cryptocurrency and the Canadian trucker protests (01:34:15) Jason, Molly, and Rachel intro this week’s OK Boomer (01:36:02) Rachel speaks with Tony Tran, CEO of Lumanu Read David's Blog: https://world.hey.com/dhh FOLLOW David: https://twitter.com/dhh Check out Lumanu: https://www.lumanu.com/ FOLLOW Tony: https://twitter.com/TonyTranNYC FOLLOW Rachel: https://twitter.com/_rachelbraun FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Molly interviews Jason about raising "LAUNCH Fund I." This season of Angel is focused on the nitty-gritty details of raising and running a first-time fund (22:47). Jason shares everything from getting his first check to his biggest mistakes. But first, we discuss the biggest cybersecurity hacks of the last decade and potential risks going forward (1:32).  (00:00) Jason and Molly intro the show, cybersecurity and Russia invading Ukraine, Molly interviews the OG Angel (01:32) Cybersecurity and Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine (12:40) LinkedIn Jobs - Go to https://linkedIn.com/angel and post your first job for free. (15:06) TikTok’s not secure, Florida water treatment plant hacked last year (17:27) Hiring “bounty hackers” for defense (21:33) Ourcrowd - Check out the deal of the week at https://ourcrowd.com/twist (22:47) Molly interviews the original Angel, Jason (36:52) Embroker - Get an extra 10% off insurance for your business at https://Embroker.com/twist (38:18) Jason tells Molly what didn’t work out with his first LAUNCH fund (48:14) When Jason knew the fund model would work (58:48) How his role as changed as the fund has scaled FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Mentioned in the episode NotPetya: https://www.wired.com/story/notpetya-cyberattack-ukraine-russia-code-crashed-the-world/ Colonial Pipeline: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-04/hackers-breached-colonial-pipeline-using-compromised-password Solar Winds: https://www.npr.org/2021/04/16/985439655/a-worst-nightmare-cyberattack-the-untold-story-of-the-solarwinds-hack

First we discuss Kanye’s new “STEM Player” bluetooth speaker, and why he’s trying to diversify away from Spotify and streaming platforms (2:21). We continue with a discussion about platform reliance one founder saw his business destroyed overnight by Facebook (25:17). Then we cover Pipe.com’s recent acquisition which is bringing them into the media space (28:59)! Lastly, Molly chats with Launch Accelerator Cohort 24 founder Joshe Ordonez, the CEO of Airpals about her awesome messenger service startup (39:44). (0:00) Jason and Molly tee up today’s topics: Kanye’s genius move, the pitfalls of platform reliance, Pipe’s interesting acquisition, and Molly interviews another LA24 founder (2:21) Kanye’s genius move: diversifying away from streaming platforms (12:17) Notion - Go to https://Notion.so and use promo code TWIST to get $250 off its annual team plan (13:49) Possibilities opened by Kanye’s move, risks of platform reliance (23:55) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist (25:17) Jason gives final thoughts on leveraging platforms, but owning the relationship with consumers (28:59) Pipe’s newest acquisition will help them bring non-dilutive capital to the entertainment industry (38:27) Vanta - Get get $1,000 off automating your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist (39:44) Molly sits down with LA24 founder Joshe Ordonez, CEO of Airpals Check out Airpals: https://www.airpals.co FOLLOW Joshe: https://twitter.com/JosheOrdonez FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

First, we cover Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong potentially taking credit for an idea generated by a creative firm (2:09). Then, we cover Peloton’s new CEO Barry McCarthy's vision for a revitalized Peloton (15:29). To wrap, we break down a dozen growth stocks that are down over 60% off their 52-week highs. We forecast two winners, one with the highest upside and one with the lowest downside (27:53). (0:00) Jason and Molly tee up today’s topics: Coinbase CEO gets called out by ad agency, Peloton’s new CEO hints at a platform play, drafting beat up tech stocks, and Molly’s Startup of the Day! (2:03) Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong gets called out for not crediting an ad agency in his Twitter thread (14:20) Ourcrowd - Check out the deal of the week at https://ourcrowd.com/twist (15:290 Peloton CEO Barry McCarthy hints at creating an open platform for fitness creators (26:30) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST (27:53) Tech stock pullback draft: $HOOD, $TWLO, $ZM, $SQ (39:25) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist (40:29) Tech stock pullback draft cont’d: $OPEN, $ROKU, $CRSP, $RBLX, final selections (59:34) Molly reflects on her week and gives a climate-focused Startup of the Day! (1:18:31) Jason takes a few questions from the noti gang FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood The Brian Armstrong Thread: https://twitter.com/brian_armstrong/status/1495635907801923584?s=20&t=iFNMbAcau5ZV2FH-ZtavHg NYT with Barry McCarthy: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/19/business/dealbook/barry-mccarthy-interview-peloton.html

