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May 2023
1h 40m

Fireside chat with Jason Calacanis & Bra...

Jason Calacanis
About this episode

This Week in Startups is presented by:

Squarespace. Turn your idea into a new website! Go to http://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.

Trovata. Starting up is hard. Trovata makes managing cash easy. Start automating your cash management at http://trovata.io/TWIST.Use Code TWIST for 30% off one full year of premium features like AI forecasting.

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://openphone.com/twist


Today’s show:

Jason and Brad speak with Mubadala Capital’s Head of Ventures, Ibrahim Ajami, at Hub71 in the UAE. The three discuss how startups can survive and thrive in an economic downturn (1:02) before diving into the sacrifices that founders must make to create an incredible product. (14:16) They also explain how the AI revolution will affect software, startups, capital allocators, and more! (40:36)

Follow Mubadala: https://twitter.com/MubadalaCapital

Follow Ibrahim: https://twitter.com/IbrahimAjami

Follow Hub71: https://twitter.com/hub71ad

Follow Brad: https://twitter.com/altcap


Time stamps:

(0:00) Nick kicks off the show

(1:02) Surviving the downturn

(12:46) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST

(14:16) Sacrificing to build a great product

(26:34)Trovata - Use code TWIST at https://trovata.io/twist for 30% off one year of premium features, like AI forecasting

(27:47) Brad’s letter to Mark Zuckerberg and AI creating ultra-efficient startups

(39:02) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://openphone.com/twist

(40:36) The AI revolution

(50:48) The implications of AI on the software industry

(55:50) Creating the Silicon Valley culture

(59:32) Reflecting on the success of the Launch Accelerator

(1:06:23) Building culture within your firm and dealing with failure

(1:19:03) Opinions on WFH

(1:25:05) Recognizing product velocity

(1:29:11) Advice for young founders

(1:34:47) Advice for founders in emerging markets


Read LAUNCH Fund 4 Deal Memo & Apply for Funding

Buy ANGEL

Great recent interviews: Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland, PrayingForExits, Jenny Lefcourt

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


Follow Jason:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jason

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

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


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