1,062 episodes

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.

This Week in Startups Jason Calacanis

    • Technology

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.

    AI investments, VC ecosystem geography, and VC hypocrisy | E1956

    AI investments, VC ecosystem geography, and VC hypocrisy | E1956

    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 https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠

    Lemon.io. Hire pre-vetted remote developers, get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist

    *

    Todays show:

    David Weisburd hosts Jaime Matus, Michael Eisenberg, and Jason Calacanis to discuss AI investments and the potential washout of overfunded startups (4:11). They also touch on VC hypocrisy (38:47), and the role of geography in the VC ecosystem (54:53).

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    Timestamps:

    (0:00) David Weisburd intros Jaime Matus, Michael Eisenberg, and Jason Calacanis

    (4:11) Pitchbook data summarizing the total amount of capital invested in AI

    (12:12) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST

    (16:33) Predicting a washout of overfunded AI startups and sky high valuations

    (25:30) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠

    (26:57) Discussing Michael Eisenberg's career and investment experiences

    (37:22) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist

    (38:47) Discussion on Greg Isenberg's tweet about VC hypocrisy

    (54:53) Fundraising rankings by ecosystem

    *

    Follow Jaime:

    X: https://x.com/JaimeMatusVC

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-matus

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

    *

    Follow Michael:

    X: https://x.com/mikeeisenberg

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

    Check out: https://aleph.vc

    *

    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:

    (12:12) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST

    (25:30) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠

    (37:22) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist

    *

    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

    • 1 hr 7 min
    Glue: The New Slack Killer with David Sacks and Evan Owen | E1955

    Glue: The New Slack Killer with David Sacks and Evan Owen | E1955

    In this episode, David Sacks and Evan Owen of Glue join Jason to demo their new “slack killer” product (4:38), explain the role of AI within Glue (14:14), discuss building products with remote vs in-person teams (36:47), and more!

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    Timestamps:

    (0:00) David Sacks and Evan Owen join Jason to show us newly launched Glue.

    (2:42) David Sacks answers, “Why build another product?”.

    (4:38) Evan jumps into a demo of Glue.

    (9:37) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST

    (12:15) Popular data sources users are incorporating into Glue.

    (14:14) Digging deeper on the AI of Glue and when it will be able to be proactive in its participation.
    (19:42) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist
    (21:07) Glue’s strategy on converting users from tools like slack in this competitive landscape.

    (27:18) Glue’s approach to pricing.

    (30:16) Dot Tech Domains - Don’t miss our “Jam with JCal” contest. To apply and get more details go to www.jamwithjcal.tech.

    (31:45) Training models and the heated subject of privacy and security.

    (34:12) How building a company now, fourteen years after Yammer, has been different for Sacks.

    (36:47) Diving into the topic of building products with remote vs in-person teams.

    *

    Check out Glue: https://gluegroups.com/
    Glue on X: https://x.com/GlueAI

    *

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

    *

    Follow David:

    X: https://x.com/DavidSacks

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

    *

    Follow Evan:

    X: https://x.com/kainosnoema

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

    *

    Follow Jason:

    X: https://twitter.com/Jason

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

    *

    Thank you to our partners:

    (9:37) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST

    (19:42) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist
    (30:16) Dot Tech Domains - Don’t miss our “Jam with JCal” contest. To apply and get more details go to www.jamwithjcal.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

    • 44 min
    $NVDA's earnings, media economics in the AI era, Farcaster's mega crypto round, and more! | E1954

    $NVDA's earnings, media economics in the AI era, Farcaster's mega crypto round, and more! | E1954

    This Week in Startups is brought to you by…

    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.

    Mercury - Mercury is the fintech startups use for banking* and all their financial workflows.
    Paying bills, staying in control of company spend, and closing the books doesn't need to be so complex — that's why Mercury powers it all from the one thing every business needs: the bank account. Join 200K startups who use Mercury to operate at their best at http://mercury.com
    *Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust, Members FDIC.

