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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.
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Episodes

Apple & Disney’s sports streaming strategy, Facebook’s plan to be TikTok, Obi-Wan, Star Trek | E1486

It’s Thursday, so we talk all about streaming with our guy Lon Harris! Spoiler alert as we dive into Obi-Wan Kenobi E5 (1:53) and Star Trek E4-5 (34:48). We cover Disney losing cricket streaming rights in India (41:44) and Apple acquiring MLS soccer rights (50:48). Finally, we hit on an internal memo that shows Facebook plans to be more like TikTok (57:17). 0:00) Jason and Molly tee up today’s streaming news with Lon Harris! 1:53) Obi-Wan Kenobi E5: sharing thoughts on the episode (SPOILERS) 13:...

Jun 16, 20221 hr 13 min

YouTube shorts vs. TikTok, Crypto contagion, Twitch ad changes, China found aliens? | E1485

First, we’ll dig into the creator economy: Youtube shorts almost has as many users as TikTok (3:06), and Twitch is changing how they pay creators (24:00). We quickly hit on some breaking news as The Federal Reserve approved its steepest interest rate increase since 1994 and signaled it would continue lifting rates this year at the most rapid pace in decades (38:20). The crypto contagion continues, so we’ll give an update (41:50) and discuss the full context of MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor’s ...

Jun 15, 20221 hr 26 min

Coinbase lays off ~18%, EU crypto regulation, $NFLX & $ROKU ad-tech talks, Hallow prayer app, Prey laptop security | E1484

Today, we kick off the episode with Coinbase’s several hundred-person layoffs (3:23) and the EU’s crypto regulation in progress (23:15). We cover Netflix talking with Roku to help run its planned ad-supported tier (35:18). Our Startup of the Day is Catholic Prayer and mediation app Hallow, partnered with Mark Wahlberg for promotion (41:03). We’ll also showcase Prey, a company that helps protect laptops from theft, which our producer Justin should’ve used in his recent burglary (47:57). (0:00) Ja...

Jun 14, 202257 min

Crypto drops ~$200B, Celsius freezes, Binance’s BTC pause, Google AI sentience, Magic Spoon: DTC isn’t dead | E1483

On today's show, Jason and Molly cover crypto losing $200B from its total market cap this weekend (14:51) and Binance pausing withdrawals of Bitcoin for almost 4 hours this morning (29:53). We also quickly talk about a Google engineer claiming Google's AI chat bot has become sentient (38:15). For our We Live in the Future, we cover Amazon announcing drone delivery for later this year (48:52). Finally, we wrap on our Startup of the Day: Magic Spoon, a high-protein cereal maker (53:57). (0:00) Jas...

Jun 14, 20221 hr 6 min

How to value startups (VC School) + Creating Diamonds from Air with Aether’s Ryan Shearman (Climate) | E1482

For today’s VC Sunday school, Molly asks Jason about valuation- valuing startups (1:44). Then for This Week in Climate Startups, Molly sits down with Ryan Shearman, CEO of Aether, to talk about how Aether makes diamonds using carbon extracted from the atmosphere (37:22). (0:00) Cold Open (1:44) VCSS: Valuation- reconsidering valuation, estimating valuation as a function of multiples (13:16) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist (14:33) Why are some...

Jun 12, 20221 hr 11 min

Disney’s ambitious streaming goals with Lon Harris + Dressd Founder Capri Wheaton | E1481

Today, Lon Harris joins for This Week in Streaming and we talk about Obi-Wan Kenobi Episode 4 (1:49), then we cover some Disney news as they fire their head of General Entertainment Content, Peter Rice (43:05), and enter a bidding war to keep their rights to Indian Cricket (48:30). We wrap with a segment of OK Boomer: this week Producer Rachel sits down with Capri Wheaton, founder, and CEO of Dressd, a peer-to-peer clothing rental service (1:06:37). (0:00) Jason and Molly tee up today’s show! (1...

Jun 10, 20221 hr 34 min

Twitter bots & Apple BNPL with Deirdre Bosa + Prediction markets with Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour | E1480

Today, Deirdre Bosa from CNBC joins Molly to talk about Twitter’s plans to comply with Musk’s demands for data (1:28), Apple being its own bank for Apple Pay Later (17:15), and Facebook's parent Meta changing its ticker to META (32:19). To wrap up, Jason and Molly interview Kalshi co-founder and CEO Tarek Mansour, where they talk about Kalshi building the first CFTC regulated predictions market (39:11). (0:00) Deidre Bosa joins Molly Wood to cover today’s tech news! (1:28) Twitter plans to compl...

Jun 09, 20221 hr 31 min

Amazon’s Dave Clark joins Flexport, Bird layoffs, Twitter’s bring-your-own algo, Multiverse, Ken Griffin gets into crypto | E1479

Today, we talk about Flexport Founder Ryan Petersen bringing on Amazon’s Dave Clark to be CEO (2:56). Then, we discuss Bird laying off almost a quarter of their team (17:32), and we talk about Twitter working on a bring-your-own algorithm feature (28:24). Our Startup of the Day is Multiverse, a startup building a pipeline of apprenticeships as a college alternative (37:47). We cover Citadel getting into crypto (47:25) and SEC Chair Gary Gensler hinting there might be some overhauls coming to pay...

Jun 09, 20221 hr 28 min

Why BuzzFeed fell 40%, EU mandates USB-C, Lab-grown ear transplants, Tom Brady’s Series B | E1478

BuzzFeed is tanking- we talk about what it means for its employees and the company (2:07). Next, we discuss Uber Eats coming for GoldBelly (23:51), then we cover the EU mandating that USB-C ports be standard by 2024 (36:17). We close out the show with our Startup of the Day in the sports space (41:21) and a We Live in the Future in the ear transplant space (49:42). 0:00 Jason and Molly tee up today’s news stories 2:07 BuzzFeed shares dropped 41%, their worst one-day % drop 11:23 OpenPhone - Get ...

Jun 07, 20221 hr 1 min

Apple’s new releases, Twitter bots, Didi returns, Bad actors on Binance + Michael Shellenberger’s vision for California | E1477

Jason talks with independent candidate for California Governor Michael Shellenberger on what he wants to improve in California (2:57). Then, we cover Apple's 2022 WWDC (48:40). We cover the $2.35B of illicit funds laundered through Binance from hacks, investment frauds, and drug deals (1:27:25), and we touch on Elon Musk accusing Twitter of withholding bot information (1:37:24). Finally, we cover Beijing wrapping up the Didi investigation (1:41:11). (00:00) Jason and Molly introduce today's show...

Jun 07, 20221 hr 53 min

Markups & markdowns (VC School) + Coral Regeneration with Coral Vita Co-founder Sam Teicher (Climate) | E1476

First, in VC Sunday School Jason answers Molly’s questions about markups and markdowns (1:35), then in This Week in Climate startups, Molly talks with Coral Vita’s Sam Teicher about Coral Regeneration (33:37) (00:00) Jason and Molly introduce today’s show! (1:35) VCSS: Marking - what is it, who’s it for? (11:20) Dell For Startups - Apply and get up to 45% off at http://dell.com/twist (12:34) When do you mark down? (21:11) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lem...

Jun 05, 20221 hr 13 min

Coinbase & Loom rescind job offers (strategies for managers & workers during a downturn) + OK Boomer: Mehak Vohra of Skillbank | E1475

Today we have a Warriors Game Recap (2:01), we discuss the new Apple emojis (11:29), and then we dive into more layoffs news: Coinbase and Loom rescinding job offers (26:34). Jason and Molly give tips on how to not get laid off (37:55), and then Producer Rachel closes out the episode with an OK Boomer segment with Skillbank founder and CEO Mehak Vohra (1:07:08). (00:00) Jason and Molly tee up today’s show (2:01) Recapping the Warriors' Finals game 1 (10:14) Embroker - Get an extra 10% off insura...

Jun 04, 20221 hr 29 min

Sheryl Sandberg leaves Meta + This Week in Streaming with Lon Harris: Obi-Wan Kenobi | E1474

Today, we dive into Sheryl Sandberg leaving Meta (2:14), then Lon Harris joins for This Week in Streaming where we cover Kenobi episodes 1-3 (12:36). We talk about Disney’s response to racism (26:54), where the Star Wars sequels went wrong (36:00), and the Depp v. Heard trial coverage (51:00). (00:00) Jason and Molly introduce today’s show! (2:14) Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg leaving the company after 14 years (11:25) Vanta - Get $1,000 off automating your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist (12:36) Th...

Jun 02, 202256 min

ESG fraud, Stripe & Reddit markdowns, Remote productivity + DroneUp Founder Tom Walker | E1473

First, we talk about Deutsche Bank getting raided by law enforcement for “greenwashing” its ESG funds (2:59), then we touch on Fidelity marking down its investments in Stripe and Reddit (17:00), then we discuss companies going back to the office over concerns about worker productivity (19:35), Jason explains how he’s collaborating with everyone on the team to increase productivity as we go into this recession (26:00). To end, we have an interview with DroneUp CEO Tom Walker where we discuss thei...

Jun 02, 20221 hr 42 min

NYT’s Glossier hit piece, VC winters, Activist CEOs and Podcast live events with Acquired’s David Rosenthal | E1472

Today, Acquired’s David Rosenthal joins us. We discuss their recent Climate Pledge Arena Show (1:37), the new fundraising environment, and what the best founders and VC firms are doing (21:29), and we dig into the New York Times' latest hit piece on Glossier CEO Emily Weiss (37:40). We wrap with an optimistic look at what Australian billionaire and Atlassian CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes is doing to take on Australia's biggest polluter (1:00:59). (00:00) Cold open (1:37) David Rosenthal from Acquired ...

Jun 01, 20221 hr 24 min

Bolt layoffs, DroneUp, Lunar Outpost, $4.5B crypto fund, Ape theft + Diagram’s Jordan Singer | E1471

In today's episode, Jason and Molly cover Bolt's layoffs (12:11), Walmart's drone deliveries (17:02), Lunar Outpost's $12M seed (32:31), a16z's $4.5B crypto raise (44:07), and Seth Green's Bored Ape heist (54:40). Producer Rachel sits down with Jordan Singer, founder of Diagram, for this week's OK Boomer (1:03:54). (00:00) Jason and Molly introduce today’s topics! (2:47) Bolt is laying off an undisclosed number of employees (10:56) Gun.io - Get $250 off your first developer hire at https://Gun.i...

May 27, 20221 hr 34 min

The cost of CEOs ignoring mental health with Bonobos Founder Andy Dunn | E1470

Today's episode is a Molly solo interview with Bonobos founder and author of "Burn Rate," Andy Dunn (2:30). We go deep on entrepreneurship and mental health, talk about how founders are up to 7x more likely to suffer from bipolar disorders than the average person, how Andy's bipolar disorder impacted building his business (22:09), and advice for founders navigating mental health struggles (34:31). (00:00) Molly tees up today’s episode with Bonobos founder Andy Dunn (2:30) Molly speaks with Andy ...

May 27, 202251 min

Solving our biggest problems, Cerebral’s fast & loose telehealth prescriptions, Jack leaves Twitter Board | E1469

We discuss the tragedy at a Texas elementary school and gun violence in America (2:25). Can tech play a role in decreasing child deaths? (21:14) Then we cover mental health startup Cerebral getting probed by the DOJ (52:55). Finally, we touch on a breaking story: Jack Dorsey steps down from Twitter’s board (1:13:25). (00:00) Jason and Molly introduce today’s show (2:25) Talking about the school shooting yesterday in Texas (10:49) Coda - The All-in-one doc for teams, get a $1,000 credit at https:...

