This Week in Startups

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Vanta. Compliance and security shouldn't be a deal-breaker for startups to win new business. Vanta makes it easy for companies to get a SOC 2 report fast. TWiST listeners can get $1,000 off for a limited time at http://www.vanta.com/twist DevSquad. Most dev agencies only offer developers. Why? Because product management is hard. Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at http://devsquad.com/twist. Hubspot Podcast Network. Hubspot Podcast Network presents a new podcast called The Next Wave. The Next Wave is your personal Chief AI Officer, bringing fresh takes, industry insights and a trustworthy perspective on how to implement AI to grow your business. Just search for “The Next Wave” on YouTube or in your favorite podcast app. “The Large Language Model Race with Pete Huang, Founder of The Neuron” episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8elHTM9cOOA * Todays show: Jake Loosararian of Gecko Robotics joins Jason to discuss the purpose-designed robots being built at Gecko (3:01), the value of “bear hugging” your key customers (23:39), the “BOM” of current and future robots (1:02:14), and more! * Timestamps: (0:00) Jake Loosararian of Gecko Robotics joins Jason. (3:01) The purpose-designed robots being built at Gecko. (7:03) Origin story behind Jake’s startup. (9:45) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist (10:38) Show us the robots! (17:43) Details on the frequency of needed infrastructure inspections. (19:24) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at http://devsquad.com/twist (23:39) The value of “bear hugging” your key customers. (27:42) Bridging physical and digital with Gecko’s Cantilever digital twins. (29:36) Hubspot for Podcast Networks - The Next Wave: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNextWavePod “The Large Language Model Race with Pete Huang, Founder of The Neuron” episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8elHTM9cOOA (33:50) Extending the value of inspections with fixed sensors. (46:47) Opening up the conversation to the AI data collected. (54:44) Why some robotics companies fail while others succeed. (1:02:14) The “BOM” of current and future robots. (1:06:29) Where humanoid robots may first be “employed”. * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Check out Gecko Robotics: https://www.geckorobotics.com/ * Follow Jake: X: https://twitter.com/loosararian_j LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-loosararian-23981350/ * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Thank you to our partners: (9:45) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist (19:24) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at http://devsquad.com/twist (29:36) Hubspot for Podcast Networks - The Next Wave: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNextWavePod “The Large Language Model Race with Pete Huang, Founder of The Neuron” episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8elHTM9cOOA * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

Squarespace - Turn your idea into a new website! Go to http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST for a free trial. When you’re ready to launch, use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. LinkedIn Ads - To redeem a $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups Dot Tech Domains - Dot Tech domains are the go-to namespace to build anything in tech… and home to the world’s most innovative startups. Keep an eye out for our “Jam Session with JCal” contest… coming soon! Be sure to secure your .Tech domain today at https://get.tech/jason * Todays show: Ian Cinnamon joins guest host Mark Suster to discuss all things space tech; including: the importance of building Apex in L.A. (4:49), the drastic change in costs for satellites (16:03), their first Aries Satellite bus on it’s maiden voyage (30:29), and more! * Timestamps: (0:00) Ian Cinnamon joins guest host Mark Suster. (1:53) Why space is a hot sector right now with startups and investors. (4:49) The importance of building Apex in L.A. (6:44) Ian’s background and what brought him to the space industry. (9:52) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST (11:13) Origin story and perfect fit with Apex co-founder Max Benassi. (13:25) What Apex does and why Max’s manufacturing skillset matters. (16:03) Cost of satellites then and now. (19:55) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups (21:25) Details about the sateliilite bus at Apex. (23:43) The differences and business implications of LEO, MEO and GEO. (29:15) Dot Tech Domains - Be sure to secure your .Tech domain today at https://get.tech/jason (30:29) Their first Aries Satellite bus on it’s maiden voyage and a selfie from space. (53:30) The current scale and expected growth at Apex. (56:19) Competitions in the “space” space. * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Check out Apex: https://www.apexspace.com * Follow Ian: X: https://twitter.com/IanCinnamon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iancinnamon/ * Follow Mark: X: https://twitter.com/msuster LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksuster/ * Thank you to our partners: (9:52) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST (19:55) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups (29:15) Dot Tech Domains - Be sure to secure your .Tech domain today at https://get.tech/jason * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… ⁠Equinix. The Equinix Startup program offers a hybrid infrastructure solution for startups, including up to $100K in credits and personalized consultations and guidance from the Equinix team. Go to https://deploy.equinix.com/startups to apply today. CLA. Innovation takes balance. CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors can help you get from startup to where you want to end up. Get started now at https://www.claconnect.com/tech HubSpot. If you’re fundraising, be sure to check out the Million Dollar pitch competition from Hubspot for Startups & HubSpot Ventures. Apply now at ⁠https://www.hubspot.com/milliondollarpitch * Todays show: Extern’s Matt Wilkerson joins Jason to discuss the concept of externships and their role in bridging the gap between academic curriculum and job market reality. They delve into the demand for cybersecurity professionals (14:18), the value externships offer in career path decisions (28:43), and the impact and evolution of Extern (37:20). * Timestamps: (0:00) Extern’s Matt Wilkerson joins Jason (4:22) The concept of externships and he problem of student loans and work experience (7:04) Equinix - Join the Equinix Startup Program for up to $100K in credits and much more at https://deploy.equinix.com/startups (8:09) The Extern student experience (14:18) The demand for cybersecurity professionals and the benefits of externships (19:11) The gap between academic curriculum and job market reality (23:58) CLA - Get started with CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors now at https://claconnect.com/tech (25:30) The value of externships in helping students figure out their career paths (33:02) HubSpot - Be sure to check out the Million Dollar pitch competition from Hubspot for Startups & HubSpot Ventures. Apply now at ⁠⁠https://www.hubspot.com/milliondollarpitch (34:17) The impact of Extern on students and the job market (46:04) Understanding customers and the evolution of Extern (52:11) The mission of Extern and advice for new founders * Mentioned on the show: https://www.hotjar.com/net-promoter-score * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Follow Matt: X: https://twitter.com/mwilker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwilkerson/ Check out: https://www.extern.com/ * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Thank you to our partners: (7:04) Equinix - Join the Equinix Startup Program for up to $100K in credits and much more at https://deploy.equinix.com/startups (23:58) CLA - Get started with CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors now at https://claconnect.com/tech (33:02) HubSpot - Be sure to check out the Million Dollar pitch competition from Hubspot for Startups & HubSpot Ventures. Apply now at ⁠⁠https://www.hubspot.com/milliondollarpitch * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… OpenPhone. Create business phone numbers for you and your team that work through an app on your smartphone or desktop. TWiST listeners can get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠ NetSuite. The number one cloud financial system, bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, and HR, into ONE platform. Giving you ONE source of truth. By popular demand, NetSuite has extended its one-of-a-kind flexible financing program for a few more weeks! Head to https://www.netsuite.com/liquidity Attio - A radically new CRM for the next era of companies. Head to https://attio.com/twist⁠ to get 15% off for your first year. * Todays show: David Weisburd hosts Joshua Berkowitz, Donald Stalter and Jason Calacanis to discuss xAI closed on $6B (5:02), PitchBook's report on Emerging Managers (17:32), SVB’s venture portfolio situation (44:18), and much more! * Liquidity Timestamps: (0:00) David Weisburd intros Joshua Berkowitz, Donald Stalter and Jason Calacanis (5:02) xAI raises $6B in funding (9:49) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠ (13:16) Sequoia leading a $6B round for AI (17:32) PitchBook's report on Emerging Managers (20:38) NetSuite - By popular demand, NetSuite has extended its one-of-a-kind flexible financing program for a few more weeks! Head to https://www.netsuite.com/liquidity (28:18) The impact of the surge of venture capital in 2021 and its implications for the ecosystem (30:41) Attio - Head to https://attio.com/twist⁠ to get 15% off for your first year. (34:42) The impact of a positive investor attitude on founders (44:18) The Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) venture portfolio situation (49:33) Lightning round of last 3 investments * Thank you to our partners: (9:49) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠ (20:38) NetSuite - By popular demand, NetSuite has extended its one-of-a-kind flexible financing program for a few more weeks! Head to https://www.netsuite.com/liquidity (30:41) Attio - Head to https://attio.com/twist⁠ to get 15% off for your first year. * Mentioned on show: https://www.axios.com/2024/05/03/svb-venture-capital-arm * Follow Donald: X: https://twitter.com/donnystalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donaldstalter Check out: https://www.fieldguide.io https://www.permitflow.com https://slopepay.com * Follow Joshua: X: https://twitter.com/berkowitz_josh LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-berkowitz-86005b23/ Check out: https://dexa.ai https://powerset.co * Follow David: X: ⁠https://twitter.com/DWeisburd⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd⁠ Check out: ⁠https://10xcapital.com * Follow Jason: X: ⁠https://twitter.com/jason⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jason⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Check out the Launch Accelerator: https://launchaccelerator.co * Check out Founder University: https://www.founder.university * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Hubspot for Podcast Networks - Looking to up your marketing game? Check out the podcast: Marketing Against the Grain: https://lnk.to/h3vKHnTW. Hosted by Hubspot CMO Kipp Bodnar and Zapier CMO Kieran Flannigan. They bring you the latest in marketing trends, growth tactics and innovation. “The Best AI Tools For Marketers In 2024” episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeeVKUuEv6Y. Available on all your favorite podcast apps. LinkedIn Jobs. A business is only as strong as its people, and every hire matters. Go to LinkedIn.com/TWIST to post your first job for free. Terms and conditions apply. Zendesk. The best customer experiences are built with Zendesk. Qualifying startups can join their Startup program and get Zendesk products free, for six months! Visit http://www.zendesk.com/twist today to get started. * Todays show: Bob Moesta joins Jason to discuss important customer interview methods, such as the concept and importance of deep listening (7:21), quantitative vs. qualitative and hypothesis-building research (13:08), “The jeweller effect” and building trust (37:47), and more! * Timestamps: (0:00) Bob Moesta of the Re-Wired Group joins Jason. (2:33) Jumping into Bob's origin stories and the early lessons that shaped his career. (4:59) Unpacking the concepts of “the customer is not always right” and that they don’t actually know what they want. (7:21) The concept and importance of deep listening. (8:52) Bob’s use of “the death day” and learning the value of time. (10:57) Hubspot for Podcast Networks - Marketing Against the Grain: https://lnk.to/h3vKHnTW. “The Best AI Tools For Marketers In 2024” episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeeVKUuEv6Y (13:08) Quantitative vs qualitative and hypothesis-building research. (16:51) Bob’s four amazing mentors and how they turned him from an illiterate eighteen-year-old into an innovation machine. (20:16) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist (21:40) The dangers of identifying personas and “the secret sauce”. (26:08) Drawing importance from the “irrational decision”, as context drives the rationale. (28:28) Bob explains his approach to interviews. (31:00) Zendesk - Get six months free at http://www.zendesk.com/twist (32:32) Applying these concepts to a customer buying a diamond or health care. (37:47) “The jeweller effect” and how do you cause trust? (40:48) Making people problem aware. (47:45) Applying the fact that people learn out of routine to the electric car customer. (54:18) The concept of nostalgia. (1:03:08) Bob’s current book he is writing about what causes someone to leave one company and go to another. (1:15:57) At what stage is a company that hires the Re-Wired Group? * Check out The Re-Wired Group: https://www.anomalo.com/ Check out Bob’s website and publications: https://www.bobmoesta.com/ * Check out Founder Fridays: https://www.founderfridays.tech/ * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Follow Bob: X: https://twitter.com/bmoesta?lang=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobmoesta/ * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Thank you to our partners: (10:57) Hubspot for Podcast Networks - Marketing Against the Grain: https://lnk.to/h3vKHnTW. “The Best AI Tools For Marketers In 2024” episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeeVKUuEv6Y (20:16) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist (31:00) Zendesk - Get six months free at http://www.zendesk.com/twist * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Eppo. Experimentation is how generation-defining companies win. Accelerate your experimentation velocity with Eppo. Visit  https://www.geteppo.com/twist Eight Sleep. Good sleep is the ultimate game changer. Now you can add the Pod Cover to any mattress! Go to https://www.eightsleep.com/twist to check out the Pod Cover and get $200 off the pod plus free shipping! Mercury. 90% of startups fail. Just 10 out of every 100 make it. Mercury exists to close that gap — helping companies succeed with banking and credit cards engineered for the startup journey. Join over 100,000 companies banking with Mercury at http://www.mercury.com⁠ * Todays show: Jason and Presh kick off the Founder University pitch competition (00:00), then we hear from Peter on Props AI (10:17), Alan on 2ndHandGeek (21:15), and Alex on Zweelie (37:18). Finally, Jason awards a $25K investment (), and details how to apply! * Timestamps: (00:00) Jason kicks off the show! (1:16) Jason brings on Presh to introduce today's pitches! (9:17) Eppo. Accelerate your experimentation velocity with Eppo. Visit  https://www.geteppo.com/twist (10:17) Peter Kirkham pitches Props AI (19:45) Eight Sleep - Go to https://www.eightsleep.com/twist for $200 off the Pod plus free shipping (21:15) Alan Blakeborough Pitches 2ndHandGeek (36:16) Mercury - Join 100K+ startups banking with Mercury at http://www.mercury.com⁠ (37:18) Alex Hanna pitches Zweelie (41:44) Jason picks the startup he will invest in! (43:26) Advice for founders and Q&A * Founder University: Cohort 8 begins May 9th! Apply here: ⁠https://www.founder.university⁠ * We are doing Founder Fridays! Go check out ⁠https://founderfridays.tech * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Follow Peter: X: https://twitter.com/k11kirky LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-kirkham Props AI: www.getprops.ai * Follow Alan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/f3zorroblake 2ndHandGeek: https://exchange.2ndhandgeek.com * Follow Alex: X: http://x.com/_alexhanna LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hanna-founder Zweelie: http://zweelie.com * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Thank you to our partners: (9:17) Eppo. Accelerate your experimentation velocity with Eppo. Visit  https://www.geteppo.com/twist (19:45) Eight Sleep - Go to https://www.eightsleep.com/twist for $200 off the Pod plus free shipping (36:16) Mercury - Join 100K+ startups banking with Mercury at http://www.mercury.com⁠ * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Squarespace. Turn your idea into a new website! Go to http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST for a free trial. When you’re ready to launch, use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Vanta. Compliance and security shouldn't be a deal-breaker for startups to win new business. Vanta makes it easy for companies to get a SOC 2 report fast. TWiST listeners can get $1,000 off for a limited time at http://www.vanta.com/twist Wistia. All-in-one video platform for business, with tools that help you create, manage, and measure the impact of your videos. Try Wistia for free at http://www.wistia.com/startups * Timestamps: (0:00) Sunny joins Jason to dive into this week’s AI news and demos. (1:52) Various user-driven enhancements to Llama 3 (8:28) Abacus runs Llama-3 locally on your iPhone. (10:31) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST (11:54) ChatGPT's new memory feature (18:43) Deep dive into the advancements in self-driving car technology and Tesla’s FSD (21:43) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist (24:30) Sunny breaks down how far we are away to different degrees of self-driving cars. (29:22) Wistia - Try Wistia for free at https://wistia.com/startups (33:48) Sunny weighs the possibility of a Robotaxi death in the next couple of years. (37:11) Sunny’s theory that the leader in autonomous cars will be the one to use the Uber model. (46:02) Jason has producer Cort jump on the pod to try out an “AI Death Calculator”. (51:10) Sunny demos Vibecheck. (59:49) Sunny demos Wisdolia. (1:02:25) Sunny demos Globe Engineer * Check out Groq: https://groq.com/ Check out the tweet about Llama-3: https://twitter.com/minchoi/status/1784907752659161432?s=42&t=79J_alIF_jrz1wn1s5pboQ Check out vibecheck: https://vibecheck.market/ Check out Globe Engineer: https://explorer.globe.engineer/ Check out qobuz: https://www.qobuz.com/ca-en/discover Check out Waymo: https://waymo.com/ Check out Wisdolia: https://app.wisdolia.com/ Check out Monic.AI: https://monic.ai/ Check out the Ai Death Calculator: https://life2vec.io/ Check out Founder Fridays: http://www.thisweekinstartups.com/meetups * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Follow Sunny: X: ⁠https://twitter.com/sundeep⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sundeepm * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Thank you to our partners: (10:31) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST (21:43) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist (29:22) Wistia - Try Wistia for free at https://wistia.com/startups * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… NetSuite. The number one cloud financial system, bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, and HR, into ONE platform. Giving you ONE source of truth. By popular demand, NetSuite has extended its one-of-a-kind flexible financing program for a few more weeks! Head to https://www.netsuite.com/liquidity OpenPhone. Create business phone numbers for you and your team that work through an app on your smartphone or desktop. TWiST listeners can get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://www.openphone.com/twist HiddenLayer. Generative AI is revolutionizing industries. HiddenLayer’s AI Detection & Response Solution secures your Generative AI & LLMs from malicious attack. Helping you generate more – by enabling seamless & secure Generative AI. Visit https://www.HiddenLayer.com/TWiST to learn more. * Todays show: David Weisburd hosts Jeff Richards, Ryan Denehy, and Jason