00:00 Jason intros the show, Roach Captial's first fund, and Producer Rachel's interview with the Dive Chat founder01:33 Angel Season 6 - First Time Funds 04:07 Fahd Ananta of Roach Capital's path from founder to PM to VC 06:08 Fahd's Angel investing beginnings in at Shopify 10:20 How Fahd made the transition from Angel investing to raising a fund 13:03 Ourcrowd - Check out the deal of the week at https://ourcrowd.com/twist 14:11 Using geography (Canada) as a competitive advantage to raise capital as a VC 18:34 How Fahd has differentiates himself to founders 22:15 Embroker - Get an extra 10% off insurance for your business at https://Embroker.com/twist 23:19 Fahd's investing thesis 26:05 Early winners in Fahd's portfolio 32:33 LinkedIn Marketing - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at https://linkedin.com/AngelPod 34:09 Ok Boomer, Producer Rachel talks to John Herrick, the CTO of Dive Chat a new messaging and event app Check out Roach Cap: https://roachcap.com FOLLOW Fahd: https://twitter.com/fahdananta Check out Dive Chat: https://dive.chat/ FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Ashley Carman joins Jason & Molly to discuss Spotify's acquisition of podcast ad-tech companies Chartable and Podsights (1:55). Ashley is a senior reporter at The Verge and the lead writer at HotPod. We dig into why she thinks Spotify's main competition is YouTube and how the Big Tech and Big Media podcasting efforts are playing out.  After that, 10 companies pitch Jason and the team in rapid-fire (46:16). These startups went through Founder University, a 12-week course run by the team at Launch. 0:00 Jason and Molly tee up today’s topics: Spotify’s podcasting ambitions with Ashley Carman PLUS 10 founder pitches from Founder University 1:55 Ashley Carman joins to break down the news: Spotify acquires Chartable and Podsights, she also covers what happened to Clubhouse 13:25 Ourcrowd - Check out the deal of the week at https://ourcrowd.com/twist 14:29 What podcasting loses by going with dynamically inserted ads, building for creators vs. building for established brands, Spotify going after YouTube as the main platform for creators 26:45 Linode - Apply to their Rise program for founder-led, early-stage startups and get 3 years of discounts at https://linode.com/twist. 27:52 Podcast tracking users habits, why Spotify is rejecting open standards, sleeping giants in the podcasting space 37:01 Mercury - Banking built for startups. See more at https://mercury.com/twist 38:26 Reflecting on Lumiary’s big bet to be the HBO of podcasting 46:16 First 5 pitches: Giphting, Chojuu, TaCo, Term Payments, Fix6 PLUS judge feedback 1:02:05 5 Next 5 pitches: Remotespace. SavvyTeam, Gaan, Timewell, Innocuous AI PLUS judge feedback FOLLOW Ashley: https://twitter.com/ashleyrcarman Check out Founder University: https://www.founder.university Companies Pitching: Giphting, Chojuu, TaCo, Term Payments, Fix6, Remotespace, SavvyTeam, Gaan, Timewell, Innocuous AI FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

World-class investor-operator Keith Rabois is back for his eighth time!  But first, Jason breaks down Airbnb’s great Q4 and full-year earnings report (2:42) and how its customer segment is evolving. Then, he briefly covers the SF Board of Education recall (22:58). When Keith joins (31:27), he and Jason discuss: 1. How he called the top of the tech market in November 2021 2. Keith's 2019 prediction that came true 2. Venture Capital's decaying price discipline 3. Facebook's challenge ahead 4. Six predictions for the market Notes 0:00 Jason intros today’s topics: $ABNB full year earnings, SF BOE recall, and a Keith Rabois interview 2:42 Jason breaks down Airbnb’s full year results 11:57 Vanta - Get get $1,000 off automating your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist 13:14 Jason reflects on Airbnb’s roadmap based on clues from their earnings report 21:42 Gun.io - Get $250 off your first developer hire at https://Gun.io/twist! 22:58 SF Board of Education recall, tech people getting involved in government 29:56 Eight Sleep - Go to https://eightsleep.com/twist to check out the Pod Pro Cover and get $150 off at checkout! 31:27 Keith Rabois joins and talks with Jason about calling the top of the tech market in November 43:27 Reflecting on the absence of pricing discipline in VC and how the FED is running out of tools to combat inflation 53:34 Breaking down Facebook’s precarious situation 1:05:16 6 Market predictions Check out Founders Fund: https://www.foundersfund.com FOLLOW Keith: https://twitter.com/rabois FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Catalyzed by a Ryan Breslow viral tweetstorm, we break down the arguments for if companies should loan money to employees to allow them to exercise their stock options early (1:42). Then, we briefly cover Nvidia’s attempted Arm acquisition falling through and what it might mean for the SoftBank-owned chip designer (30:21). Finally, Molly interviews Craig Zingerline from Growth University, a LAUNCH Accelerator founder (38:00)! (0:00) Jason and Molly tee up today’s topics: Bolt CEO strikes again, Nvidia’s failed Arm acquisition, interview with LAUNCH Accelerator Cohort 24 founder Craig Zingerline (1:42) Jason breaks down employee stock options and how equity works at early-stage startups (10:29) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist (11:27) How has Bolt CEO Ryan Breslow changed equity options for his employees? Is this new model smart or way too risky? (21:19) RealGoodFoods - Go to https://realgoodfoods.com and use code TWIST for $15 off! (22:41) VC response to Bolt’s new stock option plan, Jason’s final thoughts (30:21) Nvidia’s failed acquisition of Arm, is this another SoftBank flop? (35:21) Teeing up the Craig Zingerline interview (36:50) Ourcrowd - Check out the deal of the week at https://ourcrowd.com/twist (38:00) Molly interview current LAUNCH Accelerator portfolio founder Craig Zingerline about his startup Growth University Check out Growth University: https://growthuniversity.io/ FOLLOW Craig: https://twitter.com/craigzingerline FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Ryan Breslow's Tweet in Question: https://twitter.com/theryanking/status/1493390167461224451

