Image of podcast

Immigration, The Trump Interview, Air Taxis in the Bay Area and the Future of Remote Work | E1971

This Week in Startups

Tue Jun 25 2024



Archer's San Francisco Air Mobility Network:

  • Archer is developing air taxis for a San Francisco air mobility network, offering faster commutes at 150 miles per hour.
  • The Bay Area topography is seen as ideal for VTOLs to enhance transportation efficiency by providing quicker travel options across water.
  • This initiative aims to address traffic congestion issues to and from local airports in the Bay Area.

Club 33 at Disneyland:

  • Club 33 is an exclusive private club within Disneyland created by Walt Disney to impress potential investors visiting the park.
  • Membership can take five to ten years to obtain due to its exclusivity and limited availability, offering fine dining experiences and exclusive access.

Jason Calacanis's Interview with Donald Trump on Immigration Policies:

  • Jason interviewed former President Trump discussing immigration policies, including recruitment of high-skilled workers post-college graduation.
  • Trump expressed support for granting green cards automatically upon college graduation as part of diploma completion.
  • There was a discussion about balancing immigration policies between recruiting skilled individuals and concerns about job competition for Americans.

Implications of Trump's Immigration Policies:

  • Trump promised easier access for high-skilled workers through green card grants post-college graduation but later clarified restrictions based on vetting processes.
  • The interview highlighted potential ideological tests versus quality assessments in immigration policies under the Trump administration.
  • Past actions during Trump's term included making it harder to hire foreign workers and changes in green card regulations affecting family reunification.

Immigration Vetting and Political Rhetoric:

  • Vetting for immigrants is universally supported due to concerns about bad actors entering the country.
  • Both sides use inflammatory language like "bad actors" or "America haters" to energize their base and drive voter turnout.
  • The focus on such issues may not align with critical budget priorities, such as managing deficits.

Remote Work and Budget Prioritization in Startups:

  • Startups are navigating limited resources, emphasizing capital efficiency in deploying funds.
  • Founders must strategically manage budgets while investors prioritize cost-effectiveness.
  • Challenges of remote work include management inefficiencies and varying employee maturity levels in a remote setting.

Future of Air Taxis in Urban Areas:

  • Companies like Archer are planning urban air mobility networks using EVTOL systems for quick transportation over water bodies.
  • EVTOLs promise faster commutes at speeds up to 150 miles per hour, reducing risks associated with falling objects.

Implications of VTOL Technology Development:

  • Joby and Archer are developing functional VTOLs for commercial use with safety measures like redundant rotor systems and automatic compensation for engine failures.
  • Public market investors should consider factors like cash burn rates, revenue projections, and product readiness before investing in futuristic ventures.