This Week in Startups Jason Calacanis

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Todays show:

Intercom’s Eoghan McCabe joins Jason to discuss: the state of the business at Intercom and his return as CEO (8:33), the future of customer service with AI (24:28), what makes a great manager (59:36), and more!

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Timestamps:

(0:00) Intercom’s Eoghan McCabe joins Jason.
(1:50) Family history of the two McCabe’s: Jason and Eoghan.
(5:49) The kindness and dedication of Intercom’s co-founder Des Traynor.
(8:33) What Intercom is, the state of the business and Eoghan’s return as CEO.
(10:41) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups
(12:37) Looking at overlap and adjacencies when you are building SaaS products.
(16:36) The brilliance of the pre-seed pricing model, and is it broken?
(19:47) .Tech Domains - Apply for the “Jam with JCal” contest today at https://www.jamwithjcal.tech
(22:16) What is next for companies with. SaaS-based pricing.
(24:28) The future of customer service and AI.
(30:30) Northwest Registered Agent - For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today.
(36:09) Expectations from AI one year from now.
(45:23) Breaking down the negative press and social reaction to the Humane Pin.
(52:34) What the world will look like as conversational AI develops.
(59:36) What makes a great manager and the “return of the king” at Intercom.

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Check out Intercom: https://www.intercom.com/

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Follow Eoghan:

X: https://x.com/eoghan

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eoghanmccabe/

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis

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(30:30) Northwest Registered Agent - For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today.

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Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

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Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis

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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

Oracle - Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, or OCI, is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. Take a free test drive of OCI at https://www.oracle.com/twist.

Mercury - With Mercury, you can simplify your financial operations with banking and software that power your critical financial workflows, all within the one thing every business needs, a bank account. And with new bill pay and accounting integrations, you can pay bills faster and stay in control of company spend. Apply in minutes at ⁠https://www.Mercury.com

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Todays show:

Kirsten Green joins guest host Mark Suster to discuss Forerunner’s framework on making investments (8:33), how AI will change how consumer companies and applications are built (16:28), cultural shifts that are investable (33:38), and more!

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Timestamps:

(0:00) Kirsten Green joins guest host Mark Suster.

(2:49) Kirsten’s advice to stand out in consumer venture with only seven percent of VC dollars being allocated to consumer.

(8:33) Forerunner’s framework on making investments.

(11:16) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist

(12:09) The value of searching for where businesses are missing the mark, and the “wow” factor of the Oura Ring.

(16:28) How AI will change how consumer companies and applications are built

(19:46) Oracle - Take a free test drive of OCI at https://www.oracle.com/twist.

(20:50) The current state of the consumer search experience and the power of personalization that AI can bring.

(24:16) The disruptive lesson from mobile and the next level of being context aware.

(28:24) Mercury - Join 200K startups who use Mercury to operate at their best at http://www.mercury.com

(31:57) Forerunner Ventures lives within the intersection of invention and culture.

(33:38) Cultural shifts that are investable.

(36:36) The consumer shift from large to small screen.

(40:42) The importance of the mix between direct and indirect revenue.

(42:32) Discussing the relevance of “freemium”.

(55:48) What the exit environment is like going forward.

(1:02:55) What will it take to bring back the small and mid-cap market?

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Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp

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Check out Forerunner Ventures: https://www.forerunnerventures.com/

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Follow Kirsten:

X: https://x.com/kirstenagreen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstengreen/

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksuster/

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Thank you to our partners:

(11:16) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist

(19:46) Oracle - Take a free test drive of OCI at https://www.oracle.com/twist.

(28:24) Mercury - Join 200K startups who use Mercury to operate at their best at http://www.mercury.com

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Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

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Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis

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Follow TWiST:

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

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Todays show:

Base Power’s Justin Lopas joins Jason to discuss the critical link between energy availability and GDP per capita, focusing on Texas' deregulated energy market and recent power outages (2:16). They also dive into ERCOT's role (7:40), dynamic grid pricing (20:04), batteries' potential for grid resilience (23:09), and more!