May 26, 20221 hr 28 min

Snap drops 40%, Layoffs at Gorillas & Klarna, Adam Neumann's new startup, Coinbase using Principles | E1468

First, we break down SNAP dropping over 40% after lowering earnings estimates (4:43). Then we cover some layoffs at instant-delivery startup Gorillas AND BNPL player Klarna (29:18). Next, we talk about Adam and Rebekah Neumann co-founding a tokenized crypto carbon marketplace called Flowcarbon (1:00:02). We wrap on Coinbase’s new Ray Dalio-inspired employee rating system (1:10:36). (00:00) Jason and Molly tee-up today’s news topics! (04:43) Snap down ~45% in one day, largest single day drop we c...

May 24, 20221 hr 28 min

All-In Summit recap, Argo debuts AV test cars in Miami/ATX, $AMZN to sublease 10M+ square feet | E1467

Molly and Jason are BACK from Miami to break down all the most interesting stories and content from the All-In Summit! (2:13) Then, they cover Argo AI, an AV company that just launched autonomous test cars in Miami and Austin (36:50). Finally, they close by discussing a recent Bloomberg report on how Amazon is looking to sublease 10M+ square feet of warehouse space... negative signal, or no big deal? (45:23) (0:00) Molly and Jason intro the show! (2:13) Recapping the All-In Summit! (14:05) Linke...

May 23, 202257 min

Proof of Impact CEO Fleur Heyns on meaningful metrics for measuring environmental impact (This Week in Climate Startups) | E1466

In this episode of This Week in Climate Startups, Molly sits down with Fleur Heyns of Proof of Impact about how to measure, verify, and analyze ESG & impact data. We discuss the current pain points for investors (11:20), how blockchains can interact with real-world assets (21:15), ESG regulation (34:16) and more! (00:00) Cold open (01:57) This Week in Climate Startups: Molly sits down with Fleur Heyns of Proof of Impact (10:03) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 month...

May 22, 202240 min

Privateer Space CEO Alex Fielding: cleaning up space junk with Steve Wozniak + Behind the scenes of working for Jason | E1465

First, Jason and Molly reflect on their time in previous tech recessions (03:06). Then, Privateer Space CEO Alex Fielding joins to discuss solving the space junk problem (18:02), the difficulties of mapping debris (33:25), and more. Then, Producer Rachel hosts an OK Boomer episode where she talks with the other Gen Z employees that work for Jason about how they got their jobs and what they've learned at Launch (1:00:21). (00:00) Jason and Molly tee up today’s episode (03:06) Ask JaMo: What do yo...

May 21, 20222 hr

Fixing a broken system - Mahmee CEO Melissa Hanna on patient-centric maternal care | E1464

Molly Wood sits down with Melissa Hanna, CEO and Co-Founder of Mahmee, a care network for parents (01:44), they discuss the impetus for Melissa launching the company (12:34), the challenges of bringing the product to market (22:08), how she built the network and more (37:29)! (00:00) Molly tees up today’s episode (01:44) Molly Wood sits down with Melissa Hanna, CEO and CoFounder of Mahmee, a care network for parents (11:19) Thorne - Personalized, scientific wellness. Go to https://Thorne.com/u/T...

May 19, 202254 min

Accelerating leadership - Chief Co-Founder & CEO Carolyn Childers on raising $100M Series B, building a women's executive network and more | E1463

Molly speaks with Carolyn Childers, CEO of Chief, a women’s professional network (01:26) about how their community stretches across digital and physical spaces, accelerating women's executive careers, growing with word-of-mouth as marketing (30:08), their $100M raise (33:22), augmenting Linkedin (39:18) and more. (00:00) Cold open (01:26) Molly speaks with Carolyn Childers, CEO of Chief (a women’s professional network) (11:09) Coda - The All-in-one doc for teams, get a $1,000 credit at https://c...

May 18, 202242 min

Bitcoin payments on the Lightning Network with Strike's Jack Mallers | E1462

First, we cover the news of Ex-Meta crypto chief David Marcus launching a Bitcoin payments startup backed by a16z & Paradigm (02:05). Then, Jack Mallers, the CEO of Strike joins (8:13) to discuss the lightning network & the history of payment networks (12:10), why companies use the Strike API (24:42), why he thinks Visa and Mastercard can't compete (31:24), Strike unlocking Bitcoin’s potential (34:40) and more! (00:00) Jason and Molly tee up today’s show (02:05) Ex-Meta crypto chief Davi...

May 17, 202244 min

SaaS multiple compression, downturn outlook & advice for new VCs with Jason Lemkin of SaaStr | E1461

Jason and Molly chat with Jason Lemkin of SaaStr (01:44). They discuss: advice for new VCs (16:14), the future of SaaS investing (27:37), playing offense as investors (35:50), secondaries and more. (00:00) Jason and Molly tee up today’s interview show (01:44) Jason and Molly speak with Jason Lemkin of SaaStr (14:59) Notion - Get started for free at https://notion.com/thisweekinstartups (16:14) Jason Lemkin’s advice for new fund managers (26:16) Microacquire - Sell your business with no fees at h...

May 16, 20221 hr 13 min

Women in venture capital + SpringEats.com CEO Anukampa Freedom Gupta-Fonner (Climate) | E1460

In VC Sunday School we discuss Pitchbook's data on women-led VC funds (03:16), how much money they've raised and how the industry is evolving. Then, Jason explains why new fund managers often have more success with individual LPs than institutional LPs (27:12). In This Week in Climate Startups Molly speaks with Anukampa Freedom Gupta-Fonner of Springeats.com, a zero-waste grocery service (38:31). (00:00) Jason and Molly introduce today’s show (03:16) VC Sunday School: PitchBook gathered a bunch ...

May 15, 20221 hr 20 min

SBF buys 7.6% $HOOD stake, SoftBank’s $13B loss, Twitter exec layoffs & deal update + Nicole Ruiz from Compound VC | E1459

First Jason and Molly cover FTX CEO SBF buying 7.6% of $HOOD (1:57), SoftBank’s $13B loss (8:29), Twitter’s exec layoffs (14:55) & give a deal update (21:50). Then Producer Rachel chats with Nicole Ruiz is an investor at Compound VC, a thesis-driven, research-centric investment firm (35:34). Together, they talk about her untraditional path to VC, their investment in Pear Bio, the importance of being a skilled researcher, and more. (00:00) Cold open (1:57) 4-for-5 Friday: SBF buys 7% of $HOOD...

May 14, 202256 minEp. 1459

Sundar Pichai, tech crash, crypto, journalism and more with CNBC's Deirdre Bosa | E1458

Deirdre Bosa from CNBC’s Tech Check joins to talk about a wide variety of topics (2:20), including her interview with Sundar Pichai, journalism (12:54), the crashing public markets, crypto (44:58), Twitter iterations (1:06:12) and so much more! (00:00) Jason and Molly tee up today’s show (02:20) Jason and Molly chat with Deirdre Bosa of CNBC (11:38) LinkedIn - Post your first job for free at https://linkedIn.com/twist (12:54) Jason, Molly, and Deirdre talk about reporting, journalism, private an...

May 13, 20221 hr 16 min

Airbnb's category search, Coinbase's new disclosure + Facebook exits podcasting with Ashley Carman | E1457

First Jason and Molly open by digging into some details for the All-In Summit (02:12). Then they discuss Airbnb's search options (08:13), Airbnb's new aircover insurance feature (21:34) and Coinbase's disclosure that account funds aren't safe in a Coinbase bankruptcy (35:04). Then, Molly is joined by Ashley Carman to talk about Facebook dropping podcasts (54:46). 00:00 Molly tees up today’s show 02:12 Jason and Molly are ready for All In Summit, “Details matter” 08:13 Airbnb's search options 12:...

May 11, 20221 hr 9 min
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