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Frank-ly, the Kardashian method won’t work for SBFNatasha Mascarenhas,Mary Ann Azevedo,Rebecca SzkutakJan 13, 202332 min
Hello and welcome back to Equity, a podcast about the business of startups, where we unpack the numbers and nuance behind the headlines.
This week, Natasha was joined by Mary Ann Azevedo and Rebecca Szkutak to talk about the latest and greatest in tech. Before we get into what we got up to, can we just say how great it is to be back? It feels therapeutic to be back on the mic to digest the news in terms of trends and startup happenings; and we hope you feel right about the same.
Without further ado, our show touched on a lot this week:
Deals of the week
- Inflow, which has developed a self-help app designed to help people manage their ADHD.
- Cartograph Ventures, a new venture fund run by an ex-Juul operator.
- The latest lawsuits and layoffs happening over at Carta.
- A plethora of fintech M&A that took place this week, including:
- Fidelity’s acquisition of a startup called Shoobx (we couldn’t pronounce its name either).
- Deel’s buyout of Capbase.
- Microsoft’s deal with ChatGPT OpenAI, which has a structure that stumps even us. Plus, we talk about how Pittsburgh’s expertise in AI may help give its startup scene a boost.
Sam Altman vs. Sam Bankman-Fried
Our conversation moved on to our last theme: SBF’s new Substack and the Kardashian method of distraction. We discussed why the legal world isn’t fond of this approach, as it often leads to superficial discussions that don’t address real issues.
The weirdness of tech at CEST
We also explored some of the most bizarre tech products and services being showcased at CEST, including:
- A self-repairing dress that can fix a hole in seconds.
- A VR headset with no physical form—just an avatar on your head.
- A blockchain-based ticket system for concerts that allows fans to trade their tickets to get better seats.
2024: Founder mode, AI, and the “Rise of the Broligarchs”
We debated whether we’re entering a new era in entrepreneurship defined by founder mode, where companies prioritize flexibility over structure. We also discussed how AI is transforming industries and whether it will eventually replace human workers.
Fundraising: Is AI just defense tech now?
In our bonus segment, we explored the future of fundraising for AI companies, particularly in the defense space. We wondered if the days of venture capital backing AI startups are numbered—or if the technology will become so advanced that traditional fundraising methods will no longer apply.
The importance of having a strong team
We emphasized the importance of assembling a stellar team when launching a startup, as it’s the foundation of any successful venture. Whether you’re building a product or a service, your people are your best asset—and sometimes, they can be your worst enemy if not chosen carefully.
Closing thoughts
This concludes this week’s episode of Equity. We hope you enjoyed it and look forward to seeing you in the studio next time. If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to cover, send them our way at [email protected]. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast on all your favorite platforms for more episodes of Equity.
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