Jason’s Top CES Products and Takeaways | E2232 - This Week in Startups Recap

Podcast: This Week in Startups

Published: 2026-01-10

Duration: 1 hr 9 min

Guests: Alex Wilhelm

Summary

Discord and Strava are preparing for billion-dollar IPOs, highlighting the importance of data and community in consumer apps. At CES, open-source AI and innovative technologies like multi-fold phones and self-driving cars took center stage.

What Happened

Jason Calacanis and Alex Wilhelm kick off the episode by discussing Discord's move to go public with a valuation estimated between $7 to $8 billion. Discord, originally a gaming chat platform, now serves broader community and work purposes, driven by its subscription model and advertising revenue. The discussion transitions to Strava, which is also eyeing an IPO with a valuation at $2.2 billion. Strava's success is largely due to its robust subscription model, where 90% of its revenue comes from its $80 annual subscription service, demonstrating the power of data as a moat in consumer apps.

The conversation then turns to CES, where Jason, Alex, and Producer Oliver rank their top tech products from the event. The trio expresses excitement about open-source AI, noting NVIDIA's announcement of an end-to-end AI for automakers as a significant development. Hyundai's advancements in robotics, with plans to deliver consumer robots at affordable prices, are also highlighted as a key takeaway from CES.

Jason shares his enthusiasm for triple-fold phones, like the Samsung Galaxy Trifold, which can transform into a full tablet. However, he notes the application layer for these devices is still underdeveloped, limiting their current utility. Jason also reflects on his experience with self-driving technology, particularly with his Tesla, emphasizing the importance of safety for public companies venturing into this space.

Oliver presents his top CES picks, including Neuro's new RoboTaxi, which features collaboration with companies like Uber and Lucid. He also mentions innovative health tech products, such as pet health monitoring devices that track physical activity and eating habits.

The episode touches on Anthropic's ambitious fundraising efforts, aiming for a $350 billion valuation, showcasing the rapid growth and competitive landscape in AI research. Additionally, the hosts discuss geopolitical tensions, particularly China's reaction to Meta's acquisition of Manus, an AI company, and the broader implications for US-China relations.

In closing, Jason and Alex reflect on the evolving landscape of technology, emphasizing the critical role of data, AI, and community-driven models in shaping future innovations. The episode serves as a comprehensive overview of current tech trends and insights from CES, setting the stage for future discussions on the podcast.

Key Insights