This Week in Startups

This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Miro. Working remotely doesn't mean you need to feel disconnected from your team. Miro is an online whiteboard that brings teams together - anytime, anywhere. Go to https://miro.com/startups to sign up for a FREE account with unlimited team members. 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 https://vanta.com/twist Mercury. 90% of startups fail. Just 10 out of every 100 make it. Mercury exists to close that gap — helping companies succeed with banking and credit cards engineered for the startup journey. Join over 100,000 companies banking with Mercury 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. * Today's show: Benchmark's Sarah Tavel joins Jason to discuss the state of VC (1:57), her time at Benchmark (13:33), her recent Substack blogs (31:51), AI's impact on startups (44:31), and much more! * Time stamps: (0:00) Benchmark's Sarah Tavel joins Jason (1:57) The state of VC and the biggest things founders have had to contend with (12:08) Miro - Sign up for a free account at https://miro.com/startups (13:33) Benchmark's culture (21:35) Evolving trends in VC (24:37) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist (25:45) Tradeoffs and common VC mistakes (31:51) Sarah's Substack blogs and the inspiration behind her writing (35:42) Mercury - Join 100K+ startups banking with Mercury at http://mercury.com (36:54) Entrepreneurship in 2023 and the importance of a founder's long-term vision (44:31) Technology catalysts and how AI is impacting startups (58:36) Business models, the amount of developers needed, and navigating funding rounds (1:04:42) The complexities of strategic partnerships and corporate VC (1:14:54) M&A in the era of Lina Kahn and looking at the macro picture as an investor * Follow Sarah: https://twitter.com/sarahtavel Check out Sarah's Substack: https://www.sarahtavel.com * 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 recent interviews: Steve Huffman, 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 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 Embroker.com/twist. While you’re there, get an extra 10% off using offer code TWIST. Lemon.io - Hire pre-vetted remote developers, get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist LinkSquares. Life for in-house legal just got a whole lot easier. From contract creation to execution and more, LinkSquares is the go-to for all your legal needs. Learn more at linksquares.com/twist * Today’s show: Oura CEO Tom Hale joins Jason to discuss his journey to becoming CEO of Oura (3:02), subscription-based business models (7:05), navigating ZIRP (39:37), the challenges of scaling a hardware business (45:00), and so much more! * Time stamps: (0:00) Oura CEO Tom Hale joins Jason (3:02) Tom's journey to becoming CEO (7:05) The significance of subscription models for business operations & product innovation (11:28) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist (12:57) Oura's subscription-based business model (23:04) Cultivating positive habits & Oura’s advanced tracking features (26:26) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist (27:47) Leading a company and instilling core values (34:51) The impact of pausing marketing & harnessing the power of virality (38:20) LinkSquares - The go-to for all your legal needs, learn more at https://linksquares.com/twist (39:37) The ZIRP phenomenon and the challenges of scaling up (45:00) Finding a strong product-market fit (53:35) Merging personalization with consumer-focused approaches in healthcare (1:03:45) Oura’s company culture * Check out Oura: https://ouraring.com Follow Tom: https://twitter.com/tomeghale * 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 recent interviews: Steve Huffman, 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 brought to you by… Squarespace. Turn your idea into a new website! Go to 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 openphone.com/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 fitbod.me/TWIST. * Today’s show: Sunny Madra joins Jason to discuss Sunny’s All-In Summit experience (1:34), OpenAI’s race to beat Google in launching the first multimodal LLM (9:07), whether generative AI needs a UI shift (33:00), and much more! * Time stamps: (0:00) Sunny Madra joins Jason (1:34) All-In Summit 2023 recap and Sunny’s experience (7:44) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST (9:07) OpenAI’s race to beat Google in launching the first multimodal LLM (14:42) Experiences with image-generating AI and Midjourney's interface (19:23) The culture at Apple and where risk aversion sets them back (22:32) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://openphone.com/twist (24:03) Google’s advantages and chances against OpenAI in multimodal LLMs (31:30) Fitbod - Get 25% off at https://fitbod.me/twist (33:00) UI developments and what sets multimodal LLMs apart (44:22) ChatGPT Enterprise (45:37) Sunny demos Canva’s ChatGPT plugin (55:00) Code LLaMa's potential and Falcon 180B’s unique features (59:41) Sunny demos Headshots AI * Follow Sunny: https://twitter.com/sundeep * Check out Headshots AI: https://headshots-starter.vercel.app/overview Check out Falcon 180B: https://falconllm.tii.ae/ * 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 recent interviews: Steve Huffman, 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 brought to you by… LinkedIn Jobs. A business is only as strong as its people, and every hire matters. Go to http://linkedin.com/unicorn to post your first job for free. Terms and conditions apply. Fount. Do you want access to the performance protocols that pro athletes and special ops use? With Fount, an elite military operator supercharges your focus, sleep, recovery, and longevity, all powered by your unique data. Want a true edge in work and life? Go to fount.bio/TWIST for $500 off. Catalog. Stop wasting time and money with expensive design firms and unreliable freelancers! Get fast, 3-day turnarounds for a flat monthly fee with Catalog! Get $1200 off right now at https://trycatalog.com/twist * Today’s show: Avnos CEO Will Kain joins Jason to discuss the importance of direct air capture technology for our planet (4:07), CO2's relationship to climate change (11:02), the path to reaching net zero (36:45), and much more! * Time stamps: (0:00) Avnos CEO Will Kain joins Jason (4:07) What carbon capture is and what makes it important (6:15) The high levels of CO2 in the atmosphere (9:46) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://linkedin.com/unicorn (11:02) CO2’s relationship to climate change (19:05) Fount - Get $500 off at https://fount.bio/twist (20:36) Direct air capture (DAC) technology developments and the cost of carbon capture (26:17) What is takes to power a DAC system, resource efficiency, and Avnos’ unique HDAC (32:33) Environmental conditions for DAC (35:16) Catalog - Get $1200 off right now at https://trycatalog.com/twist (36:45) The path to reaching net zero (38:49) Monetization strategies (42:46) The section 45Q tax credit legislation and the VC angle (50:48) Avnos’ number one goal (55:44) Mastering natural systems (59:36) AI’s impact on DAC technology * Check out Avnos: https://www.avnos.com * 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 recent interviews: Steve Huffman, 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 brought to you 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. Plunge. Go to https://plunge.com and use code twist150 for $150 off your cold plunge tub. NetSuite, by Oracle. The business management software that handles every aspect of your business in an easy-to-use cloud platform. Schedule a FREE product tour and receive your FREE guide: “Seven Actions Businesses Need to Take Now” at NetSuite.com/TWIST. * Today’s show: Boll & Branch CEO Scott Tannen joins Jason to discuss taking control of the supply chain (11:40), building a trusted brand through transparency (18:12), the importance of boots-on-the-ground methodology (28:02), and much more! * Time stamps: (0:00) Boll & Branch CEO Scott Tannen joins Jason (3:12) Boll & Branch’s position in the market (4:53) The origin story, insights gained about supply chains, and increasing product quality (10:17) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST (11:40) Going deep into the supply chain dynamics and Boll & Branch’s key innovation (16:05) The benefits of organic cotton and creating a cost of goods advantage (18:12) How traceability sets Boll & Branch apart as a textile brand (24:40) Plunge - Go to https://plunge.com and use code twist150 for $150 off (26:11) Hotels and the hospitality business (28:02) The importance of Fairtrade certification and the boots-on-the-ground methodology (38:33) NetSuite - Download your free KPI Checklist at http://netsuite.com/twist (40:04) Human rights, inclusion, and global wages (45:10) The impact of inflation post-covid and the changes in consumer behavior (46:48) The cost of marketing and the channels that work * Check out Boll & Branch: https://www.bollandbranch.com/ FOLLOW Scott: https://twitter.com/scotttannen * 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 recent interviews: Steve Huffman, 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 brought to you by… Roots. Invest in the only real estate investment trust that creates wealth for you and its residents at https://investwithroots.com/TWIST Supergut is the easiest and tastiest way clinically-proven to regulate digestion, curb cravings, and boost energy. Get 30% off their delicious shakes, bars, and fiber mix at https://Supergut.com with code TWIST. LinkedIn Marketing. To redeem a $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to https://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups * Today’s show: Modular CEO Chris Lattner joins Jason to discuss the process of building LLMs (8:14), what caused Nvidia to be entrenched in machine learning today (35:37), the AI wrapper debate (41:44), and much more! * Time stamps: (0:00) Modular CEO Chris Lattner joins Jason (2:24) Where hardware and optimization stand today (8:14) What goes into deploying and distributing an AI model into a product (10:32) Roots - Head to https://investwithroots.com/TWIST to sign up and start investing today! (12:02) Why companies make their own machine-learning software (14:32) Nvidia’s outlook on what Modular is building (18:46) Chris’s time at Apple (20:05) Strategies for reducing complexity (22:53) Awareness of underlying complexities in the technology stack (25:14) Supergut - Get 30% off with code TWIST at https://supergut.com (26:46) What it will look like in five to ten years; Increase consumption by creating new categories (31:29) The open-source community; RISC-V and Arm (34:15) LinkedIn Marketing - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at https://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups (35:37) How Nvidia secured its position (38:21) The AlexNet moment (41:44) The AI wrapper debate (44:32) OpenAI moving from non-profit to profit and open to closed-system (46:32) The lack of programmers and the ability to do more with less (52:09) Modular Mojo and other developments * Check out Modular: https://www.modular.com/ FOLLOW Chris: https://twitter.com/clattner_llvm * 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 recent interviews: Steve Huffman, 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 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 https://vanta.com/twist Lemon.io - Hire pre-vetted remote developers, get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/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 htttps://CLAconnect.com/tech * Today’s show: Zeke Faux, the author of “Number Go Up: Inside Crypto’s Wild Rise and Staggering Fall,” joins Jason to discuss crypto’s crazy rise and fall (3:58), how SBF learned to play the game (16:22), red flags at Tether (26:13), and so much more! * Time stamps: (0:00) Zeke Faux, the author of “Number Go Up” joins Jason (3:58) Meeting Sam Bankman-Fried in the Bahamas and first impressions (10:23) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist (11:30) SBF, his colleagues, and a hint of substance abuse (16:22) The group psychosis and how they learned to play the game (24:51) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist (26:13) Operations and red flags at Tether (35:44) CLA - Get started with CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors now at https://claconnect.com/tech (37:15) Revisiting Zeke’s investigative journalism in Cambodia (44:16) From organized crime to legitimate business (46:59) Terraform Labs and the collapse of Luna (49:05) The VC perspective and regulations in place * Buy Number Go Up: https://www.amazon.com/Number-Go-Up-Cryptos-Staggering/dp/0593443810 FOLLOW Zeke: https://twitter.com/ZekeFaux * 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 recent interviews: Steve Huffman, 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 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 openphone.com/twist. 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 Embroker.com/twist. While you’re there, get an extra 10% off using offer code TWIST. LinkSquares. Life for in-house legal just got a whole lot easier. From contract creation to execution and more, LinkSquares is the go-to for all your legal needs. Learn more at linksquares.com/twist. * Today’s show: Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora joins Jason to discuss his time as head of Google Europe (2:26), strategies learned from Larry Page (15:23), precision AI’s role in cybersecurity (43:14), and much more! * Time stamps: (0:00) Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora joins Jason (2:26) Becoming head of Google Europe and meeting Eric Schmidt, Larry Page and Sergey Brin (10:15) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://openphone.com/twist (11:46) Maintaining Google’s culture in Europe and the hiring process (15:23) Applying strategies learned from Larry Page to Palo Alto Networks (17:59) Sub-categories of EQ manifested in the workplace (22:12) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist (23:41) What led Nikesh to be CEO of one of the top Cybersecurity firms (30:24) Cybersecurity against artificial intelligence (35:31) The SEC’s mandate on breach reporting (38:35) LinkSquares - The go-to for all your legal needs, learn more at https://linksquares.com/twist (39:51) The SEC’s mandate on breach reporting continued (45:54) Gains from AI and what it means for organizations (43:14) Precision AI’s role in security (53:14) The future of AI technology and the battle of the chatbots (57:41) Nikesh’s time at SoftBank working directly with Masayoshi Son * FOLLOW Nikesh: https://twitter.com/nikesharora * 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 recent interviews: Steve Huffman, 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 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 Embroker.com/twist. While you’re there, get an extra 10% off using offer code 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 https://go.tech/TWIST today! Plunge. Go to https://plunge.com and use code twist150 for $150 off your cold plunge tub. * Today’s show: Poshmark CEO Manish Chandra joins Jason to discuss the expansion of the “Circular Economy” (2:47), consumer-to-consumer shopping (18:30), building a community with Poshmark (32:59), and much more! * Time stamps: (0:00) Poshmark CEO Manish Chandra joins Jason (2:47) The expansion of the "Circular Economy" and what drives consumers towards Poshmark (6:31) The most popular shopping categories and Poshmark’s day one vision (11:51) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist (13:20) Impact of the fast fashion movement (20:56) Global shipping and areas for optimization (24:38) Poshmark introducing live shows (27:04) .Tech Domains - Apply to get your startup featured on This Week in Startups at https://startups.tech/jason (28:12) The social shopping space (32:59) Important factors in building a community (37:52) Plunge - Go to https://plunge.com and use code twist150 for $150 off (39:20) Lessons learned from Manish’s entrepreneurial journey * FOLLOW Manish: https://twitter.com/marrc * 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 recent interviews: Steve Huffman, 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 brought to you by… Supergut is the easiest and tastiest way clinically-proven to regulate digestion, curb cravings, and boost energy. Get 30% off their delicious shakes, bars, and fiber mix at Supergut.com with code 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://coda.io/twist to get a $1,000 credit! Mercury. 90 percent of startups fail — 90 percent. Just 10 out of every 100 make it. Mercury exists to close that gap — helping companies succeed with banking and credit cards engineered for the startup journey. Join over 100,000 companies banking with Mercury 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. * Today’s show: Roelof Botha joins Jason to discuss the state of VC (3:35), Sequoia’s new series “Crucible Moments” (9:31), and much more! * Time stamps: (0:00) Sequoia Capital’s Roelof Botha joins Jason (3:35) The state of the Silicon Valley ecosystem (8:00) Supergut - Get 30% off with code TWIST at https://supergut.com (9:31) “Crucible Moments” and their significance (14:31) Pre-IPO vs. Post-IPO market values (18:10) Founder ambition and mistakes made during “Crucible Moments” (22:25) The importance of founders starting narrow and what makes a great VC in tech (27:20) Coda - Get a $1,000 startup credit at https://coda.io/twist (28:49) Commonalities between the AI boom and the crypto boom (33:31) U.S. frameworks regarding crypto (37:10) Mercury - Join 100K+ startups banking with Mercury at http://mercury.com (38:23) The milestone-based reward system in venture capital (43:24) Taking over as head steward at Sequoia Capital (56:02) “Crucible Moments” at Sequoia (1:05:57) Maintaining consistency in life and venture * FOLLOW Roelof: https://twitter.com/roelofbotha * 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 recent interviews: Steve Huffman, 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