    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://HiddenLayer.com/TWiST

    *

    Timestamps:

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

    (1:50) Nvidia earnings for First Quarter Fiscal 2025

    (12:53) Zendesk - Get six months free at http://www.zendesk.com/twist

    (14:32) Continuing discussion on Nvidia's earnings

    (22:39) News Corp and OpenAI strike ‘multi year global partnership’

    (29:21) Mercury - Join 200K startups who use Mercury to operate at their best at http://mercury.com

    (30:51) Apple News+ is driving big numbers for The Daily Beast

    (39:03) HiddenLayer - HiddenLayer’s AI Detection & Response Solution secures your Generative AI & LLMs from malicious attack. Visit https://HiddenLayer.com/TWiST to learn more.

    (40:14) Wearable AI startup Humane is exploring a sale

    (50:56) Windows Recall

    (1:08:45) Farcaster raises $150M: Is crypto making a comeback?

    *

    Links and articles from show:

    https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/nvidia-announces-financial-results-for-first-quarter-fiscal-2025

    https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/21/farcaster-a-crypto-based-social-network-raised-150m-with-just-80k-daily-users/

    https://gizmodo.com/humane-ai-pin-selling-billion-1851493143

    https://www.semafor.com/article/05/19/2024/as-clicks-dry-up-for-news-sites-could-apples-news-app-be-a-lifeline

    https://www.wsj.com/business/media/openai-news-corp-strike-deal-23f186ba?mod=latest_headlines

    https://s201.q4cdn.com/141608511/files/doc_financials/2025/Rev_by_Mkt_Qtrly_Trend_Q125.pdf

    https://x.com/dsiroker/status/1792956339515273537

    *

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

    *

    Follow Alex:

    X: https://x.com/alex

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

    *

    Follow Jason:

    X: https://twitter.com/Jason

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

    *

    Thank you to our partners:

    (12:53) Zendesk - Get six months free at http://www.zendesk.com/twist

    (29:21) Mercury - Join 200K startups who use Mercury to operate at their best at ⁠http://mercury.com⁠

    (39:03) HiddenLayer - HiddenLayer’s AI Detection & Response Solution secures your Generative AI & LLMs from malicious attack. Visit https://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

    • 1 hr 20 min
    OpenAI drama, billion-dollar exits, and founder salaries with new co-host Alex Wilhelm | E1953

    OpenAI drama, billion-dollar exits, and founder salaries with new co-host Alex Wilhelm | E1953

    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

    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://www.equinixstartups.com to apply today.

    *

    Timestamps:

    (0:00) Alex Wilhelm joins Jason to dive into this week’s news.

    (1:17) Announcing new co-host on TWiST Alex Wilhelm of TechCrunch fame!

    (3:03) Alex breaks down what’s on the docket for today!

    (4:16) The OpenAI equity issue.

    (10:38) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist

    (12:39) OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4o.
    (15:33) Why ChatGPT is better than Siri.

    (17:50) OpenAI’s net revenue in the wake of last week’s announcements.
    (20:04) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups
    (22:06) Comparing the needs of consumers vs enterprise for ChatGPT.
    (24:17) OpenAI has pulled “Sky” one of the voices for the new ChatGPT 4o due to it sounding like Scarlett Johansson

    (28:48) Equinix - Join the Equinix Startup Program for up to $100K in credits and much more at https://deploy.equinix.com/startups
    (30:01) Alex’s favorite topic around how much founders paying themselves.
    (38:46) A billion-dollar deal in cybersecurity.

    (45:43) Breaking news Scar Jo!

    (56:24) What’s going on with crypto-venture capital.

    (58:02) A look at “decentralized twitter” called Farcaster.

    *

    Links from episode:

    OpenAI Equity link: https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-openai-nda-clause-vested-equity-ilya-sutskever-2024-5

    OpenAI revenue growth https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/20/chatgpts-mobile-app-revenue-saw-biggest-spike-yet-following-gpt-4o-launch/

    Founder salary report: https://pilot.com/founder-salary-report-2024

    CyberArk-Venafi deal: https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/20/cyberark-snaps-up-venafi-for-1-54b-to-ramp-up-in-machine-to-machine-security/

    Crypto VC rising: https://www.reuters.com/technology/venture-capital-funding-crypto-rises-24-bln-pitchbook-says-2024-05-20/

    Check out Farcaster: https://www.farcaster.xyz/

    *

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

    *

    Follow Alex:

    X: https://x.com/alex

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

    *

    Follow Jason:

    X: https://twitter.com/Jason

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

    *

    Thank you to our partners:

    (10:38) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist

    (20:04) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups
    (28:48) 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

    • 1 hr 13 min
    Crypto, the Midas List, and democratizing VC with Delian Asparouhov and Mel Williams | E1952

    Crypto, the Midas List, and democratizing VC with Delian Asparouhov and Mel Williams | E1952

    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

    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. In just 10 clicks and 10 minutes, set up your entire business identity—name, address, mail service, phone, email, website, and domain. For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today.

    *

    Todays show:

    David Weisburd hosts Mel Williams, Delian Asparouhov, and Jason Calacanis to discuss discuss crypto regulation (17:05), AI spending (27:21), and immigration's role in startups (55:43).

    *

    Timestamps:

    (0:00) David Weisburd intros Mel Williams, Delian Asparouhov, and Jason Calacanis

    (3:46) WSJ reports that top crypto funds are back in the market

    (9:38) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠

    (10:54) Jason's proposal for a "sophisticated investor test" for crypto investments

    (17:05) The limitations of current SEC regulations and the potential political impact of crypto regulation

    (26:03) Coda - Get a $1,000 startup credit at https://coda.io/twist

    (27:21) AI spend is up across the board in 2024

    (39:42) Northwest Registered Agent - For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today.

    (41:01) GPT-4o demos and the rapid commoditization of AI technology

    (48:29) The impact of AI on the economy

    (55:43) Immigration and its impact on the startup ecosystem

    (1:06:11) Self-censorship and the importance of a free society

    *

    Follow Mel:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mel-williams-00584a5

    Check Out: https://truebridgecapital.com

    *

    Follow Delian:

    X: https://x.com/zebulgar

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/delian-asparouhov-87447742

    Check out: https://foundersfund.com https://www.varda.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:

    (9:38) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠

    (26:03) Coda - Get a $1,000 startup credit at https://coda.io/twist

    (39:42) Northwest Registered Agent - For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today.

    *

    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

    • 1 hr 7 min
    Pioneering physical AI with Archetype AI’s Ivan Poupyrev | E1951

    Pioneering physical AI with Archetype AI’s Ivan Poupyrev | E1951

    This Week in Startups is brought to you by…

    .Tech Domains - Don’t miss our “Jam Session with JCal” contest, coming soon! 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 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

    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

    *

    Todays show:

    Ivan Poupyrev of Archetype AI joins Jason to demo Archetype AI’s product “Newton” and discuss the application of sensors in various industries (2:55). The two also dive into anticipatory interfaces (44:14), the role of sensor technology in AI (31:09), and the potential for robots in various industries (28:12).

    *

    Timestamps:

    (0:00) Ivan Poupyrev of Archetype AI joins Jason.

    (2:55) Demo of Archetype AI's product, Newton, which interprets and processes motion data

    (9:22) .Tech Domains - Apply for the Jam Session with JCal contest today at https://jamwithjcal.tech

    (10:48) Exploration of potential business model and use cases for Archetype AI

    (22:15) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠

    (23:30) Use cases in aviation, military, and automotive industry

    (28:12) The connection between robots and artificial intelligence

    (30:17) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist

    (31:09) The evolution of sensor technology and its role in AI

    (44:14) The pace of technological innovation and the future of anticipatory interfaces

    (49:00) Future plans for Archetype AI, hiring and partnership opportunities

    *

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

    *

    Check out Archetype AI: https://www.archetypeai.io

    *

    Follow Ivan:

    X: https://x.com/ipoupyrev

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivan-poupyrev

    *

    Follow Jason:

    X: https://twitter.com/Jason

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

    *

    Thank you to our partners:

    (9:21) .Tech Domains - Apply for the Jam Session with JCal contest today at https://jamwithjcal.tech

    (22:17) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠

    (30:20) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.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

    • 50 min

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