This Week in Startups Jason Calacanis

This Week in Startups is brought to you by…

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Todays show:

Sohail Prasad joins Jason to discuss Destiny Tech 100 and why it was created (3:46), comparing the market cap to the actual holdings and the pent-up demand (11:35), how Destiny acquires the shares and how they manage both positive and negative reactions (26:49), and more!

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Timestamps:

(0:00) Sohail Prasad of Destiny (D/XYZ) joins Jason.

(3:46) Breaking down Destiny Tech 100 and why it was created.

(5:20) What is a closed-end fund and how does it fit into the ecosystem?

(8:37) The DIY approach used to bring this to the market.

(9:33) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST

(10:54) How Destiny Tech 100 works as a direct listing.

(11:35) Comparing the market cap to the actual holdings and the pent-up demand.

(14:46) Looking at how Sohail and the company make their profits and why he does this instead of gathering higher carry.

(18:52) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist

(22:05) The concerns of the swinging nature of the stock price and the long-term view.

(26:49) How Destiny acquires the shares and how they manage both positive and negative reactions.
(30:26) Equinix - Join the Equinix Startup Program for up to $100K in credits and much more at https://deploy.equinix.com/startups

(34:10) Destiny’s access to financials for companies in their portfolio.
(35:51) Strategy behind exits for the fund and companies that then go public.
(43:13) The size of the team needed to run Dest

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Check out Destiny (D/XYZ): https://destiny.xyz/

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

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Follow Sohail:

X: https://twitter.com/sohailprasad

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sohailprasad/

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Follow Jason:

X: https://twitter.com/Jason

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis

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Thank you to our partners:

(9:33) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST

(18:52) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist
(30:26) Equinix - Join the Equinix Startup Program for up to $100K in credits and much more at https://deploy.equinix.com/startups

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Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

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

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Follow TWiST:

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

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

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Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

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Todays show:

Jason and Presh kick off the Founder University pitch competition (00:00), then we hear from Jared on Umbrella Sports (6:40), Linda on Mastertech (14:47), and Aleksandr on Ellis (24:20). Finally, Jason awards a $25K investment (44:17), and Presh details how to apply!

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Jason kicks off the show!

(2:49) Jason brings on Presh to explain the fundamentals of Founder University and introduces today's pitches!

(6:40) Jared Lewandowski pitches Umbrella Sports

(13:20) Wistia - Try Wistia for free at https://wistia.com/startups

(14:47) Linda Gray pitches Mastertech

(22:51) Eight Sleep - Go to https://www.eightsleep.com/twist for $200 off the Pod plus free shipping

(24:20) Aleksandr Diamond pitches Ellis

(29:39) Jason and Presh assess the startups and their pitches

(39:43) Northwest Registered Agent - Get a 60% discount on your next LLC at http://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist

(44:12) Jason picks the startup he will invest in!

(44:51) Feedback on the Founder University experience

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Founder University: Cohort 8 begins May 9th! Apply here: https://www.founder.university

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We are doing Founder Fridays! Go check out https://founderfridays.tech

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Follow Jared:

X: https://twitter.com/_playumbrella

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredlewandowski

Check out Umbrella Sports: https://www.playumbrella.com

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Follow Linda:

X: https://twitter.com/mastertechai

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-gray-6433b251/

Check out Mastertech: https://www.mastertech.ai/

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Follow Aleksandr:

X: https://twitter.com/heyaleksandr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asdiamond

Check out Ellis: https://ellis.so

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Follow Jason:

X: https://twitter.com/Jason

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis

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

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Thank you to our partners:

(13:20) Wistia - Try Wistia for free at https://wistia.com/startups

(22:51) Eight Sleep - Go to https://www.eightsleep.com/twist for $200 off the Pod plus free shipping

(39:43) Northwest Registered Agent - Get a 60% discount on your next LLC at http://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist

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Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

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

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Follow TWiST:

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

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

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

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

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Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

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Founder University: Cohort 8 begins May 9th. Apply here: https://www.founder.university

This Week in Startups is brought to you by…

Gusto is easy online payroll, benefits, and HR built for modern small businesses.

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Hubspot. Join thousands of companies that are growing better with HubSpot for Startups.

Learn more and get extra benefits for being a TWiST listener now at http://www.hubspot.com/startups/twist

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Todays show:

Sunny joins Jason to dive into AI news and demos including, Adam Schiff and the new bill to force AI companies to reveal use of copyrighted art (9:03), Udio the recent AI music creator catching a lot of hype (17:48), the AI dictation power of Aqua (39:10), and more!

