Startups of the Week

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Learn about new Bay Area companies you likely haven’t heard of yet. They could become the next Airbnb or Uber — or they could die before they hit the mainstream. We'll tell you why they matter either way. Hosted by San Francisco Chronicle business editor Owen Thomas and reporter Sophia Kunthara, and…

San Francisco Chronicle and Crunchbase News


    • Dec 30, 2018 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 15m AVG DURATION
    • 54 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Startups of the Week

    Favorite Startups of 2018: Postmates, Nurx and Asana

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2018 24:14


    Sophia, Owen and Alex look back at their favorite startups that were featured this season — a popular courier service, a telemedicine company that delivers birth control and a project management tool. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Meditation Roundup: Headspace, Calm, Simple Habit

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2018 21:02


    Meditation apps are becoming increasingly popular and were featured multiple times on this season of Startups of the Week. Sophia, Owen and Alex look back at three startups that help users stay calm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Rinse, Danal, Chewse

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2018 17:54


    Rinse is another startup trying to change the laundry pickup and delivery game, Danal is acquired by Boku and a company is catering workplace meals to bring employees together. With Owen Thomas, Alex Wilhelm and Sophia Kunthara. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Asana, Crunchyroll, Wrike

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2018 16:29


    Project management has never been easier than with the help of two Silicon Valley startups, and a Bay Area company brings Blade Runner 2049 to anime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Simple Habit, Poynt, Sapho

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2018 25:23


    Simple Habit founder and CEO Yunha Kim joins the Startups crew to talk about launching the meditation app after having not taken care of herself during the launch of her first company. Plus: A company that raised $100 million in funding and a startup that was acquired by Citrix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Mayvenn, HealthLoop, Nurx

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2018 18:38


    In a rare Startups of the Week twist, we focus on three companies that are actually doing good things for the world. Not a scooter rental firm in sight! One sells hair extensions straight to consumers, one was acquired by GetWell Network, and one is a telemedicine company that delivers birth control and PrEP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Zume, Carbon Health, Year & Day

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2018 17:06


    A company that uses robots to help make pizzas, a startup that merged with Direct Urgent Care and a tableware company that’s gaining popularity on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Filld, Meetingbird, Upguard

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2018 12:17


    A company that brings gas on-demand to cars and fleets; a calendar and scheduling startup that was acquired by Front; and a cybersecurity company that finds data breaches and leaks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Scribd, TCell, Future Family

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2018 16:58


    A “Netflix for Books,” Scribd now offers all the news that’s fit to subscribe to; the acquisition of  cybersecurity startup TCell shows why protecting apps is hot; and Future Family makes fertility more affordable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Egnyte, YourMechanic, Rippling

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2018 20:03


    A company that received $75 million from Goldman Sachs after almost since their last funding round; a startup that connects car owners to mechanics; and former Zenefits CEO Parker Conrad’s new employee management system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Brex, Onward, Prepd

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2018 15:41


    A company that issues corporate credit cards to startups, a startup that was acquired by Google and a company that makes sleek lunch boxes perfect for meal prepping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Capella Space, Astro Technology, Calm

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2018 17:01


    A company that’s gearing up to send its first satellite to space, an AI-powered email startup acquired by Slack, and a meditation app that recently partnered with American Airlines to give passengers a calmer travel experience.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Proterra, BloomThat, Postmates

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2018 18:41


    An electric vehicle maker that’s going back to school, an online florist that’s wilting under a new owner, and an online delivery company that just picked up a lot of cash. Owen Thomas, Alex Wilhelm and Sophia Kunthara discuss Proterra, BloomThat and Postmates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Base, AliveCor, Shift

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2018 22:50


    Base is a customer relationship management company acquired by Zendesk. AliveCor is a startup that had an over the counter EKG on the market years before the Apple Watch. And Shift is a company that’s making it easier to buy and sell used cars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Allbirds, Alpine.AI, PagerDuty

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2018 18:58


    A popular shoe company that uses eco-friendly materials and is worn by the likes of Larry Page and Oprah; a startup that will help bring voice commands to a meditation app; and a company that makes sure other companies’ technology is working. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Bungalow, Gener8 and Modsy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2018 15:28


    A startup with a solution for the housing crunch; a company that found a different kind of exit; and an interior design startup with a futuristic twist. San Francisco Chronicle business reporter Sophia Kunthara joins Owen Thomas and Alex Wilhelm on Startups as Season 3 begins.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Wefunder, Mindtribe and Hinge Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2018 18:29


    An equity crowdfunding platform that helps you support craft brew becoming whiskey; a company that's worked with Tesla and Square that was just acquired by Accenture; and a digital health startup that just raised some new money. Plus: Y2K? What's that? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Hippo Insurance, RideOS, Solebit

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2018 16:54


    A home insurance company that launched an Alexa skill to get some attention; a company trying to make the roll out of self-driving cars more seamless; and an acquisition deal that strengthens data and security in your emails. Theme music is "Bot Fest" by Alex Vaan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Black Girls Code, Slack and Lantern

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2018 17:10


    Black Girls Code said no to Uber, then yes to Microsoft, Slack is working with its competition; and a San Francisco startup worked to make mental healthcare more accessible — but recently shut down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Betabrand, 42Floors, AppLovin

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2018 14:43


    A company that uses 3D renderings and consumer input to sell products; a company that just raised $400 million to help mobile gamers make more cash; and a startup real estate deal that is going to bring more real estate to startups. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Fastly, Plexchat, Awair

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2018 15:52


    A company that works behind the scenes to get you your online content faster; a Bay Area company that has interest from Warner Bros; and a cute startup gadget that tracks the air quality in your house. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Flow Kana, StudyBlue and Crave

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2018 13:21


    A small-batch, craft cannabis company scoring some new green; a company trying to make vibrators great again; and Chegg, a study platform, acquiring another study platform. Theme music is "Bot Fest" by Alex Vaan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Fuzzy, Comfy and Hims

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2018 17:17


    Pet owners get the option of on-demand health advice, why an Oakland-based smart technology company was acquired by Siemens, and why Hims, a male wellness brand, is gaining VC interest. Theme music is "Bot Fest" by Alex Vaan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Peek, Smyte and Khan Academy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2018 14:12


    A startup that’s competing with Airbnb to be your city tour guide, why a Twitter anti-spam acquisition drew some abuse, and why the new attention on Khan Academy is totally legal. Theme music is "Bot Fest" by Alex Vaan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Chowbotics, Workday and Hipcamp

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2018 16:47


    This week we’ll tell you about a bot who'll lettuce enjoy cheap, fast lunch, why Workday said “heck no” to Adaptive Insights’ IPO, and what’s hip about Hipcamp. Theme music is "Bot Fest" by Alex Vaan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    GrubMarket, Curbside and OneLogin

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2018 13:51


    This week we’ll tell you about a company that can get it for you wholesale — and organic; a delivery service that’s turning Japanese; and a password vault that secured more cash. Theme music is "Bot Fest" by Alex Vaan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Coffee Meets Bagel, Imgur, Jetlore

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2018 16:17


    San Francisco Chronicle reporter Trisha Thadani and Crunchbase News Editor in Chief Alex Wilhelm tell you about a dating app that just got a big round of funding, a GIF platform that's becoming a video platform, though Trisha and Alex still won't know how to pronounce its name, and a prediction platform that helps online retailers understand their customers. Theme music is "Bot Fest" by Alex Vaan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Heroes, Proterra, and PepsiCo’s acquisition of Bare Snacks

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2018 18:10


    This week we’ll tell you about a company that wants you to turn your cover letter and resume into a video, an electric bus startup that may have just raised a heap of money, and what PepsiCo acquired a healthy snack company. Theme music is "Bot Fest" by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Good Eggs, Eat Club

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2018 18:10


    This week we’ll tell you about the come back story of Good Eggs, and yet another food delivery startup Eat Club and why it acquired its competition. Theme music is "Bot Fest" by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Klout, Velostrata, Xapo

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2018 18:51


    This week we mourn the death of Klout, a way to measure online importance that saw its own influence wane. Then we’ll tell you about Google’s latest cloud deal and why Xapo pulled in another $40 million. Theme music is "Bot Fest" by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    ZeroCater, Cisco, HealthTap

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2018 15:06


    This week we feature ZeroCater, a corporate catering service that just raised $12 million. Then we’ll tell you about Cisco’s recent acquisition and what happened to the CEO of HealthTap. Theme music is "Bot Fest" by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Jupiter, Zesty and Discord

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2018 10:58


    This week we feature Jupiter, a San Mateo startup that  hopes to reduce future devastation caused by floods and severe weather by helping developers and cities predict where the problem areas could be. We also discuss Square's purchase of Zesty and recent developments at Discord, a chat tool popular with gamers, that has received an extra $50 million in funding to make it easier for friends to talk online. The company also just teamed up with Microsoft’s Xbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    B8ta, Checkr and Verifone

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2018 14:47


    This week we tell you about how one business is betting on demand for physical store locations, how Checkr raised $100 million and why an investor group made a bid for Verifone. Theme music is "Bot Fest" by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Instacart, Polyvore and Apptimize

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2018 9:50


    This week we tell you about Instacart raising a huge new round of funding, why some Polyvore users are angry; and concerns about how companies handle user data. Theme music is "Bot Fest" by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    GetMyBoat, E8 and Neuralink

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2018 14:47


    This week we tell you about a company that wants to be Airbnb, but for boats; why VMware is beefing up its security; and what Elon Musk’s most secretive company might be up to. Theme music is "Bot Fest" by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Voicery, KeepTruckin, and Lytro’s talent deal

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2018 17:20


    This week we tell you about a company that can imitate just about anyone’s voice, a logistics company that landed a truckload of cash, and why acquisitions in Silicon Valley aren’t always straightforward buyouts — especially when there are sought-after engineers involved. Theme music is "Bot Fest" by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Remix, Apple’s acquisition of Texture, and Airtable

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2018 12:08


    This week we’ll tell you about a company that wants to help your local transit agency plan its route, and talk about what Apple’s acquisition of Texture could mean for the tech giant. We’ll also tell you what Airtable is, and why you might be using it in your office soon. Theme music is "Bot Fest" by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    EAT Club, Splunk’s acquisition of Phantom, and DoorDash

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2018 15:35


    This week we talk to a company that wants to deliver you lunch at work, and DoorDash -- which just got half a billion dollars more in funding to deliver food to your door. We’ll also dive into Splunk’s recent acquisition and how it is improving its diversity efforts. Theme music is "Bot Fest" by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Darkstore, The Cube and Signal

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2018 11:59


    This week we talk to a company that wants to be a behind-the-scenes e-commerce company. We’ll also tell you about PlayOn! Sports’ acquisition of The Cube and an encrypted messaging app that just got a new round of funding. Theme music is "Bot Fest" by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    HackerRank, Twine Health, BetterWorks

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2018 12:27


    This week we talk about a company that helps match developers with jobs. We’ll also tell you about Fitbit’s acquisition of Twine Health and a human resources startup trending because of #MeToo. Theme music is "Bot Fest" by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Strava, Gfycat, BlockCypher

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2018 11:01


    This week we look at a fitness tracking app that accidentally revealed US military bases, a gif-making service that is back in the news and a blockchain company that is partnering with the government. Theme music is “Bot Fest” by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    After School, Enzyme, VRChat

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2018 11:16


    In this episode of Startups of the Week, we’ll tell you about an anonymous app for teens that is trying to keep bullying at bay. Then, we’ll tell you about two more startups you likely haven’t heard of yet. Theme music is “Bot Fest” by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    HoloBuilder, Health2047, Grove Collaborative

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2018 11:08


    In this episode of Startups of the Week, we tell you about HoloBuilder, a company that turns traditional 2-D floor plans into 3-D models. Then, we’ll tell you about two more startups you likely haven’t heard of yet. Theme music is “Bot Fest” by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Coffee Meets Bagel, DroneDeploy, Touch of Modern

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2018 11:22


    In episode 11 of Startups of the Week, we tell you about Coffee Meets Bagel, a dating app that promises to give women all the control. Then, we’ll tell you about two more startups you likely haven’t heard of yet. Theme music is “Bot Fest” by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Brandless, and a look back at 2017

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2017 13:49


    In episode 10 of Startups of the Week, we tell you about online retailer Brandless, which says it can keep prices down by cutting out the middleman. Then we’ll take a look back on the year’s startups, pointing out the best, worst and most surprising trends. Theme music is “Bot Fest” by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Navdy, Tipalti, AliveCor KardiaBand EKG reader

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2017 15:12


    In episode 9 of Startups of the Week, we tell you about AliveCor’s KardiaBand EKG reader, an Apple Watch accessory that can detect certain heart conditions without the patient needing to go to the hospital. Then, we’ll tell you about two more startups you likely haven’t heard of yet. Theme music is “Bot Fest” by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Everlane, Boomerang Commerce, Orchid Labs

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2017 11:24


    In episode 8 of Startups of the Week, we tell you about Everlane, a company that’s taking online commerce offline. Then, we’ll tell you about two more startups you likely haven’t heard of yet. Theme music is “Bot Fest” by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Swyft, HiQ Labs, Elation Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2017 10:28


    In episode 7 of Startups of the Week, we discuss Swyft, a company that creates sophisticated vending machines that sell products from retailers like Best Buy, Nespresso and Uniqlo. Then, we’ll tell you about two more startups you likely haven’t heard of yet. Theme music is “Bot Fest” by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    LiquidSpace, MATRIX Industries, Polarr

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2017 10:26


    In episode 6 of Startups of the Week, we talk about LiquidSpace, “the Airbnb for office space.” Then, we’ll tell you about two more startups you likely haven’t heard of yet. Theme music is “Bot Fest” by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Envoy, Vungle, SunFunder

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2017 10:30


    In episode 5 of Startups of the Week, we’ll tell you about Envoy, a startup that wants to modernize the mundane with a digital visitor registration form for office buildings. Then, we’ll tell you about two more startups you likely haven’t heard of yet. Theme music is “Bot Fest” by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Chartboost, Talent Sonar, Brit + Co

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2017 10:57


    In episode 4 of Startups of the Week, we continue discussing Chartboost, a company that places ads in mobile games. Then, we’ll tell you about two more startups you likely haven’t heard of yet. Theme music is “Bot Fest” by Alex Vaan. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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