This Week in Startups: Acquired’s Ben Gilbert & David Rosenthal on private markets, ZIRP impact, future of Amazon | E1706
Jason Calacanis 3/24/23 - Episode Page
Acquired co-hosts Ben and David are BACK to discuss the state of the VC market and YC shutting down its Continuity Fund (6:20) before diving into industries that benefitted from ZIRP (26:35). They also break down which social apps they want to own and why (45:29). Then, Ben and Jason wrap up the show by discussing the future of Amazon and Starfish Space, a new space startup (1:11:48)
(0:00) Nick tees up today’s topics
(1:36) David’s time at Stanford
(6:20) Ben’s private market snapshot
(8:49) Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub - Apply in 5 minutes for six figures in discounts at
(10:19) David’s private market snapshot
(16:19) Reacting to YC closing down its Continuity Fund
(25:35) QuickNode - Go to and use the code TWIST for a free month on their feature-packed Build Plan
(26:35) Industries that benefitted from ZIRP
(35:08) House of Macadamias - Get 20% off at by using code TWIST20
(36:36) How compelling is AI?
(45:29) Owning either Instagram, Linked In, or YouTube
(48:15) Rational and Wildcard: Who is likely to acquire TikTok?
(53:44) Twitter product development
(1:00:51) Reclaiming lost time
(1:11:48) The future of Amazon
(1:19:57) Apple to spend $1B on producing theatrical releases + Project Titan
(1:25:21) SOTD: Keeping satellites on course with Starfish Space
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