#AskJason Call-in: Stepping stones to VC, attracting top talent on a tight budget, pay-to-pitch & other startup scams, educating investors on the problem & your solution, landing leads for your round & more

E912: #AskJason Call-in: Stepping stones to VC, attracting top talent on a tight budget, pay-to-pitch & other startup scams, educating investors on the problem & your solution, landing leads for your 

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.

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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 https://www.linkedin.com/twist to post your first job for free. Terms and conditions apply.
Mantle. The AI-powered equity management platform designed for modern founders and operators. Get your first 12 months free at https://www.withmantle.com/twist
HubSpot. If you’re fundraising, be sure to check out the Million Dollar pitch competition from Hubspot for Startups & HubSpot Ventures. Apply now at https://www.hubspot.com/milliondollarpitch
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Todays show:
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Charles Duhigg joins Jason to discuss the different types of conversations (9:29), the role of humor (22:48), and they way conversation dynamics can shift (49:30).
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Timestamps
(0:00) Charles Duhigg joins Jason to break down his latest publishing, Supercommunicators
(4:01) The importance of communication in startups and lessons from "The Power of Habit”
(8:06) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist
(9:29) The role of communication in organizations and the different types of conversations
(21:30) Mantle - Get your first 12 months free at https://withmantle.com/twist
(22:48) Exploring the role of humor, laughter, and vulnerability in conversations
(30:06) Understanding gender and cultural differences in communication
(39:23) HubSpot - Be sure to check out the Million Dollar pitch competition from Hubspot for Startups & HubSpot Ventures. Apply now at ⁠https://www.hubspot.com/milliondollarpitch
(40:34) The role anecdotes have in conversation
(49:30) How the dynamic of the conversation shifts when someone has an ask
(1:01:35) The Harvard Study of Adult Development
(1:06:36) Closing remarks
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Check out Supercommunicators: https://www.charlesduhigg.com/supercommunicators
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Follow Charles:
X: https://twitter.com/cduhigg
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesduhigg/
*
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:
(8:06) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist 
(21:30) Mantle - Get your first 12 months free at https://www.withmantle.com/twist 
(39:23) HubSpot - Be sure to check out Hubspot for Startups & HubSpot Ventures for their Million Dollar pitch competition. Apply now at https://www.hubspot.com/milliondollarpitch
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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
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Founder University: Cohort 8 begins May 9th. Apply here: https://www.founder.university

The power of super communication with Charles Duhigg | E1938

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
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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://www.mercury.com⁠
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Todays show:
Jason kicks off Ask Jason live! 5 live guests ask questions on key topics, including finding job opportunities (1:43), the “likely winner” and “definitive winner” framework (26:19), how a non-AI startup with traction can stand out to potential investors (1:04:05), and more!
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Timestamps
(0:00) Jason kicks off another Ask Jason with 5 live guests!
(1:43) Dustin asks about how to find job opportunities and market his generalist skills
(9:50) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist
(10:42) Dustin asks about how to find job opportunities and market his generalist skills
(24:57) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/twist
(26:19) Francis asks about defining the terms "likely winner" and "definitive winner" in a strategic framework using specific metrics
(39:15) Mercury - Join 100K+ startups banking with Mercury at http://www.mercury.com⁠
(40:17) Mathew asks about choosing between mission-aligned sponsors and more lucrative, unrelated advertising opportunities for his podcast
(52:23) Jason asks whether to continue low-cost growth strategies or seek seed funding to boost growth through advertising, as their product is the advertising itself
(1:04:05) Douglas asks about how a non-AI startup with traction can stand out to potential investors
(1:15:37) Host or join Founder Fridays! Go check out https://founderfridays.tech
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Send us your questions for the next episode of Ask Jason LIVE! http://www.thisweekinstartups.com/askjason
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Follow Jason:
X: https://twitter.com/Jason
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
*
Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp
*
Thank you to our partners:
(9:50) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist
(24:57) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/twist
(39:15) Mercury - Join 100K+ startups banking with Mercury at http://www.mercury.com⁠ 
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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
*
Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast
*
Founder University: Cohort 8 begins May 9th. Apply here: https://www.founder.university

