John Kobs

CEO & Co-Founder, @Giantorg. Founder & Chairman @ApartmentList. Yes, these glasses are as thick as they look.

[John Kobs @JohnKobs]

Thanks for the thoughtful coverage, @deantak. Excited to see how interactive storytelling evolves as kids move from watching to building.

[Dean Takahashi @deantak]

Exclusive on AI-native interactive storytelling startup focused on kids. https://t.co/xswNOfmh98

[GamesBeat @GamesBeat]

Giant raises $8M to build interactive storytelling for kids - https://t.co/ZGWnVTcV09

[John Kobs @JohnKobs]

@dcstalder Appreciate it, @dcstalder! The behavior has been the most exciting part…over a million minutes of kids actively talking, building, and creating. Feels like we’re just getting started.

[John Kobs @JohnKobs]

Honored for GIANT to be selected as a Lightspeed Game Changer this year.

Surreal seeing it up on the Nasdaq Tower today.

Back to building.

@GiantOrg

[Lightspeed @lightspeedvp]

The wait is over. Say hello to the 2026 Game Changers.

The gaming industry is no stranger to disruption, mass layoffs, shifting economies, the rise of AI, and evolving global policies have reshaped what it means to build.

And still, some creators never stop innovating.

In partnership with @GamesBeat and @Nasdaq, we’re celebrating the 25 startups that are transforming the future of AI, gaming, and interactive media.

Congratulations to Ahead, @AnimalCompanyVR, @appchargeHQ, @ArtificialAgncy, @AstroBeamHQ, @brainjargames, @cyphergames_, @delphi_inc_, @ReaperActualDPS, @diversion_hq, Edurino, @gamefamstudios, Giant, @higgsfield_ai, @litumbrella, @ItsMidsummer, Mira, @neoncommerce, @nunudotai, Odyssey, @pp_socials, @tolanworld, @seeker_kinforge, Vinci Games, and @wideworlds_ai.

Cc @mbaierlentz, @deantak

[John Kobs @JohnKobs]

Amazing opportunity...

[Jake Zeller @jake_zeller]

1/ Applications are now open for Powerset Cohort 3, where top founders get their own $1M+ fund for angel investing. Like past cohorts, investment experience is not required, and founders have no administrative obligations.

[Jonathan Swanson @swaaanson]

When we first started Thumbtack in 2009, we had no customers, no product, no money.

Our first “office” was a house, and I slept in a closet

By 2019, we scaled it to $1B.

Here are my 5 real-talk lessons I learned building Thumbtack from 0 to $1B starting from a CLOSET! 🧵

[Dan Siroker @dsiroker]

Introducing Limitless: a personalized AI powered by what you’ve seen, said, or heard.

It’s a web app, Mac app, Windows app, and a wearable.

0:06 Reveal
0:48 Why Limitless?
1:39 Demo
3:05 Pendant
4:27 Privacy
5:23 Confidential Cloud
6:36 Rewind
7:12 Roadmap
9:25 Vision

[John Kobs @JohnKobs]

I'm a proud investor & supporter of @modelbit. Harry and Tom are incredible entrepreneurs! This is our second time around (Periscope Data sold to Sisense). Jumped at the opportunity to work with @harryglaser and Tom again! https://t.co/VQGodpu9tf

[John Kobs @JohnKobs]

@brendanbaker @_dhruv_1 😘

[Javelin Robotics @JavelinRobotics]

Excited to announce our launch and being backed by @ycombinator!

We are helping drivers flourish with Autonomous trucks. Check us out: https://t.co/8ujjjfO3jY

[Alejandro Cremades @acremades]

(NEW EPISODE) This Entrepreneur Raised $60 Million To Help People Around the World Become Fluent In English cc @cambly @SameerAShariff https://t.co/a9gXOdkwD2 @kvnlw @ycombinator @svangel @BessemerVP @benchmark @cherubicvc @shervin @FuelCapital @JohnKobs #business

[Jake Zeller @jake_zeller]

1/ Founders are the lifeblood of venture capital; both because of their companies and the dealflow they send to VCs. Yet of $621B invested in venture last year, less than 3% was deployed by active founders.

Today we’re changing that and launching Powerset. Read more >>

[John Kobs @JohnKobs]

Congrats @Pano_AI team!

[Pano AI @Pano_AI]

We’re excited to announce our $20M #SeriesA round led by @initialized! Enabling us to scale our tech across high fire-risk areas + accelerate global adaptation to increasing frequency & intensity of climate-related disasters. More by @haje: https://t.co/Bk6hPpYjY7
#StopWildfires

[Dan Siroker @dsiroker]

I started to go deaf in my 20s. When I turned 30, a hearing aid changed my life. To lose a sense and gain it back again feels like gaining a superpower. Ever since that moment, I’ve been on a hunt for ways technology can augment human capabilities and give us superpowers.

(1/3)

[Sequoia Capital @sequoia]

“In my family there was always this story of fighting for what you believe in and not doing the easy thing—no matter what it takes.”

@jalehr isn't just reinventing marketing, she's leading a mutiny. @mutinycorp
https://t.co/X92uEDGDJY

[John Kobs @JohnKobs]

Congrats @YunhaJKim!

[Y Combinator @ycombinator]

Today, YC W17’s @simplehabitapp is launching Sleep Reset, the world’s first digital, personalized sleep clinic, available in a mobile app. Improve sleep and reduce sleep anxiety, no pills or melatonin needed.

Congrats @YunhaJKim and team! https://t.co/YdY1FqTsal

[John Kobs @JohnKobs]

Congrats @SameerAShariff !

[Sameer Shariff @SameerAShariff]

So excited to share more about what we've been up to at @cambly on @Forbes today!
https://t.co/dSXbBuKddV

Cambly is helping people all over the world learn English and unlock economic opportunities -- if you're excited about our mission and impact, please get in touch!

[Glacier @glaciertechinc]

We’re thrilled to exit stealth today and announce that we’ve raised $4.5M from @NEA (@annbordetsky @andrewschoen @henrymagun)! https://t.co/szWzcqmpH0

Our mission is to end waste, starting with AI/robotics for recycling. We're #hiring!

[John Kobs @JohnKobs]

@marissadulaney @ApartmentList @MatthewWoodsL3B Thanks Marissa!

[John Kobs @JohnKobs]

After 14 years building @ApartmentList, I’ve decided to transition to Chairman of the Board and elevate our very own Matthew Woods to CEO. I’m immensely grateful for this ride of a lifetime, and extraordinarily excited to celebrate @MatthewWoodsL3B!
https://t.co/8iJRfEcrnC