A16z Launches New Media Fellowship for Online Talent
I'm excited to announce the a16z New Media Fellowship. Or as many people are saying, the Thiel Fellowship for the terminally online. Finding highly functional people who are also very online is hard, so we are creating a fellowship to gather and train them in the art of New Media. Think X, essays, video production, podcasts, growth, distribution, etc. More details and application here.
New Media Redefined: Insights From Alex Danco and A16z
interesting piece on what new media is from @Alex_Danco and @a16z crew https://t.co/aEXT20msl4
Benchmark’s Portfolio Outshines All Other Funds
Of every fund of this vintage, I would rather have Benchmark’s portfolio than any other: Sierra ($10BN) Mercor ($10BN) Firework ($4BN) Legora ($2BN) Langchain ($1.3BN) Manus (one of most insane teams in AI) HeyGen ($80M ARR) Today it gets...
Investors Underestimate AI-Native Insurer Lemonade's Compounding Edge
“Many insurance CEO want to sprinkle AI pixie dust on themselves” - @daschreiber CEO of $LMND on CEO of @AIGinsurance Investors still do not fully understand the power of an AI native company like @Lemonade_Inc and how it compounds advantage. https://t.co/LOPcEf4U1f @CNBC
OpenAI May Turn on Partners, Threatening Founders
Just a fair warning to founders: like Facebook and microsoft, I predict OpenAI will study their platform partners and compete with many of them in the coming years. This isn't abnormal, mind you… Microsoft built windows, then destroyed their top...
Free AI Calculator Scores 600K Startup Valuations, Predicts Funding Odds
Woo-hoo!! Just crossed 600,000 start-up valuations on new, FREE SaaStr AI valuation calculator here -> https://t.co/jvgsU2zIKA The 2.0 version not only tells you what you’re worth, but now also tells you the odds you’ll get funded! Try it! -> https://t.co/jvgsU2zIKA https://t.co/T2LLQpqSkK
T3D2 Deals Are Attractive but Could Cost
New!! “The Problem(s) With T3D2 Venture Deals. They’re Still Great. But They Might Get You Fired.” https://t.co/lXKYxMt3Lo
Free Tools for Startup Valuation and Pitch Deck Grading
FREE startup valuation tool -> https://t.co/jvgsU2zIKA FREE VC pitch deck grader -> https://t.co/S5UFYzoN7a
Neoclouds Skip VCs, Target Public Markets Directly
Good one from @cityofthetown: Neoclouds Race for the Public Markets, Leaving VCs Behind https://t.co/bBRvTaZCmp
Big Funds Skip Follow‑on when Upside Seems Limited
I remember a few years ago, a SaaStr Fund portfolio company was struggling to get a Series A round done They found a lead to put in $8m, but wanted the insiders to put in the other $2m. I wasn't a very...
Bootstrapped Mobile Games Hit $500K Profit, 400M+ Downloads
400M+ downloads and $500K profit. Bootstrapped mobile gaming portfolio live on @acquiredotcom. > $501K TTM revenue > $501K TTM profit > 100% YoY growth > 5000+ customers Full listing: https://t.co/JSw4HtA7wT https://t.co/6oHcBIy8Fg
Deedy Das and Jay Eum Join VC Roundtable
Deedy Das and Jay Eum Join the VC Roundtable! https://t.co/QQlqMmKtCr
Unlock Angel Investor Tax Savings with Expert Session
Super psyched! We're doing a quick session with @ankurnagpal tomorrow who knows a TON about tax-savings strategies for angel investors. He is going to knowledge-dump a ton of tactical info - will be great! Hope to see you tmrw - sign...
Domestic Battery Supply Chain Essential for National Security
Why are batteries a national security issue? It is THE energy source for critical applications today and, even more importantly, tomorrow: Cars Data Center Batteries (ESS) Military and defense drones Robots If we are to be a resilient nation that is in control of our...
AI Scientist Achieves Verifiable End-to-End Discoveries
in the latest @stateofaireport, I predicted that an ai scientist would make verifiably new discoveries end-to-end looks like we’re pretty much there!
