Austin Next

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 integrating AI with stem cell biology. Together, we explore the intersection of AI and health, its history, and its impact on startups and enterprises alike.Episode HighlightsAI innovations are transforming biology and medicine, paving the way for revolutionary advances in disease understanding, diagnostics, and treatments.Somite.ai, aiming to be the OpenAI for stem cells, is developing a platform to map cell trajectories and guide pluripotent stem cells to become targeted cells for therapeutic use.AlphaFold's understanding of protein folding represented a major breakthrough, deepening our scientific understanding and serving as a clear example of AI’s potential impact on biology.  The evolving landscape is creating tension between traditional asset-focused strategies and AI-driven platform business models, prompting questions about where the true value of these companies lies.What's Next, Austin?"I would absolutely love to see Austin become a force of nature in moving innovation forward."Micha Breakstone: LinkedIn, X/TwitterSomite.AI: Website, LinkedIn, X/Twitter -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

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 the industry, and how Austin is quietly becoming a real player.Episode HighlightsAtmosphere is designed to enhance communal environments with curated content intended to replace muted TV, currently reaching 137 million people monthly across 65,000 businesses.The streaming industry is currently navigating an 'era of churn,' with likely consolidation ahead to enhance profitability and user experience, while Netflix remains well-positioned to thrive in this era through its expansive content library.Roku's move to Austin, the building of new of film studios, and companies like Atmosphere's innovating in the space exemplify the region's growth as a media hub, at the intersection of creativity and technological advancement. What's Next Austin?"I believe fundamentally that within the next 10 years, Austin will become a hub for creative use of AI. The companies that help drive it and the creatives that are around it, I think that will spur another revolution in this city."Blake Sabatinelli: LinkedIn, X/Twitter Atmosphere: Website, Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

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, to discuss all things Gundo. We explore its rise, what makes the region unique, its future, and the first principles that other hubs should be thinking about.Episode HighlightsStretching from Santa Monica to Long Beach and encompassing more than just El Segundo, the Gundo stands out as a broad hub for aerospace, defense, and hard tech, where a "small town Americana" vibe thrives.The Gundo attracts companies and individuals focused on solving complex challenges with atoms, not just bits, embodying a hardcore ethos that underscores a commitment to ambitious tech innovation.With its recent viral fame, the Gundo now faces the challenge of maintaining its innovation ethos amidst the pressures of increased visibility and expectations.Key lessons that can be brought to other regional ecosystems include the importance of not being apologetic about their core strengths and ambitions, coupled with the impactful role of strong personalities.What's Next?John Coogan "Startups were like in chaos...And in the midst of all that, there's like this small group of like five or so guys that are just like, we're going to go a very different direction. We're going to go off and do this thing. And, and it was like, so counter cultural that it, everyone just fell in love with it. Everyone just loves it online."Isaiah Taylor "I think what's next for the Gundo is we each have a company here has a lot of unbelievably ambitious things to pull off and we have to work extremely hard on it...here's a lot of people thinking about us the Gundo is the spot. And I think probably what's next for the the people who are here is making sure that people don't get overheated with it."Gundo Deep Dive by John CooganIsaiah Taylor: LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Valar Atomics, Why HydrocarbonsJohn Coogan: LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Website, YouTube -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

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 the industry. We'll explore whether we've returned to previous trends, settled into a new normal, the impact of Chinese competitors, and of course everyone’s favorite buzzword, AI.Episode Highlights8fig is a growth platform that combines financial planning and direct financing, uniquely supporting e-commerce sellers in areas where traditional bank lending falls short.Despite a transient spike during the pandemic, the e-commerce industry has resumed its steady, long-term growth, reflecting an increasingly digital consumer base.The maturing e-commerce market is raising barriers to entry and increasing competition, necessitating strategic and efficient business operations.The emergence of Chinese e-commerce platforms is introducing new competitive dynamics, with consumers becoming increasingly comfortable ordering products from these platforms.What's Next Austin?"So the reason we came and we built the office in Austin was because it's a very strong hub for e-commerce sellers...Austin is also becoming a hub for the creative space. So online creators, podcasters, YouTube creators, Instagram influencers are all coming to Austin together. I think there will be a very interesting mix between the two"Roei Yellin: LinkedIn8fig: Website, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

The podcast delves into Richard Florida's concept of the Meta City, exploring how cities are evolving digitally. It discusses the interconnectedness of regions like Austin-Silicon Valley and Miami-New York, highlighting the impact of historical and cultural ties. The episode also examines talent migration, the resurgence of manufacturing in North America, and the importance of linking innovation with production for future growth.

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 what may lie ahead in 2024. We see the impact on the national level, from pre-seed to late stage, and how it is affecting founders and funders from Austin to Silicon Valley.Episode HighlightsDespite talks about 2023 being the worst year in a decade for startup fundraising, the reality was more about the severe whiplash being felt from the highs of 2021/2022, as significant capital was still being deployed.With the high number of bridge rounds and the leveling off of capital raised, questions remained about whether the market has hit bottom or if there are still less viable startups to churn through.Amidst the flight to quality, startups are increasingly striving for runway and self-sufficiency, whether with new AI tools, creative hiring, or greater efficiency.Austin was ranked as the number five market for total capital raised and performed well across a variety of industries, demonstrating a broad-based ecosystem that sets it apart from other growing ecosystems.What's Next Austin?"Is the difference between Austin and, LA, New York, Boston, San Francisco, merely a question of scale? What percentage of people who have a lot of disposable income take some of that and put it into startups? Maybe that's the scale. That's like the next part up. And candidly, I think Austin could probably surpass places like LA in that without too much difficulty over the next three or five years."Startups & Statistics: Analyzing 2023's Story & Anticipating 2024 SlidesPeter Walker: LinkedIn, Twitter, The Data Minute NewsletterCarta: Website, LinkedIn, Twitter -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

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 Chris Valentine, key organizers of the festival. We break down specific programs like Pitch and the Innovation Awards, explore how the conference fosters serendipity, and discuss how the spirit of Austin is always present.   Episode HighlightsSXSW facilitates creative collisions by bringing together diverse industries and encouraging attendees to explore content outside their daily work.SXSW's Pitch Competitions and Innovation Awards highlight innovators from startups to established firms, showcasing groundbreaking ideas and helping create over $20B in company value.Austin's influence is reflected in the content, with health topics booming post-Dell Med School launch and transportation themes possibly paving the way for Tesla's arrival.What's Next Austin?Monica: A renaissance of the food space...Austin's going to be the place where it gets to redefine the food experience.Chris: Austin is a city that is continually changing and evolving, but in an exciting way. I feel like that we're one of the most, probably one of the best cities in the world to live, to work, to play in and I feel like we're kind of ahead of the curve. Monica Sack: LinkedInChris Valentine: LinkedIn, X/TwitterSXSW: Website, LinkedIn, X/Twitter -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

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 and impact of accelerators, the shift towards physical verticals and its implications for regional ecosystems, and the defining moments that shape generations of builders.Episode HighlightsAntler's accelerator model is an eight-week, intensive evaluation program for founders, focusing on practical assessments over traditional business planning, culminating in a potential investment.True disruptive innovation is inherently countercultural as it challenges established norms and appeals to those intrinsically motivated rather than by external status.The Texas corridor's continued rise as global economic powerhouse is driven by the innovation surge in physical domains like energy, semiconductors, and space exploration.The stagnation in productivity over the last 50 years may be attributed to the absence of 'frontier moments' that ignite public imagination, emphasizing the crucial role of inspiration in driving progress.Ambitious projects like space exploration not only achieve technological feats but also inspire future generations, while conversely, those who don't witness such achievements may doubt the possibility of innovation.What's Next Austin?In the next five to 10 years, Austin is going to have a surprising amount of really large, very successful, very innovative companies sprout up here.Tyler Norwood: LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Podcasts - Early Days, The DealAntler: Website, LinkedIn, X/Twitter (Global), X/Twitter (US),  -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

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 digital bits and physical atoms, examining the implications and challenges of creating solutions in this space, the progression of AI hardware, and Austin's potential as a hub for autonomy.Episode HighlightsSparkCognition aims to develop an AI-powered operating system for the global $100 trillion existing infrastructure and the upcoming $100 trillion.The unpredictability and rarity of real-world events, such as machinery failures, introduce unique complexities in applying AI to physical systems, necessitating innovative approaches to data and modeling.Crucial for effective interaction with the physical world, multimodal AI integrates varied data types, such as temperature, vibration, and vision, thereby enhancing real-world applications.Edge AI is essential for real-time, autonomous decision-making, embedded locally within hardware, especially in high-stakes scenarios like defense and aviation, where cloud access is often unreliable or unavailable.What's Next Austin?“I would like Austin to be the birthplace…within which this new type of technology is formed, where systems that can take care of themselves, that are entirely self-contained, that can run on their own, optimize themselves, resolve issues within themselves to the maximum degree possible, can become the new infrastructure of this planet. And if that is a gift that Austin can give to the world, it would be one of the greatest gifts ever.”Amir Husain: Website, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Generative AI for Leaders SparkCognition: Website, X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

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 Elementary and Jules Beesley from Creative Action. We discuss their efforts in bringing AI and other cutting-edge technologies to their scholars, emphasizing the importance of providing access to these tools and technologies for students today and their impact on our future.Episode HighlightsThe goal of integrating AI in early education is to create access and provide opportunities for learning and exploring new technologies.They strive to integrate the latest tools, keeping pace with their rapid evolution while ensuring effective learning experiences for students​​.Demonstrating endless imagination, 4th graders created audio-visual poems combining their written and spoken words with striking images, while 5th graders produced science shows, integrating curriculum topics with personal creativity​​.Austin's education market is increasingly becoming a hub for experimentation, characterized by the emergence of creative groups, unique partnerships, and new schools/universities, all offering diverse paradigms in education and technology.What's Next Austin?Principal Moore: Greater opportunities for scholars, through increasing the use of technology, in these wonderful ways, to connect core curriculum to the arts.Mr. Beesley: How can we use these tools to tell stories, to use our imaginations, as well as explore issues of how we create.Campbell Elementary School: Website, InstagramCreative Action -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack