SpaceX + xAI deal gets us one step closer to Musk Industries | E2243 - This Week in Startups Recap

Podcast: This Week in Startups

Published: 2026-02-03

Duration: 1 hr 2 min

Guests: Alex Wilhelm

Summary

SpaceX's acquisition of xAI marks a significant step towards Musk's vision of a mega-corporation, potentially including Tesla, to leverage space-based data centers. The episode also explores OpenClaw's capabilities and its ongoing security challenges.

What Happened

Elon Musk's SpaceX has acquired xAI, aiming to harness space-based data centers powered by solar energy. This acquisition could significantly lower the cost of AI compute, as heavy launch vehicles like Starship can reduce the cost of sending mass to space. SpaceX already operates over 11,000 satellites, with plans to increase capacity with new V3 satellites. The potential merger of SpaceX, xAI, and Tesla could create a company valued over $2 trillion, likened to the concept of 'Musk Industries'.

Jason Calacanis and Alex Wilhelm speculate on the implications of this acquisition, discussing the possibility of factories on the moon manufacturing satellites using lunar resources. They also highlight the strategic advantage of having such a vast satellite network for AI computation in space. This move is seen as a testament to American exceptionalism and the ambitious nature of Musk's projects.

The episode transitions to the ongoing development of OpenClaw, formerly known as ClawBot, a tool designed for automating tasks across various platforms. Despite its potential, security remains a significant concern, with its powerful capabilities posing risks if not managed carefully. OpenClaw's integration with platforms like Reddit faces limitations due to API restrictions, yet it offers innovative solutions for task automation.

Lucas and Oliver revisit the podcast to discuss their Top 6 OpenClaw skills, including summarizing podcast episodes, producing Gamma decks, and managing LAUNCH's administrative tasks. They emphasize the importance of memory for AI models to improve over time, sharing insights on training AI agents to enhance their capabilities.

The episode also delves into the potential monetization strategies for OpenClaw, suggesting hosted versions, services, and an App Store for skills. Peter Steinberger, the creator of OpenClaw, is advised to capitalize on this opportunity, with Jason Calacanis encouraging him to take advantage of the project's success.

Amidst these discussions, the podcast highlights the integration of various tools and services like Slack and iMessage with OpenClaw, showcasing its versatility. The episode concludes with predictions about the continued growth of these technologies and their impact on the industry.

Key Insights