Top AI apps for cool proteins

Top News

• Profluent uses AI to make proteins: The startup comes from machine learning scientist and Salesforce vet Ali Madani, who’s been using genAI tools to design proteins since 2020. It produces DNA blueprints for new proteins based on plain-text explanations by researchers of what specific traits or properties they’re aiming to replicate. Proteins, of course, form the basis for many drug treatments and gene therapies, along with agricultural innovations (like designs for more resilient or productive crops). The hope is that by making microbiology more “programmable,” Profluent will open the door to blockbuster drugs and related breakthroughs. Sort of a best case scenario for generative AI tools, even if we don’t reach AGI in the next few years. The company raised $106 million in seed funding from investors including Jeff Bezos’s Bezos Expeditions fund.

• Twenty is going hack to the future: Also known as “XX,” the startup is composed of hackers and cybersecurity experts, many of whom formerly worked for the Pentagon. Their thesis: the US government will soon switch from a largely defensive cybersecurity strategy, based on protecting critical systems from foreign incursion, to a more offensive approach. They plan to employ AI and related technologies to help the Pentagon break into targeted computer networks, faster and with decreased risk of exposure. Over the summer, Twenty signed contracts with both the US Navy and US Cyber Command. Though the $12.6 million price tag is modest by tech industry standards, if the DoD views the program as successful, there’s certainly room to expand the vision.

• Trump EO could ban state-level AI regulation: According to The Verge, POTUS is mulling over a new executive order that would give the federal US government exclusive and unilateral power to regulate artificial intelligence. It also creates an “AI Litigation Task Force,” overseen by US Attorney General Pam Bondi, which will legally challenging attempts by states to regulate AI for themselves. As well, the Federal Trade Commission would be directed to issue a policy statement explaining that existing laws concerning “unfair and deceptive practices” already apply to AI models, eliminating the need for fresh legislation. Trump has spoken often about the dangers of giving states authority over AI. Just this week, while speaking to the US-Saudi Investment Forum, he warned that “wokesters” in state legislators could hold back America’s progress on the vital technology.

TWiST 500

Another day, another humanoid robot designed to pick your dirty laundry up off the floor, you slob.

General purpose consumer robotics startup Sunday Robotics introduced Memo, a new humanoid helper-bot that can make you a nice espresso, take care of that sink full of dishes, and pitch in with other related household chores. In this particular case, we’re using the term “humanoid” rather loosely. While Memo definitely has a recognizable face and arms like a person (and he’s even wearing a sporty baseball cap), these sit atop a central column and wheeled platform rather than anything resembling legs. As well, in place of hands, Memo has claw-like grapplers.

Sunday has also taken a different approach to training Memo from competitors like 1x, who introduced their vaguely similar NEO robot back in October, and are already taking pre-orders. Neo, you’ll recall, controversially trains via tele-operation. When it faces a task it can’t quite complete, a 1x staffer Zooms in and teaches them some new skills (while hopefully keeping their eyes on your house and not your personal space).

Memo, on the other hand, trains… well, through its other hand. Sunday designed special gloves resembling Memo’s grapplers, gave these to humans, and had them complete domestic chores and related tasks. Sunday gathered the output from these gloves and used them to train Memo’s internal AI, which they argue provides more accurate and fine-tuned training data than teleoperation. (Plus the gloves are a relative bargain, at just $400 a pair.)

In related news, T500 robotics startup Physical Intelligence — which has developed yet another proprietary system for training robots to serve us — raised a new $600 million funding round, valuing the company at $5.6 billion. Alphabet’s growth fund CapitalG led the round; previous investors include Thrive Capital, Lux Capital, and Amazon mastermind Jeff Bezos. – Lon

A message from Crusoe Cloud

Crusoe is the AI factory company. Reliable infrastructure and expert support. Visit crusoe.ai/build to reserve your capacity for the latest GPUs today.

This Week in Startups

E2212: Mistral CEO Arthur Mensch stops by the show to tell us how enterprises can start getting more out of their AI pilots, why the West seems to lack leadership around open-source AI, and teach Jason and Alex the science of “benchmaxxing” (that is, focusing on your AI model scoring better on tasks rather than actually getting smarter). PLUS why everyone made the wrong call on OpenAI vs. Google, Kraken’s $20 billion valuation, Jason’s urgent M&A message, and more.

E2211: Grok 4.1 and Gemini 3 went HEAD TO HEAD this week, launching right on top of one another. But how do we really KNOW which who’s leading the seemingly endless AI Death Race? On a new TWiST, Jason and Alex survey the current AI landscape, and try to look beyond the mega-deals and benchmarking stats to get a real sense for the state of play. Plus Cloudflare shuts down the internet, how to turn off “Learn From This App” on iOS, ChatGPT takes a nosedive on Polymarket’s “Top AI” market, and more.

E2210: In a news-packed Monday show, Jason and Alex talk about Ramp’s huge raise, AI companies growing significantly faster than their SaaS counterparts, Joby’s big moves in Aub Dhabi, the death of San Francisco’s beloved bodega cat KitKat, Jeff Bezos’ grand return to the C-suite with Project Prometheus, and much more.

TWiST Partner Offers

• Squarespace: Turn your idea into a beautiful website! Go to http://www.squarespace.com/twist for a free trial. When you’re ready to launch, use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

• LinkedIn Ads: Start converting your B2B audience into high quality leads today. Launch your first campaign and get $250 FREE when you spend at least $250. Go to http://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups to claim your credit.

• Nexos.ai: Stop Shadow AI in its tracks with the unified platform for secure AI adoption and productivity. Try it with a free 14-day trial at https://nexos.ai/twist.

Founder University is headed to Tokyo!

Applications are now open for the 2026 cohort. Selected startups will take part in a global, three-part experience designed to accelerate growth and expand international reach:

• Tokyo Bootcamp: January 12–16

• Online Acceleration Program: January 19–March 6

• U.S. Travel Program: March 9–20

If you’re building something big and ready to go global, this is your moment. Apply now at launch.co/tokyo.

Investor Networking Lunch in SF

Jason and LAUNCH are hosting an investor networking lunch, followed by pitches from our latest Accelerator batch. We'd love for you to join us for Dim Sum in San Francisco on Friday, December 5th. (Or forward this to your investor friends.)

• Date/Time: Friday, December 5th, 2025 at 12-3PM PT

• Format: Dim sum lunch, followed by founder pitches & investor networking

• Location: TBA (Chinatown area)

Spots are limited, please RSVP here. The LAUNCH team will email you confirmation once your registration is accepted. You must be an accredited investor or work for a VC Fund to join.

SF Live-Work Space Now Available

Need a flexible living and working environment in San Francisco? This thoughtfully designed loft-style residence at 787 Bryant St., the heart of the vibrant SOMA district and the city’s creative hub, is now available for rent or purchase. Check the listing for more details.

The TWiST500 newsletter is the new, updated, and improved TWiST Ticker.