Why HQ Trivia exploded

This Week In Startups is made possible by:

Circle - http://Circle.so/twist

Caldera Lab - http://calderalab.com/TWIST

LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/twist

Today’s show: 

There was a time, not long ago, when offices everywhere came to a standstill, and everyone became even more fixated on their phones than usual, each time HQ Trivia went live. The app-based game show was a massive viral hit… until suddenly, around a year later, it wasn’t.

Now, HQ Trivia host Scott Rogowsky is back with a new concept: Savvy, another game show you play on your phone, this time inspired by the word puzzle hit Wordle. Is lightning about to strike twice? 

PLUS, Alex chats with Trevor Bennett of space transportation outfit Starfish Space. This comes off two major successes for the team: the Remora mission that proved Stafish’s autonomous rendezvous capabilities and the $52.5 Million dollar contract to dispose of low Earth orbit satellites.

Timestamps: 

(00:00) How Scott first got involved with HQ Trivia

(2:23) Why Scott thinks HQ Trivia struck such a chord with fans

(4:12) Scott couldn’t get a job in late night, so he made his own show

(5:31) Delving into the behind-the-scenes tensions at HQ Trivia

(11:07) Circle -  the easiest way to build a home for your community, events, and courses — all under your own brand. TWiST listeners get $1,000 off the Circle Plus Plan by going to http://Circle.so/twist

(13:53) The end of HQ Trivia and why Scott jumped ship

(16:35) Savvy just had its series premiere: you play the game against the host

(20:14) How to play Savvy and win cash

(20:57) Why Jason thinks a subscription model is the future of Savvy

(22:25) Whether you’re starting fresh or upgrading your routine, Caldera Lab makes skincare simple and effective. Head to http://calderalab.com/TWIST and use TWIST at checkout for 20% off your first order.

(23:31) Introducing Dr. Trevor Bennet of Starfish Space

(24:04) What the Otter Spacecraft does: de-orbiting to clean up space

(26:46) Why space will need hundreds of Otters in space

(29:24) LinkedIn Jobs - Hire right, the first time. Post your first job and get $100 off towards your job post at http://linkedin.com/twist Terms and conditions apply.

(30:23) Starfish Space’s business model: operating a starfleet

(33:17) The success of the Remora mission: autonomous rendezvous in space.

(43:47) The rise of the space economy

(48:18) Starfish’s $52.5 Million dollar contract and what it means for the space ecosystem

*

Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com/

Check out the TWIST500: https://twist500.com

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

*

Follow Lon:

X: https://x.com/lons

*

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:

(11:07) Circle -  the easiest way to build a home for your community, events, and courses — all under your own brand. TWiST listeners get $1,000 off the Circle Plus Plan by going to http://Circle.so/twist

(22:25) Whether you’re starting fresh or upgrading your routine, Caldera Lab makes skincare simple and effective. Head to http://calderalab.com/TWIST) and use TWIST at checkout for 20% off your first order.

(29:24) LinkedIn Jobs - Hire right, the first time. Post your first job and get $100 off towards your job post at http://linkedin.com/twist Terms and conditions apply.

Check out all our partner offers: https://partners.launch.com