4:32 Why Jason passed on investing in MasterClass & landing Dustin Hoffman as 1st instructor
8:53 Bridging the gap between professional entertainment and online education
13:18 Ideal target customer & company mission
26:00 Why Steph Curry was the perfect MasterClass instructor for basketball
33:31 How David negotiated masterclass.com domain name
46:32 David's shares how his grandmother, who fled Poland from the Nazis, gave him the gift of appreciating education

E952: MasterClass Co-founder & CEO David Rogier on shaping the future of online learning with life-changing & accessible classes taught by world’s top talent, landing Dustin Hoffman as 1st to scaling 

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.

Technology

Tech News

Podcasting

Gadgets

Software How-To

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!
*
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
*
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

Redpoint Ventures and Stepstone Group on VC Deployment, M&A, and Google's AI Strategy | E1934

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.
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
The Equinix Startup program offers a hybrid infrastructure solution for startups, including up to $100K in credits and personalized consultations and guidance from the Equinix team. Go to https://deploy.equinix.com/startups to apply today.
*
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!
*
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
*
Check out Destiny (D/XYZ): https://destiny.xyz/
*
Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp
*
Follow Sohail:
X: https://twitter.com/sohailprasad
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sohailprasad/
*
Follow Jason:
X: https://twitter.com/Jason
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
*
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
*
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

Destiny (D/XYZ) and the Buzz Around Public Access to Private Companies | E1933

This Week in Startups is brought to you by…
Wistia. All-in-one video platform for business, with tools that help you create, manage, and measure the impact of your videos. Try Wistia for free at https://wistia.com/startups
Eight Sleep. Good sleep is the ultimate game changer. Now you can add the Pod Cover to any mattress! Go to https://www.eightsleep.com/twist to check out the Pod Cover and get $200 off the pod plus free shipping!
Northwest Registered Agent. When starting your business, it's important to use a service that will actually help you. Northwest Registered Agent is that service. They'll form your company fast, give you the documents you need to open a business bank account, and even provide you with mail scanning and a business address to keep your personal privacy intact. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist
 to get a 60% discount on your next LLC.
*
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!
*
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
*
Founder University: Cohort 8 begins May 9th! Apply here: https://www.founder.university
*
We are doing Founder Fridays! Go check out https://founderfridays.tech
*
Follow Jared:
X: https://twitter.com/_playumbrella
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredlewandowski
Check out Umbrella Sports: https://www.playumbrella.com
*
Follow Linda:
X: https://twitter.com/mastertechai
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-gray-6433b251/
Check out Mastertech: https://www.mastertech.ai/
*
Follow Aleksandr:
X: https://twitter.com/heyaleksandr
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asdiamond
Check out Ellis: https://ellis.so
*
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:
(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
*
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

Startup pitch competition! Jason invests $25K into one of three founders | E1932

This Week in Startups is brought to you by…
Gusto is easy online payroll, benefits, and HR built for modern small businesses.
Get three months free when you run your first payroll at http://www.Gusto.com/twist
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. 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
*
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!
*
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
*
Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp
*
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/
*
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:
(9:51) 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
*
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

Udio AI’s Music Magic, Aqua’s Unique Dictation, Copyright Laws & the 1000x Potential of AI  | E1931

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.
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
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!
*
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
*
Mentioned on show:
https://motherduck.com
https://arbitrum.io
https://www.omni.co
https://www.podengine.ai
https://www.getrecall.ai
https://newcomergames.com
*
Follow David Clark:
X: https://twitter.com/daveclark85
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-clark-6678b6b/
Check out VenCap: https://www.vencap.com/
*
Follow Tomasz Tunguz:
X: https://twitter.com/ttunguz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomasztunguz
Check out Theory Ventures: https://theory.ventures
*
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:
(9:36) 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
*
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

E952: MasterClass Co-founder & CEO David Rogier on shaping the future of online learning with life-changing & accessible classes taught by world’s top talent, landing Dustin Hoffman as 1st to scaling

Download our free app to listen on your phone