Calacanis to discuss down rounds in startups (5:26), changing operations in response to market shifts (23:07), and impact of AI & remote work on job availability (1:02:17). * Timestamps: (0:00) David Weisburd intros Jeff Richards, Ryan Denehy, and Jason Calacanis (5:26) Down rounds and cram down rounds in VC deals (13:06) NetSuite - By popular demand, NetSuite has extended its one-of-a-kind flexible financing program for a few more weeks! Head to https://www.netsuite.com/liquidity (14:22) The terms of investment and the importance of good business fundamentals (21:67) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠ (23:24) Changing operations in response to market shifts (30:20) Increasing deal flow and setting ambitious goals (35:32) HiddenLayer. HiddenLayer’s AI Detection & Response Solution secures your Generative AI & LLMs from malicious attack. Visit https://www.HiddenLayer.com/TWiST to learn more (37:26) AI adoption in startups and businesses (1:02:33) The role of remote work in shaping the global economy and the potential of offshore hiring (1:09:34) Comparing the fundraising process pre and post COVID (1:14:30) Wrap up: Jeff's latest 3 investments and Ryan's company, https://www.Electric.ai * Follow Jeff: X: https://twitter.com/jrichlive LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrichards Check out: https://notablecap.com/ * Follow Ryan: X: https://twitter.com/denehyxxl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandenehy Check out: https://www.electric.ai/ * Follow David: X: ⁠https://twitter.com/DWeisburd⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd⁠ Check out: ⁠https://10xcapital.com * Follow Jason: X: ⁠https://twitter.com/jason⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jason⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Thank you to our partners: (13:06) NetSuite - By popular demand, NetSuite has extended its one-of-a-kind flexible financing program for a few more weeks! Head to https://www.netsuite.com/liquidity (21:67) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠ (35:32) HiddenLayer. HiddenLayer’s AI Detection & Response Solution secures your Generative AI & LLMs from malicious attack. Visit https://www.HiddenLayer.com/TWiST to learn more * Check out the Launch Accelerator: https://launchaccelerator.co * Check out Founder University: https://www.founder.university * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Coda. A new doc that brings words, tables and teams together. All your valuable data, plans, objectives, and strategies in one place. Go to https://www.coda.io/twist to get a $1,000 credit! Northwest Registered Agent. Northwest Registered Agent will form your business quickly and easily. For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today. NetSuite. The number one cloud financial system, bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, and HR, into ONE platform. Giving you ONE source of truth. By popular demand, NetSuite has extended its one-of-a-kind flexible financing program for a few more weeks! Head to http://www.NetSuite.com/twist * Timestamps: (0:00) Edward Brawer joins Jason to dive into PodcastAI (3:25) Introduction and origin story of Edward Brawer's entry into the podcasting AI technology (5:42) Discussion on the features and benefits of PodcastAI, including its ability to automate podcast production processes (9:40) Finding product-market-fit for PodcastAI (11:38) Coda - Get started for free at https://www.coda.io/twist (13:06) The success of their original cold calls to find those first first customers (15:04) Main features and outline of PodcastAI version 1.0. (20:19) Northwest Registered Agent - For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today. (21:51) Hot feature they just launched: viral moments of your pod (29:20) NetSuite - has extended its one-of-a-kind flexible financing program for a few more weeks! Head to http://www.NetSuite.com/twist (31:33) A feature they made specifically from feedback from the All-in pod (34:33) The hilarious origin story of Edward and Jason revolved around an AI version of Jason that, in turn, created an AI version of David Sacks * Check out Podcast AI: https://podcastai.com * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Follow Edward: X: https://twitter.com/edwardbrawer⁠ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardbrawer/ * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Thank you to our partners: (11:38) Coda - Get started for free at https://www.coda.io/twist (20:19) Northwest Registered Agent - For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today (29:20) NetSuite - has extended its one-of-a-kind flexible financing program for a few more weeks! Head to http://www.NetSuite.com/twist* Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… LinkedIn Jobs. A business is only as strong as its people, and every hire matters. Go to https://www.linkedin.com/twist to post your first job for free. Terms and conditions apply. Mantle. The AI-powered equity management platform designed for modern founders and operators. Get your first 12 months free at https://www.withmantle.com/twist HubSpot. If you’re fundraising, be sure to check out the Million Dollar pitch competition from Hubspot for Startups & HubSpot Ventures. Apply now at https://www.hubspot.com/milliondollarpitch * Todays show: Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Charles Duhigg joins Jason to discuss the different types of conversations (9:29), the role of humor (22:48), and they way conversation dynamics can shift (49:30). * Timestamps (0:00) Charles Duhigg joins Jason to break down his latest publishing, Supercommunicators (4:01) The importance of communication in startups and lessons from "The Power of Habit” (8:06) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist (9:29) The role of communication in organizations and the different types of conversations (21:30) Mantle - Get your first 12 months free at https://withmantle.com/twist (22:48) Exploring the role of humor, laughter, and vulnerability in conversations (30:06) Understanding gender and cultural differences in communication (39:23) HubSpot - Be sure to check out the Million Dollar pitch competition from Hubspot for Startups & HubSpot Ventures. Apply now at ⁠https://www.hubspot.com/milliondollarpitch (40:34) The role anecdotes have in conversation (49:30) How the dynamic of the conversation shifts when someone has an ask (1:01:35) The Harvard Study of Adult Development (1:06:36) Closing remarks * Check out Supercommunicators: https://www.charlesduhigg.com/supercommunicators * Follow Charles: X: https://twitter.com/cduhigg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesduhigg/ * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Thank you to our partners: (8:06) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist (21:30) Mantle - Get your first 12 months free at https://www.withmantle.com/twist (39:23) HubSpot - Be sure to check out Hubspot for Startups & HubSpot Ventures for their Million Dollar pitch competition. Apply now at https://www.hubspot.com/milliondollarpitch * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast * Founder University: Cohort 8 begins May 9th. Apply here: https://www.founder.university

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Vanta. Compliance and security shouldn't be a deal-breaker for startups to win new business. Vanta makes it easy for companies to get a SOC 2 report fast. TWiST listeners can get $1,000 off for a limited time at http://www.vanta.com/twist Squarespace. Turn your idea into a new website! Go to ⁠https://www.Squarespace.com/twist⁠ for a free trial. When you’re ready to launch, use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Mercury. 90% of startups fail. Just 10 out of every 100 make it. Mercury exists to close that gap — helping companies succeed with banking and credit cards engineered for the startup journey. Join over 100,000 companies banking with Mercury at http://www.mercury.com⁠ * Todays show: Jason kicks off Ask Jason live! 5 live guests ask questions on key topics, including finding job opportunities (1:43), the “likely winner” and “definitive winner” framework (26:19), how a non-AI startup with traction can stand out to potential investors (1:04:05), and more! * Timestamps (0:00) Jason kicks off another Ask Jason with 5 live guests! (1:43) Dustin asks about how to find job opportunities and market his generalist skills (9:50) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist (10:42) Dustin asks about how to find job opportunities and market his generalist skills (24:57) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/twist (26:19) Francis asks about defining the terms "likely winner" and "definitive winner" in a strategic framework using specific metrics (39:15) Mercury - Join 100K+ startups banking with Mercury at http://www.mercury.com⁠ (40:17) Mathew asks about choosing between mission-aligned sponsors and more lucrative, unrelated advertising opportunities for his podcast (52:23) Jason asks whether to continue low-cost growth strategies or seek seed funding to boost growth through advertising, as their product is the advertising itself (1:04:05) Douglas asks about how a non-AI startup with traction can stand out to potential investors (1:15:37) Host or join Founder Fridays! Go check out https://founderfridays.tech * Send us your questions for the next episode of Ask Jason LIVE! http://www.thisweekinstartups.com/askjason * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Thank you to our partners: (9:50) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist (24:57) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/twist (39:15) Mercury - Join 100K+ startups banking with Mercury at http://www.mercury.com⁠ * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast * Founder University: Cohort 8 begins May 9th. Apply here: https://www.founder.university

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… LinkedIn Ads. To redeem a $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups Curotec. Are you one of those companies that knows you need to be using AI, but you're not even sure where to start? Well then you need Curotec. They are AI experts, and they're offering TWiST listeners an AI Strategy Roadmap tailored to your business for $5000. That's 50% off the normal cost just for telling them we sent you. Check out http://www.curotec.com/twist and get $5000 off! Zendesk. The best customer experiences are built with Zendesk. Qualifying startups can join their Startup program and get Zendesk products free, for six months! Visit http://www.zendesk.com/twist today to get started. * Timestamps: (0:00) Sunny joins Jason to dive into this week’s AI news and demos. (2:03) Examination of Facebook's Llama 3 model, its impact on the AI community, and its superior performance compared to GPT-4 despite being a smaller model. (4:45) Open source vs. commercial products (9:14) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups (10:42) Three big projects where Facebook has affected the open community. (15:38) US Air Foruce staging dogfights with AI-flown fighter jets. (19:09) Curotec - Check out http://www.curotec.com/twist and get $5000 off (21:06) Looking at Grok’s capabilities in first-party research. (27:35) Zendesk - Get six months free at http://www.zendesk.com/twist (29:08) Jason asks Grok a more “spicey” question regarding Trump. (40:46) Sunny demos Marblism. (45:33) Sunny demos Lumona * Check out Marblism: https://www.marblism.com Check out Lumona:https://www.lumona.ai Article “US Air Force stages dogfights with AI-flown fighter jet” https://www.defensenews.com/air/2024/04/19/us-air-force-stages-dogfights-with-ai-flown-fighter-jet Check out Groq: https://groq.com Check out qobuz: https://www.qobuz.com/ca-en/discover Article: Meta is opening up Horizon OS to third parties, Asus and Lenovo first with new headsets https://www.gsmarena.com/meta_is_opening_up_horizon_os_to_third_parties_asus_and_lenovo_first_with_new_headsets_-news-62561.php Check out Waymo: https://waymo.com Check out Founder Fridays: http://www.thisweekinstartups.com/meetups Check out Bubble: https://bubble.io * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Follow Sunny: X: ⁠https://twitter.com/sundeep⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sundeepm * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Thank you to our partners: (9:14) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups (19:09) Curotec - Check out http://www.curotec.com/twist and get $5000 off (27:35) Zendesk - Get six months free at http://www.zendesk.com/twist * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… OpenPhone. Create business phone numbers for you and your team that work through an app on your smartphone or desktop. TWiST listeners can get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at http://www.openphone.com/twist Eppo. Experimentation is how generation-defining companies win. Accelerate your experimentation velocity with Eppo. Visit  https://www.geteppo.com/twist HiddenLayer. Generative AI is revolutionizing industries. HiddenLayer’s AI Detection & Response Solution secures your Generative AI & LLMs from malicious attack.  