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Timestamps:

(0:00) Base Power’s Justin Lopas joins Jason

(2:16) Discussion on Texas energy grid and recent power outages

(5:34) Deregulated energy market in Texas

(7:40) How the Texas grid works and the role of ERCOT

(9:35) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠

(10:50) Issues with the Texas energy system, power outages, and comparison with California's energy issues

(20:04) Dynamic grid pricing in Texas

(23:08) ERCOT's procedures during overload conditions and the role of batteries in grid resilience

(25:39) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST

(30:40) Cost comparison with Tesla Powerwalls

(36:09) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist

(45:12) Current deployment status, operational challenges, and regulatory challenges in the energy market

(50:32) Proposal for trusted vendor programs and preferred vendor status

(1:03:41) Correlation between energy availability and GDP per capita

(1:04:19) Solving the energy problem to boost human prosperity

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Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp

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Check out Base Power: https://www.basepowercompany.com

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Follow Justin:

X: https://x.com/JLopas

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinlopas

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Follow Jason:

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis

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Thank you to our partners:

(9:35) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠

(25:39) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST

(36:09) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist

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Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

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Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis

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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

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Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by…

Eight Sleep. Good sleep is the ultimate game changer.

The newest generation of the pod, the Pod 4 ultra has arrived.

Head to eightsleep.com/twist and use code TWIST to get $350 off the Pod 4 Ultra.

Mercury. With Mercury, you can simplify your financial operations with banking and software that power your critical financial workflows, all within the one thing every business needs, a bank account. And with new bill pay and accounting integrations, you can pay bills faster and stay in control of company spend. Apply in minutes at https://www.Mercury.com

Northwest Registered Agent. Start your business fast and secure with Northwest Registered Agent! In just 10 clicks and 10 minutes, set up your entire business identity - name, address, mailservice, phone, email, website, and domain. Everything You Need to Launch Your Business in Minutes! For $39 business formation visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist

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Todays show:

Steve Jurvetson and Gerard Barron join Jason to discuss the growth and challenges of the EV market (1:50). Then, they discuss TMC’s involvement in polymetallic nodules and robotic vacuuming for ocean nodules (15;34), the geopolitical aspects of deep-sea mining (40:50), and AI’s impact on technology (52:01).

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Timestamps:

(0:00) Steve Jurvetson and Gerard Barron join Jason

(1:50) EV market growth and challenges

(2:42) The mission of The Metals Company

(5:54) Gerard Barron explains polymetallic nodules

(13:59) Eight Sleep - Head to https://www.eightsleep.com/twist and use code TWIST to get $350 off the Pod 4 Ultra.

(15:34) Robotic vacuuming and ocean nodules

(19:17) Environmentalists' perspectives on ocean mining

(28:16) Mercury - Join 200K startups who use Mercury to operate at their best at http://mercury.com

(29:47) Deep dive into VC with Steve Jurvetson

(36:16) Northwest Registered Agent - For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today.

(40:50) Geopolitical aspects of deep-sea mining and future outlook

(52:01) The age of AI and its impact on technology

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Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp

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Check out The Metals Company: https://metals.co

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Follow Gerard:

X: https://x.com/gtbgtb

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerardbarron

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Follow Steve:

X: https://x.com/FutureJurvetson

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevejurvetson

Check out: https://future.ventures

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Follow Jason:

X: https://twitter.com/Jason

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis

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Thank you to our partners:

(13:59) Eight Sleep - Head to https://www.eightsleep.com/twist and use code TWIST to get $350 off the Pod 4 Ultra.

(28:16) Mercury - Join 200K startups who use Mercury to operate at their best at http://mercury.com

(36:16) Northwest Registered Agent - For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today.

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Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

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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

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Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

This Week in Startups is brought to you by…

Northwest Registered Agent. Start your business fast and secure with Northwest Registered Agent! In just 10 clicks and 10 minutes, set up your entire business identity—name, address, mail service, phone, email, website, and domain. Everything You Need to Launch Your Business in Minutes! For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist

Wistia - The 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://www.wistia.com/startups1

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.

