This Week in Startups Jason Calacanis

Sunny and Vinny are BACK to break down all the important topics in crypto: SBF updates (2:52), how $GBTC played into the industry unraveling (11:34), why we should be paying attention to Genesis (25:51), Michael Saylor's recent comments (44:13), and more!

(0:00) Jason tees up today's crypto roundtable!

(2:52) Sunny and Vinny are back to talk about the current vibes in crypto and some updates on the SBF situation

(10:20) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist 

(11:34) How the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust played into the industry unraveling

(24:21) Supergut - Get 30% off with code TWIST at https://supergut.com 

(25:51) Why Genesis is more concerning than $GBTC

(35:00) Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub - Apply in 5 minutes, no funding required, sign up at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups

(36:29) Decentralized exchanges, importance of self custody, how Solana's price drop relates to Genesis

(44:13) Michael Saylor's recent comments on Ethereum and Ripple being securities, problems with the "foundation" entity workaround

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FOLLOW Sunny: https://twitter.com/sundeep

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FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

First up, Jason answers some founder questions! (1:46) Then, MycoWorks Co-Founder Sophia Wang joins for this week's edition of The Next Unicorns! (10:12)

(0:00) Molly tees up today's segments!

(1:46) Ask Jason! What happens if a VC finds a great startup/founder to invest in, but they've already invested in a similar business

(4:31) Ask Jason! What is the ideal number of slides in a pitch deck? What are some general tips to spruce up a pitch deck?

(8:34) LinkedIn Marketing -  Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at LinkedIn.com/nextunicorn

(10:12) Molly welcomes MycoWorks Co-Founder Sophia Wang to discuss her founding story, why she got into Mycelium solutions, and more!

(19:37) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist 

(21:05) Sophia breaks down the technology process at MycoWorks

(27:39) MycoWorks's unusual fundraising journey

(30:15) Blueground - Get up to $1000 off your booking at https://promos.theblueground.com/twist 

(31:43) Sophia explains her role as Chief Culture Officer, and explains some of the brands they work with

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FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

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First up, Molly breaks down some news stories, including Meta's ad troubles in Europe (1:24) and Semafor's saga with its climate editor departing. (9:51) Then, Jason answers questions from founders! (20:25) Finally, Producer Rachel joins Molly to discuss what happened with Hive Social. (32:10)

(0:00) Molly tees up today's segments!

(1:24) Molly covers Meta's targeted ad troubles in Europe - are we headed for a new standard for ad-based business models?

(8:24) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST

(9:51) Breaking down Semafor parting ways with its climate editor and a major crypto lending business is stopping its US operations

(19:12) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://linkedin.com/twist

(20:25) Ask Jason! What percentage of equity should a startup give to an advisor?

(27:22) Ask Jason! General advice for founders pitching investors?

(29:31) Ask Jason! In this environment, should early-stage startups focus on profitability from day one?

(32:10) Rachel Reporting: Molly and Producer Rachel break down what happened with Hive Social and discuss broadcast platforms vs consumption platforms

FOLLOW Rachel: https://twitter.com/_rachelbraun

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis

FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

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J+M start the show with some BREAKING NEWS: Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield is leaving Salesforce! (5:09) Then, they cover Circle canceling its SPAC (26:06), SBF's interactions with regulators and the media (40:29), and a Startup of the Day! (57:50)

(0:00) Molly tees up today's news topics!

(1:48) J+M catch up from the weekend

(5:09) BREAKING: Slack Founder and CEO Stewart Butterfield is leaving Salesforce two years after the Slack acquisition was announced

(12:49) Mixpanel - Apply for $50K in credits at https://mixpanel.com/startups 

(14:14) Is this a Salesforce issue or a Slack issue? Is Salesforce's Co-CEO leaving last week just a coincidence?

(24:43) Crowdbotics - Get a free scoping session for your next big app idea at crowdbotics.com/twist

(26:06) Circle cancels its SPAC over missed regulatory deadlines

(39:11) Fitbod - Get 25% off at https://fitbod.me/twist 

(40:29) SBF and Maxine Waters, Semafor's potential illicit funds from SBF

(57:50) Startup of the Day! Loft Dynamics is building a VR helicopter flight simulator for ~95% cheaper than traditional simulators

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis

FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

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J+M are back for another edition of VC Sunday School. This week, they discuss momentum investing in venture capital! (1:35) Then, Molly interviews Convective Capital’s Bill Clerico on investing in firetech startups. (27:58)

(0:00) Molly tees up Sunday’s segments!

(1:35) VC Sunday School: Momentum investing: fair strategy, or sign of a bubble?

(12:56) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist

(14:30) Contrarian investing in VC

(26:28) Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub - Apply in 5 minutes, no funding required, sign up at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups

(27:58) Molly is joined by Convective Capital’s Bill Clerico and talks about investing solely in firetech startups

(35:30) Bill breaks down the different types of firetech startups that he’s investing in

FOLLOW Bill: https://twitter.com/billclerico

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J+M kick off the show by discussing and testing out OpenAI’s ChatGPT. (1:59) Then, they wrap up the news with a16z’s announcement that they are shutting down future.com (37:40). Producer Rachel ends the show with another edition of OK Boomer featuring Litquidity’s Jack Raines. (50:03)

(0:00) J+M Kick off the show

(1:59) Molly gets party theme suggestions from OpenAI’s new Chat GPT

(9:58) LinkedIn Marketing -  Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at https://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups

(11:23) Compounding improvement of AI technology + David Friedberg’s ChatGPT poem and script

(18:33) Odoo - Get access to all of Odoo’s apps, services, and maintenance for under $25 at https://odoo.com/twist

(19:40) Molly and Jason discuss how ChatGPT works using RLHF

(26:57) Advice for founders + Molly & Jason test out ChatGPT

(36:13) MicroAcquire - Sell your business with no fees at https://try.microacquire.com/twist

(37:40) a16z sunsets future.com + media layoffs

(50:03) OK Boomer with Litquidity’s Jack Raines

FOLLOW Jack: https://twitter.com/Jack_Raines

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis

FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

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