This Week in Startups Jason Calacanis

This Week in Startups is brought to you by…

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

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

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Max Altman and Ben Braverman of Saga VC join guest host Mark Suster to discuss building up Saga VC’s maiden voyage fund (2:23), the advantage of witnessing “great” at the top of the industry (21:14), praise for Saga VC’s Thomson Nguyen (52:59), and more!

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

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Check out Saga VC website: https://www.sagavc.com/
Check out Saga VC on X: https://twitter.com/Saga_Ventures

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Follow Max:

X: https://twitter.com/maxaltman

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

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Follow Ben:

X: https://twitter.com/braveben

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-braverman-a1120314/

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Follow Thomson:

X: https://twitter.com/itsthomson

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

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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:

(9:48) Mercury - Join 100K+ startups banking with Mercury at http://www.mercury.com⁠

(19:58) NetSuite. 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

(29:16) Curotec - Check out http://www.curotec.com/twist and get $5000 off

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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…

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

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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!

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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”.

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

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Check out Gecko Robotics: https://www.geckorobotics.com/

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Follow Jake:

X: https://twitter.com/loosararian_j

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-loosararian-23981350/

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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:

(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

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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

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

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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!

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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.

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

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Check out Apex: https://www.apexspace.com

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Follow Ian:

X: https://twitter.com/IanCinnamon

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

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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:

(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

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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…

⁠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

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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).

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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

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Mentioned on the show:
https://www.hotjar.com/net-promoter-score

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

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Follow Matt:

X: https://twitter.com/mwilker

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

Check out: https://www.extern.com/

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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:

(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

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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…

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.

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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!

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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

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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.

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Mentioned on show:

https://www.axios.com/2024/05/03/svb-venture-capital-arm

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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

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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

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Follow David:

X: ⁠https://twitter.com/DWeisburd⁠

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

Check out: ⁠https://10xcapital.com

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Follow Jason:

X: ⁠https://twitter.com/jason⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jason⁠

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

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Check out the Launch Accelerator: https://launchaccelerator.co

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Check out Founder University: https://www.founder.university

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

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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

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.

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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!

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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?

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Check out The Re-Wired Group: https://www.anomalo.com/

Check out Bob’s website and publications: https://www.bobmoesta.com/

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Check out Founder Fridays: https://www.founderfridays.tech/

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

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Follow Bob:

X: https://twitter.com/bmoesta?lang=en

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

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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:

(10:57) 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

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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

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