Google’s AI Design Tool, Salesforce’s $8B Comeback Deal, and M&A Momentum Builds | E2131
This Week in Startups
Jason Calacanis
4.4 • 1.3K Ratings
🗓️ 28 May 2025
⏱️ 58 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this episode, we cover three major stories shaping the startup and tech landscape. First, Google unveils Stitch, an AI-powered web design tool with one-click export to Figma—signaling a major disruption for freelance design marketplaces. Then, Salesforce returns to M&A with its $8B acquisition of Informatica, aiming to broaden its AI data stack beyond CRM. Finally, we break down the surge in startup M&A activity, with billion-dollar deals from OpenAI, DoorDash, and others—hinting at a major Q2 rebound. Don’t miss Jason’s insights on what these trends mean for founders and investors.
(0:00) Episode Teaser
(1:36) Jason’s in SINGAPORE
(3:14) The Power of Shame and why we need “Ozempic for screentime”
(10:15) OpenPhone - Streamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at www.openphone.com/twist
(12:38) Google’s latest AI breakthrough: Stitch
(20:13) CLA - Get started with CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors now at https://claconnect.com/tech
(21:20) The NBA on Polymarket and what founders can learn from the Knicks
(27:08) Why did Salesforce buy Informatica?
(30:03) Pilot - Visit https://www.pilot.com/twist and get $1,200 off your first year.
(32:42) M&A activity continues, and Jason’s spicy Q2 predictions
(40:57) Did tech go woke or was it just performative the whole time?
(45:22) Circle, stablecoins, and the perks of being pro-business
(51:27) What Trump’s “golden share” of US Steel might look like
(54:15) Why Jason is bullish on Joby
(57:28) Episode wrap-up and upcoming events
Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com
Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com
Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp
Links from episode:
ClearSpace App: https://www.getclearspace.com/
Google Stitch: https://stitch.withgoogle.com/
Joby: https://www.jobyaviation.com/
Follow Lon:
Follow Alex:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm
Follow Jason:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
Thank you to our partners:
(10:15) OpenPhone - Streamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at www.openphone.com/twist
(20:13) CLA - Get started with CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors now at https://claconnect.com/tech
(30:03) Pilot - Visit https://www.pilot.com/twist and get $1,200 off your first year.
Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland
Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis
Follow TWiST:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups
Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | I also think Jason, it shows that Google really wants to do everything in AI. |
| 0:03.1 | They're trying to flood the zone here. |
| 0:05.2 | And apparently just some success. |
| 0:06.6 | So points to Sundar and his team. |
| 0:09.8 | I got to say they were behind an AI and now we keep talking about him. |
| 0:13.1 | So that's all. |
| 0:14.1 | And as you can see here, we've shamed Lon Alex because of his prompt and it worked. |
| 0:18.8 | It worked. |
| 0:19.6 | He's going to do better. |
| 0:21.0 | His prompt will be better next time. |
| 0:23.1 | Shoms. |
| 0:23.7 | I think prompt shame is the next big thing. |
| 0:26.2 | I mean, if you get people to use AII, we should be looking at people's prompt and saying, |
| 0:30.6 | really, that's the best prompt you can do. |
| 0:33.3 | This is what doing extra. |
| 0:35.5 | This is what doing extra and it gets you on twist. You see a thing and you think, you know what? |
| 0:39.3 | I need to test this out myself. |
| 0:40.3 | I'm not just going to take. |
| 0:42.3 | I'm not just... |
| 0:43.3 | It's okay, Alex. |
| 0:45.3 | You did a completely serviceable job. |
| 0:48.3 | That's, I mean, that, by the way, in Jason speak, is, is, is, uh, is thin ice. |
... |
Transcript will be available on the free plan in 10 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Jason Calacanis, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Jason Calacanis and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.