Ep 126, plus what I'm reading/listening to
I had Felon Billy McFarland of Fyre Fest on This Week in Startups; I struggled if I should give him the slot—but I’m happy to have done so: Apple, YouTube.
I started Replit’s Python course & having been banging on ChatGPT Plugs (including Zapier’s). I’m convinced about 30% of knowledge work will be done by AI by the end of this year, and if you don’t learn about it you will be quickly retired from the workforce (like people who didn’t use PCs or the internet were in the 80s and 90s).
Had two in-person events this past week, Founder.University cohort 5 and then our LAUNCH Accelerator’s 28th cohort kick-off. San Francisco was a ghost town, but the vibes with the founders were immaculate. I’m going to write ~100 of these $25,000 “first money in checks” this year I think.
Going to be in Laguna for 36 hours for another corporate paid speaking gig this week (it’s a living!), talking about AI’s impact on the hospitality industry — Does anyone have thoughts on this (hit reply)?
Have a learning & fundraising trip to the Middle East (UAE, Dubai) the week of May 8th for LAUNCH Fund 4.
I will be in NYC the week of May 14th to keynote the SALT & iConnections conference. Again, will be taking meetings with LPs at the iConnections speed dating event.
Been listening to the excellent Capital Allocators podcast for the last couple of weeks as I get into fundraising mode… highly recommend it.
There are two really angry anti-technology podcasts I like to dip into once in a while to understand how the socialist & communist crowds think: This Machine Kills and Tech Won’t Save Us. Really interesting to hear how folks perceive our industry (and capitalism). They swing from fabulously uninformed to completely valid criticisms that I share.
Adding some amazing LPs to the Angel Summit speaker line up—thanks to everyone that suggest folks (especially female LPs who have decision-making authority).
I bought a sick new waffle maker… the girls & bulldogs love it. Pictures here!
best, JCal
Bobbletopia.com would love to make bobbleheads of the 4 besties! Maybe part of the All In Summit swag bag?