This Week in Startups Jason Calacanis

This Week in Startups is presented by:

VEED makes it super easy for anyone (yes, you) to create great video. Filled with amazing features like templates, auto subtitles, text formatting, auto-resizing, a full suite of AI tools, and much more, VEED gives you the tools to engage your audience on any platform. Head to VEED.io to start creating incredible video content in minutes.

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 openphone.com/twist

iConnections is a platform to connect and meet with elite capital allocators through their online platform and bespoke events. The first 25 VC funds to sign up for iConnections Miami 2024 event in January of next year will receive a 20% discount! Head to iConnections.io/twist to sign up today!

*

Today’s show:

Brad Gerstner and Mubadla's Ibrahim Ajami join Jason as they discuss their first impressions of the UAE (1:33). They then converse about how the UAE is attracting startup talent, unclogging the capital allocator log jam, and investing in relationships (19:43)!

Follow Brad: https://twitter.com/altcap

Follow Ibrahim: https://twitter.com/IbrahimAjami

*

Time stamps:

(0:00) Brad and Ibrahim join Jason

(1:33) First impressions of the UAE

(10:25) Veed - Head to https://www.veed.io/pricing?utm_campaign=TWIS&utm_medium=Marketing&utm_source=YouTube and start creating professional-quality videos in minutes!

(11:55) The story of Mubadala

(19:43) Attracting talent to the UAE

(26:53) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://openphone.com/twist

(28:21) The shifting perspective of the UAE and the opportunity it presents

(35:07) The level of curiosity in Abu Dhabi

(37:02) iConnections - Get 20% off iConnections Miami 2024 event at http://iconnections.io/twist

(38:21) Adjusting to the changing market

(41:58) Mubadala’s portfolio and investing in SoftBank’s Vision Fund

(49:40) Getting fit

(56:27) Unclogging the manager log jam and the denominator problem

(1:04:59) Investing in relationships

(1:11:38) The progression of the UAE

*

Read LAUNCH Fund 4 Deal Memo & Apply for Funding

Buy ANGEL

Great recent interviews: Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland, PrayingForExits, Jenny Lefcourt

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 presented 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://embroker.com/twist. While you’re there, get an extra 10% off using offer code TWIST.

Hyperice. Warm up and recover faster with the Hypervolt 2 massage gun and Normatec compression therapy boots. Save $50 off your order of $150 or more with code TWIST50 at checkout on http://hyperice.com/.

Release. Large enterprises pose unique challenges for SaaS startups. Unlock customers with unique needs for private and single-tenant hosting without the toil of DIY with Release Delivery. Get your first month free at https://release.com/twist .

*

Today’s show:

Lon Harris is BACK to discuss the WGA strike and how ChatGPT can (and will) impact Hollywood writers (6:18). They also break down how streaming services can appeal to show writers, Spotify’s planned AI-for-ads, and more! (19:56)

Follow Lon: https://twitter.com/Lons

Check Out Binge Boys: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/binge-boys/id1535514923

*

Time stamps:

(0:00) Lon joins Jason

(1:44) Jason discusses his new reality TV show

(6:18) The WGA Strike and the misconceptions of Hollywood

(13:29) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist

(14:33) Employing writers and the lack of transparency in the film industry

(19:56) Breaking rank as a streaming service

(24:21) Hyperice - Get $50 off your order of $150 or more with code TWIST50 at http://hyperice.com/

(25:30) Hollywood writers’ thoughts on ChatGPT

(37:14) Release - Get your first month free at https://release.com/twist

(38:41) Creating Adam Sandler movies with ChatGPT

(42:15) Jason and Lon breakdown if Succession will go down as a top HBO show

(48:51) Jason’s advice to the writers union and streaming services

(53:06) HBO debuts Max

(1:00:13) Spotify’s new use for AI

(1:06:09) Highly anticipated releases, plus Jason and Lon’s thoughts on how TikTok is affecting society

*

Read LAUNCH Fund 4 Deal Memo & Apply for Funding

Buy ANGEL

Great recent interviews: Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland, PrayingForExits, Jenny Lefcourt

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 presented by:

Crowdbotics. Great ideas can change the world, and Crowdbotics is the fastest way to turn those ideas into code. Get a free scoping session for your next big app idea at http://crowdbotics.com/twist

Hampton. Are you a startup founder or CEO seeking expert advice? Join Hampton, the private, highly vetted community for high-growth founders. Get invaluable insights, connections, and support to accelerate your business at http://joinhampton.com/twist today!

The Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub helps all founders build a better startup, at a lower cost, from day one. Startups get up to $150K in Azure credits, access to free OpenAI credits, free dev tools like GitHub, technical advisory, access to mentors and experts, and so much more. There is no funding requirement, and it only takes minutes to join. Sign up today at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups

*

Today’s show:

Galileo AI’s Arnaud Benard joins Jason to demo their text-to-UI platform before discussing the AI startup scene in Silicon Valley (3:47). Then Lunour’s Scott Bair gives a presentation on how to design loved products from rough wireframes to a polished design (34:17).