First, we break down the Crypto companies that ran super bowl ads and see how they stack up against the dot-com era ads (1:53). Then, we do an update on Joby aviation now that they are trying to roll out an air taxi service in South Korea (28:03). To wrap, Molly covers the BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) space and the challenges these companies are having as they scale, specifically Affirm's recent earnings (36:49). (0:00) Jason and Molly tee up today’s show… from alternate timelines! (1:53) Comparing the 2022 influx of Super Bowl crypto ads with the Dot-com Era ads of 2000, right before the crash (9:29) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist (10:47) How tech companies think about Super Bowl advertising PLUS Jason breaks down the big four crypto ads: Coinbase, FTX, Crypto.com and eToro (23:25) Boast - Get your R&D tax credits without the hassle at https://boast.ai/twist (24:40) Jason’s favorite Super Bowl ad, Sopranos theories (28:03) JOBY Aviation making waves lately: SK deal, FCC proposal, Air Force contract, record-breaking speed (35:45) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist (36:49) Molly breaks down the BNPL space and Affirm’s recent troubles FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Jason and Molly begin this double-header Sunday show with a VC Sunday School segment on top-tier VC behavior (01:38). You will learn: 1. How first-tier VCs compare to second-tier VCs 2. When VCs should intervene in a portfolio company 3. The difference between micromanaging and good governance 4. Jason's framework for ensuring alignment: Mission, Plan, Strategy, Tactics 5. Why good Board Members remain calm and positive Then, Molly is joined by Mike Lin from Dangerous Ventures for a This Week in Climate Startups segment (22:00). You will learn: 1. What Mike learned from working at Makani Power (acquired by Google X) 2. The potential of "muscle-powered" energy and its limits 3. Lessons from the failed Potenco generator & One Laptop Per Child project 4. How Mike got himself fired from Apple for insubordination 5. Why Dangerous Ventures is backing "Dunkirk" climate solutions Show Notes: (00:00) Jason and Molly tee up the show, Top VC vs. Second-tier VCs,  Mike Lin from Dangerous Ventures (01:38) The behavior difference between a top tier VC and a second tier VC (09:23) Where VCs should actually intervene in a portfolio company, micromanaging vs. good governance (11:47) First Republic Bank - Discover what a long-term financial relationship can do for you. Visit https://firstrepublic.com/startup today to learn more. (12:50) What needs to be in alignment Mission, Plan, Strategy, Tactics  (14:58) Why good Board Members are calm and positive (19:30) Jason and Molly intro the This Week in Climate Startups segment (20:40) Superside - Go to https://superside.com/twist to get $3000 or more in credits when you sign up for an annual subscription (22:00) Mike Lin from Dangerous Ventures discusses his previous startup experience at Makani Power (26:09) Can muscle-powered energy come back? (27:57) Pulling Power from the Sky: The Story of Makani (30:56) Notion - Go to https://Notion.so and use promo code TWIST to get $250 off its annual team plan (32:28) Lessons from Mike's time as the founder of Fenix, which was bringing power to low income economies, and the lessons from the failed Potenco generator & One Laptop Per Child project (36:35) How Fenix rose out of the ashes of his previous startup, Fenix's smart battery (39:55) Why Mike Lin was fired as an Apple contractor for insubordination (43:39) Who is going to actually solve the climate crisis? (46:15) Mike's ambition at Dangerous Ventures and why they are backing "Dunkirk" climate solutions (53:43) Managing a micro-fund and using SPVs to build initial momentum Check out Dangerous Ventures: https://www.dangerous.co/ FOLLOW Mike: https://twitter.com/tweetmikelin FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood