In-home childcare solution for uncertain education future: Entrepreneur Chris Bennett launched Wunder School, a network of in-home childcare programs, to address families' childcare needs during uncertain education times
The pandemic has brought about uncertainty regarding the future of education, with many predicting a continued reliance on remote learning. This has led some entrepreneurs, like Chris Bennett, to step in and provide alternative solutions. Wunder School is a network of childcare programs, primarily in-home, aimed at addressing the childcare needs of families. Despite the challenges of the past year, Bennett saw an opportunity to support educators and provide quality childcare solutions. While the outcome of the 2020-21 school year remains uncertain, with some predicting a continued reliance on remote learning or the formation of learning pods, Wunder School offers a viable alternative for families seeking high-quality, in-home education.
Exploring Sharing Economy Concepts in Childcare: Wunder School: Applying sharing economy principles to childcare through Wunder School, a concept for nursery education focusing on children aged zero to five, offers personalized learning and development opportunities for young children, aligning with research showing pre-K programs lead to better academic success later in life.
During the discussion, the speakers explored the idea of applying sharing economy concepts, such as those used by Airbnb and Uber, to childcare. They came up with the concept of Wunder School, which focuses on nursery school education for children aged zero to five. This is a crucial time for children's learning and development, as studies show that those who attend pre-K or similar programs before kindergarten have better academic success later in life. The speakers shared their personal experiences of growing up with large families, where having multiple children was common. They then clarified the differences between homeschooling, micro schools, and traditional schools. A micro school is a resource center for homeschooled children, providing them with a facilitator or teacher in a group setting. Homeschooling is an education method where children learn from home, either independently or in a group setting like a micro school. The speakers also noted that while homeschooling was once considered unconventional, the pandemic has made it more common, while micro schools are a relatively new phenomenon.
Dell's role in supporting startups with cloud computing: Dell offers free IT support and a hybrid cloud model to help startups scale and move towards cost-effective cloud solutions.
Dell is playing a significant role in supporting startups, particularly in the area of cloud computing, by providing free IT support and offering a hybrid cloud model. The hybrid model allows businesses to have both on-premises and cloud-based solutions, which is essential as many entrepreneurs scale their businesses and move towards the cloud for efficiency and cost savings. Additionally, the discussion touched upon the topic of micro schools and pods during the pandemic, but there is currently limited data on their numbers and longevity. Pre-pandemic, there were estimated to be tens of thousands of micro schools in the US, with the main difference between micro schools and pods being that micro schools are educator-led and provide infrastructure support. The use of technology, including cloud computing, is becoming increasingly important for both startups and educational institutions as they adapt to the new normal.
Rise of Micro Schools and Homeschooling Pods Amidst COVID-19: Micro schools offer alternative education solutions, provide income opportunities for teachers, and address concerns of monopolization by wealthy individuals, with elementary school teachers earning between $40,000 and $60,000 a year.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented rise in micro schools and homeschooling pods as parents seek alternative education solutions for their children. These teacher-led organizations, which recruit parents and teachers, have become increasingly popular due to the uncertainty of the pandemic's duration. The fear that wealthy individuals will monopolize the best teachers is a common concern, but there are actually many teachers looking for work, including retired teachers and individuals without traditional teaching credentials. Micro schools offer these individuals the opportunity to earn a substantial income, and the economics of the situation are inspiring, with elementary school teachers typically earning between $40,000 and $60,000 a year in the United States. The potential for micro schools to provide a viable alternative education solution, especially for those who may not have thrived in the traditional education system, is an exciting development in education.
Cost savings in micro schools through reduced administrative overhead: Micro schools and pods offer cost savings by having teachers serve as administrators and education taking place in homes, allowing for administrative overhead to be directly given to teachers and making education more affordable for communities and providers.