Follow Arnaud: https://twitter.com/arnaudai

Check Out Galileo AI: https://www.usegalileo.ai/

Follow Scott: https://twitter.com/scott_bair

Check Out Lunour : https://www.lunour.com/

*

Time stamps:

(0:00) Arnaud joins Jason

(1:29) Discovering Galileo AI

(3:47) Arnaud demos Galileo

(9:28) Crowdbotics - Get a free scoping session for your next big app idea at http://crowdbotics.com/twist

(10:36) Galileo’s inception, its business metrics and its AI models

(17:28) Hampton - Join Hampton's community of high-growth founders today at https://joinhampton.com/twist

(18:52) Building an AI startup today

(24:43) Arnaud’s position on AutoGPTs

(28:02) San Francisco’s startup and food scene

(32:43) Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub - Apply in 5 minutes for six figures in discounts at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups

(34:17) How to design loved products with Scott Bair

*

Read LAUNCH Fund 4 Deal Memo & Apply for Funding

Buy ANGEL

Great recent interviews: Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland, PrayingForExits, Jenny Lefcourt

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 presented by:

LinkedIn Marketing. To redeem a $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to http://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups.

Squarespace. Turn your idea into a new website! Go to http://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.

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

*

Today’s show:

Jason hosts another pitch competition featuring two startups from our Founder University program! Apply for Founder University: https://course.founder.university⁠

Check out NeighborBrite: https://neighborbrite.com/

Check out Coffee Clozers: https://www.coffeeclozers.com/

*

Time stamps:

(0:00) Jason kicks off the show

(1:22) Jason and Kelly introduce the pitch competition

(4:25) Luis pitches NeighborBrite

(12:19) LinkedIn Marketing - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at https://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups

(13:32) Liam pitches Coffee Clozers

(21:24) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST

(22:42) The value of Founder University

(25:46) Jason awards the $25K investment

(31:09) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist

(32:28) Q&A with Jason

*

Read LAUNCH Fund 4 Deal Memo & Apply for Funding

Buy ANGEL

Great recent interviews: Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland, PrayingForExits, Jenny Lefcourt

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 presented by:

Issuu is the all-in-one platform for creating and distributing beautiful digital content. Get started with Issuu today for free or sign up for an annual premium account and get 50% off when you go to http://issuu.com/podcast and use promo code 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://vanta.com/twist

.Tech domains are the go-to namespace to build anything in tech… and home to the world’s most innovative startups. Secure your .Tech domain today and lock down a 1-year domain for $10, or a 5-year domain for $50 at http://go.tech/TWIST today!

*

Today’s show:

Sunny joins Jason to discuss the latest in AI. They chat about the launch of ChatGPT’s new iOS app and demo Google’s MusicLM (1:24). Then, Sunny tests AssemblyAI’s LeMUR and Wondercraft AI before wrapping with a look at Stable Diffusion’s deep fake capabilities (29:38).

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

*

Time stamps:

(0:00) Sunny joins Jason

(1:24) ChatGPT launches its IOS app

(4:59) Sunny demos Google’s MusicLM

(8:14) Issuu - Sign up for free or get 50% off an annual premium account by using promo code twist at https://issuu.com/podcast

(9:33) Having taste, and how did Google train MusicLM

(21:02) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist

(22:09) The legal issues with training MusicLM

(29:38) Sunny demos AssemblyAI’s LeMur

(38:34) .Tech domains - lock down a 1-year domain for $10, or a 5-year domain for $50 at http://go.tech/TWIST

(39:58) Sunny demos Wondercraft AI

(47:18) Stable Diffusion’s deep fake technology

(51:36) Creating more content with AI

*

Read LAUNCH Fund 4 Deal Memo & Apply for Funding

Buy ANGEL

Great recent interviews: Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland, PrayingForExits, Jenny Lefcourt

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 presented by:

Squarespace. Turn your idea into a new website! Go to http://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.

Trovata. Starting up is hard. Trovata makes managing cash easy. Start automating your cash management at http://trovata.io/TWIST.Use Code TWIST for 30% off one full year of premium features like AI forecasting.

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 http://openphone.com/twist




Today’s show:

Jason and Brad speak with Mubadala Capital’s Head of Ventures, Ibrahim Ajami, at Hub71 in the UAE. The three discuss how startups can survive and thrive in an economic downturn (1:02) before diving into the sacrifices that founders must make to create an incredible product. (14:16) They also explain how the AI revolution will affect software, startups, capital allocators, and more! (40:36)

Follow Mubadala: https://twitter.com/MubadalaCapital

Follow Ibrahim: https://twitter.com/IbrahimAjami

Follow Hub71: https://twitter.com/hub71ad

Follow Brad: https://twitter.com/altcap




Time stamps:

(0:00) Nick kicks off the show

(1:02) Surviving the downturn

(12:46) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST

(14:16) Sacrificing to build a great product

(26:34)Trovata - Use code TWIST at https://trovata.io/twist for 30% off one year of premium features, like AI forecasting

(27:47) Brad’s letter to Mark Zuckerberg and AI creating ultra-efficient startups

(39:02) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://openphone.com/twist

(40:36) The AI revolution

(50:48) The implications of AI on the software industry

(55:50) Creating the Silicon Valley culture

(59:32) Reflecting on the success of the Launch Accelerator

(1:06:23) Building culture within your firm and dealing with failure

(1:19:03) Opinions on WFH

(1:25:05) Recognizing product velocity

(1:29:11) Advice for young founders

(1:34:47) Advice for founders in emerging markets




Read LAUNCH Fund 4 Deal Memo & Apply for Funding

Buy ANGEL

Great recent interviews: Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland, PrayingForExits, Jenny Lefcourt

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