Austin Next

Episodes

March 22, 2022

A 1st Timers' Impression of SXSW

We are changing up the format this week as we are flying without a net and without a guest. This time is just a conversation between our hosts. Jason had the opportunity to attend SXSW. Hear one point of view …

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March 15, 2022

Digital Roadtrip to Atlanta and Nashville

We are hitting the road again and learning about all the other "emerging" ecosystems. This time we are heading to the Southeast and making pitstops in Atlanta and Nashville. We are joined by Blake Patton, Managing Partner Tec...

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March 8, 2022

Unique to Austin - It's SXSW with Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Off…

This is another in our Unique to Austin series where we look at what gives Austin its special sauce. There is nothing more unique about Austin than SXSW. Over the past 30 years, Austin has grown, matured, and adapted to …

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March 1, 2022

Unique to Austin - Army Applications Lab with Brance Hudzietz, Corpo…

A key enabler of Austin’s growth are the unique institutions, events, and infrastructure that only exists in our region. In 2018, Army Futures Command chose our city as its base of operations. We wanted to learn why, how it c...

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Feb. 22, 2022

Flyover Country an Insult or the Future with Dale Buss, Executive Dir…

Over the course of the pandemic, migration trends already taking place were accelerated. It’s an open secret that the middle of the US is now a key engine of our nation’s growth. We’ve seen the ups and downs economically, mos...

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Feb. 15, 2022

Digital Roadtrip to Chicago, Dallas, and San Diego

Austin is not the only ecosystem in the news as the next big thing. The past few years have seen massive disruption, geographic migration, and increased capital flows outside of the traditional big innovation centers of Silic...

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Feb. 8, 2022

Research Speaks - Progress Studies with Jason Crawford, Founder and C…

For Austin to solidify its role as the next great innovation powerhouse, we must research what has come before and what are the trends pushing us forward. One area of study that greatly affects our future is the exploration o...

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Feb. 1, 2022

Executive Talent with Lisa Novak, VP Employee Experience at data.world

We continue our conversations about talent, who companies need and how to get them. Are we positioned for the future needs of our region and its sectors? We’ve talked about the pipeline, we’ve discussed middle management, it’...

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Jan. 25, 2022

The Talent Pipeline with Garrett Groves, Vice Chancellor of Strategic…

Talent remains a hot topic in everyone of our discussions. Do we have enough workers, do we have the right skill sets, how are we positioned for the future needs of the region and sectors? We have demand for high …

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Jan. 18, 2022

Mid-Management Talent with Bjorn Billhardt, CEO of Abilitie

Everyone we have interviewed on the podcast has mentioned talent as a key issue facing Austin as it quickly ramps up its innovation ecosystem. And a big part of that is developing mid-level managers that can make decisions an...

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Jan. 11, 2022

Discussing the Austin Narrative with Amber Gunst, CEO of the Austin T…

Over the course of this podcast, we have explored the Austin ecosystem from a variety of different angles. The sectors here, the major trends, and the entrepreneurial support system. One question that has percolated through h...

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Dec. 7, 2021

Austin Sector Deep Dive: Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) with Kirstin R…

The innovation space is wider and more expansive than the traditional tech verticals. It extends to the food we eat, the health/beauty solutions we use, the products we utilize to clean our home, and many more. Joining us is ...

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Nov. 30, 2021

Austin Sector Deep Dive: Space with with Melanie Stricklan, CEO Sling…

The space race runs through Texas now. All types of rockets, satellites, control software, and the underlying infrastructure of the industry are being created and grown here in Austin. Our Austin Sector Deep Dive Series conti...

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Nov. 16, 2021

Austin Sector Deep Dive: Manufacturing with Ed Latson, Executive Dire…

Austin is more than the live music capital of the world or the latest tech-wonderland. Central Texas has a notable and growing manufacturing base as well. Today, we’re going to go deeper into this part of our home and try …

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Nov. 9, 2021

The Austin Capital Environment #3: NonVC Sources of Startup Fundraisi…

Venture capital is just one source of funding available to early-stage companies. These sources both compete with and complement VC money. They range from existing methods such as angels and debt vehicles to new sources like ...

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Nov. 2, 2021

The Austin Capital Environment #2: New to Austin VC with Garheng Kong…

As we continue our look at the Austin capital environment, we turn to the newcomers to the region. Over the past 18 months, we have had numerous VC firms either opening up offices here or an outright move. This influx …

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Oct. 26, 2021

The Austin Capital Environment #1: Homegrown Venture Capital with Bri…

The fuel that makes startups grow has always been capital. This is produced from revenue, debt, angels, crowdfunding, and venture capital. Austin has seen a record year in both funds being raised and companies raising rounds....

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Oct. 19, 2021

Private Innovation Support Infrastructure with Amos Schwartzfarb, Man…

We interview Amos Schwartzfarb, Managing Director of TechStars Austin about how private incubators support the innovation ecosystem here in Central TX. Support the show and check out our sponsors: Austin Private Wealth Austin...

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Oct. 12, 2021

Academic Innovation Support Structures with Van Truskett and Ashley J…

History has shown that a strong university is a key element for an innovation ecosystem to thrive. The good news is that Austin is the home of the University of Texas, one of the largest and strongest universities in the …

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Oct. 5, 2021

Austin Sector Deep Dive: Life Sciences with Scott Collins, President …

The pandemic opened a lot of people's eyes to the importance of the life sciences industry. The 21st century is being called the bio century and Austin has the opportunity to be right in the middle of that next wave. …

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Sept. 28, 2021

Austin Sector Deep Dive: MediaTech with Paul O'Brien, CEO MediaTech V…

The Live Music Capital of the world is one of many slogans for our fine city. Music is just one of many forms of media that have been taking hold in the region. This includes film, gaming, and yes podcasting …

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Sept. 16, 2021

Austin Sector Deep Dive: Blockchain and Crypto with Lee Bratcher, Pre…

One of the strengths of the Austin innovation ecosystem is the wide sector diversification that plays within our region. All of these different industries provide multiple shots on goals for future unicorns, a hedge against a...

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Sept. 7, 2021

The Austin Mortar, an interview with Thom Singer, the Human Connectio…

The building blocks of any ecosystem are the companies that have been founded or migrated here; however, it is the mortar between those blocks that makes a strong foundation. The mortar of an ecosystem is the people, culture,...

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Aug. 24, 2021

Research Speaks with Ross Devol CEO of Heartland Forward Foundation

We talk a lot about how Austin is transforming into the next great innovation powerhouse, but how do you define a growing innovation powerhouse. What do the academics say are the right ways to measure an ecosystem’s growth an...

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