I Am Northwest Arkansas® Highway Ventures Brings Innovative Tech Startups to Northwest Arkansas
About the Show:
"Now that we've drunk the Kool-Aid and we're kind of on the inside here now, we're really trying to make those other groups feel comfortable with really, the imminent success, if not already successful, Northwest Arkansas ecosystem."
- Lane Patterson
About the Guest(s):
Joe Camizio: Joe is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Highway Ventures. He has a background in corporate venture capital, specifically at Mitre Corporation, where he worked with government-funded technologies to bring them into the private sector. Joe recently relocated from Washington, DC to Northwest Arkansas to expand his innovative company.
Lane Patterson: Lane is a co-founder of Highway Ventures, specializing in advanced mobility and logistics startups. He previously worked at Enterprise Ireland, the venture capital arm of the Irish government, and has been involved in various projects in telecom. Lane moved from Charleston, South Carolina to bring innovative startups to Northwest Arkansas.
Dylan Terry (Absent): Another key figure in Highway Ventures, Dylan has expertise in developing business models and has worked alongside Joe and Lane. He was also associated with Enterprise with Enterprise Ireland and has contributed significantly to the formation of what’s known as the "Camizio Terry model."
Episode Summary:
In this engaging episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Joe Camizio and Lane Patterson from Highway Ventures. Recently relocated to Northwest Arkansas, Joe and Lane are eager to immerse themselves in the local ecosystem and develop cutting-edge businesses focusing on advanced mobility and innovative government technologies. Despite missing their colleague Dylan Terry, they share compelling insights about their mission, the unique advantages of Northwest Arkansas, and their ambitious plans for creating new enterprises in the region.
Highway Ventures is on a mission to leverage innovative government-funded technologies, often stranded within federal labs, and turn them into viable commercial products. Joe and Lane delve into how they identify promising technologies and the critical role of their startup studio in nurturing these ideas into successful companies. They discuss their strategic focus on advanced mobility, encompassing technologies that enhance the movement of people and goods. Both founders highlight the unparalleled community support, networking opportunities, and the friendly business environment they’ve encountered in Northwest Arkansas, underscoring why this region is ideal for their venture.
Key Takeaways:
- Startup Studio Model: Highway Ventures aims to create 2-3 new companies annually by licensing innovative government-funded technologies.
- Focus on Advanced Mobility: The primary focus is on technologies that improve the movement of people and goods, aligning with the strong logistics and supply chain presence in Northwest Arkansas.
- Community Engagement: The founders have found Northwest Arkansas to be exceptionally welcoming and collaborative, providing a fertile ground for networking and business growth.
- Relocation Benefits: Both Joe and Lane emphasize the area’s conducive lifestyle and supportive ecosystem as significant factors in attracting top talent.
- Future Plans: Highway Ventures plans to launch its first company within the calendar year and build a total of three within the first 18 months, generating high-paying jobs and bringing external capital to the region.
All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast.
Important Links and Mentions on the Show*
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This episode is sponsored by*
Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"
Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!"
*Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.
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Mentioned in this episode:
Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"
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