This Week in Startups: ANGEL: FirstMark’s Rick Heitzmann on shaking off the bull run, “shock absorbers,” and more | E1670

Jason Calacanis Jason Calacanis 2/2/23 - Episode Page

Jason is joined by FirstMark Capital’s Rick Heitzmann, who started his investment career in 1999. They discuss “sobering up” after the 14-year bull run (1:55), Airbnb’s response to the downturn (7:38), how senior leaders must act as shock absorbers for their founders (26:30), and more!

(0:00) Jason kicks off the show

(1:55) Rick’s experience of the “Speculative Asset Bubble”

(7:38) Airbnb’s reaction to the downturn

(11:33) LinkedIn Jobs - Go to https://linkedIn.com/angel and post your first job for free

(12:58) Rick’s memory of the Dot Com bubble

(19:39) Advice for founders in a downturn

(22:27) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at

(23:29) How CAC and LTV have changed

(26:30) The emotional state of Founders and keeping them focused

(35:09) Term sheets in the Dot Com era and today

(40:06) Letterhead - get 50% off their first year at tryletterhead.com/twist

(41:21) Different forms of exits + Key attributes in founders


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