Austin Next

With an estimated 10 million more Texans calling the state home by 2036, it's important that we address the big challenges that come with growth. Texas 2036 is focused on providing nonpartisan ideas and data-driven solutions to break through the gridlock on issues that matter most to all Texans. In this episode, we are joined by AJ Rodriguez, Executive Vice President of Texas 2036, and John Hryhorchuk, SVP of Policy and Advocacy. We delve into the role of Texas 2036 in shaping the state's narrative and vision for the future, as well as discussing the organization's focus on the intersection of policy, data, and advocacy. Episode HighlightsThe budget for the current legislative session in Texas is expected to be different due to the historic surplus.The stability of Texas' state budget is due to a combination of factors, including a lack of state income tax, a reliance on sales tax, property taxes, oil industry taxes, and economic stabilization funds.The Texas 2036 organization and legislators are discussing the state's K-12 and university systems. There is a growing recognition that there are multiple pathways to earning a living wage in Texas, and that skills-based hiring and industry-based credentials are becoming increasingly important.There are new ideas in community college funding by moving away from a model focused on credit hours and towards performance-based funding model looking at student outcomes.What’s next Austin? “We are blessed to have so many people moving to Texas. We're blessed to have population growth. We need more water, right? We need more roads. We need to make sure our education system is working for our children.”Episode LinksTexas 2036: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterTexas 2036 Strategic PlanAJ Rodriguez: LinkedIn, TwitterJohn Hryhorchuk: LinkedIn, Twitter -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

Jonathan Schupack, Executive Director & Market Lead for CIBC Innovation Banking, talks about his role in lending and serving innovation companies all over the world, including software, hardware, life sciences, and cleantech companies. In this spotlight episode, Jonathan shares how he intends to utilize Austin's robust startup ecosystem to connect with founders and provide them with access to capital. Find out why Austin is an ideal location for starting a business, and what measures CIBC is taking to support companies during possible economic turmoil.Episode Links:Jonathan SchupackCIBC Innovation Banking -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

Constance Y. White is the manager of the Art in Public Places Program for the city of Austin. In this episode, we will go over the intersection of art and technology in the city of Austin and explore how the program drives innovation to benefit artists, innovators, and residents. We will also discuss the program's goals of improving the quality of life for citizens, making art more accessible, and contributing to the city’s tourism. Constance also shares her thoughts on the visual art that represents Austin, the program's creative process, and the challenges they encounter.Episode HighlightsHow creativity plays a vital role in driving innovation in both the technology sector and the community of Austin.Austin's Art in Public Spaces Program is funded through capital improvement projects and 2% of capital construction costs are allocated towards public art, which is higher than the average rate of 1% for similar programs across the country.There are over 400 distinct objects and installations in the collection with 60 open contractsAustin has been known for its visual art like our famous murals, but new technology such as augmented reality is making its markWhat’s next for Austin? “Continuing to be open to the world of ideas, but also understanding the portal of influence from our local artists and our local constituents”Episode Links Constance Y. WhiteAustin Art in Public Places Program: Website, Facebook, InstagramAustin Public Art ArchiveAustin Public Art Virtual Self-Guided Tour -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

Gary Hoover, founder of Hoover Academy and Executive Director at American Business History Center, shares his lessons for entrepreneurs and innovators today, including the importance of being curious, studying, and understanding the world. In this spotlight episode, he expresses his thoughts on the difference in the level of innovation today versus breakthrough innovations before, and how it's difficult to predict the patterns of evolution. He also delves into his favorite topics to lecture on at the University of Texas at Austin.Episode Links American Business History Center Gary's GoFundMe Page  -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

Roy Spence is the co-founder and chairman of GSD&M, an Austin-based advertising agency. With his significant background in the advertising industry, Roy and his team have played a pivotal role in shaping Austin's reputation as a city of ideas and innovation. Roy is also the founder of Make It Movement, a non-profit organization that helps young people discover their own purpose. In this episode, we will delve into Roy's journey as a business leader and advertising pioneer, exploring the early days of GSD&M, how he navigated the challenges of preserving the core values and purpose of Austin, the role of large events in shaping Austin's narrative, and his vision for the future of Austin. The episode will also shed light on Roy's thoughts on the intersection of purpose, values, and business.Episode HighlightsThe fundamental challenge that Austin faces with our hypergrowth is navigating the tension between persevering the core and stimulating progressThe original GSD&M Plan - "Well, we wanna stay together. We wanna stay in Austin. We wanna make a difference and get rich. And we’ve lived up to our business plan""We will continue the journey of punching above our weight...if we will continue to be not just a city of innovation...but a city of new ideas"The Make It Movement is about letting young people discover what they could become great at and let them start learning to become great. Whether it's a lawyer or whether it's a welder.What's next Austin - "We gotta rediscover what made us. I think Austin should do a citywide purpose project"Episode Links Roy Spence GSD&M Make It Movement  -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

2023 is here and so is a whole new season of Austin Next. We are back and looking at the future of Austin and our transformation from a thriving ecosystem into a superstar region.What's next Austin? -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

One of the biggest changes over the last few years in the Austin region is the influx of new venture capital firms and the raising of record funds by our homegrown firms. We spoke with long-time local VC, Brian Smith Managing Director of S3 Ventures about how the funding environment evolved, where is funding being deployed, and what the future holds. Since the airing of this episode S3 has expanded their team and announced a $250M Fund VII. Original episode aired October 26, 2021 -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

Surprising when we started exploring the subject, but this has turned into one of our most popular episodes. The regional innovation ecosystem is more than downtown and more than just Austin. The entire metro from Bastrop to Dripping Springs and San Marcos to Temple is maturing and changing. We are establishing numerous innovation hubs that operate independently from each other and come together into mesh network that is our region. We spoke with John Garrett, Founder and CEO of Community Impact about this hyper-local phenomena and what is means for media, innovation, and the future of Austin.Original episode aired May 31, 2022 -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

We are traveling back to our very first episode with John Sibley Butler of UT Austin. Professor Butler has been a part of the ecosystem for decades and takes us through a journey from the beginning of the ecosystem to what it is today.  We can't explore what's next before we know where we have been. Original episode aired July 13, 2021Episode LinksJohn Sibley Butler: UT Austin Bio, LinkedIn, Twitter -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

Michael and Jason take a moment to reflect back on what we learned in 22, the new questions we are asking in '23, and some surprising additional elements we are adding to the show. -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack