This Week in Startups

This Week In Startups is made possible by:

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Today’s show:

Not long ago, promising young Japanese graduates wanted to go work for the largest, most established, and even oldest corporations: Sony, Mitsubishi, and the like. But now, just over the last few years, more and more Japanese people are becoming entrepreneurs and founders. 

TWiST Japan continues with a fascinating look inside the country’s growing startup ecosystem with special guest, venture capitalist Shinichi “Shin” Takamiya. 

He’ll walk Jason through how Japan stayed ahead of the rest of the world in technology, but started falling behind when it came to founding companies, and how the Japanese are now starting to level the playing field.

PLUS why his fund, Globis, sees other VC firms as collaborators rather than the competition… How AI is helping Japanese and American founders build their companies more quickly… Why Jason prefers training younger people to become VCs rather than hiring more experienced players… Shin’s guide to eating out in Tokyo… and much more!

Timestamps: 

(00:00) We’re so excited to bring Founder University in Japan!

(04:15) Jason and our guest first met 15-25 years ago…

(06:06) How is Japan always so far ahead of the rest of the world?

(08:29) Globis is one of Japan’s largest and oldest venture capital firms!

(10:48) Circle.so -  the easiest way to build a home for your community, events, and courses — all under your own brand. TWiST listeners get $1,000 off Circle’s Professional Plan by going to http://Circle.so/twist

(12:38) Why founders need to play the long game when it comes to networking

(15:03) “The founder is the most precious resource in the startup community”

(16:50) Shin takes us inside his Mercari (a massive Japanese marketplace site) investment

(18:20) How startups became “cool” in Japan, just recently

(19:43) Deel - Founders ship faster on Deel. Set up payroll for any country in minutes and get back to building. Visit http://deel.com/twist to learn more.

(21:09) You don’t have to tell an investor your whole story… just get them interested

(25:28) Why Jason likes to train young folks to be VCs, rather than hiring for experience

(28:44) The differences between being candid and rude

(29:44) Uber AI Solutions - Your trusted partner to get AI to work in the real world. Book a demo with them TODAY at http://uber.com/twist

(35:40) Why Globis sees other VC firms as collaborators

(39:08) The world’s OLDEST company is 1500 years old… and it’s from Japan…

(39:54) Why a lot of great businesses aren’t right for VC investment

(43:34) Why picking the right market is so crucial

(48:37) When you know the direction of change but can’t predict the timing

(50:34) How founders are using AI to build better companies faster

(54:39) Shin’s guide to eating out in Tokyo

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Thank you to our partners:

(10:48) Circle.so -  the easiest way to build a home for your community, events, and courses — all under your own brand. TWiST listeners get $1,000 off Circle’s Professional Plan by going to http://Circle.so/twist

(19:43) Deel - Founders ship faster on Deel. Set up payroll for any country in minutes and get back to building. Visit http://deel.com/twist to learn more.

(29:44) Uber AI Solutions - Your trusted partner to get AI to work in the real world. Book a demo with them TODAY at http://uber.com/twist

Check out all our partner offers: https://partners.launch.co/

This Week In Startups is made possible by:

Lemon.io - https://lemon.io/twist

Deel - http://deel.com/twist

LinkedIn Jobs - http://linkedIn.com/twist

Today’s show: 

Some pitches sound just like ads… and it’s a huge red flag for investors.

On our latest edition of TWiST Tokyo, Jason welcomes legendary angel investor (and long-time friend of the pod) Thomas McInerney. His list of investments reads like a Who’s Who of the tech elite, including Notion, SpaceX, Uber, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity….

At Founder University x Tokyo, they discuss how the angel investing landscape has shifted, why it’s so important for founders to stay humble, the reasons that investors need to stay not just optimistic but aggressively so, and what angels can add to companies beyond just writing checks.

Plus we revisit some classic TWiST clips featuring Thomas from over 10 years ago AND take a look at three of our favorite pitches from our Japanese founders.

Timestamps:

(00:00) FLASHBACK: Clips from Tom’s classic TWiST appearances

(02:54) Why Jason and Tom love hanging and building in Tokyo.

(05:30) How has the angel investing landscape changed over the last decade plus?

(09:38) “Being an investor is a commodity… You have to provide more than just money.”

(12:17) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist

(13:34) How Thomas evaluates very early stage startups

(14:56) Why Thomas invested in nuclear tech when it was hugely unpopular

(17:31) Why it’s so important for new founders to be both humble and smart

(18:50) The relevance and accuracy of Marc Andreessen’s “Idea Maze” metaphor

(20:40) Deel - Founders ship faster on Deel. Set up payroll for any country in minutes and get back to building. Visit http://deel.com/twist to learn more.

(21:41) How Elon Musk brings oversized, visionary ideas to life

(26:11) Why founders using buzzwords is a huge red flag

(27:13) The little “poker tells” Thomas and Jason look for in a founder

(28:26) “If there’s any doubt, there’s no doubt.”

(30:47) LinkedIn Jobs - post your job for free at http://linkedIn.com/twist then promote it to get access to LinkedIn Jobs’ new AI assistant.

(32:04) PRO TIP: Don’t run out of money!

(38:10) The importance of being an aggressive optimist for investors

(43:27) The human brain cannot comprehend 1000x growth

(45:33) PITCH #1: Sakenomist is the cross-border commerce platform, starting with sake exporters (Hiroshi Takeuchi)

(51:47) PITCH #2: HomiiWorld, the IRL social app which helps you meet new people anywhere in the world

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Follow Lon:

X: https://x.com/lons

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X: https://x.com/alex

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

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Thank you to our partners:

(12:17) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://lemon.io/twist

(20:40) Deel - Founders ship faster on Deel. Set up payroll for any country in minutes and get back to building. Visit http://deel.com/twist to learn more.

(30:47) LinkedIn Jobs - post your job for free at http://linkedIn.com/twist then promote it to get access to LinkedIn Jobs’ new AI assistant.

Great TWIST interviews: 

Will Guidara
https://youtu.be/pvJa2pzuXWQ

Eoghan McCabe
https://youtu.be/9dHN4YFkgv4

Steve Huffman
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reddit-ceo-steve-huffman-on-mod-revolt-building-a/id315114957?i=1000617333424

Brian Chesky
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/airbnb-ceo-brian-chesky-on-early-rejection-customer/id315114957?i=1000611761112

Bob Moesta
https://youtu.be/y2UMzSqX94Q

This Week In Startups is made possible by:

Every.io - http://every.io/

LinkedIn Jobs - https://www.linkedin.com/twist

Zite - http://zite.com/twist

Today’s show: 

Why do 40% of Japanese students want to build a company rather than join the corporate workforce?

On TWiST, Jason considers this question along with special guest Kathy Matsui, general partner of the global VC fund MPower Partners.

Their wide-ranging discussion also features a look inside one of Jason’s favorite international companies, Japan’s own fashion retailer Uniqlo, where Kathy is a board member. (While in town, he took the opportunity to check out their flagship store in Ginza.)

They also take a look back at Japan’s economic crisis in the ‘90s, and why recovery took such a very long time… MPower’s philosophy while raising their second fund, and why they’re so focused on what they call “Japan Dynamism”… the key question of whether Japanese startups should focus on the domestic market first BEFORE chasing global customers… why an ESG (environment, social, governance) focus in Japan is so different from DEI in the US… and much more.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Kathy Matsui is on the board of one of Jason’s favorite companies, Uniqlo (and its parent, Fast Retailing)

(10:52) Why deflation in the ‘90s was “poison” for Japanese businesses and workers

(13:41) Every.io - For all of your incorporation, banking, payroll, benefits, accounting, taxes or other back-office administration needs, visit http://every.io/

(15:05) Why do American entrepreneurs keep falling in love with Japan?

