Austin Next

Episodes

July 16, 2024

Pattern Breakers with Mike Maples Jr., Founding Partner at Floodgate

Promising startups often fail despite following best practices, while rule-breakers and those running through chaos can achieve massive success. Why? Mike Maples Jr, Founding Partner at Floodgate, tackles this paradox in his ...

Listen to the Episode
July 10, 2024

Startups Playing the International Game with Joe Merrill, Co-Founder …

What do global trends affects on startups, the art of selling, startup accelerators, and the future lizard king all have in common? They are all just a few of the diverse and intersecting topics that I explore today with Joe ...

Listen to the Episode
June 24, 2024

From the Archive: Can A Simple Walk Revolutionize Networking with Ell…

In honor of the The Board Walks' 100th walk this past weekend, we are rereleasing our episode with Board Walks Founder Elle Beecher. Episode Originally Aired September 12, 2023 ---------------------- Fostering connectivity wi...

Listen to the Episode
June 12, 2024

AI, Defense, and the Future of Warfare with Charlie Burgoyne, Founder…

The future of defense and warfare has always been linked to technological change, from the discovery of fire to the Bronze Age to the Nuclear Age to now the AI Age. My guest today is Charlie Burgoyne, Founder and CEO of both ...

Listen to the Episode
June 5, 2024

A Texas Investment Thesis with Krishna Srinivasan, Founding Partner o…

The only constant in Austin seems to be change. Whether that be the people moving here, the buildings defining our skyline, or the startups being founded and funded. Today, my guest is Krishna Srinivasan, founding Partner o...

Listen to the Episode
May 15, 2024

Founder’s Perspective: What VCs Look for in AI & ML Startups with Che…

In this episode, recorded at the Austin Data Science Salon, I sit down with Cheryl Sew Hoy, CEO and Founder of Tiny Health. Tiny Health is a pioneer in gut microbiome testing, providing critical health insights for moms and b...

Listen to the Episode
April 24, 2024

Innovation at the Intersection of Venture and Nonprofits with Alice P…

How does a nonprofit innovate and scale its mission? Joining me today is Alice Pomponio, Managing Director of BrightEdge, the venture arm of the American Cancer Society, to discuss the intersection of venture capital and nonp...

Listen to the Episode
April 17, 2024

The Race for Quantum Dominance with Scott Faris, CEO Eqlipse Quantum

I am diving back into the quantum realm where the stakes are high and the potential for innovation is even higher. Joining me is Scott Faris, a seasoned expert in the field, to unravel the complexities and opportunities of qu...

Listen to the Episode
April 11, 2024

AI in the Bio Century with Micha Breakstone, Founder and CEO of Somit…

As we enter the Bio Century, AI innovations are becoming pivotal in shaping the future of biology and medicine. In this episode, I am joined by Micha Breakstone, the founder and CEO of Somite.ai, who is at the forefront of in...

Listen to the Episode
April 2, 2024

From the Frontlines of the Streaming Wars with Blake Sabatinelli, CEO…

In the midst of the streaming wars, a battle rages over the future of how we watch and interact with media. Joining me is Blake Sabatinelli, CEO of Atmosphere, to navigate the changes in consumer expectations, the future of t...

Listen to the Episode
March 26, 2024

What is the Gundo?

What makes innovation ecosystems thrive and can the learnings of one hub be applied to another? Today I am joined by Isaiah Taylor, a founder building in the Gundo, and John Coogan, who has done his own deep dive on the hub, ...

Listen to the Episode
March 19, 2024

Exploring the Rapidly Evolving E-Commerce Landscape with Roei Yellin …

E-commerce is reshaping how we do business, but where do we stand four years after lockdowns pushed everything online? I'm joined by Roei Yellin, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of 8fig, to dissect the current state of t...

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 28, 2024

Rise of the Meta City with Richard Florida

How we live, work, and innovate is changing, transforming not only our interactions within cities but also how regions interact with each other. In this episode, we welcome back Richard Florida to explore his concept of the M...

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 21, 2024

Startups and Statistics: Analyzing 2023's Story and Anticipating 2024…

As we navigate the tumultuous currents of the startup world, we're thrilled to welcome back Peter Walker, Carta’s Head of Insights. He comes with a treasure trove of data shedding light on the twists and turns of 2023 and wha...

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 7, 2024

What is the SXSW Effect and how does it shape innovation?

How does innovation show up at SXSW? Is it all carefully crafted, or the result of spontaneous interactions among artists, musicians, technologists, and more? That is the key question that we dive into with Monica Sack and Ch...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 30, 2024

The Counter Culture Spark in Entrepreneurship with Tyler Norwood, Man…

Is an entrepreneur a high-status position or are true innovators actually counter-cultural icons? This intriguing question forms the heart of my conversation with Tyler Norwood, Managing Partner at Antler. We discuss the role...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 23, 2024

Innovating at the Intersection of AI and the Physical World with Amir…

The next phase of AI's evolution focuses on its convergence with the real world and the built environment, a key theme in my discussion with Amir Husain, Founder and CEO of SparkCognition. We explore the intersection of digit...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 17, 2024

Trailblazing Access to AI in Austin's Young Minds

We shift focus from the broad, macro-level implications of AI to its tangible effects on the ground, as Austin increasingly becomes a hub for educational innovation. Joining me are Principal Keith Moore of Austin's Campbell E...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 9, 2024

Understanding Agora and Humanity's Future with Byron Reese and Brett …

In this thought-provoking episode, we are joined by Byron Reese, author of 'We are Agora,' and Brett Hurt, serial entrepreneur, to explore the intersections of superorganisms, technology, and human potential. The ideas presen...

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 19, 2023

Breaking Down the State of Austin's Pre-Seed & Seed Funding with Kate…

The impetus for this episode was a recent viral tweet stating that "Austin desperately needs another real pre-seed fund." This sparked fierce debate around the health and scalability of Austin's earliest-stage investing lands...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 28, 2023

Plug and Play's Role in Austin's Evolving Innovation Landscape with K…

As Austin continues to attract leading tech players and establish itself as a magnet for innovation, the role of new entrants becomes increasingly pivotal in shaping its future. In this episode, I talk with Kevin Parakkattu, ...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 14, 2023

From the Archive: Austin's Next Innovation Hub - The Vision Behind th…

An update since our original episode aired on May 9, 2023: The University of Austin is now accepting applications for their first undergraduate class starting fall 2024. To mark this milestone, we are resharing our interview...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 7, 2023

From the Archive: There’s Always an Us in Austin with Roy Spence, Co-…

Roy Spence is the co-founder and chairman of GSD&M, an Austin-based advertising agency. With his significant background in the advertising industry, Roy and his team have played a pivotal role in shaping Austin's reputation a...

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 31, 2023

How My 10-Year-Old Son Became a ChatGPTer

Today I explore how AI is reshaping learning and challenging traditional expertise. Through my own experiences with my 10-year-old son, we'll look at the potential of AI as a new educational frontier. Don't miss this intimate...

Listen to the Episode