This Week in Startups - podcast cover

This Week in Startups

Jason Calacanisthisweekinstartups.com
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

Startup Pitch Competition: Three founders compete for $25K | E1999

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Fidelity Private Shares ℠ . Manage your cap table and data room, get faster, more accurate 409A valuation and fully automate your next financing round. Visit https://fidelityprivateshares.com ! Mention our podcast and receive 20% off your first-year paid subscription. Google Cloud. Accelerate your startup journey with the Google for Startups Cloud Program. Get up to $200K in Google Cloud credits – or up to $350K for AI startups – plus training and guid...

Aug 29, 202442 min

The charges against Pavel Durov, the future of encryption, and secondaries are heating up | E1998

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 https://www.vanta.com/twist 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.open...

Aug 26, 20241 hr 16 min

AI Demos: New Runway, Flux, Grok 2.0 & Jam Session with Ulama | E1997

Todays show: Sunny joins Jason to dive into all things AI, including: utilizing ChatGPT for efficiency and quick answers (7:03, the future of AI applications and Claude demo (12:47), Flux demo (36:56). Runway Gen-3 Alpha (41:13), and new Jam with JCal with Tyce Herrman of Ulama. * Timestamps: (0:00) Sunny joins Jason to jump in to AI demos. (1:24) Sundeep Madra on AI market trends and consumer adoption (3:31) AI-native interns and AI's role in career trajectories (7:03) Utilizing ChatGPT for...

Aug 23, 20241 hr 18 min

Legal must-haves before raising capital with Becki DeGraw | Wilson Sonsini Startup Legal Basics

Todays show: Wilson Sonsini Partner Becki DeGraw joins Jason on the latest edition of Startup Legal Basics! In this episode, they break down common legal oversights (5:26), risks of DIY legal documents (9:15), pro forma cap tables & ESOPS (18:31), and much more! * Timestamps: (00:00) Wilson Sonsini partner Becki DeGraw joins Jason (1:13) Legal preparations for startups and the importance of early legal counsel (5:26) Common Legal Oversights: Cap table, IP assignments, and employment agreemen...

Aug 22, 202421 min

AI on the blockchain, Waymo's rise, and the truth about tech layoffs | E1996

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Lemon.io - Hire pre-vetted remote developers, get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist .Tech Domains - Don’t miss our “Jam with JCal” contest! To apply and get more details go to https://jamwithjcal.tech brought to you by .tech domains. CommandBar. Seamlessly integrate an AI-powered guide into your software, making navigation intuitive and interactive. Visit https://commandbar.com/twist⁠ ⁠ to get a custom live demo. * ...

Aug 22, 20241 hr 17 min

Venture returns, recovering startups, and VC conflicts | E1995

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Coda. Coda empowers your startup by bringing words, tables, and teams together. Strategize, plan, and track goals effectively with all your valuable data in one place. Go to https://www.Coda.io/twist to get started for FREE and get 6 free months of the Team plan. 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 of...

Aug 20, 20241 hr 28 min

Liquidity: Recession fears, AI market shifts, and the future of tech hubs | E1994

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… 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. 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 OpenPhone. Create business phone numbers for you a...

Aug 16, 20241 hr 18 min

Final Boss Sour’s James Hicks + River’s Rae Lambert | E1993

Todays show: Jason sits down with James Hicks to discuss the unique aspects of Final Boss Sour's products and marketing (3:25), the future of commerce, influencers, and retailers' adaptations (23:12), followed by a discussion with Rae Lambert about River's software platform and community management best practices (46:16), high-end memberships, landing lighthouse customers, and influencer engagement (1:04:35) . * Timestamps: (0:00) Jason kicks off today’s show with guests James Hicks ...

Aug 15, 20241 hr 6 min

WeRide IPO, Polymarket + Perplexity, the Trump Bump and more! | E1992

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Google Cloud. Accelerate your startup journey with the Google for Startups Cloud Program. Get up to $200K in Google Cloud credits – or up to $350K for AI startups – plus training and guidance. Apply at https://startups.google.com/twist 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...

Aug 14, 20241 hr 19 min

Startup Pitch Competition: Four founders compete for $25K | E1991

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 https://www.vanta.com/twist .Tech Domains - Don’t miss our “Jam with JCal” contest! To apply and get more details go to https://jamwithjcal.tech brought to you by .tech domains. OpenPhone. Create business phone numbers for you and your team...

Aug 09, 202449 min

Navigating startup funding market trends with Becki DeGraw | Wilson Sonsini Startup Legal Basics

Todays show: Wilson Sonsini Partner Becki DeGraw joins Jason on the latest edition of Startup Legal Basics! In this episode, they break down the current state of startup funding (0:37), anti-dilution provisions (7:11), re-incentivizing management teams (16:23), and much more! * Timestamps: (00:00) Wilson Sonsini Partner Becki DeGraw joins Jason (0:37) Market update: Current state of startups and funding (1:21) Consolidated investment trends and the venture capital slowdown (4:23) The importance ...

Aug 08, 202426 min

Liquidity Summit Talks: Antonio Gracias and Gavin Baker | E1990

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… 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. CommandBar . Seamlessly integrate an AI-powered guide into your software, making navigation intuitive and interactive. Visit ⁠https://www.commandbar.com/twist⁠ to get a custom live demo. Brex. the financial stack founders can bank on. Bre...

Aug 07, 20241 hr 15 min

TWiST 500! Huntress, TollBit & Cyera | E1989

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Oracle - Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, or OCI, is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. Save up to 50% on your cloud bill at https://w⁠⁠⁠⁠ww.oracle.com/twist⁠⁠ Intercom - Intercom’s AI-first service is the best thing to happen to your customers since you. TWIST listeners can get 90% off Intercom’s platform at https://www.intercom.com/twist Lemon.io - Hire pre-vetted remote developers, get 15% off you...

Aug 05, 20241 hr 20 min

Overcoming SMB Roadblocks: Expert tips from Gusto's Josh Reeves | Episode 1988

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 https://www.vanta.com/twist 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.open...

Aug 02, 20241 hr 5 min

The $97 Billion VC Panel | E1987

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… 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. Google Cloud. Accelerate your startup journey with the Google for Startups Cloud Program. Get up to $200K in Google Cloud credits – or up to $350K for AI startups – plus training and guidance. Apply at https://startups.google.com/twist Brex...

Jul 31, 20241 hr 8 min

The Power of WEKA with Antonio Gracias and Liran Zvibel + Jam with JCal: Uptrends AI | E1986

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… CommandBar - Seamlessly integrate an AI-powered guide into your software, making navigation intuitive and interactive. Visit https://www.commandbar.com/twist to get a custom live demo. .Tech Domains - Don’t miss our “Jam with JCal” contest! To apply and get more details go to https://www.jamwithjcal.tech brought to you by .tech domains. Lemon.io - Hire pre-vetted remote developers, get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://www.Lemon.i...

Jul 30, 202454 min

Scaling Creativity: Josh Silverman on Etsy's growth, AI integration, and market strategies | E1985

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Coda. Coda empowers your startup by bringing words, tables, and teams together. Strategize, plan, and track goals effectively with all your valuable data in one place. Go to https://www.coda.io/twist to get started for FREE and get 6 free months of the Team plan. Intercom. Intercom’s AI-first service is the best thing to happen to your customers since you. TWIST listeners can get 90% off Intercom’s platform at https://www.intercom.com/twist Micro1. Mic...

Jul 26, 20241 hr 4 min

Wiz passes on Google, Meta pushes open-source AI ahead, Spotify’s earnings, and more! | E1984

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… AssemblyAI. Get maximum value from voice data with AssemblyAI. Build powerful products and features for your end users on the industry’s leading speech-to-text models. Get 100 free hours to start building at https://www.assemblyai.com/twist 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...

Jul 24, 20241 hr 13 min

Building Enduring Value and Hitting Incremental Gains with Benchmark’s Sarah Tavel | E1983

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. 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. OpenPhone. Create business phone numbers for you and your te...

Jul 22, 20241 hr 21 min

US space innovation, defense tech challenges, and more with True Anomaly’s Even Rogers | E1982

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 https://vanta.com/twist .Tech Domains. Don’t miss our “Jam with JCal” contest! To apply and get more details go to https://www.jamwithjcal.tech brought to you by .tech domains. DevSquad. DevSquad helps startups design better products. If you ne...

Jul 19, 20241 hr 7 min

Top 5 VC funds raise big $, venture capital DPI is back, and Sequoia’s offer to LP’s | E1981

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 AssemblyAI. Get maximum value from voice data with AssemblyAI. Build powerful products and features for your end users on the industry’s leading speech-to-text models. Get 100 free hours to start building at https://www.assembly...

Jul 17, 20241 hr 1 min

Google weighs $23B for Wiz, startups in a second Trump admin, and Sequoia's Stripe sale | E1980

Todays show: Alex Wilhelm joins Jason to discuss the role of social media and rhetoric in spreading conspiracy theories in the wake of the attempt on Trump (5:43), Silicon Valley's political landscape and views on Biden and Trump’s policies (20:14), Sequoia's strategy with Stripe shares, secondary markets, and private investments (50:00), and more! * Timestamps: (0:00) Jason and Alex kick off the show (1:57) Reflections on the assassination attempt on Trump and media cycles (5:43) The ro...

Jul 15, 20241 hr 8 min

Five levels of AI, venture's recovery & the hottest construction startups | E1979

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 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. CLA. Innovation takes balance. CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors can h...

Jul 13, 20241 hr 25 min

Anand Nandakumar on the future of remote driving and ride services | E1978

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Intercom. Intercom’s AI-first service is the best thing to happen to your customers since you. TWIST listeners can get 90% off Intercom’s platform at https://www.intercom.com/twist 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. AssemblyAI. Get maximum value from voice data with AssemblyA...

Jul 10, 202443 min

GPU clusters, venture trends, and the robotics startups we’re most excited about | E1977

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Tech Domains. Don’t miss our “Jam Session with JCal” contest! To apply and get more details go to https://jamwithjcal.tech brought to you by .tech domains. 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 https://vanta.com/twist OpenPhone. Create business phone numbers for you and your te...

Jul 10, 20241 hr 28 min

AI Demos: Sunny’s Back with Luma Labs, Kling, Claude Sonnet & Getting AI Native | E1976

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 http://www.NetSuite.com/twist 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 ex...

Jul 03, 202453 min

Logan Allin and Neil Datta on which startups AI puts at risk, tech regulation, and H-1B reform | E1975

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Intercom. Intercom’s AI-first service is the best thing to happen to your customers since you. TWIST listeners can get 90% off Intercom’s platform at https://www.intercom.com/twist AssemblyAI. Get maximum value from voice data with AssemblyAI. Build powerful products and features for your end users on the industry’s leading speech-to-text models. Get 100 free hours to start building at https://www.assemblyai.com/twist Vensure. Vensure is an HR firm tha...

Jul 02, 20241 hr 5 min

The MEI vs DEI debate, tech press, Chime buys Salt Labs, and more! | E1974

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Lemon.io - Hire pre-vetted remote developers, get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist Eight Sleep. Good sleep is the ultimate game changer. The newest generation of the pod, the Pod 4 ultra has arrived. Head to https://www.eightsleep.com/twist and use code TWIST to get $350 off the Pod 4 Ultra. Northwest Registered Agent. Northwest Registered Agent will form your business quickly and easily. In just 10 clicks and 10 m...

Jul 02, 20241 hr 21 min

Sequoia & the Hewlett Foundation on VCs NOT raising funds, Cisco's $1B AI fund, and more! | E1973

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 Eight Sleep . Good sleep is the ultimate game changer. The newest generation of the pod, the Pod 4 ultra has arrived. Head to https://www.eightsleep.com/twist and use code TWIST to get $350 off the Pod 4 Ultra. DevSquad. Most d...

Jun 27, 20241 hr 7 min

TWIST NEWS: AI Music, Circle’s IPO, TWIST500 and more! | E1972

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. 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. Northwest Registered Agent. Northwest Registered Agent will ...

Jun 27, 20241 hr 6 min