Jason Calacanis

Jason Calacanis is a prominent figure in the technology startup industry, known as a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and media personality. Calacanis began his career as a reporter covering the internet industry in New York before transitioning into entrepreneurship. He became a key participant in Silicon Alley, leveraging his media background to publish Silicon Alley Reporter, which evolved from a newsletter into a magazine with significant circulation. Although the dot-com bust ended the publication, Calacanis continued to pursue opportunities in digital media and technology startups.

Calacanis co-founded the blog network Weblogs, Inc. with Brian Alvey, which received early investment from Mark Cuban. The company was later acquired by America Online, marking Calacanis' first major exit and establishing his reputation in digital media. He went on to serve as general manager of Netscape and later joined Sequoia Capital as an Entrepreneur in Action. Through this role, Calacanis invested in Travis Kalanick's company Uber, a decision that became a cornerstone of his investment philosophy. Over his career, Calacanis has invested in more than 300 startups, including Uber, Calm, Trello, Thumbtack, Wealthfront, and Robinhood, building a portfolio that reflects his focus on early-stage technology companies.

Calacanis founded LAUNCH, a platform designed to help startups pitch, network, and raise capital. The annual LAUNCH Festival has become one of the largest events for founders and investors in the startup ecosystem. He also established the Open Angel Forum, an event connecting early-stage startups with angel investors, advocating for ethical practices in startup funding. As an educator at Founder University, a division of Launch, Calacanis offers a course for founders aiming to transform their startups into viable businesses.

In media, Calacanis hosts the podcast "This Week in Startups," recognized as one of the longest-running business podcasts in the technology and entrepreneurship space. He is also a co-host of the "All-In" podcast with Chamath Palihapitiya, David O. Sacks, and David Friedberg, a show that covers technology, markets, and geopolitics and has become influential among industry professionals. The "All-In Podcast" has contributed to Calacanis' visibility and influence, expanding his reach within the technology and investment communities.

Calacanis is the author of "Angel: How to Invest in Technology Startups—Timeless Advice from an Angel Investor Who Turned $100,000 into $100,000,000," published by HarperCollins. The book serves as a guide for aspiring investors interested in the early-stage startup landscape. Calacanis has been recognized as a serial internet entrepreneur and has appeared on Forbes' annual list of the most well-known people on the internet. Through his work in startups, investing, and media, Calacanis has established a significant presence in the technology and innovation sectors.