Jason opens with a Founder University segment on "Startup Math" (1:48), then interviews Zymergen CEO Josh Hoffman on Biofacturing (16:45), how DNA sequencing & machine learning are enabling materials science advancements (26:35), what human capital is needed for the industry (42:53) & more. Pod Notes: http://bit.ly/1231notes

Zymergen CEO Josh Hoffman on Biofacturing PLUS Founder U Startup Math |  E1231

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…
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

Tomasz Tunguz and David Clark on how to invest in AI and Q1 2024 startup valuations | E1930

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.
*
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!
*
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
*
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
*
Follow Jim:
X: https://twitter.com/AlefAeronautics
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimdukhovny
Check out Alef: https://alef.aero
*
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:
(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
*
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

The Alef Model A and the future of flying cars with Alef CEO Jim Dukhovny | E1929

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.
*
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!
*
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
*
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
*
Source of C. elegans worm footage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjqLwPgLnV0&t;=1s
*
Follow Ramin:
X: https://twitter.com/ramin_m_h
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raminhasani
Check out Liquid AI: https://www.liquid.ai
*
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:
(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
*
Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

Liquid AI's Ramin Hasani on liquid neural networks, AI advancement, the race to AGI & more! | E1928

This Week in Startups is brought to you by…
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 http://devsquad.com/twist.
Hubspot for Podcast Networks. Looking to up your marketing game?
Check out the podcast: Marketing Against the Grain
Hosted by: Hubspot CMO Kipp Bodnar and Zapier CMO Kieran Flannigan
They bring you the latest in marketing trends, growth tactics and innovation.
Available on all your favorite podcast apps.
Gelt. It’s time to take control over your taxes. Discover how Gelt can help you to manage and optimize both your personal and business taxes. Visit https://joingelt.com/twist now.
*
Todays show:
David Weisburd hosts Apurva Mehta, Jack Altman, and Jason Calacanis to discuss Sam Altman’s huge investment wins (2:34), the role of SPVs (13:19), CalPERS increasing their exposure to venture (26:19), and liquidation preferences (45:56).
*
Timestamps:
(0:00) David Weisburd intros Apurva Mehta, Jack Altman, and Jason Calacanis
(2:34) Reddit's IPO and Sam Altman's investment success
(5:48) Apurva's investment strategy and thoughts on fund size and portfolio strategy
(11:50) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at http://devsquad.com/twist
(13:19) The role of SPVs and the importance of trust in the investment ecosystem
(24:53) Marketing Against the Grain ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHrjktuM1Dc
https://lnk.to/h3vKHnTW
(26:19) CalPERS and pension funds increasing their exposure to venture capital and private equity
(28:11) Is it a good time to invest in venture?
(41:48) Gelt. It’s time to take control over your taxes. Visit https://joingelt.com/twist now
(43:02) Fundraising and decision-making processes
(45:56) Higher liquidation preferences at the later stage
(55:49) Rapid fire segment on recent investments
*
Mentioned on the show:
https://www.retellai.com
https://www.heygen.com
https://www.owner.com
https://www.foundationhealth.com
https://peregrine.io
https://www.marvl.io
https://getprops.ai
https://www.arkitask.ai
*
Follow Apurva:
X: https://twitter.com/mehtaaapurva
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apurvaamehta/
*
Follow Jack:
X: https://twitter.com/jaltma
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackealtman/
*
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
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
*
Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp
*
Thank you to our partners:
(11:50) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at http://devsquad.com/twist
(24:53) Marketing Against the Grain ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHrjktuM1Dc
https://lnk.to/h3vKHnTW
(41:48) Gelt. It’s time to take control over your taxes. Visit https://joingelt.com/twist now
*
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

Zymergen CEO Josh Hoffman on Biofacturing PLUS Founder U Startup Math | E1231

Download our free app to listen on your phone