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<p>OpenPhone - Streamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at <a href="http://www.openphone.com/XXX" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">www.openphone.com/twist</a></p><p><strong>LinkedIn Ads -</strong> To redeem a $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups</a></p><p><strong>Brex</strong> - the financial stack founders can bank on. Get the business account trusted by 1 in 3 US startups at <a href="http://brex.com/banking-solutions" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">brex.com/banking-solutions</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>Today’s show: Jason, Alex, and Lon dig into the controversy around 11x, the Andreessen-backed startup accused of misrepresenting revenue and using fake logos, and what that says about early-stage accountability. Then we break down China’s dual-front blitz in AI and EVs: DeepSeek’s open-source model rivals GPT-4, and Xiaomi’s $30K SU7 is a straight-up Porsche clone shaking the EV market. Finally, we unpack the “4-persona framework” that helped Wiz rocket to $100M+ ARR faster than anyone — a must-know concept for any founder looking to build, sell, and scale like a beast.</p><p><br></p><p>Timestamps:</p><p>(0:00) Episode Teaser</p><p>(1:27) Introduction of co-hosts Lon Harris and Alex Wilhelm</p><p>(3:23) New set design and color analysis(5:43) Announcement of &quot;Twist OT&quot; and potential Patreon model(</p><p>8:09) Gamestop&#39;s Bitcoin strategy and Michael Saylor&#39;s influence</p><p>(10:15) OpenPhone - Streamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at <a href="http://www.openphone.com/XXX" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">www.openphone.com/twist</a></p><p>(14:26) MSTR and their shift to Bitcoin</p><p>(17:01) Michael Saylor’s conflict of interest</p><p>(20:40) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups</a></p><p>(23:09) Investment strategies for company treasuries(25:10) Allegations against Eleven x startup</p><p>(30:35) <strong>Brex</strong> - the financial stack founders can bank on. Get the business account trusted by 1 in 3 US startups at <a href="http://brex.com/banking-solutions" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">brex.com/banking-solutions</a>.</p><p>(32:56) The importance of transparency and accountability in startups</p><p>(42:31) Chinese advancements in AI technology and ChatGPT features</p><p>(55:09) Insight from Israeli VC Gili Raanan on successful startups</p><p>(1:04:26) Founder Friday March Pitch Madness bracket competition</p><p>(1:10:26) How to start a Founder Friday chapter and community</p><p>(1:11:21) Bracket competition and Launch Accelerator&#39;s 34th cohort</p><p>*</p><p>Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: <a href="https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com</a></p><p>Check out the TWIST500: <a href="https://www.twist500.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.twist500.com</a></p><p>Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: <a href="https://rb.gy/v19fcp" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://rb.gy/v19fcp</a></p><p><br></p><p>Follow Alex:</p><p>X: <a href="https://x.com/alex" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/alex</a></p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm</a></p><p><br></p><p>Follow Lon:</p><p>X: <a href="https://x.com/Lons" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/Lons</a></p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lonharris" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lonharris</a></p><ul><li><br></li></ul><p>Follow Jason:</p><p>X: <a href="https://twitter.com/Jason" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://twitter.com/Jason</a></p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis</a></p><p><br></p><p>Thank you to our partners:</p><p>(10:15) OpenPhone - Streamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at <a href="http://www.openphone.com/XXX" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">www.openphone.com/twist</a></p><p>(20:40) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups</a></p><p>(30:35) Brex - Get the business account trusted by 1 in 3 US startups at <a href="https://www.brex.com/banking-solutions" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.brex.com/banking-solutions</a></p><p><br></p><p>Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: <a href="https://substack.com/@calacanis" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://substack.com/@calacanis</a></p><p><br></p><p>Follow TWiST:</p><p>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/TWiStartups" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://twitter.com/TWiStartups</a></p><p>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin</a></p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups</a></p><p>TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups</a></p><p>Substack: <a href="https://twistartups.substack.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://twistartups.substack.com</a></p><p><br></p><p>Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916</a></p>

This Week in Startups

Jason Calacanis

11x in Trouble and China's AI Acceleration | E2103

MAR 27, 202574 MIN
This Week in Startups

11x in Trouble and China's AI Acceleration | E2103

MAR 27, 202574 MIN

Description

<p>OpenPhone - Streamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at <a href="http://www.openphone.com/XXX" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">www.openphone.com/twist</a></p><p><strong>LinkedIn Ads -</strong> To redeem a $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups</a></p><p><strong>Brex</strong> - the financial stack founders can bank on. Get the business account trusted by 1 in 3 US startups at <a href="http://brex.com/banking-solutions" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">brex.com/banking-solutions</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>Today’s show: Jason, Alex, and Lon dig into the controversy around 11x, the Andreessen-backed startup accused of misrepresenting revenue and using fake logos, and what that says about early-stage accountability. Then we break down China’s dual-front blitz in AI and EVs: DeepSeek’s open-source model rivals GPT-4, and Xiaomi’s $30K SU7 is a straight-up Porsche clone shaking the EV market. Finally, we unpack the “4-persona framework” that helped Wiz rocket to $100M+ ARR faster than anyone — a must-know concept for any founder looking to build, sell, and scale like a beast.</p><p><br></p><p>Timestamps:</p><p>(0:00) Episode Teaser</p><p>(1:27) Introduction of co-hosts Lon Harris and Alex Wilhelm</p><p>(3:23) New set design and color analysis(5:43) Announcement of &quot;Twist OT&quot; and potential Patreon model(</p><p>8:09) Gamestop&#39;s Bitcoin strategy and Michael Saylor&#39;s influence</p><p>(10:15) OpenPhone - Streamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at <a href="http://www.openphone.com/XXX" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">www.openphone.com/twist</a></p><p>(14:26) MSTR and their shift to Bitcoin</p><p>(17:01) Michael Saylor’s conflict of interest</p><p>(20:40) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups</a></p><p>(23:09) Investment strategies for company treasuries(25:10) Allegations against Eleven x startup</p><p>(30:35) <strong>Brex</strong> - the financial stack founders can bank on. Get the business account trusted by 1 in 3 US startups at <a href="http://brex.com/banking-solutions" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">brex.com/banking-solutions</a>.</p><p>(32:56) The importance of transparency and accountability in startups</p><p>(42:31) Chinese advancements in AI technology and ChatGPT features</p><p>(55:09) Insight from Israeli VC Gili Raanan on successful startups</p><p>(1:04:26) Founder Friday March Pitch Madness bracket competition</p><p>(1:10:26) How to start a Founder Friday chapter and community</p><p>(1:11:21) Bracket competition and Launch Accelerator&#39;s 34th cohort</p><p>*</p><p>Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: <a href="https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com</a></p><p>Check out the TWIST500: <a href="https://www.twist500.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.twist500.com</a></p><p>Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: <a href="https://rb.gy/v19fcp" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://rb.gy/v19fcp</a></p><p><br></p><p>Follow Alex:</p><p>X: <a href="https://x.com/alex" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/alex</a></p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm</a></p><p><br></p><p>Follow Lon:</p><p>X: <a href="https://x.com/Lons" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/Lons</a></p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lonharris" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lonharris</a></p><ul><li><br></li></ul><p>Follow Jason:</p><p>X: <a href="https://twitter.com/Jason" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://twitter.com/Jason</a></p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis</a></p><p><br></p><p>Thank you to our partners:</p><p>(10:15) OpenPhone - Streamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at <a href="http://www.openphone.com/XXX" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">www.openphone.com/twist</a></p><p>(20:40) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups</a></p><p>(30:35) Brex - Get the business account trusted by 1 in 3 US startups at <a href="https://www.brex.com/banking-solutions" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.brex.com/banking-solutions</a></p><p><br></p><p>Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: <a href="https://substack.com/@calacanis" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://substack.com/@calacanis</a></p><p><br></p><p>Follow TWiST:</p><p>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/TWiStartups" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://twitter.com/TWiStartups</a></p><p>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin</a></p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups</a></p><p>TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups</a></p><p>Substack: <a href="https://twistartups.substack.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://twistartups.substack.com</a></p><p><br></p><p>Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916</a></p>