Ask Jason LIVE!: Navigating startup growth with Real-Time Q&A | E1937

This Week in Startups is brought to you by…
LinkedIn Ads. To redeem a $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups
Curotec. Are you one of those companies that knows you need to be using AI, but you're not even sure where to start? Well then you need Curotec. They are AI experts, and they're offering TWiST listeners an AI Strategy Roadmap tailored to your business for $5000. That's 50% off the normal cost just for telling them we sent you. Check out http://www.curotec.com/twist and get $5000 off!
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/twist today to get started.
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Timestamps:
(0:00) Sunny joins Jason to dive into this week’s AI news and demos.
(2:03) Examination of Facebook's Llama 3 model, its impact on the AI community, and its superior performance compared to GPT-4 despite being a smaller model.
(4:45) Open source vs. commercial products
(9:14) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups
(10:42) Three big projects where Facebook has affected the open community.
(15:38) US Air Foruce staging dogfights with AI-flown fighter jets.
(19:09) Curotec - Check out http://www.curotec.com/twist and get $5000 off
(21:06) Looking at Grok’s capabilities in first-party research.
(27:35) Zendesk - Get six months free at http://www.zendesk.com/twist
(29:08) Jason asks Grok a more “spicey” question regarding Trump.
(40:46) Sunny demos Marblism.
(45:33) Sunny demos Lumona
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Check out Marblism: https://www.marblism.com
Check out Lumona:https://www.lumona.ai
Article “US Air Force stages dogfights with AI-flown fighter jet” https://www.defensenews.com/air/2024/04/19/us-air-force-stages-dogfights-with-ai-flown-fighter-jet
Check out Groq: https://groq.com
Check out qobuz: https://www.qobuz.com/ca-en/discover
Article: Meta is opening up Horizon OS to third parties, Asus and Lenovo first with new headsets https://www.gsmarena.com/meta_is_opening_up_horizon_os_to_third_parties_asus_and_lenovo_first_with_new_headsets_-news-62561.php
Check out Waymo: https://waymo.com
Check out Founder Fridays: http://www.thisweekinstartups.com/meetups
Check out Bubble: https://bubble.io
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Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp
*
Follow Sunny:
X: ⁠https://twitter.com/sundeep⁠
LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sundeepm
*
Follow Jason:
X: https://twitter.com/Jason
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
*
Thank you to our partners:
(9:14) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups
(19:09) Curotec - Check out http://www.curotec.com/twist and get $5000 off
(27:35) Zendesk - Get six months free at http://www.zendesk.com/twist
*
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
*
Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

AI Demos and News: Llama 3, Marblism, Lumona & AI Jet-Fighter Dogfights | E1936

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 http://www.openphone.com/twist
Eppo. Experimentation is how generation-defining companies win. Accelerate your experimentation velocity with Eppo. Visit  https://www.geteppo.com/twist
HiddenLayer. Generative AI is revolutionizing industries. HiddenLayer’s AI Detection & Response Solution secures your Generative AI & LLMs from malicious attack.  Helping you generate more – by enabling seamless & secure Generative AI. Visit https://www.HiddenLayer.com/TWiST to learn more.
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Timestamps:
(0:00) Sunny joins Jason to dive into this week's AI news and demos.
(1:39) AI, LLMs, and Groq infrastructure discussion.
(9:32) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at http://www.openphone.com/twist
(11:00 ) Meta's AI landing page, new search engine, and investment strategies
(20:06 ) Eppo. Accelerate your experimentation velocity with Eppo. Visit  https://www.geteppo.com/twist
(23:19) Zuckerberg's approach towards Google's dominance and the impact of Meta's search engine
(30:19) HiddenLayer. HiddenLayer’s AI Detection & Response Solution secures your Generative AI & LLMs from malicious attack. Visit https://www.HiddenLayer.com/TWiST to learn more.
(32:11) Importance of a dedicated domain name and Google's commitment to Google Plus
(34:36) Meta's progress in AI and the strategy of open sourcing
(45:34) The industrial revolution in technology, AI development, and rights issues
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Check out Meta AI: https://www.meta.ai/
Check out Groq: https://groq.com/
*
Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp
*
Follow Sunny:
X: ⁠https://twitter.com/sundeep⁠
LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sundeepm
*
Follow Jason:
X: https://twitter.com/Jason
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
*
Thank you to our partners:
(9:32) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at http://www.openphone.com/twist
(20:06 ) Eppo. Accelerate your experimentation velocity with Eppo. Visit  https://www.geteppo.com/twist
(30:19) HiddenLayer. HiddenLayer’s AI Detection & Response Solution secures your Generative AI & LLMs from malicious attack. Visit https://www.HiddenLayer.com/TWiST to learn more.
*
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

AI Demos: Meta AI Ups it’s Game with Llama 3 | E1935

This Week in Startups is brought to you by…
Hubspot for Podcast Network. Looking to up your marketing game?
Check out HubSpot's Chatbot Builder:  https://clickhubspot.com/s0u
Chatbot Tutorial here: https://clickhubspot.com/mfx
DevSquad. Most dev agencies only offer developers. Why? Because product management is hard. Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at https://www.devsquad.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://www.mercury.com⁠
*
Todays show:
David Weisburd hosts Logan Bartlett, Hunter Somerville, and Jason Calacanis to discuss the fundraising market (3:07), M&A; (26:45), Google’s huge investment in generative AI (58:15), and much more!
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Timestamps:
(0:00) David Weisburd intros Logan Bartlett, Hunter Somerville, and Jason Calacanis
(3:07) Tiger's recent fund and fundraising indicators
(11:55) HubSpot’s Chatbot Builder - https://clickhubspot.com/s0u https://clickhubspot.com/mfx
(13:26) The challenges and realities of venture capital
(25:14) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at https://www.devsquad.com/twist
(26:45) Startup acquisitions, due diligence, and unethical behaviors in the industry
(31:27) Selling partial positions in startups and structuring the selling of shares
(37:18) Mercury - Join 100K+ startups banking with Mercury at http://www.mercury.com⁠
(38:20) Cendana and Kline Hill’s $105M fund to buy stakes in seed VC funds
(46:59) The correlation between capital consumption and equity value, and the dangers of excess capital
(54:28) The role of private equity in tech M&A; and the future of tech IPOs
(58:15) Google's $100 billion investment in AI and competition in the AI ecosystem
(1:06:30) The challenge of capacity in seed stage investing and the value of a strong community in portfolio management
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Follow Logan:
X: https://twitter.com/loganbartlett
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loganbartlett
Check out: https://www.redpoint.com
*
Follow Hunter:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunter-somerville-2a24117
Check out: https://www.stepstonegroup.com/
*
Follow David:
X: ⁠https://twitter.com/DWeisburd⁠
LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd⁠
Check out: ⁠https://10xcapital.com
*
Follow Jason:
X: ⁠https://twitter.com/jason⁠
Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jason⁠
LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
*
Thank you to our partners:
(11:55) HubSpot’s Chatbot Builder - https://clickhubspot.com/s0u https://clickhubspot.com/mfx
(25:14) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at https://www.devsquad.com/twist
(37:18) Mercury - Join 100K+ startups banking with Mercury at http://www.mercury.com⁠
*
Check out the Launch Accelerator: https://launchaccelerator.co
*
Check out Founder University: https://www.founder.university
*
Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp
*
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
*
Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

E912: #AskJason Call-in: Stepping stones to VC, attracting top talent on a tight budget, pay-to-pitch & other startup scams, educating investors on the problem & your solution, landing leads for your

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