Sam Shank

Stand Insurance, Former CEO HotelTonight

[Sam Shank @samshank]

Loved @bgurley’s Runnin’ Down a Dream - highly recommend. It hit at the right time as I think about my next decade. The biggest takeaway for me: follow fascination, not passion.

[Sam Shank @samshank]

@ItsSnibby @Tesla Thx! several of the lights on my way home are completely deterministic and rules based. was thinking the model could build understanding of them over time through observation - which is essentially how I personally have determined the pattern and optimize my route.

[Sam Shank @samshank]

An idea for @Tesla navigation: optimize routes based on real-time traffic light sequencing.

Example: if going left or straight at a traffic light takes the same amount of time to get to your destination, but the left-turn arrow comes before the main green, the car should choose based on the light state.

Green main light? Go straight.
Red light or Green turn arrow? Take the left.

[Sam Shank @samshank]

@StravaSupport I've had a support ticket in with you unresolved for 2 weeks - I've had a few updates that you're still looking into it but 2 weeks is a long time. Would love to be able to access the account I paid for...

[Sam Shank @samshank]

@DbauerBR549 @Starlink @united I’m thinking of a higher resolution real time four dimensional model. My flight was bumpy for 90 mins despite the pilot trying different elevations by trial and error that had worked for an earlier flight.

[Sam Shank @samshank]

Had @Starlink on a @united flight last week - it's amazing how good it is. One idea is that the hardware should include accelerometers to track flight turbulence and create a real time map of flight conditions to aid other pilots in avoiding turbulent areas.

[Sam Shank @samshank]

Really proud of what we are building at @standinsurance. Big vision, exceptional execution, and a mission that matters more every year.

[Dan Preston @danpres]

Introducing Stand’s World Model, a physics-native frontier model for the built environment. This is how we help the world survive catastrophe: by computing how physical force acts on a structure, protecting property from fire, wind, flood, or earthquake.

[Sam Shank @samshank]

Demo day for @speedrun 006 underway!

[Sam Shank @samshank]

@eleelenawa @MaCVentureCap @fcubedvc @speedrun Congrats! Amazing to see what you’re bringing to the world.

[Sam Shank @samshank]

@jrichlive Thanks @jrichlive - we were lucky to have you as investors and your candid and constructive advice during those zags was key to our getting out of them!

[Sam Shank @samshank]

@JamesTyler___ Yes we did - tens of millions of free cash flow. But it took many years to build the supply and demand sides of the marketplace before we changed focus to ebitda/cash flow.

[Sam Shank @samshank]

https://t.co/xoOY9T1kET

[Sam Shank @samshank]

Congrats @JeffreyChernick! Was very fun to work with you on a chapter in this book - perhaps the closest I'll ever get to writing my own book!

[Jeffrey Chernick @JeffreyChernick]

#1 New Release on Amazon 🏆

High Five Energy just hit #1 in "Starting a Business" on Amazon Hot New Releases.

Thank you to everyone who grabbed a copy. This is just the beginning.

18 legendary founders. $200B+ in exits. Real stories about what it actually takes.

Link in bio to grab yours.

#bestseller #highfiveenergy #entrepreneur #startups #founders

[Sam Shank @samshank]

Hey @jgebbia design idea for you. I had federal court jury duty the past 2 weeks - I was happy to do my part for the judicial process, though I had to login to the website each day at 5pm to check my status. Tedious and easy to forget! I should have been able to sign up for an email or text status alerts.

[Sam Shank @samshank]

@tkexpress11 Couldn't agree more. Taking it a step further, I expect to see fully branded robotaxis - like a Starbucks car, or an Amazon Prime car - with built in F&B / vending.

[Sam Shank @samshank]

@kenanhsaleh I think you’re right and I’m excited for this. One thing that would greatly help is an AI native distribution method. I’m keeping an eye on GEO or GPT app stores

[Sam Shank @samshank]

@usmangul @MetalRaise this would have been a huge help in the early days of fundraising for me!

[Sam Shank @samshank]

Fun talking with you @kentlind! Covered a lot of territory and lessons learned.

[Kent Lindstrom @kentlind]

Latest episode with @samshank, who built @HotelTonight the groundbreaking last-minute hotel booking app acquired by @Airbnb . How HotelTonight cracked the App Store rankings, turned perishable hotel inventory into gold, and ultimately became a perfect strategic fit for Airbnb.

[Kent Lindstrom @kentlind]

Latest episode with @samshank, who built @HotelTonight the groundbreaking last-minute hotel booking app acquired by @Airbnb . How HotelTonight cracked the App Store rankings, turned perishable hotel inventory into gold, and ultimately became a perfect strategic fit for Airbnb.

[Sam Shank @samshank]

@_CallMeMacy Detecting fakes (and finding legit deals and used items on long tail sites) will be key features! We’ll give you credit Macy!

[Sam Shank @samshank]

AI is about to change how we buy things.

The last generation of marketplaces optimized for search: List the inventory. Add filters. Sort by price. Remove friction.

That playbook is exhausted.

What comes next are AI-powered marketplaces with agents that work for you - not just showing options, but advocating on your behalf.

Key things they will do:
• Understand your constraints and preferences
• Decide when to buy, not just what
• Negotiate across sellers to get the best outcome

Instead of scrolling, you’ll delegate.

The future of commerce isn’t better discovery.
It’s decision-making and execution on your behalf.