This Week in Startups: FTX buys BlockFi for $25M, Sequoia raising $2.25B, AI Umpires for MLB, Substack layoffs | E1497
Jason Calacanis 7/1/22 - Episode Page
First, we talk about Meta’s new Facebook Groups overhaul that looks like Discord (2:35). Then we touch on Sequoia raising over 2 billion for its US venture and growth funds (20:31) and FTX acquiring BlockFi for $25M, 99% below their last private valuation (32:08). For our We Live in the Future, the MLB is looking to automate home plate umpires by 2024 (52:17). Finally, it appears Subtstack is making some cuts after saying it wouldn’t (1:04:48).
(0:00) Jason and Molly intro the show!
(2:35) Meta copying discord with new Facebook feature
(12:48) Zapier - Try for free today at https://zapier.com/TWIST
(14:05) Probably don’t work for Facebook or meet with them
(19:20) UserTesting - Get real human insights, try for free today at https://usertesting.com/twist
(20:31) Sequoia raising $2.25B across 2 new funds
(30:50) Grammarly - Sign up for a free account at https://grammarly.com/TWIST to sign up for a free account!
(32:08) FTX acquiring BlockFi for ~$25 million - 99% below BlockFi’s last private valuation
(52:17) WLiTF: MLB will likely introduce robot umpires in 2024
(1:04:48) Substack cuts 14% of staff
(1:18:13) Outro + Plugs!