Helping you generate more – by enabling seamless & secure Generative AI. Visit https://www.HiddenLayer.com/TWiST to learn more. * Timestamps: (0:00) Sunny joins Jason to dive into this week's AI news and demos. (1:39) AI, LLMs, and Groq infrastructure discussion. (9:32) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at http://www.openphone.com/twist (11:00 ) Meta's AI landing page, new search engine, and investment strategies (20:06 ) Eppo. Accelerate your experimentation velocity with Eppo. Visit  https://www.geteppo.com/twist (23:19) Zuckerberg's approach towards Google's dominance and the impact of Meta's search engine (30:19) HiddenLayer. HiddenLayer’s AI Detection & Response Solution secures your Generative AI & LLMs from malicious attack. Visit https://www.HiddenLayer.com/TWiST to learn more. (32:11) Importance of a dedicated domain name and Google's commitment to Google Plus (34:36) Meta's progress in AI and the strategy of open sourcing (45:34) The industrial revolution in technology, AI development, and rights issues * Check out Meta AI: https://www.meta.ai/ Check out Groq: https://groq.com/ * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Follow Sunny: X: ⁠https://twitter.com/sundeep⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sundeepm * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Thank you to our partners: (9:32) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at http://www.openphone.com/twist (20:06 ) Eppo. Accelerate your experimentation velocity with Eppo. Visit  https://www.geteppo.com/twist (30:19) HiddenLayer. HiddenLayer’s AI Detection & Response Solution secures your Generative AI & LLMs from malicious attack. Visit https://www.HiddenLayer.com/TWiST to learn more. * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Hubspot for Podcast Network. Looking to up your marketing game? Check out HubSpot's Chatbot Builder:  https://clickhubspot.com/s0u Chatbot Tutorial here: https://clickhubspot.com/mfx DevSquad. Most dev agencies only offer developers. Why? Because product management is hard. Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at https://www.devsquad.com/twist Mercury. 90% of startups fail. Just 10 out of every 100 make it. Mercury exists to close that gap — helping companies succeed with banking and credit cards engineered for the startup journey. Join over 100,000 companies banking with Mercury at ⁠http://www.mercury.com⁠ * Todays show: David Weisburd hosts Logan Bartlett, Hunter Somerville, and Jason Calacanis to discuss the fundraising market (3:07), M&A (26:45), Google’s huge investment in generative AI (58:15), and much more! * Timestamps: (0:00) David Weisburd intros Logan Bartlett, Hunter Somerville, and Jason Calacanis (3:07) Tiger's recent fund and fundraising indicators (11:55) HubSpot’s Chatbot Builder - https://clickhubspot.com/s0u https://clickhubspot.com/mfx (13:26) The challenges and realities of venture capital (25:14) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at https://www.devsquad.com/twist (26:45) Startup acquisitions, due diligence, and unethical behaviors in the industry (31:27) Selling partial positions in startups and structuring the selling of shares (37:18) Mercury - Join 100K+ startups banking with Mercury at http://www.mercury.com⁠ (38:20) Cendana and Kline Hill’s $105M fund to buy stakes in seed VC funds (46:59) The correlation between capital consumption and equity value, and the dangers of excess capital (54:28) The role of private equity in tech M&A and the future of tech IPOs (58:15) Google's $100 billion investment in AI and competition in the AI ecosystem (1:06:30) The challenge of capacity in seed stage investing and the value of a strong community in portfolio management * Follow Logan: X: https://twitter.com/loganbartlett LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loganbartlett Check out: https://www.redpoint.com * Follow Hunter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunter-somerville-2a24117 Check out: https://www.stepstonegroup.com/ * Follow David: X: ⁠https://twitter.com/DWeisburd⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd⁠ Check out: ⁠https://10xcapital.com * Follow Jason: X: ⁠https://twitter.com/jason⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jason⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Thank you to our partners: (11:55) HubSpot’s Chatbot Builder - https://clickhubspot.com/s0u https://clickhubspot.com/mfx (25:14) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at https://www.devsquad.com/twist (37:18) Mercury - Join 100K+ startups banking with Mercury at http://www.mercury.com⁠ * Check out the Launch Accelerator: https://launchaccelerator.co * Check out Founder University: https://www.founder.university * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Squarespace. Turn your idea into a new website! Go to http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST for a free trial. When you’re ready to launch, use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Vanta. Compliance and security shouldn't be a deal-breaker for startups to win new business. Vanta makes it easy for companies to get a SOC 2 report fast. TWiST listeners can get $1,000 off for a limited time at http://www.vanta.com/twist The Equinix Startup program offers a hybrid infrastructure solution for startups, including up to $100K in credits and personalized consultations and guidance from the Equinix team. Go to https://deploy.equinix.com/startups to apply today. * Todays show: Sohail Prasad joins Jason to discuss Destiny Tech 100 and why it was created (3:46), comparing the market cap to the actual holdings and the pent-up demand (11:35), how Destiny acquires the shares and how they manage both positive and negative reactions (26:49), and more! * Timestamps: (0:00) Sohail Prasad of Destiny (D/XYZ) joins Jason. (3:46) Breaking down Destiny Tech 100 and why it was created. (5:20) What is a closed-end fund and how does it fit into the ecosystem? (8:37) The DIY approach used to bring this to the market. (9:33) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST (10:54) How Destiny Tech 100 works as a direct listing. (11:35) Comparing the market cap to the actual holdings and the pent-up demand. (14:46) Looking at how Sohail and the company make their profits and why he does this instead of gathering higher carry. (18:52) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist (22:05) The concerns of the swinging nature of the stock price and the long-term view. (26:49) How Destiny acquires the shares and how they manage both positive and negative reactions. (30:26) Equinix - Join the Equinix Startup Program for up to $100K in credits and much more at https://deploy.equinix.com/startups (34:10) Destiny’s access to financials for companies in their portfolio. (35:51) Strategy behind exits for the fund and companies that then go public. (43:13) The size of the team needed to run Dest * Check out Destiny (D/XYZ): https://destiny.xyz/ * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Follow Sohail: X: https://twitter.com/sohailprasad LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sohailprasad/ * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Thank you to our partners: (9:33) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST (18:52) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist (30:26) Equinix - Join the Equinix Startup Program for up to $100K in credits and much more at https://deploy.equinix.com/startups * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Wistia. All-in-one video platform for business, with tools that help you create, manage, and measure the impact of your videos. Try Wistia for free at https://wistia.com/startups Eight Sleep. Good sleep is the ultimate game changer. Now you can add the Pod Cover to any mattress! Go to https://www.eightsleep.com/twist to check out the Pod Cover and get $200 off the pod plus free shipping! Northwest Registered Agent. Northwest Registered Agent will form your business quickly and easily. For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today * Todays show: Jason and Presh kick off the Founder University pitch competition (00:00), then we hear from Jared on Umbrella Sports (6:40), Linda on Mastertech (14:47), and Aleksandr on Ellis (24:20). Finally, Jason awards a $25K investment (44:17), and Presh details how to apply! * Timestamps: (00:00) Jason kicks off the show! (2:49) Jason brings on Presh to explain the fundamentals of Founder University and introduces today's pitches! (6:40) Jared Lewandowski pitches Umbrella Sports (13:20) Wistia - Try Wistia for free at https://wistia.com/startups (14:47) Linda Gray pitches Mastertech (22:51) Eight Sleep - Go to https://www.eightsleep.com/twist for $200 off the Pod plus free shipping (24:20) Aleksandr Diamond pitches Ellis (29:39) Jason and Presh assess the startups and their pitches (39:43) Northwest Registered Agent - For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today (44:12) Jason picks the startup he will invest in! (44:51) Feedback on the Founder University experience * Founder University: Cohort 8 begins May 9th! Apply here: https://www.founder.university * We are doing Founder Fridays! Go check out https://founderfridays.tech * Follow Jared: X: https://twitter.com/_playumbrella LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredlewandowski Check out Umbrella Sports: https://www.playumbrella.com * Follow Linda: X: https://twitter.com/mastertechai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-gray-6433b251/ Check out Mastertech: https://www.mastertech.ai/ * Follow Aleksandr: X: https://twitter.com/heyaleksandr LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asdiamond Check out Ellis: https://ellis.so * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Thank you to our partners: (13:20) Wistia - Try Wistia for free at https://wistia.com/startups (22:51) Eight Sleep - Go to https://www.eightsleep.com/twist for $200 off the Pod plus free shipping (39:43) Northwest Registered Agent - For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit ⁠https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist⁠ today * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast * Founder University: Cohort 8 begins May 9th. Apply here: https://www.founder.university

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Gusto is easy online payroll, benefits, and HR built for modern small businesses. Get three months free when you run your first payroll at http://www.Gusto.com/twist Mantle. The AI-powered equity management platform designed for modern founders and operators. Get your first 12 months free at https://www.withmantle.com/TWIST Hubspot. Join thousands of companies that are growing better with HubSpot for Startups. Learn more and get extra benefits for being a TWiST listener now at http://www.hubspot.com/startups/twist * Todays show: Sunny joins Jason to dive into AI news and demos including, Adam Schiff and the new bill to force AI companies to reveal use of copyrighted art (9:03), Udio the recent AI music creator catching a lot of hype (17:48), the AI dictation power of Aqua (39:10), and more! * Timestamps: (0:00) Sunny joins Jason to dive into this weeks AI news and demos. (4:02) AI News: Meta, Google and Intel all launched chips this week. (9:03) Adam Schiff and the new bill to force AI companies to reveal use of copyrighted art (9:51) Gusto - Get three months free when you run your first payroll at http://www.gusto.com/twist (17:48) Sunny demos Udio - the recent AI music creator catching a lot of hype. (19:36) Mantle - Get your first 12 months free at https://www.withmantle.com/TWIST (20:56) Sunny and Jason further explore Udio and discuss the copyright issues around AI models. (31:45) Hubspot for Startups - Learn more and get extra benefits for being a TWiST listener now at  https://www.hubspot.com/startups. Check out their report “How AI is Redefining Startup GTM Strategy” here: https://bit.ly/hubspot-ai-report (36:31) Sunny creates a song with Udio about Jason’s passion for copyright laws. (39:10) Sunny demos Aqua. (45:36) Sunny demos SWE-Agent * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * LINKS: Check out Udio: https://www.udio.com/ Rolling Stone article on Udio: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/udio-ai-music-chatgpt-suno-1235001675/ Check out Aqua: https://withaqua.com/ Check out SWE-Agent: https://swe-agent.com/demo Meta’s new chip news: https://twitter.com/Techmeme/status/1778078194345955765 Google’s new chip news: https://twitter.com/WSJ/status/1777654095601348775 Intel’s new chip news: https://twitter.com/Techmeme/status/1777725152102699026 Article on Adam Schiff introducing new bill: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/apr/09/artificial-intelligence-bill-copyright-art Check out statmuse: https://www.statmuse.com/ * Follow Sunny: X: https://twitter.com/sundeep LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sundeepm * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Thank you to our partners: (9:51) Gusto - Get three months free when you run your first payroll at http://www.gusto.com/twist (19:36) Mantle - Get your first 12 months free at https://www.withmantle.com/TWIST (31:45) Hubspot for Startups - Learn more and get extra benefits for being a TWiST listener now at  https://www.hubspot.com/startups. Check out their report “How AI is Redefining Startup GTM Strategy” here: https://bit.ly/hubspot-ai-report * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Squarespace. Turn your idea into a new website! Go to http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST for a free trial. When you’re ready to launch, use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. OpenPhone. Create business phone numbers for you and your team that work through an app on your smartphone or desktop. TWiST listeners can get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at http://www.openphone.com/twist CLA. Innovation takes balance. CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors can help you get from startup to where you want to end up. Get started now at CLAconnect.com/tech Todays show: David Weisburd hosts David Clark, Tomasz Tunguz, and Jason Calacanis to discuss the new YC class (1:59), startup valuations (19:34), the investment landscape (30:17), and more! * Timestamps: (00:00) David Weisburd intros David Clark, Tomasz Tunguz, and Jason Calacanis (1:59) The latest YC class and rise of AI startups (9:36) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST (10:55) Role of the founding team in AI startups (19:34) Startup valuations and the changing landscape of seed deals and Series A rounds (29:01) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at http://www.openphone.com/twist (30:17) Tomasz Tunguz’s journey to raising his fund and the challenges of the VC industry (37:32) Personality types in venture capital and handling company wind downs (39:20) CLA - Get started with CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors now at https://claconnect.com/tech (40:52) VC’s moving out and the challenge of picking the right company to invest in (59:27) Active reserves management (1:09:00) Lightning round: Top 3 investments * Mentioned on show: https://motherduck.com https://arbitrum.io https://www.omni.co https://www.podengine.ai https://www.getrecall.ai https://newcomergames.com * Follow David Clark: X: https://twitter.com/daveclark85 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-clark-6678b6b/ Check out VenCap: https://www.vencap.com/ * Follow Tomasz Tunguz: X: https://twitter.com/ttunguz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomasztunguz Check out Theory Ventures: https://theory.ventures * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Thank you to our partners: (9:36) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST (29:01) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at http://www.openphone.com/twist (39:20) CLA - Get started with CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors now at https://claconnect.com/tech * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Vanta. Compliance and security shouldn't be a deal-breaker for startups to win new business. Vanta makes it easy for companies to get a SOC 2 report fast. TWiST listeners can get $1,000 off for a limited time at http://www.vanta.com/twist LinkedIn Ads. To redeem a $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups Zendesk. The best customer experiences are built with Zendesk. Qualifying startups can join their Startup program and get Zendesk products free, for six months! Visit http://www.zendesk.com/twist today to get started. * Todays show: Alef’s Jim Dukhovny joins Jason to discuss different approaches to flying car tech (1:16), Alef’s vehicle design (9:17), commercial aspects (22:39), and more! * Timestamps: (00:00) Alef’s Jim Dukhovny joins Jason (1:16) Alef’s mission and the different approaches to VTOL and flying car technologies (8:25) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist (9:17) Alef’s approach to vehicle design and use of existing technologies in a new format (12:10) Technical details of Alef’s vehicle design, including propulsion systems and structural innovations (14:27) Challenges of designing flying vehicles that function both as cars and aircraft (21:11) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups (22:39) Commercial aspects, including pricing, customer pre-orders, and manufacturing plans (26:13) Regulatory and certification challenges and the potential timeline for bringing the product to market (32:46) Zendesk - Get six months free at http://www.zendesk.com/twist (34:16) Ballistic parachute systems in drones, planes, and Alef’s vehicles (38:53) The long-term vision for autonomous flying cars * Sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtzuL3WSiGY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Gzdo107SmE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBCUQlF3MMU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxaFFuN1vpc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT4buS7avd4 * Follow Jim: X: https://twitter.com/AlefAeronautics LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimdukhovny Check out Alef: https://alef.aero * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Thank you to our partners: (8:25) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist (21:11) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups (32:46) Zendesk - Get six months free at http://www.zendesk.com/twist * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… LinkedIn Jobs. A business is only as strong as its people, and every hire matters. Go to LinkedIn.com/TWIST to post your first job for free. Terms and conditions apply. Experimentation is how generation-defining companies win. Accelerate your experimentation velocity with Eppo. Visit https://geteppo.com/twist Attio - A radically new CRM for the next era of companies. Head to attio.com/twist to get 15% off for your first year. * Todays show: Liquid AI’s Ramin Hasani joins Jason to discuss the mission and the concept of Liquid AI's liquid neural networks (1:09). They dive into liquid neural networks’ applications (16:07), transition from theory to execution (21:37), their efficiency on small devices (27:30), and more! * Timestamps: (0:00) Liquid AI CEO and co-founder Ramin Hasani joins Jason (1:09) Liquid AI's mission and concept of liquid neural networks (7:06) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://linkedin.com/twist (8:34) Demo of Liquid AI: traditional vs. Liquid neural networks in autonomous driving (16:07) Practical applications of Liquid AI (20:07) Eppo. Accelerate your experimentation velocity with Eppo. Visit  https://geteppo.com/twist (21:37) Commercializing worm-inspired AI systems, building a team, and solving problems across various sectors (27:30) Efficiency of liquid neural networks in compact devices like the Raspberry Pi and the transformative potential of AI modeled after worms. (34:15) Attio - Head to https://attio.com/twist to get 15% off for your first year. (35:24) Data ownership in AI and incentivizing data providers (41:18) Role of AI in real-world applications (43:57) Societal impact of AI, job displacement, and the optimistic view on AI's potential (50:25) Explanation of physical models vs statistical models in AI and the challenge of understanding black box AI systems (57:01) Speculations about AGI's market cap, who might achieve AGI first, and the potential of using AI systems to build various applications (1:00:12) Comparison between open-source and closed-source models in AI and the trend of open-source moves in the AI industry * Mentioned on the show: https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-5 https://www.capgemini.com/us-en https://www.ctc-g.co.jp/en https://www.accenture.com https://www.ey.com/en_gl https://www.cnn.com/videos/media/2024/04/02/the-daily-show-jon-stewart-ai-work-force-jobs-orig.cnn * Source of C. elegans worm footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjqLwPgLnV0&t=1s * Follow Ramin: X: https://twitter.com/ramin_m_h LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raminhasani Check out Liquid AI: https://www.liquid.ai * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Thank you to our partners: (7:06) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://linkedin.com/twist (20:07) Eppo. Accelerate your experimentation velocity with Eppo. Visit https://geteppo.com/twist (34:15) Attio - Head to https://attio.com/twist to get 15% off for your first year. * Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast