Austin Next

Evan Loomis, a partner at Overmatch Ventures and co-founder of ICON, shares insights on revolutionizing construction through 3D printing. He discusses the critical tech landscape and Austin's unique entrepreneurial spirit, comparing it to historic endeavors like the Manhattan Project. The conversation dives into the challenges of deep tech startups and the implications of geopolitical dynamics on innovation. Loomis emphasizes why now is the time for bold investments, positioning Austin as a key player in tackling pressing global issues.

Can a city’s food scene serve as a catalyst for connection, creativity, and innovation? Grace Chow, Co-Founder & CEO of Austin-based Lobos Hospitality, joins me to share her insights from food scenes across the US, and her in-the-trenches view from building three distinctive Austin restaurants: Toasty Badger, Manny's, and the Powder Room.Episode HighlightsThe State of the Austin Food SceneBalancing Local Sourcing, Trends, and Concept AuthenticityCrafting Distinctive Dining ExperiencesWhat Austin Needs for a Vibrant Hospitality IndustryHow Restaurants Intersect with Other Sectors The Impact of Tech on the Restaurant Industry Restaurants as Potential Third Places in Austin What's Next, Austin?"I think just everybody kind of becoming a little bit nerdier about food and a little bit nerdy about restaurants."Grace Chow, Lobos Hospitality  -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

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 book "Pattern Breakers." We discuss his Inflection Theory, why some pivots work and others don't, unexpected inspirations like Lord of the Rings, and explore the nature of breakthrough innovation and startups. Episode HighlightsThe genesis of Mike Maples' new book "Pattern Breakers" originated from his realization that over 80% of his exit profits came from startups that had pivoted significantly from their original ideas, leading him down the rabbit hole of why.Business is never a fair fight, and the key is deciding who gets to fight unfair; startups create value by changing the subject and denying the premise of existing rules.Inflection theory shows how breakthrough startups harness powerful technological or societal inflection points, combine them with founders' non-obvious insights, and then build movements around new ideas that fundamentally change how things are done. Living in the future to develop non-obvious insights is crucial for breakthrough startups, and founder-future fit is key to understanding what makes the right team that can turn that future vision into reality. What's Next?"I like to ask myself is in what world will certain types of cognition become asymptotically free and where, how will that shift power dynamics?... My instinct is it won't be the same way that the big companies of today monetize it. And my instinct is that an era of mass cognition will shift the balance of power in some very profound ways."Mike Maples Jr: X/Twitter, LinkedInPattern Breakers: Book, Podcast, Newsletter Floodgate: Website, X/Twitter, LinkedIn -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

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 Merrill,  Co-Founder and Partner at Sputnik VC.Episode HighlightsSputnik ATX invests in pre-seed startups across various sectors, attracting companies from around the world, including Vietnam, Japan, and France, while focusing on "training nerds on how to sell." Austin is seen as a welcoming place for international startups due to its competitive marketplace and cultural acceptance, offering a less expensive and more supportive environment compared to Silicon Valley.Successful global sales demonstrate cultural flexibility, while understanding at the end of the day selling is still selling no matter what country you are in.Startups need to embrace adaptability by understanding how macro events affect them, leveraging international markets, and utilizing global talent pools to remain competitive and innovative What's Next Austin"I really feel strongly that the next great wave of technology is going to be coming from this state and Austin specifically leading that because this is where the rebels are. This is where the people are who want to just dramatically change the status quo and other places have become the status quo."Joe Merrill: Blog, LinkedIn, X/TwitterSputnik ATX VC: Website, LinkedIn, X/Twitter -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

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 within an innovation ecosystem is crucial for its ongoing vitality and growth. Often revolutionary concepts emerge from the most unforeseen origins. My guest, Elle Beecher, founded The Board Walks, where community and innovation unite through a simple yet powerful concept—a five-mile walk. In this episode, we explore this social experiment, examine how these walks serve as catalysts for creative collisions, and bring back the intellectual dynamism of Paris in the ‘20s. Episode HighlightsDrawing inspiration from the 1920s Parisian cafe culture, Elle crafted The Board Walks to ignite creative collisions in Austin, offering a fresh, organic approach to networking.Curiosity stands at the heart of Elle's vision; she champions the idea that bringing together inquisitive minds sparks deeper, more meaningful dialogues.Though spontaneous in nature, The Board Walks are intentionally designed with playbooks and guidelines to foster genuine connections and fruitful discussions.Overheard dialogues during the walks resonate with Austin's innovative aura, reminiscent of Paul Graham's "eavesdropping quality" notion from his 2008 Cities essay.The walks serve as a platform for attendees to not only build professional relationships but also to delve into personal narratives and aspirations.Given its success in Austin, Elle envisions taking The Board Walks to other cities, like San Francisco, while ensuring the preservation of its foundational values and communal essence.What’s next Austin? “More creative collisions that will bring about Paris in the 20s energy.”“Cities and Ambition” by Paul GrahamElle Beecher: Website, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, InstagramThe Board Walks: Website, X/Twitter, Instagram -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

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 Valkyrie and their newest spinout Andromeda, who joins me to discuss the future of warfare going forward. But we don't stop there as we explore every rabbit hole in search of Truth. Andromeda synthesizes large volumes of information quickly and accurately, helping users understand the interconnected context to make informed decisions.Pop culture and media narratives of innovation, from Terminator to Data to Her to Oppenheimer, shape how the public views, embraces, or fears technological waves.History has shown that industry and defense have always been intertwined, with modern tech entrepreneurs playing roles similar to industrialists of the past in advancing defense capabilities.Probabilistic thinking is essential in defense decision-making, especially where high levels of computation can easily mask high levels of uncertainties.What's Next Austin"I think that we're going to see a big push to support the intelligence community the way we've seen a big push to support the defense community. I think that an equivalent to AFC is coming on the intelligence side."Accountability in Age of LLMS at SXSW by Charlie BurgoyneValkyrie: Website, Facebook, InstagramAndromeda: Website -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

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 of LiveOak Ventures. We will explore what it means to invest in Texas startups yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Episode HighlightsThe need for early-stage venture capital in Texas led to the founding of LiveOak Ventures, which has a multi-segment approach focused on Texas-based entrepreneurs.Krishna identifies three types of founders now in Austin: experienced local entrepreneurs, successful founders from other markets relocating to Austin, and new residents inspired by the city's quality of life to start businesses here.Despite significant progress in startup formation and mid-level scaling, Austin faces gaps in experienced talent for managing large-scale, nine-figure+ companies and in securing substantial late stage venture capital.What's Next Austin?"Tremendous areas of promise and excitement where Austin takes all these newfound riches, when I say riches, newfound talent and with its traditional strengths and vertical markets to go to the next wave of and continuing this amazing wave of new company formation, growth, and scaling."Krishna Srinivasan: LinkedInLiveOak Ventures: Website, X/Twitter, LinkedIn -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

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 babies during the first 1,000 days. We dive into the current buzz around AI and machine learning, discussing the tailwinds and challenges founders face when raising venture capital. Cheryl shares her journey and insights, highlighting what VCs are looking for in today's dynamic environment.Cheryl Sew Hoy:  X/Twitter, LinkedInTiny Health: Website, X/Twitter, LinkedInData Science Salon: Website, X/Twitter, LinkedIn -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

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 nonprofit work. Is this approach a unique case, or part of a new wave of strategies catalyzing the defeat of cancer and other societal challenges?Episode HighlightsBrightEdge, the innovation and venture capital arm of the American Cancer Society (ACS), aims to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and practical application, creating a new funding source for the nonprofit.ACS has allocated over $5 billion to 25,000 researchers and 50 Nobel laureates, significantly influencing global cancer research.Capitalizing on the ACS’s extensive partnership network and volume of grants, BrightEdge enhances its deal flow and supports innovative cancer care solutions, ranging from therapeutics to care delivery.The newly announced Texas Accelerator by ACS highlights the strategic importance of the region in advancing national cancer research efforts, leveraging local capabilities, and enhancing ACS's impact through innovative cancer care approaches.What's Next?"Bright Edge is investing in innovation for impact. So we are really excited about reporting on our impact performance. We're excited about the accelerators taking flight and we're excited about building community"Alice Pomponio: LinkedIn, X/TwitterBrightEdge: Website, LinkedIn -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

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 quantum technology. We explore how this revolutionary tech is shaping the future of global industries and national security, and why Austin is at the forefront of this next wave.Episode HighlightsAmidst escalating geopolitical tensions, the US, China, and other nations are racing to define the future, positioning quantum technology as a critical battleground where securing a first-mover advantage may determine long-term global dominance.Quantum technology leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to manipulate atomic and subatomic particles, unlocking new levels of precision.Even while quantum computing is still in development, quantum technology enhances capabilities in sensing, timing, and communications, setting new standards for accuracy and speed.Austin is poised as a key player in quantum technology, bolstered by its history with semiconductor manufacturing, a deep tech industry presence, and an ecosystem that efficiently supports scaling complex technologies.What's Next, Austin?"I think next Austin, everyone says this, everyone wants to be this. It is the epicenter of the technology industry in the United States in my view. It is what Silicon Valley once was and priced its way out of and politicized its way out of it. You need that as an economic engine for this country to be successful...Austin has all the right ingredients to exist at that scale. It's scale of creative, it's scale of industrial, it's scale of capital."Scott Faris: LinkedIn -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack