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    TWiST News: Headphones.com, How Sound Takes Down Drones, TollBit Secures Series A | E2031

    en-usOctober 23, 2024
    1
    What was the main topic of the podcast episode?
    Summarise the key points discussed in the episode?
    Were there any notable quotes or insights from the speakers?
    Which popular books were mentioned in this episode?
    Were there any points particularly controversial or thought-provoking discussed in the episode?
    Were any current events or trending topics addressed in the episode?

    In this episode of This Week in Startups, Jason Calacanis and Alex Wilhelm delve into the latest innovations and trending topics within the tech and startup world. Key discussions include updates on Claude AI’s new features, insights from Andrew Lissimore, CEO of Headphones.com, innovations in anti-drone technology, and the recent Series A funding news for TollBit.

    Key Topics Discussed

    1. Claude AI’s New Features

    • Introduction of Claude 3.5: Jason and Alex explore the latest rollout from Claude AI, particularly the "Use Computer" feature, which enables users to interact with their web browsers through AI.
    • Implications for Automation: There are profound implications for automation in tasks such as online shopping and scheduling, hinting at a future where AI could manage ordinary errands seamlessly.

    2. Andrew Lissimore from Headphones.com

    • Journey from Side Hustle to Business: Andrew shares his entrepreneurial journey, illustrating how he transformed a passion for audio equipment into a thriving business.
    • The Importance of a Premium Domain: He highlights the significance of acquiring a premium domain name like headphones.com, stating it drastically increased credibility and customer trust.
    • Leveraging YouTube for Marketing: The role of YouTube in driving customer engagement and sales is emphasized, showcasing how authentic content can connect brands with audiophiles and customers alike.
    • Community and Reviews: The company focuses heavily on customer reviews and community engagement to build trust and awareness, positioning itself not just as a retailer but as a content creator.

    3. Innovations in Anti-Drone Technology

    • Overview of Prandtl Dynamics: A student team from the University of Toronto introduces their innovative sound wave technology designed to disrupt cheap drones effectively.
    • Cost-Effective Solutions: Their approach uses ultrasonic sound waves to confuse navigation and camera systems in drones, theoretically offering a low-cost method of anti-drone defense.
    • Market Insights: The team discusses the implications of growing drone usage in modern warfare and the necessity for affordable countermeasures that can be deployed in urban settings.

    4. TollBit’s Series A Funding

    • Funding Details: TollBit has successfully raised $24 million in Series A funding, which indicates strong investor confidence in the AI data marketplace.
    • Market Opportunities: The discussion revolves around the ongoing demand for data licensing solutions in the AI sector, highlighting the necessity for companies to secure unique datasets to enhance their AI models.
    • Business Growth Strategy: The company aims to capitalize on its early partnerships with AI firms and publishers to create a robust marketplace, addressing the critical “cold start” problem commonly faced in such business models.

    Key Takeaways

    • The Intersection of AI and Everyday Tasks: With advancements such as Claude AI's new features, we glimpse a future where AI takes control of mundane tasks, significantly changing daily life.
    • Community-Focused Marketing as a Strategy: For startups like Headphones.com, being community-centric and building trust through authentic content can lead to increased engagement and sales.
    • Market Responsiveness in Tech: The emergence of competitive, inexpensive drone tech has prompted innovations in countermeasures, highlighting the need for startups to remain nimble and responsive to market demands.
    • Venture Capital Trends: The significant Series A funding for TollBit illustrates the lucrative opportunities present in the AI data space, indicating that investors are actively seeking promising ventures that address industry pain points.

    Conclusion

    The episode encapsulates the dynamism within the startup ecosystem, showcasing how technology continues to evolve and influence various sectors. Insights shared by Andrew Lissimore and the student founders at Prandtl Dynamics exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation that drive today's landscape. As always, This Week in Startups provides listeners with essential knowledge and inspiration from the forefront of tech developments.

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    Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

    *

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

    *

    Follow TWiST:

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups

    Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

    *

    Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

    This Week in Startups
    en-usOctober 24, 2024

    TWiST News: Headphones.com, How Sound Takes Down Drones, TollBit Secures Series A | E2031

    TWiST News: Headphones.com, How Sound Takes Down Drones, TollBit Secures Series A | E2031

    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 https://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups

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    Beehiiv. Power your newsletters with AI tools, referral programs, and ad network features—all in one platform. Get 30 days free and 20% off your first 3 months at https://www.beehiiv.com/twist

    *

    Todays show:

    Jason and Alex dive into the latest updates from Claude AI, exploring the new “Use Computer” feature and its implications. Next, Andrew Lissimore of headphones.com shares the journey of turning a side hustle into a thriving business, highlighting the advantages of owning a premium domain and leveraging YouTube for customer acquisition. The team from Prandtl Dynamics then joins to showcase their handcrafted, anti-drone technology. Finally, the episode concludes with an in-depth discussion on TollBit’s Series A funding and their strategies for scaling in the competitive marketplace space.

    *

    Timestamps:

    (0:00) Jason and Alex kick off the show

    (2:52) Anthropic's latest launch, Claude 3.5 Sonnet capable of "Computer use".

    (8:33) Future of AI assistants and employment effects

    (10:11) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at https://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups

    (11:36) AI's impact on white-collar jobs and economic implications

    (21:12) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://www.vanta.com/twist

    (22:13) Andrew Lissimore from headphones.com joins the show

    (30:38) Beehiiv - Get 30 days free and 20% off your first 3 months at https://www.beehiiv.com/twist

    (32:06) Deep dive into high-end audio and audiophile community

    (38:03) The role of reviews and content at headphones.com

    (47:00) Leveraging Organic search and YouTube for brand growth

    (50:11) Prandtl Dynamics team on anti-drone technology

    (55:21) Building cost-effective anti-drone solutions

    (1:03:42) Prandtl Dynamics business potential and funding

    (1:09:04) TollBit's Series A funding news and AI data marketplace

    *

    Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com

    Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com

    *

    Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp

    *

    Check out Prandtl Dynamics: https://prandtl.ca

    *

    Follow Andrew:

    X: https://x.com/andrewlissimore

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

    Website: https://www.headphones.com

    *

    Follow Alex:

    X: https://x.com/alex

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

    *

    Follow Jason:

    X: https://twitter.com/Jason

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

    *

    Thank you to our partners:

    (10:11) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at https://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups

    (21:12) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://www.vanta.com/twist

    (30:38) Beehiiv - Get 30 days free and 20% off your first 3 months at https://www.beehiiv.com/twist

    *

    Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

    *

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

    *

    Follow TWiST:

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups

    Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

    *

    Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

    This Week in Startups
    en-usOctober 23, 2024

    Election Security, Skift's Rafat Ali, and Anthropic Unleashes PC AI | E2030

    Election Security, Skift's Rafat Ali, and Anthropic Unleashes PC AI | E2030

    This Week in Startups is brought to you by…

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

    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

    Kalshi. The largest regulated predictions market—now lets you trade on US elections. Visit kalshi.com/twist to see live odds, trade, and get $20 when you deposit $100.

    *

    Timestamps:

    (0:00) Jason and Alex kick off the show

    (4:10) Heritage Foundation's stance on election integrity and fraud

    (11:18) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST

    (12:48) Technological improvements for secure elections

    (21:07) Hans von Spakovsky's perspective on the 2020 election

    (22:29) LinkedIn Ads -  Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups

    (24:01) Election security and legal consequences of fraud

    (30:06) Closing remarks on election security

    (32:11) Reflecting on the election fraud discussion and transfer of power

    (31:00) (28:22) Kalshi - Visit https://www.kalshi.com/twist today to see live election odds, place a trade, and get $20 dollars when you deposit $100.

    (36:06) Introduction of Rafat Ali and discussion on Uber-Expedia rumors

    (42:16) Evaluating the potential Uber-Expedia acquisition

    (45:04) Challenges and consumer behavior in online travel industry

    (48:33) Future of loyalty programs and travel industry partnerships

    (52:17) Uber's strategic moves in the travel sector

    (57:00) AI advancements in travel and media

    (1:00:19) Media strategies and data monetization

    (1:05:21) Skift's business model, LinkedIn's role, and remote work strategies

    (1:11:24) Skift's growth and potential IPO discussion

    (1:13:18) Uber's expansion into the airline industry

    (1:15:41) Latest developments in AI with Anthropic's Claude 3.5 model

    (1:20:07) Announcement of Angel University workshop

    *

    Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com

    Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com

    Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp

    *

    Mentioned on the show:

    Check out The Heritage Foundation: https://www.heritage.org/

    Check out The Heritage Foundation’s database: https://www.heritage.org/voterfraud

    Check out Skift: https://skift.com/

    *

    Follow Hans:

    X: https://x.com/HvonSpakovsky

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hans-von-spakovsky-0a544913/


    Follow Rafat:

    X: https://x.com/rafat

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

    *

    Follow Alex:

    X: https://x.com/alex

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

    *

    Follow Jason:

    X: https://twitter.com/Jason

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

    *

    Thank you to our partners:

    (11:18) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST

    (22:29) LinkedIn Ads -  Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups

    (31:00) (28:22) Kalshi - Visit https://www.kalshi.com/twist today to see live election odds, place a trade, and get $20 dollars when you deposit $100.

    *

    Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

    *

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

    *

    Follow TWiST:

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups

    Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

    *

    Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

    This Week in Startups
    en-usOctober 23, 2024

    TWiST News: F1 on Apple Vision Pro, Self-Driving, and Stablecoins | E2029

    TWiST News: F1 on Apple Vision Pro, Self-Driving, and Stablecoins | E2029

    This Week in Startups is brought to you by…

    DigitalOcean's App Platform, a new Platform-as-a-Service solution to build modern, cloud-native apps. With App Platform, you can build, deploy, and scale apps and static websites quickly and easily. Use App Platform for free and receive a $100 credit for any upgrade at https://www.do.co/twist!

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    Kalshi—the largest regulated predictions market—now lets you trade on US elections. Visit https://www.kalshi.com/twist to see live odds, trade, and get $20 when you deposit $100.

    *

    Todays show:

    Alex Wilhelm joins Jason to discuss the GPU market insights and the discovery of a new prime number. John LePore from BlackBox Infinite joins to discuss bridging science fiction with real-world tech, focusing on VisionPRO and Hollywood VFX. The discussion shifts to autonomous driving, Tesla's safety improvements, and Stripe's acquisition of Bridge.

    *

    Timestamps:

    (0:00) Jason and Alex kick off the show

    (5:15) Discovery of a new prime number and GPU market insights

    (7:15) BlackBox Infinite's John LePore joins the show

    (10:06) DigitalOcean - Approved listeners can get up to $100,000 in free credits to try out. Visit https://www.do.co/twist to get started. Terms and conditions apply

    (11:54) VisionPRO app development and Hollywood VFX integration

    (16:51) Oracle - Try OCI and save up to 50% on your cloud bill at https://w⁠⁠⁠⁠ww.oracle.com/twist

    (18:35) Bridging the gap between science fiction and real-world technology

    (20:36) Deep dive into the F1 experience prototype

    (28:22) Kalshi - Visit https://www.kalshi.com/twist today to see live election odds, place a trade, and get $20 dollars when you deposit $100.

    (29:35) Inspirational media and its impact on technology

    (32:10) The influence of science fiction interfaces on real-world tech

    (38:59) How safe is self-driving technology today?

    (1:03:11) Stripe buying Stablecoin provider Bridge *

    Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com

    Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com

    *

    Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp

    *

    Follow John:

    X: https://www.x.com/JohnnyMotion

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

    *

    Follow Alex:

    X: https://x.com/alex

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

    *

    Follow Jason:

    X: https://twitter.com/Jason

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

    *

    Thank you to our partners:

    (10:06) DigitalOcean - Approved listeners can get up to $100,000 in free credits to try out. Visit https://www.do.co/twist to get started. Terms and conditions apply

    (16:51) Oracle - Try OCI and save up to 50% on your cloud bill at https://w⁠⁠⁠⁠ww.oracle.com/twist

    (28:22) Kalshi - Visit https://www.kalshi.com/twist today to see live election odds, place a trade, and get $20 dollars when you deposit $100.

    *

    Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

    *

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

    *

    Follow TWiST:

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups

    Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

    *

    Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

    This Week in Startups
    en-usOctober 22, 2024

    The Anatomy of a Startup Acquisition with Cacheflow's Sarika Garg | E2028

    The Anatomy of a Startup Acquisition with Cacheflow's Sarika Garg | E2028

    Todays show:

    Cacheflow’s Sarika Garg joins Alex Wilhelm to discuss the challenges of B2B software sales (4:26), finding product-market fit (14:08), HubSpot's acquisition of Cashflow (17:32), and more!

    *

    Timestamps:

    (0:00) Cacheflow’s Sarika Garg joins Alex

    (2:25) Sarika Garg's startup journey and founding of Cashflow

    (4:26) Challenges in B2B software sales, managing billing complexities, and SaaS explosion

    (10:09) Initial funding, product development, and growth

    (10:34) AssemblyAI - Get 100 free hours to start building at https://www.assemblyai.com/twist

    (14:08) Finding product-market fit and scaling strategies

    (17:32) HubSpot's acquisition of Cashflow

    (21:20) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://www.vanta.com/twist

    (22:24) Preparing for Series A and positioning as an AI company

    (24:57) Deal with HubSpot and integration plans

    (29:41) Runway - Sign up at ⁠https://runway.com/twist⁠ to get your first 3 months free

    (30:58) Diverse cap table, early exit, and founder lessons

    (33:45) Importance of a part-time CFO and organizational efficiency

    (37:26) Integration with HubSpot's Commerce Hub

    (39:02) Shifts in SaaS buying behavior and future plans at HubSpot

    (47:01) Remote work’s impact

    *

    Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com/

    Check out the TWIST500: twist500.com

    Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp

    *

    Check out Cacheflow: https://www.getcacheflow.com

    Check out Alex’s articles on Cacheflow: https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/06/cacheflow-doubles-valuation-while-raising-10m-proving-that-the-venture-market-is-far-from-dead/https://techcrunch.com/2021/11/10/cacheflow-drops-stealth-tag-raises-6m-to-simplify-the-saas-buying-experience/

    *

    Follow Sarika:

    X: https://x.com/sarikagarg

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

    *

    Follow Alex:

    X: https://x.com/alex

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

    *

    Thank you to our partners:

    (10:34) AssemblyAI - Get 100 free hours to start building at https://www.assemblyai.com/twist

    (21:20) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://www.vanta.com/twist

    (29:41) Runway - Sign up at ⁠https://runway.com/twist to get your first 3 months free

    *

    Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

    *

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

    *

    Follow TWiST:

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups

    Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

    *

    Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

    This Week in Startups
    en-usOctober 18, 2024
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