This Week in Startups: Breaking down Ryan Breslow's YC critique + Spotify's solution & Joe Rogan's response | E1374

Over the weekend Bolt CEO Ryan Breslow wrote a big thread on why he thinks Y Combinator isn't worth it. We break it down point by point and assess the validity of the claims (7:07). Right before we started recording, news broke that Breslow was leaving the CEO role to assume the executive chairman position, so we cover that too (2:11). Then, we cover Joe Rogan’s expla-nology (explanation/apology) video regarding his COVID-related interviews that have upset many. We react to his response, Spotify's new COVID policy and reflect on the risks to Spotify’s business overall (44:32).

(0:00) Jason and Molly tee up today’s topics: Bolt CEO steps down after another spicy thread, Rogan “apologizes” for COVID misinformation

(2:11) Bolt CEO Ryan Breslow stepped down as CEO to executive chair: was it really his decision?

(7:07) Jason and Molly break down Breslow’s thread on YC not being worth it for founders

(15:43) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist

(17:00) Breslow’s YC thread cont.: breaking down Breslow’s five beliefs about YC

(27:53) Ourcrowd - Check out the deal of the week at https://ourcrowd.com/twist

(29:11) YC scaling fundraising and opening access to venture capital to more groups of founders; Breslow’s advice on building a network and fundraising

(36:03) Marlow - Get 15% off your individual or team memberships at https://getmarlow.com/twist.

(37:18) YC alumni have started a blockchain-based DAO called Orange DAO to invest in crypto startups

(44:32) Joe Rogan’s “apology” video and Spotify’s new COVID disclaimer: Molly nails the prediction, has Spotify done a bad job of content moderation so far?

(53:42) Breaking down Joe Rogan’s explanology (explanation/apology) piece by piece

(1:13:17) Jason breaks down the math of Spotify acquiring Joe Rogan for ~$100M and Howard Stern’s similar deal with Sirius XM

Ryan's Thread: https://twitter.com/theryanking/status/1487500943511932941

Joe Rogan's Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZYQ_nDJi6G/

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis

FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood