Austin Next

In this episode, we take a discerning look at Startup Genome's Annual Ecosystem Report, seeking to comprehend what the data reveals about Austin's innovation landscape, while also critically examining and challenging it where discrepancies arise. Forrest Wright, Research Assessment Lead at Startup Genome, joins us to decode the metrics and shed light on Austin’s present and future trajectory in the innovation sector.Episode HighlightsStartup Genome's insightful report evaluates 290+ global startup ecosystems by scrutinizing six pivotal metrics: performance, funding, market reach, connectedness, talent, and knowledge.Despite a global 35% decline in startup funding in 2022, an unexpected trend emerged - the amount of funding per startup saw a significant surge, with AI cementing its position as a leading sector.Singapore's meteoric rise in the rankings from 18th to 8th is attributed to an influx of venture capital funding, the creation of 4 billion-dollar exits, and the emergence of 18 unicorns, including Coda Payments, which secured an impressive $690M in Series C. Demonstrating resilience and harboring potential for growth, Austin holds steady at 25th in the rankings despite a 30% fall in large-scale exits, countered by its burgeoning count of 12 unicorns.Breyer Capital, Bedrock Capital, and 8VC are among the heavyweights moving to Austin, signaling a strong belief in its ecosystem. This migration starkly contrasts Startup Genome's more retrospective rankings and the forward-looking confidence expressed by these industry leaders.What’s next Austin? “The future is really bright. I think it actually bodes really well for Austin is you have these stalwart AI companies already there like SparkCognition, Mythic, and Tethr. I think they've all raised north of a hundred million dollars and some of them much more than that. And so I think this is a lot of built-in institutional knowledge that's going to be a real advantage for Austin compared to a lot of companies that are starting now to kind of jump on the bandwagon. Austin's going to have a real advantage there.”Episode LinksForrest Wright: LinkedInStartup Genome: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterStartup Genome Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2023 -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

In this special crossover episode of Austin Next and Austin Tech Connect, we welcome Lou Senko, the Chief Availability Officer at Q2 Software. Lou, an industry veteran with over two decades of experience in spearheading enterprise-wide solutions, enlightens us about Q2's mission-driven approach. We explore Q2's dynamic role in innovation, its extensive engagement with the vibrant Austin community, and its strategic focus on fostering a sustainable future for digital banking.Episode HighlightsQ2 Software democratizes digital banking, giving local and regional banks and credit unions a competitive edge against their larger counterparts.Lou Senko, in his role as Chief Availability Officer, guarantees secure and seamless banking experiences, accessible anytime, anywhere, across various devices and networks.Q2's innovation studio serves as a bustling marketplace and accelerator, offering pre-packaged, customizable solutions from a range of startups, allowing swift system integration.Q2 is deeply embedded in the Austin community. It holds the naming rights to the Austin FC stadium, runs the Dream Starter competition that provides a $100,000 grant to local start-ups, and contributes both financially and through volunteers to local charities.Community, Collaboration, or Conversation? “I think the collaboration though, if I think about my day and how we work through where we want to go, where we want to be, what good looks like on our journey to get there. It's through collaboration. Our staff can choose to work wherever they want to work. They choose to work at Q2 because, again, for 11 years in a row we've been, the best place to work.”What’s Next? “It's all about the customer. We're seeing people see value in digital platforms. I think the ecosphere, the ecosystems will continue to grow. I think you're going to see much, much tighter integration with the way banks and credit unions bring services to market, that there's going to be a bunch of FinTech names attached to all this.”Episode linksLou Senko: LinkedInQ2 Software: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterThom Singer: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterAustin Tech Connect Podcast -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

The transportation landscape in Austin is rapidly transforming with the advent of electric and autonomous vehicles. Taking a pioneering stance, Cruise, a subsidiary of General Motors, is already offering the public the chance to experience their self-driving vehicles. Leading this revolution in Austin is Michael Staples, Cruise's General Manager for the region. In this episode, we explore the exciting advancements in autonomous vehicle technology happening here.Episode HighlightsAustin was chosen for its dynamic tech ecosystem, welcoming attitude towards innovation, and regulatory environment conducive to the development of self-driving technologies.Staples underlines Cruise's use of thorough safety studies, such as the 'Million Mile' report, to boost public trust and showcase their dedication to regulators.By focusing on downtown nightlife, Cruise aims to better understand the needs of service workers, students, and young professionals, using less congested conditions to optimize their autonomous technology.The upcoming Origin, a rider-centric vehicle with luxury amenities, a cargo unit, and wheelchair accessibility, represents a significant evolution from Cruise's current Chevy Bolt.Increasing fleet size is a central strategy for Cruise in Austin, with goals to shorten wait times and broaden service coverage across the Austin Metro area.Cruise's long-term vision includes giving back to communities by minimizing the need for parking spaces and saving users' time through efficient, autonomous transportation.What’s next? “We expect to launch the Origin experience to the public later this year. We're excited to service some customers and you're going to see a lot of our Bolts running around. We're going to be expanding the market as well. We'll be able to slowly service more Austinites. So eventually we can get rides from our homes across town.”Episode LinksMichael Staples: LinkedIn Cruise Self-Driving Cars: Website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Cruise 1 Million Mile Report -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

We welcome back tech pioneers Brett Hurt and William “whurley” Hurley for a deep dive into the transformative influence of technological convergence. Drawing from their vast experiences, Brett and Whurley shed light on the intersection of advanced techs, such as generative AI and quantum computing, that are rapidly redefining our world. In our engaging discussion, we uncover the profound implications these emergent technologies have on industries, their role in supercharging productivity, and how they could catalyze an unprecedented surge in startup creation.Episode HighlightsThe conversation highlights a pivotal tech convergence, where AI intersects with quantum computing, Big Data, data privacy, and every other fundamental platform that has come before.  Generative AI's rapid rise has been met with excitement and unease, calls for political regulation, all amidst highly divergent dystopian and utopian views.Echoing similar themes, Brett envisions AI as potentially the "biggest startup and job creation engine we've ever seen," while whurley posits it leading to a "rise of the non-creative creative class," amplifying the transformative potential of the technology.Brett highlights the importance of creativity for engineers in the AI era, suggesting that those who can combine their technical skills with imagination will thrive, while those who can't may face commoditization.Whurley’s recent dialogues with DC leaders underscores Austin's growing influence in shaping national technology policy and wider industry trends.What’s next Austin?Brett Hurt: “I think that we're going to have an absolute explosion in the number of startups created. And as an effect of that, a derivative explosion in the number of jobs...I really want Austin to be the leader of that.” William “whurley” Hurley: “Everybody's talented, everybody plays an instrument, everybody paints or does art or they sculpt or whatever. It is a very creative city. So when you take those kinds of people and you give them this kind of power...like absolutely, Austin is next. If we're lucky.”Episode linksWilliam “whurley” Hurley: Website, LinkedIn, Twitter, StrangeworksBrett Hurt: Website, LinkedIn, Twitter, data.world -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

Doug Stoakley, co-founder and president of ClearCam, joins us for an Austin Next Spotlight. He shares the story of how ClearCam was founded and its most recent funding round.Episode Highlights:ClearCam is a revolutionary medical device that aims to solve the problem of dirty cameras in laparoscopic surgeriesThey just closed their Seed Series 3, raising over $4 million with a post-money valuation of $18.5 millionThe University of Texas at Austin continues to drive innovation as ClearCam was the second investment of UT’s new seed fund With the new funding, the team is now leaning into commercialization and expanding its product lineEpisode linksDoug Stoakley: LinkedInClearCam: Website, Facebook, LinkedIn -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

The University of Austin is a new and promising institution set to open its doors to full time students in just over a year. The university is the brainchild of a few individuals who believe that an institution based on a new model is necessary. The school is committed to freedom of inquiry, a core tenet of any great university, that allows for the pursuit of truth. Today’s guest is the founding president, Pano Kanelos, a distinguished academic that had a successful tenure at St. John's College. We discuss the university's mission, building new institutions, and how they fit within Austin’s education and innovation ecosystems.Episode HighlightsThe University of Austin aims to become a new center for innovation and academic freedom in the city.UATX aspires to become the "Stanford to Berkeley" for Austin, complementing the University of Texas.By working closely with industry leaders, the university seeks to co-develop programs, offer internships, and provide support for student-led projects.The Polaris Project emphasizes real-world application and impact on pressing global problems, while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among students.They want to inspire new institutions around the world by proving that it’s possible to build a new university todayWhat’s next Austin? “A dozen years from now, there is a thriving campus in the Austin area that is attracting scholars, practitioners, and young people from across the country and across the world who are building things that we haven't yet dreamed of.”Episode linksUniversity of Austin: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

The world of technology is expanding, and we're seeing a convergence of deep tech with traditional software and computation. Today, we're speaking with Andrew Busey, co-founder of Form Bio and Colossal Biosciences, two companies that sit at this intersection. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Andrew has been a driving force behind some of the internet's most significant technologies. Andrew’s career has taken him through several pivotal moments in tech history, including the early days of the internet, gaming, AI, and now bio.Episode HighlightsAndrew’s career spanned key tech products such as Mosaic (the first web browser), iChat (the first web-based chat system), and Zynga (one the most popular gaming companies of the social media era)Software entrepreneurs are increasingly applying techniques, business models, and more to the bio, quantum, and AI fieldsHis approach is to make Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups “…software is either the chocolate or the peanut butter and then I'm finding some other thing to combine with it to make something that tastes great and is novel”Form Bio, the first spinout from Colossal Biosciences, aims to solve the badly managed data issue in the biotech industryAI's impact on business and society is shifting toward distributed vertical intelligenceThe availability of remote work technology may lead to a more distributed talent pool and impact the future of Austin as a tech hubWhat’s next Austin? “I think the big thing we're gonna see is fabs and Musk-related companies evolving here and how that affects the mix of things will be very interesting.”Episode linksAndrew Busey: Twitter, LinkedInForm Bio: Website, Twitter, LinkedInColossal Biosciences: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

Are the cities in the Texas Triangle on the right track to success? With their expansive population growth and focus on economic growth, the cities of the Texas Triangle have been on an upward trajectory in recent years. To answer these questions and more, we welcome back to the show Cullum Clark, director of the George W. Bush Institute and SMU's Economic Growth Initiative. Cullum discusses the Texas Triangle and its implications for economic growth, infrastructure, and housing.Episode HighlightsThe Texas Triangle has been more successful in balancing growth while preserving the unique character and identity of each city. Every county across the San Antonio and Austin metros grew, while the core urban counties in Houston and Dallas lost population.Cullum's key for regions is to prioritize education, human capital, livability, and being business-friendly to attract and retain talent and companies.Austin's multi-hub economy has a diverse industry base with a unique mix of a big public university, the state capital, and the biggest tourist destination.  What’s next Austin? “I think that when you look at everything that's working in 21st Century America, Austin truly has it all. To be a place that kind of benefits from being a kind of, having a cultural cool factor, benefits from being a center of tech benefits from being a major higher ed center. There is an economic anchor as well. I'm absolutely as bullish as I could be and I would encourage others to be as well. The future of the Texas Triangle is very bright.”Episode linksCullum Clark: Twitter, WebsiteGeorge W. Bush Center: WebsiteThe Texas Triangle: An Emerging Metropolitan Model in the Lone Star State -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

Generative AI has been a hot topic in the tech world in recent years, and Austin is staking its claim with Jasper AI, a local unicorn making waves in the industry. Today, we had the pleasure of talking to Austin Distel, Senior Director of Marketing at Jasper AI, to shed some light on the topic. During our conversation, we discussed where Jasper AI fits in the tech stack, how Austin's tech ecosystem is playing a role in this area, and what the future holds for generative AI as a vital part of innovation.Episode HighlightsAustin Distel believes that generative AI is a growing industry and that collaboration among companies is beneficial.The responsible use of AI and mindful consideration of ethical concerns in content creation is a growing area of discussion.Jasper AI is focused on creating new, unique, and original content based on data-driven insights to help businesses make decisions.Jasper's goal is to augment human creativity, not replace it.There is potential for the technology to impact industries beyond e-commerce and advertising, such as fashion and entertainment.The generative AI ecosystem is still growing and there is a lot of potential for innovation.What’s next Austin? “Today the generative AI is the smallest it'll ever be. It's growing. It's gonna be part of our ecosystem more and more and more. And so that just means that there's more opportunity. I think we're all gonna make each other better. So that's why I would love to get into the same room. Let's have conversations, let's make our products better together, and maybe team up.”Episode linksAustin Distel: Twitter, LinkedInJasper AI: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

Clay Johnston, CMO and Co-Founder of Harbor Health, proposed a vision of health that would give people more knowledge and control over their care options. Harbor Health was born during Dr. Johnston’s time as the inaugural Dean of the Dell Med School and took its place in Austin’s growing Bio + Health ecosystem.  We discuss his time as dean, innovation in healthcare business models, and Austin’s future in this sector. Episode HighlightsAs the inaugural Dean of the Dell Med School at UT Austin, Dr. Johnston got an up-close look at the business of health and experimented with new models.Harbor Health's mission is to redesign the healthcare system to achieve better health outcomes and reduce wasteful healthcare spending.The financial structure of Harbor Health, which moves away from the standard fee for service allows people to make decisions about their healthcare, while understanding the financial impact of their choices.Amazon's acquisition of One Medical and PillPack creates new competition in the primary care & consumer space, putting them head-to-head with companies like CVS, Walmart, and Walgreens.Austin is primed for digital health innovation, including new ways of delivering services and designing care.What’s Next Austin? “Our plan is to grow. Our plan is to provide a real option for people in Austin that doesn't just look and feel different, isn't just about convenience, but really is embracing a new approach to the health system about empowering our members. I know we've grown rapidly, but we have plenty of capacity for folks who are ready to have a new kind of care.”Episode linksClay Johnston: Twitter, LinkedInHarbor Health: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack