This Week in Startups

This Week in Startups


Latest Episodes

Apple pauses RU sales, Ford splits-off EVs + How Facebook killed Joe Speiser’s $100M business | E1398
March 02, 2022

First, we talk about Apple pausing all sales in Russia and other actions they’re taking (1:47). Then, we cover Ford splitting its EV business off from its ICE business (15:57). Then, Joe Speiser from

Tech takes action against Russia, Backbone’s mobile gaming device + Joel Greenblatt from Gotham Capital | E1397
March 01, 2022

First, Jason and Molly break down the reactions from big tech companies to the Russia / Ukraine conflict (2:22), then we showcase our Startup of the Day, Backbone which is innovating in mobile games (

Web 3 is Going Great with Molly White | E1396
February 28, 2022

First, Molly Wood quickly sums up crypto donations flowing to Ukraine (2:03). Then, Jason and Molly chat with Molly White, the creator of the website "Web 3 is Going Great." We discuss the problems sh

What investors mean when they are “waiting for a lead” (VC Sunday School) + Seth Bannon of 50 Years | E1395
February 27, 2022

First up is a VC Sunday school where Jason discusses what investors mean when they say "we are interested in investing, but come back when you found a lead" (1:51). Then, we tease Molly's EV review of

DHH on Basecamp’s painful evolution, Bitcoin, Revitalizing internet discourse + Lumanu CEO Tony Tran | E1394
February 26, 2022

Jason chats with David Heinemeier Hansson (2:03) about global governments reacting to COVID, Basecamp’s Twitter cycle blowup last spring when more than 1/3 of the company left, the shift from debating

Critical cyber attacks of the last decade + How Jason Calacanis grew the Launch Fund: Angel S6 E7 | E1393
February 24, 2022

Molly interviews Jason about raising "LAUNCH Fund I." This season of Angel is focused on the nitty-gritty details of raising and running a first-time fund (22:47). Jason shares everything from getting

Kanye’s genius business model, Platform dependency risks, Pipe enters the movie biz + AirPals’ Joshe Ordonez | E1392
February 23, 2022

First we discuss Kanye’s new “STEM Player” bluetooth speaker, and why he’s trying to diversify away from Spotify and streaming platforms (2:21). We continue with a discussion about platform reliance o

Coinbase’s mutable messaging, Revitalizing Peloton and High-growth companies poised for a comeback | E1391
February 22, 2022

First, we cover Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong potentially taking credit for an idea generated by a creative firm (2:09). Then, we cover Peloton’s new CEO Barry McCarthy's vision for a revitalized Pelot

From PM to GP: Roach Capital’s Fahd Ananta | Angel S6 E6 + OK Boomer: Dive Chat | E1390
February 18, 2022

Angel Season 6 is all about first-time fund managers. Fahd Ananta of Roach Capital joined to discuss his path from founder to PM to VC (04:07). You will learn: 1. How Fahd got Angel investing at Shopi

Spotify’s ad-tech acquisitions to take on YouTube with The Verge’s Ashley Carman + Founder University Pitches | E1389
February 17, 2022

Ashley Carman joins Jason & Molly to discuss Spotify's acquisition of podcast ad-tech companies Chartable and Podsights (1:55). Ashley is a senior reporter at The Verge and the lead writer at HotPod.