This Week in Startups Jason Calacanis

This Week in Startups is brought to you by…

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Today’s show:

Sunny Madra joins Jason for an emergency podcast! They break down the business implications of Altman leaving OpenAI (1:23), speculation around why he was fired (10:27), ongoing developments like Greg Brockman quitting, and more! (23:24)

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Time stamps:

(0:00) Sunny Madra goes live with Jason for an emergency Pod!

(1:23) Sam Altman ousted from OpenAI and Greg Brockman quits!

(6:44) The board’s accusations against Sam Altman

(10:27) Speculating “no conflict, no interest”

(12:16) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at ⁠https://vanta.com/twist(13:22)⁠ Sam's extraordinary deal-making, lack of OpenAI shares, and the possible impact from Humane launch

(23:24) The OpenAI and Microsoft relationship

(29:40) ⁠Lemon.io⁠ - Get $2000 off your first hire at ⁠http://lemon.io/hire⁠

(30:49) More speculation and anonymous theories

(34:29) The impact of founder-led switching to not founder-led

(37:10) Equinix - Join the Equinix Startup Program for up to $100K in credits and much more at https://deploy.equinix.com/startups/⁠

(38:30) Questions from live audience

(56:12) Final thoughts

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

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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 Jason:

Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/jason⁠

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

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

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Follow TWiST:

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

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.

Masterworks. The first company allowing investors exposure into the blue-chip artwork asset class. TWIST listeners can skip the waitlist by going to ⁠https://masterworks.com/twist⁠ and using promo code TWIST.

Fitbod. Tired of doing the same workouts at the gym? Fitbod will build you personalized workouts that help you progress with every set. Get 25% off your subscription or try out the app for FREE when you sign up now at https://fitbod.me/twist.

Today’s show:

First, Jason interviews Krea CEO and Co-Founder Victor Perez, who demos Krea's creative suite, highlighting its unique blend of AI prompts and interactive design elements (2:40). Then, testRigor’s Artem Golubev breaks down how their AI-powered software helps businesses streamline QA processes (48:54).




Time stamps:

Time stamps:

(0:00) CEO and Co-Founder of Krea.ai join Jason

(2:40) Victor demos Krea’s real-time AI capabilities

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

(9:22) Startup culture at the Krea house, Krea’s wide range of users, and its unique approach: enabling precise control over object placement and evolving sketches into final products

(17:22) Future plans for video-to-video workflows, Victor’s background, Stable Diffusion’s capabilities, understanding the concept of 'weights' in AI

(26:03) Masterworks - Skip the waitlist to invest in fine art at https://www.masterworks.com/twist

(27:22) Debating copyright concerns and the state of training data in Stable Diffusion

(32:20) The challenges of the startup scene in Barcelona, trying the Blueprint diet

(36:32) Fitbod - Get 25% off at https://fitbod.me/twist

(38:00) Artem Golubev, CEO and Co-Founder of testRigor joins Jason and explains testRigor's AI-powered QA solution

(41:29) testRigor's AI approach: Streamlining software QA testing

(48:54) Examining the impact of AI on dev teams, and testRigor demo

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Check out Krea: http://www.krea.ai

Check out testRigor: http://www.testrigor.com

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Follow Victor:
https://twitter.com/viccpoes

https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamvictorperez

Follow Artem:

https://twitter.com/artemtwtr

https://www.linkedin.com/in/agolubev

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Thanks to our partners:

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

(17:24) Masterworks - Skip the waitlist to invest in fine art at https://www.masterworks.com/twist

(27:22) Fitbod - Get 25% off at https://fitbod.me/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

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Follow Jason:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jason

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

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

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Follow TWiST:

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

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

Today’s show:

Kruze’s Scott Orn joins Jason to discuss navigating potential ERC fraud (00:45), expected year one spend for startups (11:54), importance of accounting from Day 1 (15:22), and more! 

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Time stamps:

(0:00) Kruze’s Scott Orn joins Jason.

(0:45) Navigating Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and spotting fraud, and the importance of CPA expertise

(9:01) The difference between building software and R&D

(11:54) Expected year one spend for startups

(15:22) Importance of accounting from day 1

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Check out Kruze: https://kruzeconsulting.com

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Follow Scott:

https://twitter.com/scottorn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottorn

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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 Jason:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jason

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

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

*

Follow TWiST:

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

*

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

This Week in Startups is brought to you by…

.Tech Domains has a new program called startups.tech, where you can get your startup featured on This Week in Startups. Go to startups.tech/jason to find out how!

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 vanta.com/twist

Arising Ventures is a holding company that acquires tech startups facing setbacks. Arising Ventures knows what founders care about because they aren’t bankers, they are tech founders themselves! Go to ⁠http://arisingventures.com/TWIST

Today’s show:

Forward CEO Adrian Aoun joins Jason to discuss how his startup creating the first AI doctor's office (13:55)! The two dive into how Forward's AI technology operates (15:55), the challenges with modern healthcare (9:52), and how Forward plans to revolutionize the healthcare service (40:36).

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Time stamps:

(0:00) Forward CEO Adrian Aoun joins Jason.

