Startup pitch competition! Jason invests $25K into one of four founders | E1703

(0:00) Jason kicks off the show and explains the pitch format!
(1:45) Jason brings on Presh and Kelly to explain the fundamentals of Founder University and introduces today's pitches!
(13:44) ⁠Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at Squarespace.com/TWIST
(16:18) George Lam pitches Fantastic Funding
(21:18) Naman Dwivedi pitches Promptify
(25:59) Pilot.com. - Go to pilot.com/twist for 20% off your first 6 months of Pilot Core.
(27:30) Phil Boucher pitches OpenSpot
(34:00) Matt Edminster pitches Renegade Labs
(39:22) ⁠Fennel - Join the fennel waitlist now and get your first month free at fennel.com/twist
(40:35) Kelly and Presh's pick for best return for LPs
(45:33) The live audience votes!
(50:22) What Founder University meant to these Founders
(53:39) Jason makes his decision on who will receive $25K
Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: rb.gy/v19fcp
Check out these startups!:
fantasticfunding.com
www.promptify.ai
www.findopenspot.com
renegadelabs.io
FOLLOW Jason: linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Presh: / preshdkumar
FOLLOW Kelly: / kschricks
Thanks to our partners:
(13:44) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at Squarespace.com/TWIST
(25:59) Pilot.com. - Go to pilot.com/twist for 20% off your first 6 months of Pilot Core.
(39:22) Fennel - Join the fennel waitlist now and get your first month free at fennel.com/twist
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[@fanfare_app]

Thank you so much for this opportunity! The program really helped us get off the ground and this investment is the 🍒 on top.

[@gunjanutrejaa]

Congratulations to all 4 founders! Great Job!

[@reece_harding]

Just finished FU! It's always been my dream to start a company & this was the push I needed 🙏

[@dumbachari]

Jacal and the crew for the win!!! What a great format!! I learned so much...

[@jasoncalacanislive]

yes, we are going to do this again!!

[@mjmikaelson]

This is a great episode! I'm so happy on the choice Jason made! 🎉

[@josephwong2832]

awesome series! entrepreneur energy

[@tempioxavo]

That's a good episode, do it again. Great idea on any aspect, congrats!!!

[@kittyhungshukyee]

Oh wow, Jason, you are so generous. You are not only the greatest moderator in the world. I think you are also the greatest investor in the world 🌎 😘

[@jasoncalacanislive]

thanks KH!

[@huasonia1]

Wow what a good group! Jason and co you are so amazingly inspiring. I am beyond words.❤

[@jasoncalacanislive]

thank you Sonia... are you a founder too?

[@barriehep1759]

Great concept - JCal going back to his roots and supporting the next gen founders! (OpenSpot got my vote with (a) the clear business case on extra revenue and (b) MORE PATIENTS HELPED…. One for The Syndicate please⭐️ )

[@jasoncalacanislive]

want to do this every week!!!

[@MichaelLaFrance1]

Been waiting for this one...

[@moquimike]

Love these pitch pods! Great TWIS(t) ending. Nice work Jason.

[@jasoncalacanislive]

thanks pal!

[@vikaswakde]

Impressive pitch, The results were full of shock

[@bozhipan6128]

Very impressive startups!

[@brandonna606]

That was fun!

[@nosaiyare5190]

Fantastic funding was a clear and great pitch

[@alexr5510]

You should invest a higher amount Jason! These companies are great.

[@brianbickel3960]

So cool! I’ll have to check out FU

[@delnayo9474]

Hi Jason, I have a question for you. Didn't Fantastic say that they have raised abt 20M ( I know it could be for a different project)? So why are you funding it? Want to learn from the Investor perspective. What you are looking for? return? So you wouldn't ask them about their previous fund? Wouldn't that tell you some idea about their team, management, and investment.?

[@user-un3cr4he7l]

Open Insure for local ambulance services funding would be a great opportunity.

[@snakebyteOne]

Interesting idea. Any plans for adding tech sharks into the mix?

[@Csj597]

How much equity is given in exchange for the 25k? Is it a convertible note or cash?

[@ploni9208]

Is this a pilot episode that will be sent around to get a streaming deal. Lol

[@jasoncalacanislive]

hmmmm.... what a great idea! :)

[@aacowboy12]

great move

[@alexf7414]

For good or bad, 25k is a good way to attract projects other VC rejected

[@CDeCollibus]

i like openspot

[@awesometaiwan6514]

25k is a joke in 2023. Jason put 25k in Uber in 2009 or so. Now it should be 50k MINIMUM. Giving 25k for equity is ROBBERY!.

[@dougiet.2112]

Not your money

[@jasoncalacanislive]

We will put more in their next couple of rounds.. .this 25k is just to help them get incorporated

[@awesometaiwan6514]

@@jasoncalacanislive my point is, you can't seriously demand equity for 25k.

[@reece_harding]

at $1M cap

[@reece_harding]

The $ amount is irrelevant (in fact lower raise at a low valuation is preferable)