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Timestamps:

(0:00) Sunny joins Jason to dive into this weeks AI news and demos.

(4:02) AI News: Meta, Google and Intel all launched chips this week.

(9:03) Adam Schiff and the new bill to force AI companies to reveal use of copyrighted art

(9:51) Gusto - Get three months free when you run your first payroll at http://www.gusto.com/twist

(17:48) Sunny demos Udio - the recent AI music creator catching a lot of hype.

(19:36) Mantle - Get your first 12 months free at https://www.withmantle.com/TWIST

(20:56) Sunny and Jason further explore Udio and discuss the copyright issues around AI models.

(31:45) Hubspot for Startups - Learn more and get extra benefits for being a TWiST listener now at  https://www.hubspot.com/startups. Check out their report “How AI is Redefining Startup GTM Strategy” here: https://bit.ly/hubspot-ai-report

(36:31) Sunny creates a song with Udio about Jason’s passion for copyright laws.

(39:10) Sunny demos Aqua.

(45:36) Sunny demos SWE-Agent

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

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LINKS:

Check out Udio: https://www.udio.com/

Rolling Stone article on Udio: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/udio-ai-music-chatgpt-suno-1235001675/

Check out Aqua: https://withaqua.com/

Check out SWE-Agent: https://swe-agent.com/demo

Meta’s new chip news: https://twitter.com/Techmeme/status/1778078194345955765

Google’s new chip news: https://twitter.com/WSJ/status/1777654095601348775

Intel’s new chip news: https://twitter.com/Techmeme/status/1777725152102699026

Article on Adam Schiff introducing new bill: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/apr/09/artificial-intelligence-bill-copyright-art

Check out statmuse: https://www.statmuse.com/

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Follow Sunny:

X: https://twitter.com/sundeep

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sundeepm

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Follow Jason:

X: https://twitter.com/Jason

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis

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Thank you to our partners:

(9:51) Gusto - Get three months free when you run your first payroll at http://www.gusto.com/twist

(19:36) Mantle - Get your first 12 months free at https://www.withmantle.com/TWIST

(31:45) Hubspot for Startups - Learn more and get extra benefits for being a TWiST listener now at  https://www.hubspot.com/startups. Check out their report “How AI is Redefining Startup GTM Strategy” here: https://bit.ly/hubspot-ai-report

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Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

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

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Follow TWiST:

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

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

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

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

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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://www.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.

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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 CLAconnect.com/tech




Todays show:

David Weisburd hosts David Clark, Tomasz Tunguz, and Jason Calacanis to discuss the new YC class (1:59), startup valuations (19:34), the investment landscape (30:17), and more!

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Timestamps:

(00:00) David Weisburd intros David Clark, Tomasz Tunguz, and Jason Calacanis

(1:59) The latest YC class and rise of AI startups

(9:36) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST

(10:55) Role of the founding team in AI startups

(19:34) Startup valuations and the changing landscape of seed deals and Series A rounds

(29:01) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at http://www.openphone.com/twist

(30:17) Tomasz Tunguz’s journey to raising his fund and the challenges of the VC industry

(37:32) Personality types in venture capital and handling company wind downs

(39:20) CLA - Get started with CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors now at https://claconnect.com/tech

(40:52) VC’s moving out and the challenge of picking the right company to invest in

(59:27) Active reserves management

(1:09:00) Lightning round: Top 3 investments

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Mentioned on show:

https://motherduck.com

https://arbitrum.io

https://www.omni.co

https://www.podengine.ai

https://www.getrecall.ai

https://newcomergames.com

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Follow David Clark:

X: https://twitter.com/daveclark85

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-clark-6678b6b/

Check out VenCap: https://www.vencap.com/

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Follow Tomasz Tunguz:

X: https://twitter.com/ttunguz

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomasztunguz

Check out Theory Ventures: https://theory.ventures

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Follow Jason:

X: https://twitter.com/Jason

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis

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

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Thank you to our partners:

(9:36) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST

(29:01) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at http://www.openphone.com/twist

(39:20) CLA - Get started with CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors now at https://claconnect.com/tech

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Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

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

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Follow TWiST:

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

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

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

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

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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 http://www.vanta.com/twist

LinkedIn Ads. To redeem a $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups

Zendesk. The best customer experiences are built with Zendesk. Qualifying startups can join their Startup program and get Zendesk products free, for six months! Visit http://www.zendesk.com/startups today to get started.

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Todays show:

Alef’s Jim Dukhovny joins Jason to discuss different approaches to flying car tech (1:16), Alef’s vehicle design (9:17), commercial aspects (22:39), and more!

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Alef’s Jim Dukhovny joins Jason

(1:16) Alef’s mission and the different approaches to VTOL and flying car technologies

(8:25) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist

(9:17) Alef’s approach to vehicle design and use of existing technologies in a new format

(12:10) Technical details of Alef’s vehicle design, including propulsion systems and structural innovations

(14:27) Challenges of designing flying vehicles that function both as cars and aircraft

(21:11) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups

(22:39) Commercial aspects, including pricing, customer pre-orders, and manufacturing plans

(26:13) Regulatory and certification challenges and the potential timeline for bringing the product to market

(32:46) Zendesk - Get six months free at https://zendesk.com/startups

(34:16) Ballistic parachute systems in drones, planes, and Alef’s vehicles

(38:53) The long-term vision for autonomous flying cars

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Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtzuL3WSiGY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Gzdo107SmE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBCUQlF3MMU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxaFFuN1vpc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT4buS7avd4

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Follow Jim:

X: https://twitter.com/AlefAeronautics

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimdukhovny

Check out Alef: https://alef.aero

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Follow Jason:

X: https://twitter.com/Jason

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis

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

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Thank you to our partners:

(8:25) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist

(21:11) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups

(32:46) Zendesk - Get six months free at https://zendesk.com/startups

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Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

*

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

*

Follow TWiST:

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

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

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

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

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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 LinkedIn.com/TWIST to post your first job for free. Terms and conditions apply.

Experimentation is how generation-defining companies win. Accelerate your experimentation velocity with Eppo. Visit https://geteppo.com/twist

Attio - A radically new CRM for the next era of companies. Head to attio.com/twist to get 15% off for your first year.

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Todays show:

Liquid AI’s Ramin Hasani joins Jason to discuss the mission and the concept of Liquid AI's liquid neural networks (1:09). They dive into liquid neural networks’ applications (16:07), transition from theory to execution (21:37), their efficiency on small devices (27:30), and more!

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Timestamps:

(0:00) Liquid AI CEO and co-founder Ramin Hasani joins Jason

(1:09) Liquid AI's mission and concept of liquid neural networks

(7:06) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://linkedin.com/twist

(8:34) Demo of Liquid AI: traditional vs. Liquid neural networks in autonomous driving

(16:07) Practical applications of Liquid AI

(20:07) Eppo. Accelerate your experimentation velocity with Eppo. Visit  https://geteppo.com/twist

(21:37) Commercializing worm-inspired AI systems, building a team, and solving problems across various sectors

(27:30) Efficiency of liquid neural networks in compact devices like the Raspberry Pi and the transformative potential of AI modeled after worms.

(34:15) Attio - Head to https://attio.com/twist to get 15% off for your first year.

(35:24) Data ownership in AI and incentivizing data providers

(41:18) Role of AI in real-world applications

(43:57) Societal impact of AI, job displacement, and the optimistic view on AI's potential

(50:25) Explanation of physical models vs statistical models in AI and the challenge of understanding black box AI systems

(57:01) Speculations about AGI's market cap, who might achieve AGI first, and the potential of using AI systems to build various applications

(1:00:12) Comparison between open-source and closed-source models in AI and the trend of open-source moves in the AI industry

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Mentioned on the show:

https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-5

https://www.capgemini.com/us-en

https://www.ctc-g.co.jp/en

https://www.accenture.com

https://www.ey.com/en_gl

https://www.cnn.com/videos/media/2024/04/02/the-daily-show-jon-stewart-ai-work-force-jobs-orig.cnn

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Source of C. elegans worm footage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjqLwPgLnV0&t=1s

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Follow Ramin:

X: https://twitter.com/ramin_m_h

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raminhasani

Check out Liquid AI: https://www.liquid.ai

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Follow Jason:

X: https://twitter.com/Jason

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis

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

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Thank you to our partners:

(7:06) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://linkedin.com/twist

(20:07) Eppo. Accelerate your experimentation velocity with Eppo. Visit https://geteppo.com/twist

(34:15) Attio - Head to https://attio.com/twist to get 15% off for your first year.

*

Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

*

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

*

Follow TWiST:

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

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

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

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

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Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast