This Week in Startups

Naval's $500 VC fund, the Maduro Polymarket scandal, and NYT defends theft and murder | E2280

Samstag, 25. April 2026 · 50 min

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Today's show:
It's a News and Off-Duty weekend roundup!
AngelList's USVC fund is open to anyone with $500, but it's getting pushback on social media. Do the critics have a point?
A Special Forces soldier made $409K betting on the military's capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Is the world just a big casino now?
And a NYT podcast defends shoplifting and explores "social murder." Find out why Jason says they crossed the line.
Plus: Why you should teach your kids about investment and more, Off-Duty streaming and book recommendations.
Related Links
USVC: usvc.com
AngelList: angellist.com
Naval Ravikant on X: x.com/naval
"Don't Listen to the Peanut Gallery; USVC is a Watershed Moment" by Hari Raghavan: x.com/haridigresses/status/2047503944839016681
@Covered_Call USVC tweet: x.com/covered_call/status/2047020060900733306
Forge Global: forgeglobal.com
Calm: calm.com
Full DOJ indictment of Gannon Ken Van Dyke: justice.gov/opa/pr/us-soldier-charged-using-cl…
NYT "The Opinions" podcast: "The Rich Don't Play by the Rules. So Why Should I?" nytimes.com/video/opinion/100000010849055/the-…
Hasn Piker on Twitch: twitch.tv/hasanabi
New Yorker: Jia Tolentino: newyorker.com/contributors/jia-tolentino
NYT: Nadja Spiegelman: nytimes.com/by/nadja-spiegelman
Jia Tolentino on X: x.com/jiatolentino
Garry Kasparov on X: x.com/kasparov63
Prof G Media: profgmedia.com
Kids Investment Club: kidsinvestmentclub.com
Time stamps:0:00 Intro
Naval's $500 VC Fund Explained
Should You Trust Critics With 2K Followers?
Learn By Betting — Jason's Philosophy
Northwest Registered Agent - Get more when you start your business with Northwest. In 10 clicks and 10 minutes, you can form your company and walk away with a real business identity — Learn more at northwestregisteredagent.com/twist
The Maduro Polymarket Scandal
Should the Military Bet on Missions?
LinkedIn Jobs - Hire right, the first time. Post your first job and get $100 off towards your job post at LinkedIn.com/twist
NYT Defends Theft & "Social Murder"
There Is No Moral Equivalence
The Nepo Baby Behind the Article
Prof G's "Resist & Unsubscribe" Movement
Walk The Walk — Hasan, Bernie & Performative Outrage
Teaching Kids About Money
The Rich Get Richer & The Poor Stay Poor
Off Duty Recommendations
"The Complete Maus" by Art Spiegelman: amazon.com/Complete-Maus-Art-Spiegelman/dp/067…
"Thinking in Bets" by Annie Duke: amazon.com/Thinking-Bets-Making-Smarter-Decisi…
"Queen of Chess" trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=8pmJgtLKBXg
Greenlight app: greenlight.com
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