Startup Fundraising Used to Be Far Tougher
When I founded my first start-up, * I had to sign a full recourse note to my VCs for $750,000 to get a tiny bridge * We had to sell 60% of the company in the first round * I had to agree...
Palantir's Sky‑high Valuation Defies Low Sales
Palantir: the highest valuation on the least sales of any public company ever I’m still very bullish Just a reminder things in AI are well valued https://t.co/0CNJSRuhax
Sequoia Partners Split on Prop 50: $2.
Super interesting overall - and this with all the Sequoia news yesterday: Mike Moritz gave $2.5M FOR Prop 50 and Doug Leone gave $250K AGAINST https://t.co/nFC4cbAzg8
New Signature Block Issue Tackles Hotly Debated Topic
We've been on an hiatus with our investor newsletter, Signature Block. Publishing a new piece on a hotly debated topic later today. Subscribe: https://t.co/HVZVBIUn4e
Roelof Reviews Track Record Before Passing the Keys
Roelof looking at his track record as he hands over the keys https://t.co/qIh43tCXE3
Roelof Botha’s Bold Bets Built Tech Giants
Don’t forget square, instagram, Nu bank, YouTube, Airbnb, MongoDB, unity and WhatsApp — @roelofbotha was responsible for those crazy bets as well!
Sanabil Launches Founder University in Riyadh, US Partnership
Sanabil Founder University in Riyadh 🇸🇦 🇺🇸 🤝 https://t.co/lLAXJ4kpHB
All Raise Summit Launches with Top Tech Storytellers
The All Raise summit kicks off tomorrow with 3 of the smartest, most insightful, connected, respected & kickass storytellers in tech: (and also some of my favorite people on the planet 🌏 - Nairi Tashjian Hourdajian ( Figma , ex...
Showcase Your Weekend Hack Projects at Floodgate Event
We’re hosting our Floodgate Friends & Family event soon — and we want to spotlight builders doing something cool on the side. If you’re hacking on a project nights & weekends (no matter how rough!), drop a link or DM me. We’ll...
VCs Prioritize Destination Over Execution, Even Without License
Funding a startup founder before they have a driver's license is proof that some VCs care more about where you are going than how you will get there :).
Early Financial Discipline Predicts Billion‑dollar Stewardship
The startup founders who treasure your $25K like $25M today will steward $2B the same way tomorrow; financial discipline is muscle memory.
AI Sales Agents Do the Work Humans Won’t
$495 is a tough price point to hire a human sales rep for But an AI agent? 🤖They don't mind. They don't mind -- at all. If nothing else, put AI agents + AI SDRs and AEs on the deals...
Get Real Fundability Scores by Uploading Your Deck
How fundable are you -- really? How well are you doing -- really? Just upload your deck here to SaaStr AI VC -> https://t.co/S5UFYzofhC And don't guess anymore https://t.co/80nrRXLnXb
Investing From Spero Fund II, Seeking Founders Building Sustainable Future
Excited to share that we are investing out of Spero Fund II. If you're a founder creating a healthy, sustainable, and fulfilling future for everyone, we'd love to hear from you.
Profitable D2C Fitness Brand Shows 92% Margins
VC backed D2C fitness sportswear drop on @acquiredotcom. > $50K TTM revenue > $46K TTM profit > 49% YoY growth > 92% margins Love seeing clean, profitable brands like this one. Listing: https://t.co/bObD9JzryK https://t.co/GzdQgFAduh
Clarity, Not Headcount, Drives True Founder Leverage
Most founders think leverage comes from headcount. It comes from clarity.
Few Dared, Now AI‑bio Partnerships Finally Thrive
Many biologists called hubris on entrepreneurs looking to reinvent bio with AI. Many in AI deemed bio too messy, refusing to touch wet labs. A small few saw the potential and built. Grateful to be partners to many now hitting their stride.
Thursday's VC Deep Dive: IPOs, Valuations, Ownership Shifts
Coming Thursday with @HarryStebbings @rodriscoll + me: - The Navan IPO, and What It Really Takes Now - Why You Have to Have Reaccelerated by Thanksgiving - Why Harvey at $8B could be cheap - AgentForce is really good. What That Means. - Single...
Founders Must Master Sales, Branding, Marketing, Distribution
Your job as a startup founder is to learn sales, branding, marketing, and distribution because it isn’t just about the product.
Fintech Winners Atlas and Basis Theory Gain Recognition
Very cool to see Atlas , probably my favorite consumer product right now, and Basis Theory , which I see as *inevitable* infrastructure for the future of commerce, recognized by The Information here. Fintech markets are endless and essential, and...
Treat Attention Like Capital: Manage It Rigorously
Attention is the real balance sheet. Most companies know where the money went. Few can say where the attention went. Yet that’s what decides everything. Every company budgets for headcount and spend. Almost none budget for attention. It feels infinite, so...
Fast Capital Reallocation Fuels National Success in Tech Shifts
This is a MUST READ from @tylercowen on why robust capital markets and fast re-allocation of capital creates winning countries when technology shifts. https://t.co/Lx7EE8vK4y
China Keeps Subsidizing AI, Robotics, and Auto Sectors
China continues to subsidize its major industries (AI, robotics, cars) https://t.co/DtS4d3MvGH
Accelerator Overload Floods Me with Spam Offers
There are now so many "accelerators" that I get spam from people making products for them. Very weird. I wrote all YC's original software, so every spam is either offering something I wrote, or something I didn't think was worth...
Ops Become Startup’s Competitive Edge in Commoditized Tech Era
We're entering the age of better startup ops. In software, tech has largely become a commodity. Distribution is also becoming commoditized. Ops is the way to stand out today. How? More >>
Space Data Centers: Starcloud’s Path to Cosmic Compute
Why does Starcloud have Alex Wilhelm SO EXCITED about the future of the space economy? In this TWiST highlight, Alex and I examine Starcloud, the company aiming to build data centers in space. For now, they’re starting small, putting just...
Sam Altman's Spicy Clip: Tension or Playful Banter?
Was Sam Altman getting a little testy with AltCap on that Bg2 pod clip? Or was this all in good fun? In this TWiST highlight, Alex Wilhelm and I check out Sam Altman’s appearance (with Satya Nadella ) on Brad...
Founders: Join Investor Panel Batter Up NYC & SF
NYC and SF Founders, this is your moment. Batter Up SF and Batter Up NYC are happening Nov 10 with an amazing panel of investors. ⚾ SF (6pm PT): https://t.co/cAqJ85ttH0 ⚾ NYC (6pm ET): https://t.co/vmE3f0YDPo Come and check it out! https://t.co/XYYvyB8D2H
Tiny Budgets Teach Founders Faster Than $10M VC
$10K budgets are teaching startup founders what $10M VC rounds never could; ship fast!
AI Cold Email SaaS Generates $495K Revenue, 100% Growth
This founder is basically giving it away to move onto a new startup. Live on @acquiredotcom: VC backed cold email SaaS with AI-powered outreach and smart inbox management. > $495K TTM revenue > $155K TTM profit > 100% YoY growth Full listing: https://t.co/iY13bIBtfn https://t.co/ID2m72SOGo
ManifoldBio Lands $55M AI‑bio Deal with Roche
What AI x bio winter? @ManifoldBio inked the largest AI bio platform deal in ~4 years. $55M upfront, potential for $2B in milestones and royalties. With Roche. Using their massively scaled in vivo tech to find shuttles to bring therapeutics across the...
Cerebral Valley AI Summit to Shape 2026 Startup Strategies
The Cerebral Valley AI Summit is next week! Conversations on stage and in our discussion groups will help shape the strategies for many AI startups in 2026 https://t.co/9rRg7IPjvb
David Sacks Shares AI and Crypto Wisdom
Lots of knowledge from the AI & Crypto czar @DavidSacks
Upcoming Investor Events: NYC, SF, Singapore This Week
Hustlers & investors! Fun events next week: • Batter Up NYC — Nov 10 • Batter Up SF — Nov 10 • Founder Friends SG: FinTech Fest — Nov 12 RSVP: → https://t.co/Tw02geADxF https://t.co/bNEeVsBkM4