

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

Nov 30, 2021 • 55min
Twitter’s new CEO, Mr. Beast’s record-breaking Squid Game + Haus’ Helena Price Hambrecht | E1335
First, Jason sums up Jack Dorsey's departure from Twitter's CEO role (1:41). Then he breaks down the stats from Mr. Beast's latest YouTube video (11:05). After the news, Haus CEO and Co-Founder Helena Price Hambrecht joins (16:53) to discuss her DTC alcohol brand, changing habits of American drinkers and more.

Nov 29, 2021 • 25min
End of year startup accounting checklist | Finance Basics with Kruze Consulting’s Scott Orn | E1334
Kruze Consulting COO Scott Orn shares the seven tasks founders need to complete before years end. Jason and Scott discuss efficiently navigating compliance and tax deadlines, taking advantage of tax incentives for VC-backed startups, financial planning and more.

Nov 24, 2021 • 58min
Zoom’s revenue tops $1B, valuation falls + Startup Checklist: how to prepare for fundraising | E1333
First Jason covers Zoom's Q3 earnings and reflects on broader tech valuations (01:53). Then, Jason does a Startup Checklist episode on how to get your startup ready for an investment (16:10). The episode covers the basics like making sure you have the right structure (18:06), the ways you can fundraise (39:33) and more.

Nov 24, 2021 • 1h 27min
Turner Novak: Turning memes into a $10M VC fund | E1332
Banana Capital's Turner Novak joins to discuss breaking into venture, starting his own fund (11:08), what it's like being an emerging manager, rising valuations, and crypto (45:10). Turner also makes the case for quick commerce, group grocery buying in Latin America (1:04:03) and more!

Nov 23, 2021 • 47min
Nikola Motors update, El Salvador launches $1B bond to build “Bitcoin City” on a volcano | E1331
Full news show today! First, a quick update on Nikola and Trevor Milton's situation (1:35). Then, Jason reacts to a video of Jordan Peterson getting "orange-pilled" (23:10) and the announcement of El Salvador's Bitcoin City (31:51). To wrap up the show, we do another "We Live in the Future" segment about a speeder hover-bike by Japan's A.L.I. Technologies (46:46).

Nov 19, 2021 • 1h 36min
A DAO bids $40M on the Constitution, Startup Checklist: Operational best practices, Gen Z VCs | E1330
First, Jason covers ConstitutionDAO attempt to buy one of the remaining 13 copies of the constitution at Sotheby's (01:56). Then, he does 10 points from the Startup Checklist on operational excellence (34:54). To close out the show, Producer Rachel speaks with Meagan Loyst, a VC at Lerer Hippeau who leads a group called Gen Z VCs (01:04:00).

Nov 19, 2021 • 1h 19min
Tarantino sued over NFTs + Twitch Co-Founder Justin Kan: YouTube, Entrepreneurship, Investing | E1329
First Jason explains why Miramax is suing Quentin Tarantino over his Pulp Fiction NFT collection (2:31). Then Twitch Co-Founder & GP at Goat Capital Justin Kan joins (19:19) to discuss lessons from entrepreneurship, what he looks for when investing, his YouTube channel, podcast and more!

Nov 18, 2021 • 1h 7min
Why Sam Lessin is using the VC model to invest in individuals + Jason funds a startup on air | E1328
First, Sam Lessin of Slow Ventures joins to discuss how he is applying the venture model to invest in individuals, he just placed a $1.7M bet on a YouTube creator (4:10). Then, Jason brings on Chris Niblett, who is going through Founder University (41:40). They discuss Chris's company Bizzly, which is a "Patreon for small businesses," what can be improved, and Jason invests live on the show!

Nov 17, 2021 • 1h 25min
Ohio sues FB + Bradley Tusk “The Fixer,” Uber, startups navigating politics, mobile voting | E1327
First, Jason covers the Ohio Attorney General suing Meta (2:05). Then, Tusk Venture's Bradley Tusk joins to discuss the strategy he developed to help Uber overcome cities trying to ban it (17:43), what actually motivates politicians (23:02), mobile voting (31:07) the advice he would give Mark Zuckerberg (48:28) and more!

Nov 15, 2021 • 25min
How to hire anywhere in the world (legally) | Finance Basics with Kruze Consulting’s Scott Orn | E1326
Remote work unlocked massive hiring opportunities for startups, but also creates new compliance challenges. In this episode, Kruze Consulting COO Scott Orn joins to explain how startups should navigate remote work. They discuss PEOs, sales tax, and tax credits.


