OpenAI’s latest “bizarre” mega-deal, datacenters in space, previewing Tesla’s big announcement and more | E2189

OpenAI’s latest “bizarre” mega-deal, datacenters in space, previewing Tesla’s big announcement and more | E2189

Author: Jason Calacanis October 7, 2025 Duration: 1:16:26

Today’s show:

*How many weirdly circular mega-deals is OpenAI going to sign this year?

On a new TWiST, Jason and Alex consider OpenAI’s latest agreement with AMD, how the biggest American companies keep trading cash and chips back and forth, and whether or not the entire AI economy might be a house of cards.

PLUS what kind of fan/leafblower tech is Tesla working on… what can Jevons Paradox tell us about the AI landscape… how easy is it to master games in the YC Arena… and WHY has NASA never built a base on the moon? We’re asking the TOUGH QUESTIONS so you don’t have to, only on the #1 tech podcast, “This Week in Startups.”

Timestamps:

(0:00) Jason and Alex open the show discussing hunting and traditional Texas meat exchanges

(2:16) ANOTHER weirdly circular OpenAI mega-deal? How many mega-deals can one company MAKE?

(3:50) Are all these “bizarre” OpenAI deals creating a house of cards?

(10:00) Stripe Startups - Stripe Startups offers early-stage, venture-backed startups access to Stripe fee credits and more. Apply today on stripe.com/startups.

(20:00) Oracle - Try OCI and save up to 50% on your cloud bill at https://oracle.com/twist⁠⁠⁠

(21:14) Is the Tesla Roadster 2 coming soon? Or maybe a leaf blower?!

(22:00) Datacenters in space! Is it getting crowded up there?

(26:22) Why no moon base yet? Jason demands a moon base.

(27:00) We’re playing games in the YC Arena… Can Jason guess which pitches got accepted?

(30:00) Coda - Empower your startup with Coda’s Team plan for free—get 6 months at https://www.Coda.io/twist

(32:00) How Jason picks companies to invest in, based on a few signals and metrics

(04500) We found out what Figure’s bots are actually doing for BMW

(53:00) Sharpies figured out how to make their pens here in the US… who’s next?!

(57:00) Could ChatGPT really replace Deloitte consultants? Considering the latest controversy…

(01:03:29) It’s another Gamma Pitch: Welcome Ryan Yannelli of NextVisit AI, which helps therapists take notes


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Every week, Jason Calacanis dives headfirst into the swirling vortex of Silicon Valley and global tech with This Week in Startups. It’s a direct line to the conversations shaping our digital future, moving far beyond surface-level news. You’ll hear Jason’s unfiltered analysis on everything from market shifts and media trends to the underlying mechanics of building a business, all delivered with a blend of enthusiasm and seasoned skepticism. The core of this podcast, however, lies in the guests. Jason sits down with the very people driving change-founders who have scaled impossible heights, operators managing daily chaos, and investors who spot trends before they become obvious. These conversations are less like formal interviews and more like insider debriefs, pulling back the curtain on real strategies, painful failures, and unexpected successes. For anyone curious about how technology is built, funded, and ultimately changes the world, this series offers a front-row seat. It’s the context behind the headlines, providing a deeper understanding of the forces at play in startups and technology. Tune in for a consistently engaging and insightful look at the ecosystem, straight from someone who lives and breathes it.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

This Week in Startups
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