Austinpreneur

In this episode, we’re joined by Jeff Cardenas, CEO and Co-founder of Apptronik, a company on a mission to build the ultimate tool for humans: humanoid robots. Jeff shares his entrepreneurial journey, from early ventures in political tech to co-founding Apptronik, and how his path led to building Apollo, one of the most advanced humanoid robots in the world.We explore how robotics can help free humans from repetitive or dangerous tasks, allowing us to focus more on meaningful and creative pursuits. Along the way, Jeff offers insights into the future of human-robot collaboration and how his team is making science fiction feel a lot more like reality.This episode was originally published on June 27, 2023.About Apptronik: Maker of world leading humanoid robot, Apollo Partnered with NASA, U.S. Army, SOCCOM and other DOD agencies fueling development. $25M+ raised in venture capital from Grit Ventures, Capital Factory and recently Terex. Spun out of Human Centered Robotics Lab at The University of Texas.

Recorded live at Health Supernova 2025, Nick Spiller and Susanna Harris discuss how hospitals are ripe for innovation yet riddled with bureaucratic “antibodies” that reject anything new.In this episode, Harris shares how deep-tech startups can navigate that resistance: by identifying decision-makers, uncovering the unspoken reasons behind a “no,” and proving not only clinical value but economic impact. She breaks down the difference between a bedside innovation clinicians love and a procurement nightmare administrators block—and explains why your internal champion must speak both languages. The result is a tactical roadmap for bringing breakthrough diagnostics, AI triage tools, and bio-manufacturing platforms from pilot projects to system-wide adoption.Bringing a medical device to life? DesignPlex Biomedical has your back. They help startups and innovators go from first sketch to full-scale manufacturing—specializing in Class II and III devices. Whether it’s a redesign or a brand-new idea, they'll guide you through prototyping, development, and production. Think of them as your med-tech launch partner. 💡 Ready to build something life-changing? Visit designplexbio.com to get started.Stay updated with the latest from Austinpreneur at https://capitalfactory.com/online/

AI can write emails, but can it make surgery safer?In this episode, recorded live at Health Supernova 2025, Orchestra Health's, Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer, Stu Solomon, reveals how his company is using AI to tackle one of healthcare’s biggest pain points: surgical delays and errors.By transforming chaotic data sources like PDFs, faxes, and EMRs into clean, structured patient profiles, Orchestra’s tech helps hospitals reduce cancellations, cut costs, and boost patient safety — all without adding complexity for clinicians.Stu dives into the real-world ROI, the challenges of hospital adoption, and why tomorrow’s doctors might need to be as fluent in prompts as they are in procedures.Stay updated with the latest from Austinpreneur at https://capitalfactory.com/online/

In this episode, Jonathan Lacoste, founder and General Partner of Space VC, shares why raising $90M isn’t always the golden ticket and how retaining equity, focus, and vision can outperform flashier headlines. Recorded live at TechConnect 2025, Jonathan dives into how founders should think long-term, the pitfalls of venture capital hype, and the smart ways to scale companies in frontier tech. From spy satellites to hypersonics, Jonathan reveals how Space VC is betting big on sectors like defense, energy, and space, and what it takes for founders to capture investor conviction at the pre-seed stage. Packed with wisdom for operators and investors alike, this episode, sponsored by ATI, is a must-listen for anyone serious about startup sustainability.Stay updated with the latest from Austinpreneur at https://capitalfactory.com/online/

Aasim Hasan brings his deep product and engineering experience to the world of venture capital, shaping how he evaluates startups. In this episode, recorded for a live audience at Capital Factory, he dives into spotting red flags and green lights in B2B startups, Moneta’s thesis-driven investing, and their hands-on operator support. Discover what types of founders succeed in their portfolio and get insider insights on pitching Moneta. Whether you’re a founder or curious about how modern VCs think, this episode is your essential guide.Get the best Austinpreneur updates at www.capitalfactory.com/podcast

Dive into this episode, recorded for a live audience at Capital Factory House during SXSW® 2024, for a discussion with a seasoned serial entrepreneur boasting a portfolio of 15 successful ventures, including the renowned telemedicine giant Teledoc, Michael Gorton. Join Nick Spiller, Venture Principal at Capital Factory, as he sits down with Gorton to explore the nuances of market timing, cultivating a vibrant company culture, and venturing into the intriguing realm of tachyon tunnels through a lens of physics.Michael's curiosity has no limits with his degrees in Physics, Engineering, Law and a minor in English. On top of pioneering telemedicine, Michael founded Internet Global where he developed the world's first DSL and VOIP networks. He's also an accomplished author in a variety of categories including business, science fiction and historical fiction. Outside of work, Michael is a runner, Second Degree Black Belt in Kenpo and a mountain climber having scaled the highest elevation in 43 states. This episode is a rebroadcast that originally published on April 9, 2024.Get the best Austinpreneur updates at www.capitalfactory.com/podcast

Dive into the mind of rising venture capitalist Ariel Ganz, a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University School of Medicine, in this conversation recorded live in Dallas at Health Supernova 2024. Drawing from her frontline experience with Arben Ventures and her pioneering research, Ariel shares fresh insights into the future of healthcare innovation.Explore a wide spectrum of groundbreaking topics, from electronic drugs and precision medicine to advances in breast cancer treatment and beyond.This episode is a rebroadcast of the original release from June 17, 2024.Stay updated with the latest from Austinpreneur at https://capitalfactory.com/online/

What began as a college experiment with PVC-pipe drones has evolved into a groundbreaking public safety solution. Roger Pecina, CEO of eVe Vehicles Corporation, shares how he turned early prototypes into a platform for autonomous emergency response.Learn how eVe Vehicles Corporation has completed over 1,000 autonomous missions in Bee Cave, Texas, and is addressing first responder shortages with scalable drone technology. A must-listen for anyone interested in drones, civic tech, and hardware startups making a real-world impact.Stay updated with the latest from Austinpreneur at https://capitalfactory.com/online/

What does it take to craft a pitch that truly captivates investors?In this episode, recorded live at Capital Factory House 2025, Allyson Eman, CEO of Venture Atlanta, breaks down the key elements of a winning pitch. Drawing from her experience connecting hundreds of startups with thousands of investors at one of the nation’s top VC conferences, she shares practical tips, common pitfalls, and what investors really want to hear.Stay updated with the latest from Austinpreneur at https://capitalfactory.com/online/

In an era where drones are reshaping modern conflict, how do we stay one step ahead?In this special live episode, recorded at Capital Factory House 2025, former Navy veteran Steven Simoni, Co-founder and President of Allen Control Systems, dives into the escalating threat of drone warfare and what it takes to build the technologies that defend against it. From national security to battlefield innovation, this conversation pulls back the curtain on one of the most urgent tech challenges of our time.Stay updated with the latest from Austinpreneur at https://capitalfactory.com/online/