(18:17) How the Japanese government is encouraging more founders to start tech companies

(20:05) LinkedIn Jobs - post your job for free at http://linkedIn.com/twist then promote it to get access to LinkedIn Jobs’ new AI assistant.

(21:15) Why more Japanese grads are becoming entrepreneurs

(23:46) What MPower means by “Japan Dynamism” and why they’re focused on it for Fund 2

(24:26) The various reasons so few female founders are getting funded in Japan

(27:38) The differences between MPower’s approach and corporate DEI in the US

(30:03) Zite - Zite is the fastest way to build business software with AI. Go to https:/zite.com/twist to get started.

(31:48) Is the “first Japan, then the WORLD” approach a waste?

(35:34) In Japan, you don’t build trust in just one meeting…

(39:19) Kathy’s take on the complex relationship between Japan and the MENA region

(42:13) Why the UAE and Saudi Arabia aren’t “dumb money,” as some in Silicon Valley assume

(43:49) Can Japan still rely on the United States as a strong geopolitical partner? There are question marks…

(48:16) Regarding China: “When you move up the stack… be careful what you wish for!”

(49:06) Q: Aladdin is developing smart trash cans… Kathy and Jason’s tips on founder Yuki Kanai’s pitch

(54:31) Q: Maya Hojnacki from AltSource Capital asks about how MPower helps startups facing regulatory or policy obstacles

(57:17) Q: Hiroki from Goi wants Jason and Kathy’s take on Japan’s point-based immigration policies

(1:06:38) Why Japan desperately needs AI to start taking more jobs

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

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

Thank you to our partners:

(13:41) Every.io - For all of your incorporation, banking, payroll, benefits, accounting, taxes or other back-office administration needs, visit http://every.io/

(20:05) LinkedIn Jobs - post your job for free at http://linkedIn.com/twist then promote it to get access to LinkedIn Jobs’ new AI assistant.

(30:03) Zite - Zite is the fastest way to build business software with AI. Go to https://zite.com/twist to get started.

Check out all our partner offers: https://partners.launch.co/

This Week In Startups is made possible by:

Netsuite - https://www.netsuite.com/twist

LumaAi - https://lumalabs.ai/twist

Squarespace - https://squarespace.com/twist

Today’s show: 

Government fraud and waste has become a prominent issue in the last month.

That’s what we are looking at.

On Today’s episode of TWiST, Jason interviews Alex Shieh of the The Antifraud Company.

Under the False Claims Act, enterprising Americans, like Alex, can receive up to 30% of fraud dollars they uncover! Jason digs into the business of fraud with Alex Shieh and how a generational company could be built around it!

PLUS Alex Wilhelm and Marcus Brotman take a look at the history of BOOM, $1.5 Billion dollar startup bringing back supersonic commercial travel!
Jason first interviewed Blake Scholl almost 10 years ago in 2016. Back then, BOOM was a dream to bringing back supersonic travel. The Concorde’s failure, and why BOOM is different, is central to Blake’s thinking. What is fascinating is Blake’s mindset and vision for the early stages of this future unicorn startup.

THEN, Jason answers live Q/A at Founder University Tokyo! In partnership with JETRO, Jason and the LAUNCH team are bringing Founder University to 35 Japanese startups over the next 9 weeks!

Timestamps:

(00:00) Why the Concorde failed and how BOOM Supersonic is bringing back faster than light travel

(08:34) The 30% efficiency rule for Mach 2 flights

(11:46) Netsuite - Get the free business guide Demystifying AI at https://www.netsuite.com/twist

(17:12) Building million dollar planes on a startup budget

(20:22) Luma AI - Stop guessing and start directing with Ray3 Modify from Luma AI, the AI-powered post production tool. Explore it at: https://lumalabs.ai/twist

(24:11) The Checklist Manifesto: Lessons for pilots and founders!

(26:02) How to build a team that can go supersonic

(32:49) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://squarespace.com/twist

(33:55) Private Sector Doge: The Anti Fraud Company

(38:48) The $500B in Fraud uncovered

(48:34) How Alex Shieh’s team uses AI to hunt down fraud

(52:48) How you can win 30% of exposed fraud with the false claims Act

(56:27) Founder University Tokyo Q&A

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

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Follow Lon:

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Follow Alex:

X: https://x.com/alex

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

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Follow Jason:

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

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Thank you to our partners:

(11:46) Netsuite - Get the free business guide Demystifying AI at https://www.netsuite.com/twist

(20:22) Luma AI - Stop guessing and start directing with Ray3 Modify from Luma AI, the AI-powered post production tool. Explore it at: https://lumalabs.ai/twist

(32:49) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://squarespace.com/twist

Check out all our partner offers: https://partners.launch.co/

This Week In Startups is made possible by:

Northwest Registered Agent - www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist

Caldera Lab - http://calderalab.com/TWIST

Pipedrive - http://pipedrive.com/twist

Today’s show: 

TWiST is coming to you all from TOKYO as we launch Japan’s first-ever Founder University! That’s right, a full week of key insights from Japan’s top founders, investors, and tech visionaries… when we can pull ourselves away from our favorite izakaya spots, that is.

First up, Jason welcomes HyreSearch.com co-founder Sho Takei, a veteran of Uber and CloudKitchens who now helps startups recruit top talent from around the world.

Together they discuss the massive changes AI is bringing to every facet of the hiring process, Sho’s experiences working for infamously “super-pumped” Travis Kalanick, his tips for for establishing a corporate culture when hiring your first few employees, why being a co-founder is just a bit like getting married, and LOTS MORE.

Timestamps:

(00:00) We’re in TOKYO JAPAN for Founder University with Hyre co-founder (and Uber vet) Sho Takei.

(03:13) The challenges of early Uber recruiting in Asia

(05:22) Are Japanese workers motivated by stock-based compensation? Or is cash still king?

(08:24) Why tax rates give Singapore and Dubai a competitive advantage.

(09:17) Do in-person startups have an edge against entirely remote companies?

(11:50) How Jason thinks Hyre could grab their ultimate domain name…

(13:26) Northwest Registered Agent: Get more when you start your business with Northwest. In 10 clicks and 10 minutes, you can form your company and walk away with a real business identity —  Learn more at www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist

(15:32) Just because a startup tactic works in the US… doesn’t mean it will work in Japan

(17:39) Travis Kalanick and Uber’s unique “super pumped” approach to recruiting

(20:01) It’s hard to fire someone in Japan! The high stakes for hiring mistakes.

(23:35) Sho’s tips for establishing a culture and hiring your first few employees (“hiring is guessing, and firing is knowing”)

(25:33) Why being a co-founder is kind of like getting married

(27:46) Caldera Lab: Whether you’re starting fresh or upgrading your routine, Caldera Lab makes skincare simple and effective. Head to  http://calderalab.com/TWIST and use TWIST at checkout for 20% off your first order.

(28:59) How AI is revolutionizing the hiring process, and why you still need a human in the loop

(34:02) How do you win over amazing talent that’s already happy at another company

(39:47) Pipedrive: Bring your entire sales process into one elegant space. Get started with a 30 day free trial at http://pipedrive.com/twist

(43:19) How Hyre operates as an agency and also an in-house recruiter

(44:57) The surprising importance of “candidate experience” when hiring in Japan

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

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Follow Lon:

X: https://x.com/lons

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Follow Alex:

X: https://x.com/alex

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

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X: https://twitter.com/Jason

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

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Thank you to our partners:

(13:26) Northwest Registered Agent: Get more when you start your business with Northwest. In 10 clicks and 10 minutes, you can form your company and walk away with a real business identity —  Learn more at www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist

(27:46) Caldera Lab: Whether you’re starting fresh or upgrading your routine, Caldera Lab makes skincare simple and effective. Head to http://calderalab.com/TWIST and use TWIST at checkout for 20% off your first order.

(39:47) Pipedrive: Bring your entire sales process into one elegant space. Get started with a 30 day free trial at http://pipedrive.com/twist