This Week in Startups

Jason Calacanis
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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 Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1
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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 Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1
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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: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1
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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: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1
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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

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