(1:46) VC in the Middle East and the lack of diligence in the last boom and bust cycle

(8:51) .Tech Domains - Apply to get your startup featured on This Week in Startups at https://startups.tech/jason

(9:52) Challenges in healthcare and Adrian’s journey to Forward

(13:55) The Forward “Care Pod”, an AI-powered doctor's office providing scans, monitoring, blood tests and more

(15:55) Adrian demos Forward’s product

(23:44) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist

(24:50) Forward’s business model and target customer

(28:08) Figuring out how to make healthcare scalable

(30:29) Reactions to the Care Pod and thoughts on wearables

(34:51) The role of a doctor in Forward’s ecosystem

(37:28) Forward’s rollout strategy

(39:35) Arising Ventures - head to http://arisingventures.com/TWIST to learn more and connect with the team

(40:36) AI’s role in Forward’s technology

(43:27) The size of the company and plans for expansion

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Check out Forward: https://goforward.com/

Follow Adrian:

https://twitter.com/adrianaoun

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianaoun/

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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 Jason:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jason

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

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

*

Follow TWiST:

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

*

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

This Week in Startups is brought to you by…

Embroker. The Embroker Startup Insurance Program helps startups secure the most important types of insurance at a lower cost and with less hassle. Save up to 20% off of traditional insurance today at http://www.Embroker.com/twist While you’re there, get an extra 10% off using offer code TWIST.

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 http://www.CLAconnect.com/tech

IntouchCX. Want to build a loyal customer base for your startup? Unlock the power of innovative AI and automated support solutions from IntouchCX to deliver fast, personalized support and enhance your customers’ experience. Schedule your consultation today at http://www.intouchcx.com/twist

Today’s show:

The man behind the anonymous accounts “prayingforexits” on Instagram and “@mrexits” on X joins Jason for a jam-packed episode!

Topics covered: Praying For Exits raised a fund! (2:10) Drawing inspiration from Steve Jobs' iconic Think Different Campaign (8:55), defense tech going from “frowned upon” to a very hot market (17:03), and how the modern Middle East will play ball with the USA? (33:29)!

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Time stamps:

(0:00) Mr. Exits joins Jason.

(2:16) Praying For Exits raised a fund!

(5:26) Subject-matter experts and the “alumni factor”

(9:01) Drawing inspiration from Steve Jobs' iconic Think Differently Campaign.

(9:23) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://www.Embroker.com/twist

(11:50) Building a startup is akin to compressing a life’s career into 5 years

(12:54)The softening of the American capitalistic machine

(14:32) The shot clock of VC

(16:57) Defense tech going from “frowned upon” to a very hot market

(19:09) CLA - Get started with CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors now at https://www.claconnect.com/tech

(21:55) Globalization’s impact on nationalism

(28:20) USA's stake in the world’s top 25 market cap companies.

(29:21) InTouchCX - Schedule a free consultation at http://www.intouchcx.com/twist

(31:30) Speculating on the USA-China endgame.

(33:23) How will the modern Middle-East play ball with the USA?

(44:13) The Golden Visa of Dubai

(43:33) For those aspiring to be invested in by Mr. Exits

Our partners:

(9:23) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://www.Embroker.com/twist

(19:15) CLA - Get started with CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors now at https://www.claconnect.com/tech

(29:27) InTouchCX - Schedule a free consultation at http://www.intouchcx.com/twist

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FOLLOW PrayingForExits: ⁠ https://twitter.com/mrexits

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

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Read LAUNCH Fund 4 Deal Memo: https://www.launch.co/four

Apply for Funding: https://www.launch.co/apply

Buy ANGEL: https://www.angelthebook.com

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 Jason:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jason

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

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

*

Follow TWiST:

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

*

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

This Week in Startups is brought to you by…

LinkedIn Marketing. To redeem a $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to 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 vanta.com/twist

Corient. Real wealth requires real solutions. Corient provides wealth management services centered around you. For more information, speak with an advisor today at Corient.com

Today’s show:

Sunny Madra joins Jason to discuss and demo xAI’s new chatbot, Grok (2:18), OpenAI’s new GPTs (31:54), and an AI designed to detect fake reviews (55:40). Then, Sunny builds a GPT live on air (36:22)

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Time stamps:

(0:00) Sunny Madra joins Jason

(2:18) Sunny demos xAI’s Grok chatbot

(14:49) LinkedIn Marketing - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at https://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups

(21:33) Review and feedback for Grok chatbot

(28:36) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist

(31:54) Sunny demos OpenAI’s Game Time and Invest America GPTs

(36:22) Sunny builds a Launch GPT live!

(37:18) Corient - Speak with one of Corient's wealth management advisors today at http://corient.com

(48:33) Unlocking the potential of GPTs

(55:40) Sunny demos Fakespot, an AI tool for spotting fake reviews

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Check out Grok: https://grok.x.ai

Check out OpenAI’s GPTs: https://chat.openai.com/gpts/discovery

Check out Fakespot: https://www.fakespot.com/

Check out Definitive Intelligence: https://www.definitive.io/

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

*

Read LAUNCH Fund 4 Deal Memo: https://www.launch.co/four

Apply for Funding: https://www.launch.co/apply

Buy ANGEL: https://www.angelthebook.com

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 Jason:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jason

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

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

*

Follow TWiST:

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

*

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