The Alef Model A and the future of flying cars with Alef CEO Jim Dukhovny | E1929

This Week in Startups

Apr 11 2024 • 47 mins

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Todays show:

Alef’s Jim Dukhovny joins Jason to discuss different approaches to flying car tech (1:16), Alef’s vehicle design (9:17), commercial aspects (22:39), and more!

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Alef’s Jim Dukhovny joins Jason

(1:16) Alef’s mission and the different approaches to VTOL and flying car technologies

(8:25) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist

(9:17) Alef’s approach to vehicle design and use of existing technologies in a new format

(12:10) Technical details of Alef’s vehicle design, including propulsion systems and structural innovations

(14:27) Challenges of designing flying vehicles that function both as cars and aircraft

(21:11) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups

(22:39) Commercial aspects, including pricing, customer pre-orders, and manufacturing plans

(26:13) Regulatory and certification challenges and the potential timeline for bringing the product to market

(32:46) Zendesk - Get six months free at http://www.zendesk.com/twist

(34:16) Ballistic parachute systems in drones, planes, and Alef’s vehicles

(38:53) The long-term vision for autonomous flying cars

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Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtzuL3WSiGY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Gzdo107SmE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBCUQlF3MMU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxaFFuN1vpc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT4buS7avd4

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Follow Jim:

X: https://twitter.com/AlefAeronautics

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimdukhovny

Check out Alef: https://alef.aero

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Follow Jason:

X: https://twitter.com/Jason

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis

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Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp

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Thank you to our partners:

(8:25) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist

(21:11) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups

(32:46) Zendesk - Get six months free at http://www.zendesk.com/twist

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Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

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Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis

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Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

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