X allows Premium+ users and organizations to publish articles, Creator wishlist startup Throne is doing so well that it returned investor money

Top News

X announces a new long-form post format called Articles, letting users publish posts with text formatting, other X posts, and embedded videos and images - Link

Throne, a startup that lets fans gift items to creators from their wishlist, is doing so well that it returned investor money. - Link

Instagram's total app downloads grew 20% YoY in 2023 to 768M, making it the most downloaded app worldwide. - Link

Apple releases VisionOS 1.1 with improved personas of users, including better hair and makeup appearance, neck and mouth representation, and rendering of the eyes for EyeSight. - Link

Broadcom expects $10B in revenue from AI-related chips in 2024, as CEO Hock Tan says AI revenue, up 4x YoY to $2.3B in Q1, offset the cyclical business slowdown. - Link

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Advice of the Day

Detail in Product Design

Jony Ive, a designer known for his work at Apple, emphasizes the significance of product design. He suggests that consumers can perceive when a product is made with dedication versus when it's created with speed and cost-effectiveness. He gives the example that Steve Jobs insisted on elegance and beauty in every aspect of the Macintosh computer, even in components not visible to users. His commitment to aesthetic and functional perfection was so profound that he had the engineers' names engraved inside each computer. The essence of a product lies not just in its visible features, but in the overall care and attention invested in its creation, which impacts its value and the human experience. - Link

Startup Demo of the Day:

OpenAlternative is a community-driven list of open-source alternatives to software and applications. The site lets users research open-source services to help them grow their business.

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This Week in Startups

E1910: Jonathan Neman discusses the innovation and scale of Sweetgreen, the future of the fast-casual industry, and how robotics and technology are being integrated into the restaurant sector. - Watch

E1909: Lon Harris and Jason do a business breakdown on the movie "Moneyball." They discuss how Oakland A's unconventional, data-driven approach to assembling a baseball team reflects paradigm shifts similar to those in startups versus incumbents, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, first-principle thinking, and commitment. - Watch

E1908: Shyam Sankar of Palantir discusses the transformation in Silicon Valley's view on defense technology, highlighting Palantir's origins post-9/11 and its contributions to national security, including preventing terrorist attacks. They delve into the evolution and significance of defense technologies such as Palentir's Gotham Platform, the role of AI and robotics, and the impact of large language models and radio frequency (RF) in modern warfare. - Watch

E1907: David Weisburd, Erik Torenberg, Guy Perelmuter, and Jason, discuss leaked VC returns from Sequoia Capital and Union Square Ventures, bearish signs in the startup employment market, the emergence of the first one-person unicorn, and the return of founders and investors to San Francisco. - Watch

E1906: David Clark joins Jason to discuss VenCap's investment strategies and analyze over 500 investments. They delve into the criteria for success in VC, examining data from 12K companies and the concept of the power law. Key topics include the selection of top-performing investments, the benefits of long-term company investment, challenges faced by seed managers, and selling strategies. - Watch

This Week in Startups Paid Partnerships

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