Vibing out with Supabase

Top News

Supabase raises $200M: Just seven months after an $80 million raise (backed in part by Sequoia spinoff Peak XV and All In bestie David Sacks’ Craft Ventures), the open source project Database announced a $200M Series D at a post-money mega-valuation of $2 billion. An AI app development platform, Supabase hosts projects for around $600/month, or even more for enterprise users. (TechCrunch calls this category “vibe database management,” so it’s clearly a growth sector for 2025.)
Instagram’s familiar Edits feature: The Meta-owned social media platform’s new video editing app works a lot like rival TikTok’s CapCut. It includes advanced editing tools that aren’t available in the standard IG interface, like making AI animations from static images and efficiently key-ing out greenscreens, alongside project management tools and analytics bells and whistles. Edits is now available for free on iOS and Android devices.
OpenAI inks licensing deal with WaPo: The Jeff Bezos-owned newspaper signed a “strategic partnership” with the AI model giant, which will make Washington Post content more accessible within ChatGPT. Under the terms of the agreement, ChatGPT will prominently feature Post content when asked about politics, global affairs, business, tech, and other relevant topics, while OpenAI gets access to the Post’s original summaries, quotes, and reporting. All Post content will apparently appear with direct links and clear attribution… when the model isn’t busy hallucinating, we suppose.

TWiST500

We’ve added close to 3 dozen startups to the TWiST 500 over the past week, and we’ll try to profile them all in this space, in good time. One of these newcomers is Browser Use, and they’re doing interesting things in a very hot corner of the tech world right this moment: AI Agents.

Specifically, the team is developing tools that make websites easier to read for AI applications, breaking down purely visual elements like buttons or images into more scan-friendly, “text-like” formats. Co-founders Magnus Müller and Gregor Žunič noticed that agents relying on vision-based systems to interpret and analyze website via screenshots frequently made mistakes, so they collaborated on a different kind of system that would be less error-prone.

Müller told Techcrunch that, ultimately, he hopes to make Browser Use a “fundamental layer” within websites enabling easy link-up with the ever-expanding world of AI agents. The company is part of Y Combinator’s 2025 Winter Batch, and they report that 20 of their fellows are already working with Browser Use on their own projects.

So far, the company has raised $17 million in seed funding, and we’re obviously very eager to see where they’ll go from here. (We’re also talking to the team about a potential upcoming guest appearance on “This Week in Startups,” so be on the lookout for that.) - Lon

A message from Vanta

Compliance and security shouldn't be a deal-breaker for startups to win new business. Vanta makes it easy for companies to get a SOC 2 report fast. TWiST listeners can get $1,000 off for a limited time at https://www.vanta.com/twist

This Week in Startups

E2115: We who are about to TWiST salute you! On a Sunday night pre-recorded Easter Weekend special, Jason and Lon look at OpenAI’s hallucinatory new models, behind-the-scenes Meta docs hinting at Zuckerberg’s FB-related woes, and China’s humanoid robot half-marathon. PLUS Alex chats with Thalamus founder Jason Reminick about how he’s helping to match medical residents with the ideal hospitals.

E2114: It’s Friday TWiST! Jason, Alex, and Lon chat about LMArena’s pivot from research project to full-blown company, the rise of application-layer AI startups, and they muse about the future of autonomous drone and weapons systems. PLUS a brand-new “Tips from the Trenches” featuring design and product UX advice from branding expert Scott Bair!

E2113: On a brand new TWiST, Jason, Lon, and Alex examine Figma’s surprise IPO filing (sorry, Adobe…) and make some informed guesses about OpenAI’s new social media plans. PLUS a chat with Chris Tung about his comic book art marketplace Nerd Crawler AND Steven Borrelli of Cuts Clothing gives us the lowdown on his viral appeal to President Trump and how tariffs are wrecking havoc on his ecommerce business.

TWiST Partner Offers

Squarespace: Turn your idea into a new website! Go to https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST for a free trial. When you’re ready to launch, use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
Northwest Registered Agent: Starting your business should be simple. With Northwest Registered Agent, you can form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. From LLCs to trademarks, domains to custom websites, they’ve got you covered. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today!
Brex: Runway is everything for startups. That’s why 1 in 3 startups choose Brex for modern checking, treasury, and FDIC in one account. Learn more at https://www.brex.com/banking-solutions

Want to Work for This Week in Startups?

We’re looking to fill two in-person sales positions at our Austin, Texas HQ! First, a high-performing Sales Executive to help us seek out and promote clients, sponsorships, branded content, and more. Plus an experienced Sales Manager to lead, coach, and scale our sales executive team, while setting performance goals. Love the podcast and have B2B sales experience? We want to hear from you!

SF Live-Work Space Now Available

Need a flexible living and working environment in San Francisco? This thoughtfully designed loft-style residence at 787 Bryant St., the heart of the vibrant SOMA district and the city’s creative hub, is now available for rent or purchase. Check the listing for more details.

Founder University

Applications are open for Founder University Cohort 11, a 12-week remote pre-accelerator program tailored towards navigating early-startup practices, building an MVP, and growing traction. Submit your application at Founder University— Cohort 10 will kick off Summer 2025!

The TWiST500 newsletter is the new, updated, and improved TWiST Ticker.

Update your email preferences or unsubscribe here

548 Market Street PMB 72296
San Francisco, California 94104, United States of America