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Austin Next

Most Recent Episodes

The Threads That Scale Innovation with Brian Hall EO Austin
May 22, 2025

The Threads That Scale Innovation with Brian Hall EO Austin

Innovation does not scale on size alone. It accelerates on the connective threads of an ecosystem, from curated founder groups to open networks and through shared stories and honest champions. Brian Hall, incoming President o...

Listen to the Episode
Houston Will Be the Industrial Bio Capital of the World with Veronica Breckenridge, First Bight Ventures
April 29, 2025

Houston Will Be the Industrial Bio Capital of the World with Veronica…

The $6 trillion chemical industry is on the verge of a revolution as biology moves from the doctor's office to the industrial zone. Veronica Breckenridge, Founder and Managing Partner of First Bight Ventures, is investing in ...

Listen to the Episode
Endless Frontiers and the Future of American Innovation with Jordan Blashek, Managing Director America's Frontier Fund
April 14, 2025

Endless Frontiers and the Future of American Innovation with Jordan B…

At a hinge point when tech leadership determines the balance of geopolitical power, deep tech investment has never been more critical to America's future. Jordan Blashek, co-founder of America's Frontier Fund , brings his per...

Listen to the Episode
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Recent

Want to Shape the Future? Start with the Story
May 26, 2025

Want to Shape the Future? Start with the Story

A clip from our episode "The Threads That Scale Innovation with Brian Hall EO Austin"

#NarrativePower
#AustinTech
#StartupCommunities
#InnovationEcosystems
#Branding

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You Can’t Just Show Up and Expect Doors to Open
May 24, 2025

You Can’t Just Show Up and Expect Doors to Open

A clip from our episode "The Threads That Scale Innovation with Brian Hall EO Austin"

#StartupAccess
#InnovationEcosystems
#AustinTech
#FounderMindset
#EcosystemBuilding

Watch the Video →

No One Owes You Access
May 23, 2025

No One Owes You Access

A clip from our episode "The Threads That Scale Innovation with Brian Hall EO Austin"

#EcosystemAccess
#FounderMindset
#StartupCommunities
#InnovationEcosystems
#Mentors

Watch the Video →

Ep 154: The Threads That Scale Innovation with Brian Hall EO Austin
May 22, 2025

Ep 154: The Threads That Scale Innovation with Brian Hall EO Austin

Innovation does not scale on size alone. It accelerates on the connective threads of an ecosystem, from curated founder groups to open networks and through shared stories and honest champions. Brian Hall, incoming President of the Austin Chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organization, joins us to explore what actually drives trust, access, and scale in a thriving tech hub.

Episode Highlights
•Role of Ecosystem Connective Tissue
•Founder Forums and Peer Accountability
•Third Rooms…

Watch the Video →

The Threads That Scale Innovation with Brian Hall EO Austin
May 22, 2025

The Threads That Scale Innovation with Brian Hall EO Austin

Innovation does not scale on size alone. It accelerates on the connective threads of an ecosystem, from curated founder groups to open networks and through shared stories and honest champions. Brian Hall, incoming President o...

Listen to the Episode →

How Biomanufacturing Can Leapfrog America Ahead of the World
May 2, 2025

How Biomanufacturing Can Leapfrog America Ahead of the World

A clip from "Houston Will Be the Industrial Bio Capital of the World with Veronica Breckenridge"

#Biomanufacturing #Reindustrialization #IndustrialBiotech #InnovationEconomy #AustinNext

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Why Scaling Industrial Biotech Is Harder Than Pharma
May 1, 2025

Why Scaling Industrial Biotech Is Harder Than Pharma

A clip from our episode "Houston Will Be the Industrial Bio Capital of the World with Veronica Breckenridge"

#IndustrialBiotech #ScaleUp #ManufacturingChallenges #Biomanufacturing #AustinNext

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Why Chemical Engineering Will Power the Industrial Bio Revolution
April 30, 2025

Why Chemical Engineering Will Power the Industrial Bio Revolution

A clip from our episode "Houston Will Be the Industrial Bio Capital of the World with Veronica Breckenridge"

#ChemicalEngineering #IndustrialBiotech #ManufacturingInnovation #Biomanufacturing #AustinNext

Watch the Video →

Ep 153: Houston Will Be the Industrial Bio Capital of the World with Veronica Breckenridge
April 29, 2025

Ep 153: Houston Will Be the Industrial Bio Capital of the World with Veronica Breckenridge

The $6 trillion chemical industry is on the verge of a revolution as biology moves from the doctor's office to the industrial zone. Veronica Breckenridge, founder and managing partner of First Bight Ventures, is investing in early-stage bio manufacturing companies while building the ecosystem to catalyze their growth. We discuss the tech powering the revolution, why Houston's first principles position the region to own the sector, and how Austin's innovation can help supercha…

Watch the Video →

Houston Will Be the Industrial Bio Capital of the World with Veronica Breckenridge, First Bight Ventures
April 29, 2025

Houston Will Be the Industrial Bio Capital of the World with Veronica Breckenridge, First Bight Ventures

The $6 trillion chemical industry is on the verge of a revolution as biology moves from the doctor's office to the industrial zone. Veronica Breckenridge, Founder and Managing Partner of First Bight Ventures, is investing in ...

Listen to the Episode →

Austin The Ultimate Bet for American Innovation and Reindustrialization
April 17, 2025

Austin The Ultimate Bet for American Innovation and Reindustrialization

A clip from our episode "Endless Frontiers and the Future of American Innovation with Jordan Blashek, Managing Director America's Frontier Fund"

#EndlessFrontiers #austin #DeepTech #innovation #manufacturing

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Building the Endless Frontiers Institute and Turning Talk Into Action
April 16, 2025

Building the Endless Frontiers Institute and Turning Talk Into Action

A clip from our episode "Endless Frontiers and the Future of American Innovation with Jordan Blashek, Managing Director America's Frontier Fund"

#EndlessFrontiers #austin #nationalsecurity #funding #DeepTech #innovation

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Inspiration Drives Innovation
April 15, 2025

Inspiration Drives Innovation

A clip from our episode "Endless Frontiers and the Future of American Innovation with Jordan Blashek, Managing Director America's Frontier Fund"

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Ep 152: Endless Frontiers & the Future of American Innovation with Jordan Blashek
April 14, 2025

Ep 152: Endless Frontiers & the Future of American Innovation with Jordan Blashek

At a hinge point when tech leadership determines the balance of geopolitical power, deep tech investment has never been more critical to America's future. Jordan Blashek, co-founder of America's Frontier Fund, brings his perspective on innovation for national advantage. From investing in defense tech to the newly launched Endless Frontiers, we discuss Jordan's vision for rebuilding American strength through strategic innovation and how Austin finds itself right in the thick of…

Watch the Video →

Endless Frontiers and the Future of American Innovation with Jordan Blashek, Managing Director America's Frontier Fund
April 14, 2025

Endless Frontiers and the Future of American Innovation with Jordan Blashek, Managing Director America's Frontier Fund

At a hinge point when tech leadership determines the balance of geopolitical power, deep tech investment has never been more critical to America's future. Jordan Blashek, co-founder of America's Frontier Fund , brings his per...

Listen to the Episode →

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Recent Blog Posts

New Report says Austin is turning into life sciences
Aug. 12, 2023

New Report says Austin is turning into life sciences "superstar" hub

Thrilled to have been featured on 'Tech this Out' with Walt Maciborski, discussing the booming Austin Life Sciences Sector!Our report, 'Austin Life Sciences Sector: A Powerhouse Emerging at a Pivotal Crossroads,' was born from a desire to catalyze a…

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Austin's Venture Funding Challenges the Global Stagnation
July 20, 2023

Austin's Venture Funding Challenges the Global Stagnation

The global venture funding landscape narrative for the first half of 2023 has been portrayed as one of stagnation. Headlines from notable publications, such as Crunchbase's "AI Was Q2’s Big Hope To Reverse The Global Venture Funding Slowdown. …

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Austin Life Sciences Sector: A Powerhouse Emerging at a Pivotal Crossroads
July 12, 2023

Austin Life Sciences Sector: A Powerhouse Emerging at a Pivotal Cross…

Welcome to Austin Next, where we explore Austin's ascension into a global innovation powerhouse. We delve into the region's evolution, examine the building of robust ecosystems, and consider the impact of emerging trends and technologies. With Austi…

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About the Host

Jason Scharf Profile Photo

Jason Scharf

Founder & Host

Jason Scharf has spent nearly two decades pursuing his life’s mission of catalyzing innovation. As an early stage investor, he targets the bio innovation tech stack and the business of health. He has held key leadership roles in strategy and market intelligence at industry pillars such as Illumina, BD, and Amgen. Through the Austin Next podcast and Substack Ecosystem Metacognition, he explores innovation, Bio & Health, tech, ecosystems, Austin, and their convergence.

Austin Next

Austin's evolution into a global innovation superstar is at the heart of Austin Next. We uncover insights into the region's transformation and what it means for ecosystem building.

Our exploration extends to emerging trends, technologies, and their convergence. Using Austin as our real-world case study and experts from around the world, we aim to understand the true nature and mechanics of innovation.

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