The traditional education system's administrative costs, including real estate and administration, are significantly high. These costs can be reduced in micro schools and pods, where teachers serve as administrators and education takes place in homes. This structure allows for the administrative overhead to be directly given to the teacher, making education more cost-effective. The potential benefits of micro schools for providers, communities, and children are significant, and it's an opportunity for both private and public investment. However, it's important to note that teachers unions may have opposing views on this potential change, and further exploration and dialogue are necessary to understand their perspectives and find a solution that benefits all parties involved. Additionally, e-commerce businesses can also benefit from targeted marketing through platforms like Clavio, which uses customer data to send personalized emails and messages, increasing engagement and brand loyalty.
Personalization in Marketing and Education: Explore personalized marketing and new educational models, understanding the needs of superintendents and school boards, and considering potential benefits and challenges of voucher systems for homeschooling and micro-schools.
Personalized marketing is preferred over generic marketing in today's world. Chris Bennett, a guest on the episode, emphasized the importance of understanding the needs of superintendents and school boards in implementing new models of education. However, he noted that the idea of home-based education is still not on their radar. Bennett also discussed the potential of a voucher system for taxpayers to use their contributions towards homeschooling or micro-schools, but acknowledged the potential downside of segregation and the benefits of integration in public schools. Bennett encouraged exploring new ideas and testing them out, as a startup founder would do. In summary, personalization in marketing and education, and the potential benefits and challenges of new educational models, were the key takeaways from the conversation.
Exploring Alternative Educational Models: The Case for Micro Schools: Governments are open to piloting new educational models, smaller class sizes and technology benefits make micro schools compelling, addressing systemic issues is crucial, and willingness to explore new approaches is essential.
There is a need for experimentation and openness to new ideas in education, particularly in the form of micro schools. The speaker emphasizes that governments are open to piloting new initiatives and that fear should not prevent us from exploring alternative educational models. The results of smaller class sizes and the benefits of technology, such as the internet, make micro schools a compelling option. The speaker also highlights the importance of acknowledging and addressing systemic issues, including racism, in these conversations. The undeniable math of micro schools, which allows for smaller class sizes and potentially increased teacher pay or resources, further strengthens the case for this educational model. Overall, the speaker encourages a willingness to explore new approaches to education and to move beyond outdated assumptions and biases.
Effectively Hire Teachers and Entrepreneurs with LinkedIn Jobs: LinkedIn Jobs is a valuable hiring platform for businesses, especially for filling hard-to-fill positions quickly and efficiently. Teachers can leverage it to start their own micro schools and earn more than they did as teachers, while companies have had success using it to fill positions with a modest budget.
LinkedIn Jobs is an effective hiring platform that can help businesses fill hard-to-fill positions quickly and efficiently. Teachers, in particular, have the opportunity to become entrepreneurs through platforms that allow them to start micro schools and run their businesses on a single campus. The potential profit for teachers turning into entrepreneurs varies, but it can be significantly more than what they earned as teachers. LinkedIn Jobs has over 690 million members worldwide, making it an excellent resource for filling jobs, especially in the current remote work environment. Companies in the portfolio of the show have had great success using LinkedIn Jobs, with some filling positions in just a few days with a modest budget. For new users, LinkedIn Jobs is offering a $50 discount on the first job posting.
Revolutionizing childcare with transparency and ease: Wonder School simplifies childcare selection by offering transparent pricing, provider info, and streamlined applications, inspired by Airbnb's success.
Wonder School is revolutionizing the childcare industry by providing transparency and ease in the decision-making process for parents. By listing prices, provider information, and offering a streamlined application process, Wonder School is making it simple for parents to find the right childcare solution for their family. The inspiration for this model comes from popular platforms like Airbnb, which have successfully removed friction from the consumer experience. This approach is particularly important in the childcare industry, where pricing and program details are often hard to come by. By prioritizing transparency and convenience, Wonder School is empowering parents to make informed decisions about their children's education. Additionally, the platform caters to various educational preferences, from Montessori to traditional programs, acknowledging that every family has unique needs. This shift in approach offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional public school system, allowing parents to explore various educational options and ultimately find the best fit for their child.
Montessori School Hub: Connecting Parents with Quality Montessori Schools: Montessori School Hub is a platform that vets and connects parents with Montessori schools, offering convenience, affordability, and a high standard of education through rigorous vetting and parent reviews. Schools pay a 10% fee for new students brought in through the platform.
Montessori School Hub is a platform that connects parents with Montessori schools while ensuring a high standard of education through rigorous vetting and parent reviews. The platform allows parents to easily find and enroll their children in Montessori schools, with options for both monthly subscription fees and percentage-based tuition models. Schools on the platform must be licensed by the state, undergoing background checks and home inspections, and their performance is closely monitored through parent reviews. Montessori School Hub takes a 10% fee on new students brought in through the platform, making it an attractive option for schools looking to expand their reach. The platform's focus on quality, convenience, and affordability has made it a popular choice for parents seeking a Montessori education for their children.
Micro and outdoor schools as alternatives to traditional education during COVID-19: Micro schools offer smaller, personalized learning environments, while outdoor schools provide year-round education with a focus on no bad weather. Parents seek alternatives for active children and prioritize safety measures during the pandemic. Innovative approaches offer more options for families amidst ongoing challenges.
There's a growing trend towards micro schools and outdoor schools as responses to the challenges of COVID-19. Micro schools, which have been expanding nationally, offer smaller, more personalized learning environments. Outdoor schools, inspired by Scandinavian forest schools, provide year-round education with the belief that there's no bad weather, only inadequate clothing. Parents are seeking alternatives to traditional schools, especially for children with high energy levels or ADHD, who may not thrive in sedentary environments. The micro school model also prioritizes safety during the pandemic, with measures like regular testing, virtual tours, and staggered drop-offs. The future may hold rapid testing, allowing students to attend school even if they've been exposed to the virus. Overall, these innovative educational approaches offer more options for families and a potential solution to the ongoing challenges of COVID-19.
Testing and expanding workforce to manage pandemic and economic consequences: Regular COVID-19 testing for students and expanding teaching workforce through higher salaries and universal basic income could help manage the pandemic and mitigate economic consequences.
Regular COVID-19 testing for students, along with the expansion of the teaching workforce, could be key solutions to both managing the pandemic and mitigating the economic consequences of the crisis. The speaker emphasized the importance of making testing more accessible and less invasive for children, and suggested that this, combined with contact tracing, would help bring the pandemic under control. Additionally, the speaker proposed increasing the number of teachers through higher salaries and universal basic income, as a means to address both the educational needs of students and the economic downturn. The speaker also noted the growing trend of parents forming learning pods or micro schools, and expressed excitement about the potential for these alternative educational models to continue beyond the pandemic.
E1119: Wonderschool CEO Chris Bennett is creating a marketplace for early childhood education & microschools, giving teachers greater access to entrepreneurship & iterating in education
Recent Episodes from This Week in Startups
Navigating Challenges in Distressed Companies with Becki DeGraw | Wilson Sonsini Startup Legal Basics
Todays show: Wilson Sonsini Partner Becki DeGraw joins Jason on the latest edition of Startup Legal Basics! In this episode, they break down challenges in distressed companies(1:04), pay-to-play scenarios (2:31), the importance of a market check in financing (9:25), and high-profile legal and ethical issues (18:03).
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(2:31) Insider-led down rounds and pay-to-play scenarios
(7:07) Legal actions and stockholder lawsuits in successful turnarounds
(9:25) The importance of a market check in financing; Voting against board decisions
(18:03) Character and incentives in the startup ecosystem; High-profile legal and ethical issues
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No hype, Just works: How Comma reached 100M miles in autonomous driving
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(7:24) Open source and different approaches in autonomous driving
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(32:55) Self-driving technology developments in China
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Summarize Anything & Discover Connections with Recall’s Sankari Nair | E2010
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(20:40) AI costs for summarization and model preferences (22:08) Personalized learning features and Recall pricing strategy (26:10) The concept of luxury software and jamming on potential features (31:00) CommandAI - Visit https://www.command.ai/twist to get a custom live demo.
(32:34) LinkedIn integration and visual knowledge graph representation (35:26) Jason and Sanks play with the quiz section of Recall (40:43) Final thoughts on startup journey and investment opportunities
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OpenAI's new models, the MrBeast leak, Waymo ♥’s Uber and more! | E2009
Todays show:
Alex Wilhelm joins Jason to discuss OpenAI's latest model and implications (11:49), Uber's partnership with Waymo and its implications (38:16), Analyzing Mr. Beast's content creation and business culture (1:01:21). and more!
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(0:00) Jason and Alex kick off the show.
(3:57) Highlights from the All-In Summit (9:16) Tackling media criticism and the state of journalism
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(11:49) Alex and Jason dive into OpenAI's latest model and implications (19:46) Examination of OpenAI's corporate structure and financing
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(21:51) Further analysis of OpenAI's business model (27:08) OpenAI's valuation and perspectives on speculative investment
(30:26) Brex. Get the business account trusted by 1 in 3 US startups at https://www.brex.com/twist24
(32:07) The landscape of AI startup investments (35:20) How AI is enhancing developer productivity (36:33) AI's potential in consumer markets (38:16) Uber's partnership with Waymo and its implications (41:15) The realities of autonomous vehicle technology deployment (47:00) The government's role in autonomous vehicle tech and partnerships with big tech (52:26) Economic insights: Predictions on the Fed rate cut (56:26) The influence of interest rates on startups and investment strategies (58:52) Discussing cost of living adjustments and food delivery trends (1:00:44) Innovations in autonomous food preparation (1:01:21) Analyzing Mr. Beast's content creation and business culture (1:09:12) How large companies can maintain focus on goals
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Mentioned on the show:
OpenAI o1’s announcement: https://openai.com/index/learning-to-reason-with-llms/
OpenAI release article on The Verve: https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/12/24242439/openai-o1-model-reasoning-strawberry-chatgpt
Supermaven article: https://techcrunch.com/2024/09/16/ai-coding-assistant-supermaven-raises-cash-from-openai-and-perplexity-founders/
Twitter post from Michael Seibel: https://x.com/mwseibel/status/1835063692117103090
Waymo and Uber expand partnership: https://waymo.com/blog/2024/09/waymo-and-uber-expand-partnership/
Polymarket on Fed Interest Rates: https://polymarket.com/event/fed-interest-rates-september-2024?tid=1726496650092
Leaked Mr Beast doc: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11dV24Mda_kNEBCLtPtBomWG4IkngvQKK/view
Travis Kalanick | All-In Summit 2024 video**:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j7lwauJN2s
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Relationship Advice of the Investor Sort with Meghan Reynolds of Altimeter | E2008
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Todays show:
Meghan Reynolds takes the stage at Liquidity Summit 2024 to discuss the intricacies of raising capital and pitching to VCs. Meghan dives into many topics including the importance of relationships (3:07), fund size rationalization (20:36), market sentiment (25:55), and other crucial aspects of successful fundraising!
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(0:00) Meghan Reynolds takes the stage at Liquidity Summit 2024
(3:07) Meghan Reynolds’ talk “Relationship Advice: Of the LP / GP Sort”
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(10:59) Client service in investor relations and fundraising strategies
(15:07) The complexity factor in raising capital
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(20:36) Rationalizing fund size, securing re-ups, and worst pitching practices
(25:55) Market sentiment and single deal SPV dynamics
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(31:02) VC allocations, private credit, and market dynamics
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The New Power Law & How I Built a $100B Portfolio | E2007
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Timestamps:
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Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland
*
Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis
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Boom: Supersonic speeds for everyday travel with Blake Scholl | E2006
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Todays show:
Boom Supersonic’s Blake Scholl joins Jason to discuss the future of supersonic flight (1:18), Boom's vision and test flights (9:25), the evolution of hardware startups (22:29), the future of autonomous aviation (1:17:06), and much more!