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Todays show:

Rory O’Driscoll joins guest host Mark Suster to discuss: advice for founders with traction but not yet booming (2:33), thirty years of internet cycles and their impact on venture capital (13:25), the approach to big-picture thinking vs. immediate traction and strategizing exits (36:58), and more!

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Timestamps:

(0:00) Rory O’Driscoll joins guest host Mark Suster.

(2:33) Rory’s advice for founders with traction but not yet booming.

(9:09) Aligning incentives between founders and venture; reminding CEOs to be "selfish.”

(10:23) Northwest Registered Agent - For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today.
(13:25) Reflections on thirty years of internet cycles and their impact on venture capital.

(18:25) Debating AI: Does it favor the incumbents?
(20:07) Wistia - Try Wistia for free at https://www.wistia.com/startups
(21:35) What Rory and Scale Venture looks for when investing in AI.
(26:20) How OpenAI has changed the landscape
(29:18) HiddenLayer - HiddenLayer’s AI Detection & Response Solution secures your Generative AI & LLMs from malicious attack. Visit https://www.HiddenLayer.com/TWiST to learn more.
(30:30) Debating “faux-mentum” vs. long-term sustainability in investments.
(34:34) Balancing deep passion and business savvy when evaluating founders.
(36:58) Rory’s approach to big-picture thinking vs. immediate traction and strategizing exits

(44:02) The importance of picking vs. price discipline.

(1:00:58) Advice for founders dealing with “busted cap tables.”

(1:08:07) Rory’s advice for his younger self.

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Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp

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Check out Scale Venture Partners: https://www.scalevp.com/

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Follow Rory:

X: https://x.com/rodriscoll

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roryodriscoll/

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Follow Mark:

X: https://twitter.com/msuster

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksuster/

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Thank you to our partners:

(10:23) Northwest Registered Agent - For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today.
(20:07) Wistia - Try Wistia for free at https://www.wistia.com/startups
(29:18) HiddenLayer - ****HiddenLayer’s AI Detection & Response Solution secures your Generative AI & LLMs from malicious attack. Visit https://www.HiddenLayer.com/TWiST to learn more.
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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

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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

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Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

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

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.

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Todays show:

Jason and Alex discuss xAI raising $6B (2:07), the TWiST500 (30:11), the startups building our drone future (39:55), North Korean tech talent taking American remote tech jobs (55:50), and more!

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Timestamps:

(0:00) Jason and Alex kick off the show

(2:07) xAI raised $6B series B

(10:03) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups

(11:30) The evolution of smartphone adoption over time

(19:08) Global Internet users from 2005-2023

(26:06) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist

(26:57) The control over silicon and Apple’s move switch from Intel

(30:11) TWiST500 announcement

(38:24) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at http://devsquad.com/twist

(39:55) Armed robot dogs, drone warfare, and the startups building our drone future

(55:50) North Korean nationals taking American remote tech jobs

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Links and articles from show:

https://x.ai/blog/series-b

https://www.twz.com/sea/rifle-armed-robot-dogs-now-being-tested-by-marine-special-operatorshttps://news.crunchbase.com/ai/defense-military-ai-tech-startups-vc-funding-anduril-shield-ai/?utm_source=cb_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20230703

https://www.axios.com/2024/05/21/north-korea-it-workers-us-hiring

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/24/north-korea-crypto-hacking-activity-soars-to-record-high-in-2023-new-report-shows.html

https://www.statista.com/statistics/273018/number-of-internet-users-worldwide

https://www.axios.com/2024/05/26/china-robot-gun-dog-military-cambodia

https://www.allencontrolsystems.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMnkqY98Cyo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8igjcW39T4k

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Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp

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Follow Alex:

X: https://x.com/alex

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm/

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Follow Jason:

X: https://twitter.com/Jason

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis

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Thank you to our partners:

(10:03) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups

(26:06) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist

(38:24) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at http://devsquad.com/twist
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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

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Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast