

This Week in Startups
Jason Calacanis
Jason Calacanis covers startups, tech, markets, media, and all the hottest topics in business and technology. He also interviews the world’s greatest founders, operators, investors, and innovators.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 2, 2023 • 59min
2023 Predictions! Startups, VC, tech, media, stocks, shutdowns, and more! | E1648
Jason and Molly rip through 20+ predictions for 2023, including over/under bets, shutdowns, stocks, main characters, startups, new tech, and SO much more!
(0:00) J+M tee up today's show: 2023 Predictions!
(1:53) Main character of 2023
(4:35) Most anticipated trend
(7:13) Surprising shutdown
(9:40) Biggest bag securer
(13:36) Notion - Sign up for FREE at https://notion.com/jason
(15:06) App/tech breakout
(17:30) Most notable CEO resignation or return
(21:25) Most anticipated technology
(25:37) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist
(26:45) Most anticipated media
(29:09) Over/under: 30.5 year sentence for SBF
(30:07) Over/under: 10.5 year sentence for Caroline Ellison
(30:34) Over/under: $750M box office for Oppenheimer
(31:06) Over/under: 21 months left of recession
(31:46) Hottest take for 2023
(35:53) Fitbod - Get 25% off at https://fitbod.me/twist
(37:26) Will any VCs be charged in a crypto-related crime?
(38:16) Will total capital raised by VCs fall off a cliff?
(43:11) What startup will make the biggest impact?
(45:59) Overrated hot new vertical
(48:43) Will the fundraising landscape get better for startups?
(50:19) Over/under: 3 new impactful social apps
(51:18) Most stock appreciation: $AAPL, $AMZN, $GOOG, $META, $MSFT
(52:59) Most stock appreciation: $ABNB, $SPOT, $UBER
(55:21) Over/under: 177 IPOs
(56:07) When will VR replace the iPhone?
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
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Dec 29, 2022 • 1h 43min
The 2022 TWiSTY Awards! | E1647
Molly and Jason present... the 2022 TWiSTY Awards! Join them in commemorating all the best, worst, and craziest moments from this year in startups, markets, and tech!
(0:00) J+M intro today's show
(1:37) Introducing the 2022 TWiSTY Awards!
(3:18) Best prop
(7:51) Best behind the scenes emoji
(12:38) Mixpanel - Apply for $50K in credits at https://mixpanel.com/startups
(14:04) Best meme
(19:12) Best gadget
(22:44) Nutrisense - Use code TWIST and get $30 off at nutrisense.io/twist
(24:14) Best media
(39:40) Best Twitter follow
(42:55) Founder University - Apply at https://course.founder.university
(44:32) Main Character of the Year
(54:54) Bag Securer of the Year
(1:02:07) Best CEO of the Year
(1:10:03) Startup of the Year
(1:15:35) Defunct Startup of the Year
(1:20:52) News Topic of the Year
(1:26:55) Surprisingly Awesome Guest of the Year
(1:30:28) Interview of the Year
(1:32:56) Best Guest Chemistry of the Year
(1:39:28) Episode of the Year
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
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Dec 27, 2022 • 57min
Direct listing rule change, Notion AI demo, NYE planning & more | E1646
J+M kick off the show by discussing some approved changes to direct listings, which will make it easier for companies going public via direct listings to raise money! (1:18) Then, LAUNCH team member Charlie Cuddy joins Molly to demo Notion's new AI tool (14:07). Finally, Producer Rachel joins Molly to break down which popular consumer apps and tools to use to plan a last-minute NYE party. (33:12)
(0:00) Molly intros today's segments!
(1:18) J+M discuss the approved changes to direct listings, and how this might impact companies going public in 2023
(12:33) Crowdbotics - Get a free scoping session for your next big app idea at https://crowdbotics.com/twist
(14:07) LAUNCH team member Charlie Cuddy joins Molly to demo Notion AI!
(31:58) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://linkedin.com/twist
(33:12) Producer Rachel joins Molly to break down which popular consumer apps and tools to use to plan a last-minute NYE party!
(41:12) Founder University - Apply at https://course.founder.university
(42:52) Rachel and Molly discuss the best gig work apps, playlist tools, sober-curious beverages, and more!
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:
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Dec 25, 2022 • 49min
Bonus episode! Tár review with Lon Harris
Christmas surprise! Check out Jason and Molly's FULL review of Tár, spoilers and all, with Lon Harris!
(0:00) Tár review from Thursday
(21:53) Bonus Tár review! Reviewing the critics, SPOILER REVIEW, and more!
FOLLOW Lon: https://twitter.com/lons
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:
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Dec 23, 2022 • 1h 28min
FTX & Alameda execs plead guilty, YouTube inks NFL Sunday Ticket deal + Tár review | E1645
Molly and Jason discuss Caroline Ellison and Gary Wang pleading guilty to securities fraud. (2:04) Then Lon Harris joins J+M for this week’s edition of This Week in Streaming, where they discuss YouTube’s new 7-year multibillion-dollar deal with the NFL. (36:57) We wrap with Part 1 of their review of Todd Field’s latest film Tár. (1:06:12)
(0:00) J+M Kick off the show
(2:04) Molly and Jason react to Caroline Ellison and Gary Wang pleading guilty to securities fraud
(8:36) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist
(12:29) The Truth of FTX is confirmed + the difference between marketing a product and a security
(22:49) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist
(23:59) How will VCs fair if tokens are ruled as securities
(30:16) Molly and Jason’s hot takes on the FTX fallout
(35:17) Founder University - Build your MVP with help from Founder University at course.founder.university
(36:57) YouTube inks multibillion-dollar streaming deal with the NFL
(55:40) Lon runs down the topics in his newsletter, including Netflix’s Wednesday becoming a smash hit + actors who have not acted in a streaming series
(1:06:12) Part 1: Molly, Jason and Lon review Todd Field’s Tár (TO BE CONTINUED)

Dec 21, 2022 • 17min
Managing your cash reserves | Startup Finance Basics w/ Kruze's Scott Orn | E1644
Kruze COO Scott Orn is back with Jason to educate founders on how to get the most out of their cash reserves. (0:00)
(0:00) Your fiduciary duty to protect and invest your cash responsibly + developing an investment policy
(8:00) Evaluating your chart of accounts + Jason's credit card hack
(12:30) Final thoughts for founders going into 2023
Check out Kruze: https://www.kruzeconsulting.com
FOLLOW Scott: https://twitter.com/scottorn
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

Dec 21, 2022 • 1h 10min
The inside story of Iger's Disney return, Epic Games record-breaking fines + ClimateCamp CEO | E1643
First up, J+M break down Disney's "Battle of the Bobs" (2:59), before covering two record-breaking fines against Epic Games, and explaining "dark patterns." (20:35) Molly wraps the show by interviewing ClimateCamp CEO Stijn Gysemans on Scope 3 emissions tracking! (44:26)
(0:00) J+M tee up today's topics!
(2:59) WSJ report on the rift between Iger and Chapek at Disney
(13:36) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST
(15:03) The role Christine McCarthy, Disney's CFO, played in bringing back Bob Iger
(20:35) Epic Games receives two record-breaking fines from the FTC, understanding "dark patterns" and deceptive design
(30:14) Blueground - Get up to $1000 off your booking at https://promos.theblueground.com/twist
(31:40) Tangent continued: calling out the worst "dark design" offenders
(44:26) ClimateCamp CEO Stijn Gysemans joins Molly Wood to chat target markets, Scope 3 emissions, and more!
(51:29) Understanding how emissions are calculated, EU rules and regulations
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
FOLLOW Stijn: https://twitter.com/sgysemans
Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

Dec 20, 2022 • 1h 23min
Salesforce CEO questions WFH amid SaaS slowdown, OpenAI projects $1B revenue by 2024 & more | E1642
J+M start the show by breaking down the recent disruption at Salesforce and Marc Benioff's comments on remote work. (2:44) Then, they cover OpenAI projecting $1B in revenue by 2024 (57:25) and wrap with a new segment: Little Big Things! (1:14:33)
(0:00) J+M tee up today's topics
(2:44) Weekend catchup and disruption at Salesforce
(15:44) Supergut - Get 30% off with code TWIST at https://supergut.com
(17:14) David Sacks tweets about the vicious cycle that Salesforce (and SaaS companies at large) will undergo, grading Benioff's feedback to employees
(31:43) Fitbod - Get 25% off at https://fitbod.me/twist
(33:15) Remote management issues with thousands of employees, where remote work will wind up in 2023
(47:50) The Pharaohs are taking issue with their pyramids being empty
(57:25) OpenAI is reportedly projecting $1B in revenue by 2024, plus another round of "Google Search or ChatGTP?"
(1:14:33) Little Big Things: Instagram's new "Notes" feature
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

Dec 18, 2022 • 1h 6min
VCSS: Year in review + Valerie Shen of G2 Venture Partners | E1641
Molly and Jason celebrate the last VCSS of 2022 by reflecting on what Molly has learned over this past year. (1:24) Then Valerie Shen of G2 Venture Partners joins Molly for the final TWiCS of the year. (36:38)
(0:00) J+M Kick off the show
(1:23) Molly reflects on her first year as a VC
(10:58) MicroAcquire - Sell your business with no fees at https://try.microacquire.com/twist
(12:29) The founder/VC relationship
(18:30) Learning how to be a VC in a downturn
(20:13) Crowdbotics - Get a free scoping session for your next big app idea at crowdbotics.com/twist
(28:05) The art of patience + getting to 100 meetings
(30:34) Top VCSS episodes of 2022
(36:38) Valerie Shen joins Molly for TWiCS
(40:43) The history of G2 Venture Partners and Valerie’s role
(51:38) Climate Tech is becoming more popular
(1:01:28) Investable climate tech solutions
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:
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Dec 17, 2022 • 23min
Financial info to include in your pitch deck | Startup Finance Basics w/ Kruze's Scott Orn | E1640
Kruze COO Scott Orn is back with Jason to explain the MOST important financial information that founders should include in their pitch deck (
(0:00) Kruze's Scott Orn joins Jason to discuss the role of financial information in your pitch deck
(11:02) Conveying your vision with numbers
Check out Kruze: https://www.kruzeconsulting.com
FOLLOW Scott: https://twitter.com/scottorn
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1


