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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.

This Week in Startups

Today’s show:

*On a very special TWiST, Jason’s joined by “one of the greatest investors in in the history of VC,” Steve Jurvetson of Future Ventures.

Together, they look back at some of Steve’s earliest investments and learnings, the promise and ultimate failure of nanotech, breaking down the AI hype cycle, the primacy of neural networks, the return of nuclear power, why “AI safety” might be illusory, and much more.

It’s a packed show full of deep insights from one of the greatest minds in technology today. Do not miss this ep!

Timestamps:

(00:00)Jason’s 1-on-1 today with “one of the greatest investors in the history of VC,” Steve Jurvetson

(00:03:04) The early origins of Steve’s fascination with “deep tech”

(00:08:03) Jason and Steve recall playing around with the TRS-80 (“The Trash-80”)

(10:00) Perspective AI: Real insights, straight from your customers, and your first two months are on us. Just go to getperspective.ai/twist.

(00:15:13) Keeping your portfolio diverse when so many companies look the same

(20:00) .TECH: Say it without saying it. Head to get.tech/twist or your favorite registrar to get a clean, sharp .tech domain today.

(00:20:49) The promise of nanotech and why it fell apart

(00:25:46) Breaking down the “hype�� cycle and how trends get co-opted

(00:26:27) Why Moore’s Law and the Power Law are so important for investors

(30:00) Northwest Registered Agent - Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today!

(00:33:36) Understanding the rise of GPUs and how they resemble tiny brains

(00:51:32) Revisiting a classic clip of Steve talking about robots

(00:54:04) How Jason and Steve got their hands on some of the earliest Tesla Roadsters

(01:00:09) Flashback Clip: Elon predicts 2025 in 2015… how’d he do?

(01:02:46) Why did the world turn SO strongly against nuclear energy?

(01:16:06) Can we make AI “safe” in the age of GPT Psychosis? Is it too inscrutable?

(01:21:54) Why Steve thinks technology will ultimately doom autocratic regimes.

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

Check out the TWIST500: https://www.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:

 • TECH: Say it without saying it. Head to 
get.tech/twist • or your favorite registrar to get a clean, sharp .tech domain today.
 • Northwest Registered Agent - Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit 
https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist • today!
 • Perspective AI: Real insights, straight from your customers, and your first two months are on us. Just go to 
getperspective.ai/twist • .

Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis

Follow TWiST:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

Legendary VC Steve Jurvetson looks ahead at neutral networks, Tesla, nuclear power, and more | E2193

Today’s show:

*Eric Glyman of Ramp joins us to share the fintech unicorn’s growth secrets AND their Lab full of research data.

On TWiST, Jason and Alex chat with Eric about Ramp’s counter-intuitive mission — helping startups spend LESS money — PLUS they take a deep dive into the company’s treasure trove of startup trend data. Why is there a huge spike in unemployed recent college trends? Is “static team size” as a big a story as Jason and Alex think? What does it actually take to get companies to adopt AI Agents? The answers all might be in these Ramp numbers.

PLUS Eric joins us for some hot Founder Q’s, and what’s going on with all this Y Combinator drama? We’re sifting through the angriest tweets for the inside scoop.

FINALLY, Jason recommends some of his favorite startup accelerators of the moment (aside from his own) including…

PearXArc from SequoiaAntlerSpeedrun from a16z
Timestamps:

(00:02:18) The 72-hour rule strikes again: Trump’s China’s tariff reversal

(00:03:10) Why crypto got hit even HARDER than the stock market post-Trump announcement

(00:07:32) Market manipulation “at a scale we’ve never seen before…”; what does this mean for everyday investors?

(10:05) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST

(00:12:55) Ramp CEO Eric Glyman swings by to update us on his fintech unicorn’s growth and their “Lab” for research data

(20:09) Netsuite - Download the ebook CFO’s Guide to AI and Machine Learning for free at https://www.netsuite.com/twist

(00:21:40) Is “static team size” a real trend? What the Ramp data shows…

(00:26:25) Ramp’s “counter-intuitive” mission: to help companies spend LESS money, not more.

(30:24) Paper OS offers the largest library of AI-driven Workflows for both founders & fund managers. Claim your $10K credit at paperos.com/twist

(00:38:07) WHY the huge spike in unemployed recent college grads? Especially among the guys?

(00:49:16) What it actually takes to get companies to adopt AI agents into their processes

(00:52:25) Why Jason thinks Eric is a top-tier TWiST guest. We’re going through the metrics…

(00:54:05) There’s YC drama on social media now… we’re spilling the tea.

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

Check out the TWIST500: https://www.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:

 • Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at 
https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST • Netsuite - Download the ebook CFO’s Guide to AI and Machine Learning for free at 
https://www.netsuite.com/twist • PAPER OS - Building an empire? PaperOS offers the largest library of AI-driven Workflows for both founders & fund managers. Whether you’re raising capital, launching a fund, or wading through diligence, PaperOS unlocks simplicity and scale for your ever-growing empire. Claim your $10K credit at 
paperos.com/twist

Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis

Follow TWiST:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

What Ramp’s data tells us about AI, unemployment and more with CEO Eric Glyman | E2192

Figure’s 03 Chore-bot, Jake Paul Sora takeover, ChatGPT app integrations, and more | E2191

Today’s show:

Figure’s butler-bot could be cleaning up after you soon than you think!

On a Friday TWiST, Jason and Lon are checking out the Figure 03 demo reel, checking out the humanoid robot that could soon be hanging out in your house, doing your chores.

Lon’s a bit skeptical that full-sized Westworld drones will soon be on everyone’s home but the technology is obviously moving forward at a rapid clip and cutting-edge AI models are making the bots smarter than ever.

PLUS… what will be the impact of Presidents Trump and Xi’s new fight over rare earth minerals? Why are Jake Paul and Mark Cuban starring in SO MANY Sora clips? How well do these ChatGPT app integrations work, and why are they going to free users first? And much much more, on a can’t-miss new TWiST

Timestamps:

(0:00) Figure’s humanoid and its new capabilities

(2:15) Show start: Jason welcomes co-host Lon Harris

(6:24) The global dependency on China for rare earth minerals

(9:48) .TECH: Say it without saying it. Head to get.tech/twist or your favorite registrar to get a clean, sharp .tech domain today.

(10:54) Sora, AI likeness & deepfakes

(17:05) DEMO: Producer Oliver showcases ChatGPT's new integrations!

(19:45) Northwest Registered Agent - Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today!

(27:54) The future of AI: Will there be thousands of app integrations?

(30:41) Alphasense - Get deeper insights into your business with the power of AI search and market intelligence. Start with a free trial at https://www.alpha-sense.com/twist

(33:44) Discussing Reflection AI: A new American open-source model

(40:35) Reddit Rapid Response: Why young professionals should work in the office

(47:50) How AI is eliminating entry-level jobs & the need for executive training

(54:15) Jason's pitch to shut down the USPS and turn post offices into nursery schools

(58:25) Jason shares his personal journey with GLP-1s & Ro.co

(1:01:05) The Figure One robot: New video and future potential

(1:04:20) How LLMs are the key to unlocking humanoid robot capabilities

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

Check out the TWIST500: https://www.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:

 • .TECH: Say it without saying it. Head to 
get.tech/twist • or your favorite registrar to get a clean, sharp .tech domain today.
 • Northwest Registered Agent - Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit 
https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist • today!
 • Alphasense - Get deeper insights into your business with the power of AI search and market intelligence. Start with a free trial at 
https://www.alpha-sense.com/twist

Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis

Follow TWiST:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Figure’s 03 Chore-bot, Jake Paul Sora takeover, ChatGPT app integrations, and more | E2191

Today’s show:

*Zach Dell of Base Power joins us at the top of today’s show to talk about building batteries in Austin, that $1 billion investment, and why an “all of the above” energy strategy is the only way forward.

PLUS Jason and Alex’s thoughts on that Tesla non-upside down car announcement, growing resentments toward AI datacenters, Chinese robots actually going on sale, Tim Cook’s potential Apple exit, xAI’s Nvidia agreement and MUCH MORE.

Timestamps:

(00:02:10) A MAJOR GUEST! Zach Dell of Base Power joins us from the top of the show.

(00:03:31) The basics of Base Power’s business model: the best electron is the cheapest electron

(00:08:38) Zach teases Base’s new, time-saving approach to battery installation

(00:10:32) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://www.vanta.com/twist

(00:18:12) How Base’s grid can help drive down overall energy prices

(00:21:17) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST

(00:30:12) Sentry - New users get 3 months free of the Business plan (covers 150k errors). Go to http://sentry.io/twist and use code TWIST

(00:36:20) Tesla did not announce an upside fan car… Oh well…

(00:44:27) Buy your Chinese robot TODAY on Walmart dot com? Or not!

(00:48:12) Is Tim Apple EXITING Apple? Who’s next?

(00:59:22) ANOTHER mega-deal? Now xAI is circling a Nvidia investment…

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

Check out the TWIST500: https://www.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:

 • Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at 
https://www.vanta.com/twist • Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at 
https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST • Sentry - New users get 3 months free of the Business plan (covers 150k errors). Go to 
http://sentry.io/twist • and use code TWIST

Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis

Follow TWiST:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

Battery Power for Texans with Zach Dell, plus Tim Apple is LEAVING?, Polymarket to the US, and a Tesla fan update | E2190

Everything’s going great here at This Week in Startups — and we’re expanding! As we launch a brand new podcast next year, we’re looking to bring on two new creative roles:

Video Editor — Full-time or part-time, remote or in-person (Austin). If you love startups and tech and you’re skilled at editing, this is your shot. Send your portfolio to editor@launch.co.

Short-Form Video Editor (CapCut) — Help us create top-tier TikToks, Reels, and YouTube Shorts from our podcast content. If you’re great with CapCut and have a feel for viral startup content, email capcut@launch.co.

We don’t care about degrees or titles — just talent, creativity, and passion for startups. Competitive pay, flexible hours, and the chance to work with one of the top startup shows in the world.

Apply now:

Video Editor → editor@launch.co

Shorts Editor → capcut@launch.co

#startups #hiring #videoediting #podcast #ThisWeekInStartups #tech

We’re Hiring! Join the This Week in Startups Team

Today’s show:

*How many weirdly circular mega-deals is OpenAI going to sign this year?

On a new TWiST, Jason and Alex consider OpenAI’s latest agreement with AMD, how the biggest American companies keep trading cash and chips back and forth, and whether or not the entire AI economy might be a house of cards.

PLUS what kind of fan/leafblower tech is Tesla working on… what can Jevons Paradox tell us about the AI landscape… how easy is it to master games in the YC Arena… and WHY has NASA never built a base on the moon? We’re asking the TOUGH QUESTIONS so you don’t have to, only on the #1 tech podcast, “This Week in Startups.”

Timestamps:

(0:00) Jason and Alex open the show discussing hunting and traditional Texas meat exchanges

(2:16) ANOTHER weirdly circular OpenAI mega-deal? How many mega-deals can one company MAKE?

(3:50) Are all these “bizarre” OpenAI deals creating a house of cards?

(10:00) Stripe Startups - Stripe Startups offers early-stage, venture-backed startups access to Stripe fee credits and more. Apply today on stripe.com/startups.

(20:00) Oracle - Try OCI and save up to 50% on your cloud bill at https://oracle.com/twist⁠⁠⁠

(21:14) Is the Tesla Roadster 2 coming soon? Or maybe a leaf blower?!

(22:00) Datacenters in space! Is it getting crowded up there?

(26:22) Why no moon base yet? Jason demands a moon base.