*
Timestamps:
(0:00) Boom Supersonic’s Blake Scholl joins Jason
(1:18) Commercial flight speed & Concorde history
(8:34) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://www.vanta.com/twist
(9:25) Boom's XB-1 test flights and airline partnerships
(15:04) Pricing, market comparison, and venture capital's view on hardware startups
(21:16) 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) Evolution of startup market and hardware innovation
(29:03) Boeing's innovation decline and attracting talent to projects
(36:15) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist
(37:42) Working with tech legends and overcoming engine design challenges
(49:14) Cross-discipline innovation
(57:01) Learning from Air France 447 and cockpit safety design
(1:03:36) Cockpit technologies and the MH370 mystery
(1:11:30) Public perception of aviation risks and airport security impact
(1:17:06) The future of autonomous aviation
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakescholl
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Thank you to our partners:
(8:34) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://www.vanta.com/twist
(21:16) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST
(36:15) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.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
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Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
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Scaling Childcare with Tech: Winnie.com’s Blueprint for Growing with Purpose & Profit | E2005
This Week in Startups is brought to you by…
Brave Search API. Get started for free at https://www.brave.com/jason
CLA. Get started now at https://www.claconnect.com
Sprig**.** Visit https://sprig.com/twist to book a demo and get a $75 gift card.
*
Timestamps:
(0:00) Sara Mauskopf, CEO of Winnie joins Alex
(1:45) Winnie's evolution, pivot, and focus on childcare services (7:25) Building Winnie's database and reflections on company growth
(9:55) Brave Search API. Get started for free at https://www.brave.com/jason
(12:08) The value of transparency and growth metrics
(19:20) CLA. Get started now at https://www.claconnect.com/
(21:16) Market positioning, motivations, and goals in the childcare industry (23:30) Addressing gender dynamics and startup funding (27:34) Balancing investor expectations with business models
(29:43) Sprig. Visit https://sprig.com/twist ****to book a demo and get a $75 gift card.
(31:10) Profitability, operational efficiency, and managing costs (37:01) Marketing strategies, brand growth, and the impact of Google’s model (40:30) Adapting to changing childcare demands due to remote work (44:08) Efforts to reduce childcare costs and home-based business challenges (50:06) Balancing profitability with growth and venture capital experiences (54:00) SaaS pricing challenges and the impact of AI (58:22) Tech M&A, FTC regulations, and innovation policies
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Check out the TWIST500: twist500.com
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Check out: Winnie: https://winnie.com/
Check out 2024 Inc. 5000 list: https://www.inc.com/inc5000/2024
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smausk/
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Thank you to our partners:
(9:55) Brave Search API. Get started for free at https://www.brave.com/jason
(19:20) CLA. Get started now at https://www.claconnect.com/
(29:43) Sprig. Visit https://sprig.com/twist to book a demo and get a $75 gift card.
*
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
*
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The Rise of Stablecoins with Circle’s Jeremy Allaire | E2004
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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
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Todays show:
Circle’s Jeremy Allaire joins Alex Wilhelm to discuss the growth of stablecoins (49:06), stablecoin market infrastructure (22:23), their impact on global financial systems (56:07), and more!
*
Timestamps:
(0:00) Circle’s Jeremy Allaire joins Alex Wilhelm
(2:08) Jeremy's early career and the evolution of the internet
(5:28) Transition from Macromedia to Circle's founding
(12:10) LinkedIn Jobs - Go to https://www.linkedin.com/twist to post your first job for free.
(13:21) Bitcoin, stablecoins, and Circle's compliance
(20:53) Google Cloud - Get up to $200K in Google Cloud credits – or up to $350K for AI startups – plus training and guidance. Apply at https://startups.google.com/twist
(22:23) The current state and future of stablecoin market infrastructure
(28:07) Integrating stablecoins with traditional finance
(34:12) Beehiiv - Get 30 days free and 20% off your first 3 months at https://www.beehiiv.com/twist
(35:40) Stablecoins' impact on global financial systems
(41:30) Circle's business model, scalability, and blockchain potential
(49:06) Growth of USDC and other currency stablecoins
(51:10) USDC market cap trends and interest rates
(56:07) Stablecoins in the global financial system and US regulation
*
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Follow Jeremy:
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Check out: https://www.circle.com
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm
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Thank you to our partners:
(12:10) LinkedIn Jobs - Go to https://www.linkedin.com/twist to post your first job for free.
(20:53) Google Cloud - Get up to $200K in Google Cloud credits – or up to $350K for AI startups – plus training and guidance. Apply at https://startups.google.com/twist
(34:12) 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
*
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Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
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Medium: Reaching Profitability while The Internet is Broken + CorePod | E2003
This Week in Startups is brought to you by…
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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 https://www.openphone.com/twist
*
Timestamps:
(0:00) Tony Stubblebine of Medium joins Alex.
(3:10) The broken internet and ad-based models
(5:57) Impact of AI on content creation and platform quality
(10:01) Medium's curation and financial model
(11:18) Notion - Try notion projects for free at https://www.notion.so/twist
(18:23) Medium's growth, geographic expansion, and AI translation
(20:02) Brex - Get the business account trusted by 1 in 3 US startups at https://www.brex.com/twist24
(22:05) AI-driven media platforms and the impact of AI spam
(29:32) OpenPhone - TWiST listeners can get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://www.openphone.com/twist
(30:59) Medium's subscriber growth and financial milestones
(34:35) AI data exclusivity and challenges in forming training data cohorts
(41:26) Medium's venture scale potential, profitability, and mission
(45:17) CEO's mindset and financial scaling towards 10 million subscribers
(50:41) Tony's personal use of AI in his workflow
(53:24) Future of AI in practical applications and business model disruption
(57:09) Organizing content and the challenge of integrating different formats
(1:02:19) Growth potential of niche markets and Medium's independence
(1:06:23) Jam with JCal! Introduction to Ulan Abdurazakov and CorePod
(1:07:27) Corepod product discussion and go-to-market strategy
(1:17:23) Jason Calacanis's advice on testing and market validation
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Check out Medium: https://medium.com/
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Enter the Jam with JCal contest: https://www.jamwithjcal.tech
*
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X: https://x.com/tonystubblebine
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonystubblebine/
*
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulanbek-abdurazakov/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm
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Thank you to our partners:
(11:18) Notion - Try notion projects for free at notion.com/twist
(20:02) Brex - Get the business account trusted by 1 in 3 US startups at https://www.brex.com/twist24
(29:32) OpenPhone - TWiST listeners can get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://www.openphone.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
*
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*
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Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
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Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916
Related Episodes
Life at the Bleeding Edge of Technology (AI) and Education (MIT + Nuvu) with David Wang
David Wang is a genius-level engineer and computer scientist. He got a PhD at MIT focusing on planning for autonomous systems. He also holds degrees in techniques for improving software reliability, Aeronautics & Astronautics, Electrical Engineering, & Computer Science from MIT.
His work experience includes time at JPL, Draper Labs, Northrop Grumman, Pratt & Whitney, Boeing, and DARPA.
At MIT, he helped teach a variety of courses including one in Principles of Autonomy and Decision Making. .
Since graduating, he’s helped found a school in Boston that has no courses, no subjects, no classes, and no grades. In other words, he’s in the process of redefining education as we know it.
David is an intellectual powerhouse and also, a genuinely good guy.
Reach out to David at www.nuvustudio.com
Enjoy episode 7 of Hacker Practice with David Wang:
[2.45] David explains how we have come out of “Artificial Intelligence Winter” and why AI is about to take off
[5.10] AI ethics and morality and the end game
[5.45] David discusses how codifying algorithms lead him to forging a career in AI
[7.15] David discusses why following your hobby is a very important step in figuring out what you are on this planet to do:
- David enjoyed building computers from scratch
- Built a processor from logic gates in his spare time after studying
[13.30] David describes what it’s like working on research projects with DARPA – Advanced research project agency of the defence department. ARPA is most famous for creating the internet.
[14.45] Learning interesting topics – PHD automated planning and scheduling – AI subcategory
[16.45] David describes AI planning and scheduling in detail!
- Ask how would we describe the world to a computer with true or false statements E.g. is the coffee cup on the table? True/false
- We then have a language which we can use to describe the world as is and how we want it to be (known in the AI world as “the goal”)
- Describe an action with a set of preconditioned statements that create a set of effects. Planning and scheduling involves sequencing these actions to get from your starting point to the goal.
[21.10] David describes planning system projects he worked on at MIT involving decision making algorithms to block malicious hacking tactics.
[23.20] David discusses the two types of hackers that are most dangerous
[25.00] David describes his experiences of working on AI robotics projects for Boeing
- Why programming frameworks haven’t innovated until now
[34.20] How video gaming was David’s gateway drug to programming. David also describes how we can take learnings from video game construction to the real world and contextual AI applications.
[38.20] David discusses the concept, “you can do anything, but you can’t do everything”
[40.40] David describes personal hacks he has for learning
- Start by asking why something is the way it is and understand the reasons behind something. Is there an intuition that is extractable that will allow you to remember why something is the way it is.
[42.45] David talks about working on Augmented Reality applications in smart homes
[44.30] Hacks to remember the names of people you meet
[49.00] David gives an example of how AR in the smart home context, could be used to help a non-technical person, solve a technical problem, without the need for a technician
[50.40] David gives his insights on Virtual Reality (VR) applications
[54.00] Discussion on learning and facing adversity
[56.40] David discusses his experiences working on the F-35 jet fighter
- David would essentially imagine all the different ways the plane could fail and reverse engineer solutions to prevent failure
- How David used the spiral development cycle to understand how the F-35 worked
[1.04.00] Complexity comes not necessarily from the technology but from the number of moving parts
- David talks space exploration applications
[1.08.10] How David deals with the isolation of being at the top of a field
[1.10.20] Why it is so important to understand students underlying motivators to learn
[1.13.20] Why it is important to decide if college is the right medium for students. College shouldn’t be used as the only time to decide what you want to do with your life.
[1.16.45] David discusses why he started NuVu and shares his insights on teaching intuition
- By realising that the projects that really piqued his interest during studies were all based on extracurricular activities, David went out to challenge the existing education model.
[1.20.30] What it’s like to run a school which has no classes, subjects or grades
- Students need to come up with an idea they are super passionate about. They are then taught how to turn it into a great idea.
- Students skills are then develop to turn this idea into a solution. The difference from formal learning here, is that they are invested in learning these skills because they are passionate, as opposed to being forced.
- Encourage students to understand the fundamental concepts of human centred design thinking when ideating and developing their solution
[1.25.20] Justus gets David to deconstruct an idea using his teaching methodology. Spoiler: There is a lot of asking “why”
- Focus on solving a problem by stripping down an idea to its absolute rawest form.
- Minimum viable product (MVP)
[1.31.30] How to not avoid losing sight of your original idea in the face of pivoting
[1.34.00] What someone could expect as a new student at NuVu
[1.37.10] How to start a school like NuVu on the cheap
- NuVu is a private educational business that is not accredited. How important is accreditation? In the case of NuVu, it isn’t.
- Ask, what does success look like for students leaving your school?
- NuVu wants to create the innovators of the future. There is a strong emphasis on soft skills.
[1.43.30] The goal of working in a team is to create a giant brain
[1.46.30] David discusses a seasonal effective disorder (SED) project some of his students are working on
[1.48.20] What a parent who wants to send their child to NuVu need to know
[1.49.30] How David plans on scaling by helping existing schools adopt the NuVu education model
- Use Maker Spaces more effectively
[1.53.20], David asks us to think about what success means to you and is college critical on that path to success?
- You can find David at www.nuvustudio.com
Capstone – President – Scott Sustacek – EdNorth EdTech Podcast
Tina Seelig (Stanford Technology Ventures Program) - The Art of Teaching Entrepreneurship and Innovation
6th Grade Teacher - Lori Mallory - EdNorth EdTech Podcast
Inclusion et diversité dans l'écosystème startups avec Ayolab
Les étudiantes du lycée Voillaume ont rencontré Christophe Le Houédec, co-fondateur de la startup Ayolab. Ensemble, ils ont parlé recrutement, missions, diversité et inclusion au sein de l'écosystème tech. Cet épisode a également permis aux étudiantes de se projeter dans leur avenir professionnel et d'imaginer les différentes voie d'accès à l'entrepreneuriat innovant.