(27:00) We’re playing games in the YC Arena… Can Jason guess which pitches got accepted?

(30:00) Coda - Empower your startup with Coda’s Team plan for free—get 6 months at https://www.Coda.io/twist

(32:00) How Jason picks companies to invest in, based on a few signals and metrics

(04500) We found out what Figure’s bots are actually doing for BMW

(53:00) Sharpies figured out how to make their pens here in the US… who’s next?!

(57:00) Could ChatGPT really replace Deloitte consultants? Considering the latest controversy…

(01:03:29) It’s another Gamma Pitch: Welcome Ryan Yannelli of NextVisit AI, which helps therapists take notes

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

Check out the TWIST500: https://www.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:

 • Stripe Startups - Stripe Startups offers early-stage, venture-backed startups access to Stripe fee credits and more. Apply today on 
stripe.com/startups • .
 • Oracle - Try OCI and save up to 50% on your cloud bill at 
https://oracle.com/twist⁠⁠⁠ • Coda - Empower your startup with Coda’s Team plan for free—get 6 months at 
https://www.Coda.io/twist

Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis

Follow TWiST:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

OpenAI’s latest “bizarre” mega-deal, datacenters in space, previewing Tesla’s big announcement and more | E2189

Today’s show:

Is Sora not just a copyright-killer but a TikTok-killer? Hear our review!

The “This Week in Startups” team has been playing around inside OpenAI’s viral app, which just hit #1 in the iOS Store. See all of Lon’s creations, explore the land beyond the Uncanny Valley, and find out why the hottest new social app could stand to be a bit more social.

PLUS Brave surpasses 100M MAUs… why Jason would sell ALL his OpenAI shares right away, Apple pulls the ICEBlock app from the App Store, AND how one founder hacked his local coffee shop to network and even get face time with a few VCs! It’s all happening of a fast-paced Friday TWiST.

Timestamps:

(0:00) Why Jason started an Executive Training program at LAUNCH

(05:17) Perplexity’s Comet browser is now FREE to use; Jason unpacks their strategy

(10:02) Monarch Money - Get 50% Off Monarch Money, the all-in-one financial tool at www.monarchmoney.com/TWIST

(13:42) PLUS browser/search engine Brave passed 100M MAUs!

(17:44) How a founder “hacked” his local coffee shop

(20:06) Alphasense - Get deeper insights into your business with the power of AI search and market intelligence. Start with a free trial at https://www.alpha-sense.com/twist

(21:35) You need to make it EASY for people to give you feedback!

(25:41) A look at the leanest startups around and how companies are doing more with less

(30:11) LinkedIn Ads: Start converting your B2B audience into high quality leads today. We’ll even give you a $100 credit on your next campaign. Go to http://LinkedIn.com/ThisWeekinStartups to claim your credit.

(30:38) Why Jason would sell ALL his OpenAI shares right away!

(38:56) Lon stops by to review the Sora app; the good, the bad, and the remixes!

(48:45) Apple pulled the ICEBlock app… is this a free speech issue?

(56:11) A new startup wants to fight gov’t corruption… and keep a share of the proceeds

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

Check out the TWIST500: https://www.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:

 • Monarch Money - Get 50% Off Monarch Money, the all-in-one financial tool at 
www.monarchmoney.com/TWIST • Alphasense - Get deeper insights into your business with the power of AI search and market intelligence. Start with a free trial at 
https://www.alpha-sense.com/twist • LinkedIn Ads: Thanks to our partner @LinkedInMktg. Start converting your B2B audience into high quality leads today. We’ll even give you a $100 credit on your next campaign. Go to 
http://LinkedIn.com/ThisWeekinStartups • to claim your credit.

Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis

Follow TWiST:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

Sora app review, Perplexity’s Comet is FREE, and which AI tools reign supreme? | E2188

Today’s show:

Sora 2 will generate a video of whatever you like and respects no IP (unless they opt out)

On a brand new TWiST, Jason and Alex check out Sora 2, the latest text-to-video app from TWiST 500 mainstays OpenAI, and look at some of the video videos that have already emerged from the TikTok-style scrolling video app. (TikSlop?)

THEN we’re considering the case of “AI actress” Tilly Norwood, and whether her big debut is a legit shift in the world of entertainment or just a marketing gimmick-slash-sales pitch.PLUS Jason’s thoughts on the Wealthfront IPO, how Spotify shifted the entire music economy, Jason’s pitch for making bets with stock purchases, why Americans need more financial literacy, AND another check-in with the sharps over at Polymarket.

Timestamps:

(0:00) What does the government shutdown mean for startups? Not much?

(04:21) Jason’s an investor in Wealthfront… hear his thoughts on their potential IPO

(08:14) Why Jason thinks the death of Boomers will boost crypto

(10:21) Northwest Registered Agent - Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today!

(17:26) Why is everyone so excited for Sora… but not Meta’s app?

(19:49) CLA - Get started with CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors now at https://claconnect.com/tech

(28:38) Is Tilly Norwood just a gimmick or Hollywood’s next hot ingenue?

(29:15) Perspective.ai - Real insights, straight from your customers, and your first two months are on us. Just go to getperspective.ai/twist.

(35:58) POLYMARKET: When is OpenAI’s browser coming out?!

(40:17) How Spotify changed the entire economy of music… and when a Founder/CEO should hang it up.

(47:24) Why Jason thinks Americans need better financial education and literacy

(49:39) Audience Q: What’s the best place to buy secondaries?

(52:49) Why you should bet small while you’re learning

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

Check out the TWIST500: https://www.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:

 • Northwest Registered Agent - Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit 
https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist • today!
 • CLA - Get started with CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors now at 
https://claconnect.com/techPerspective.ai • - Real insights, straight from your customers, and your first two months are on us. Just go to 
getperspective.ai/twist • .

Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis

Follow TWiST:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

Sora 2, Tilly Norwood, and the New Slop Era | E2187

Today’s show:

How do you get investors excited about jets when they’re hyper-focused on new AI tools?

In a fresh TWiST 500 interview, Alex sits down with Blake Scholl of Boom Supersonic to talk about the Overture, the world’s fastest plane that recently broke the sound barrier over the Mojave Desert. (That’s a first for a private company, rather than a military or government.)

Hear about the secrets to avoiding a noisy and disruptive sonic boom, using satellites to set the most efficient routes, designing the Overture’s complex engine, dispelling the common myth that hardware startups are money pits and much much more.

PLUS we’ve got two brand new companies entering our Gamma Pitch Deck Competition. Time to see how they stack up to our first impressive entrant, Where2Wheel.

Timestamps:

(02:22) Introducing Blake Scholl from Boom Supersonic

(04:03) How Boom is improving on the classic Concorde experience

(08:29) How hyper-fast Overture flights could change passenger behavior

(10:02) Gusto. Check out the online payroll and benefits experts with software built specifically for small business and startups. Try Gusto today and get three months FREE at Gusto.com/twist.

(11:10) The long road to breaking the speed barrier

(14:34) How satellites could help guide Boom’s planes

(16:37) The next milestones to check off Blake’s list

(19:13) Breaking up the jet engine duopoly

(20:57) Nexos.ai Stop Shadow AI in its tracks with the unified platform for secure AI adoption and productivity. Try it with a free 14-day trial at nexos.ai/twist.

(24:28) How 3D printing speeds up the R&D process

(30:26) DevStats translates complex engineering metrics into a shared language everyone at your company can understand. Get 20% off by going to https://www.DevStats.com/twist(34:10) Gamma Pitch Deck Competition: Confy vs. The Drive AI

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

Check out the TWIST500: https://www.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:

 • Gusto. Check out the online payroll and benefits experts with software built specifically for small business and startups. Try Gusto today and get three months FREE at 
Gusto.com/twist • .
Nexos.ai • Stop Shadow AI in its tracks with the unified platform for secure AI adoption and productivity. Try it with a free 14-day trial at 
nexos.ai/twist • .
 • DevStats translates complex engineering metrics into a shared language everyone at your company can understand. Get 20% off by going to 
https://www.DevStats.com/twist

Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis

Follow TWiST:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

Breaking the Sound Barrier with Blake Scholl from Boom Supersonic | E2186

Today’s show:

Friend’s new AI pendant just wants to be your new pal. So why do New Yorkers hate them?

On a brand-new TWiST, Jason and Alex consider the Friend AI pendant, which listens to everything you say all day and then sends you snarky texts about it.

WIRED says it’s unhelpful and will make your friends hate you. New Yorkers are so sick of their aggressive subway ads, they’re tagging them with graffiti. But what do Jason and Alex think of the wearable companion?

PLUS the value of bringing your last team with you to your new project… why partnerships often lead to purchases… Producer Claude got an upgrade… two fresh TWiST 500 companies… the rise and fall and further fall of Tai Lopez… AND Jason explains the rules of private jets.

Timestamps:

(0:00) Jason congratulations the Eagles while wondering what’s going on with Philly fans

(03:23) New Yorkers are not in love with these Friend AI pendants and their subway ads

(10:08) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST

(11:28) Show Continues…

(13:49) Are people actually using AI agents? Is it still too early?

(17:01) Startup Lesson: The value of bringing your last team with you

(19:27) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist

(20:43) Anthropic released the new Claude… can they catch back up with Grok?

(27:13) Why Circle’s community app is blowing up all of the sudden

(29:23) AWS Activate - AWS Activate helps startups bring their ideas to life. Apply to AWS Activate today to learn more. Visit https://www.aws.amazon.com/startups/credits

(30:48) How startups SHOULD measure growth and profitability. And why you need to show your work.

(36:42) Why human writers are about to be MORE valuable in the age of AI Slop.

(42:20) TWO new startups are joining the TWiST 500… Jason’s thoughts on Phia and Huxe

(46:23) Influencer and bookshelf haver Tai Lopez is under investigation by the SEC! A look back at a viral superstar…

(54:11) Jason explains the rules of flying in private jets

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

Check out the TWIST500: https://www.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:

 • Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at 
https://www.Squarespace.com/TWISTLemon.io • - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at 
https://Lemon.io/twist • AWS Activate - AWS Activate helps startups bring their ideas to life. Apply to AWS Activate today to learn more. Visit 
https://www.aws.amazon.com/startups/credits

Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis

Follow TWiST:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

Why New Yorkers hate AI Friends, Producer Claude gets an update, and the value of human writers in the Age of Slop | E2185

0:01 Jason previews today's Ask Jason & drops some hints about the Super Secret TWiST Slack room

2:29 Aaron asks how investors view no-code startups

6:33 Andrii asks if an economic crisis is a good time to start a company

9:52 Jesse asks if he should start trying to raise a round of funding now, or wait until this crisis passes

14:48 Juan asks how he can leverage his first committed angel investor to attract more

19:11 Marcel asks how he can use a "startup mentality" to effectively run his small private school

23:28 Matt asks how to bring on advisors and how he should compensate them

29:46 Mike asks what % of revenue a company should spend on brand & marketing

35:27 Peter asks how much diligence is appropriate for an Angel Investor writing small checks ($5K & under)

41:52 Talha asks what COVID's economic impact will be on Cloud Kitchens, UberEats, DoorDash, etc.

47:56 Ryan asks for Jason's thoughts on solving the unemployment issues due to COVID-19

E1044: Ask Jason! Starting a company in an economic crisis, bringing on & compensating startup advisors, scaling diligence as an angel investor, Jason’s thoughts on solving the unemployment surge & more!

E1044: Ask Jason! Starting a company in an economic crisis, bringing on & compensating startup advisors, scaling diligence as an angel investor, Jason’s thoughts on solving the unemployment surge & more!

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