Austinpreneur

In this episode of Austinpreneur, Joshua Baer, founder of Capital Factory, sits down with Liv Boeree—Poker Champion, TED speaker, and decision-making strategist—to explore the art of betting on yourself. Liv delves into the psychology behind high-stakes decision-making, the secrets to crafting win-win strategies, and the societal challenges posed by coordination failures, known as Moloch Traps. Whether you're navigating the poker table, building a startup, or striving to make smarter decisions in life, this episode delivers actionable insights to help you think strategically, lead confidently, and win big. Stay updated with the latest from Austinpreneur at www.capitalfactory.com/podcast

What does it take to launch a game-changing defense technology startup? Dino Mavrookas, CEO of Saronic Technologies, shares his incredible journey of building autonomous maritime solutions for the U.S. Navy.From navigating the complexities of the defense sector to assembling a world-class team, Dino reveals the grit, strategy, and innovation it takes to bring three revolutionary products to market in under two years. With a background as a Navy SEAL and private equity executive, he provides invaluable insights into balancing vision, execution, and risk in one of the world’s most demanding industries.Stay updated with the latest from Austinpreneur at www.capitalfactory.com/podcast

Explore the future of space exploration with Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. In this episode, Jason discusses Firefly’s record-setting rocket launch, upcoming lunar missions, and the cutting-edge technologies driving space innovation. Recorded live before an audience at Capital Factory, this conversation delves into personal stories of aerospace inspiration and offers insights on creating a resilient space workforce. Discover a fascinating glimpse into the next frontier of humanity’s journey to the stars.Stay updated with the latest from Austinpreneur at www.capitalfactory.com/podcast

In this episode of Austinpreneur, Brett Hurt, founder of Bazaarvoice and data.world, sits down with longtime friend Joshua Baer, founder of Capital Factory, for a conversation on building billion-dollar companies.Together, they reflect on their early collaborations, share lessons learned, and discuss pivotal moments that shaped their entrepreneurial journeys. From recruiting top talent to capitalizing on inflection points, this episode is filled with actionable advice for aspiring founders.Don’t miss Brett’s insights—and be sure to grab a copy of his book, The Entrepreneur’s Essentials: Lessons for Startup & Leadership Excellence!Stay updated with the latest from Austinpreneur at www.capitalfactory.com/podcast

In this episode, Michelle Davey, CEO and Founder of Wheel, shares her inspiring journey of raising over $215M while transforming the world of virtual healthcare. From her early days as a technical recruiter at Google and Favor to becoming a trailblazer in telemedicine, Michelle reveals the pivotal moments and lessons that shaped her path to success.Tune in as she unpacks her fundraising strategies, offers advice for navigating innovation in healthcare, and highlights the power of Austin’s entrepreneurial ecosystem in building an exceptional company culture.This episode was recorded live at Capital Factory’s Women in Tech Summit during Austin Tech Week 2024. Michelle sits down with Dr. Talaya Waller, Founder of Valuables—an AI-powered enterprise brand management platform—for an insightful and empowering conversation.Stay updated with the latest from Austinpreneur at www.capitalfactory.com/podcast

In this episode, Justin Lopas, co-founder of Base Power, takes us through the fascinating story behind his groundbreaking energy startup. From his early days at SpaceX, where he helped build rockets, to his pivotal role at Anduril, Justin brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to solving real-world challenges. He explains how Base Power is leveraging innovative technology, smart policy strategies, and operational excellence to transform the way Texans access renewable energy. Justin also delves into the unique regulatory challenges of the Texas energy market and how Base Power is navigating these to provide decentralized energy solutions that improve grid reliability and reduce costs for consumers.Stay updated with the latest from Austinpreneur at www.capitalfactory.com/podcast

Get an insider’s look at Shark Tank Season 16’s premier pitch with Destin Bell, CEO of Card.io! In this live recording at Capital Factory, Destin shares how watching pitches on Shark Tank inspired his own journey as an entrepreneur and how relocating to Austin transformed Card.io’s growth. Tune in for behind-the-scenes moments from his pitch and key insights for entrepreneurs dreaming of the Tank. Don't miss Destin’s candid advice and exclusive stories about the highs, challenges, and surprises of pitching in front of the Sharks.Stay updated with the latest from Austinpreneur at www.capitalfactory.com/podcast

Tune in for a dynamic conversation between two of the most influential early-stage investors: Jason Calacanis—angel investor, podcaster (All-In Podcast, This Week in Startups), and entrepreneur—and Joshua Baer, Founder & CEO of Capital Factory. Together, they dive into some of today’s most pressing topics, from the surge of Silicon Valley VCs relocating to Austin to navigating high-stakes boardroom discussions. Jason also shares insights on his recent move to Austin and his experience working from Capital Factory. Recorded live during Austin Tech Week 2025, this episode is packed with actionable insights and behind-the-scenes perspectives you won’t want to miss!Stay updated with the latest from Austinpreneur at www.capitalfactory.com/podcast

The future of the U.S. Army is unfolding right here in Texas, and this episode of Austinpreneur offers you an exclusive insight into this transformation. As Austin's vibrant startup ecosystem leads the charge in defense innovation, we dive deep into how groundbreaking technology is reshaping national security for the modern age. Recorded live with an audience of Longhorn Startup students at The University of Texas, Kimberly Newton, Deputy Director of Integration at Army Futures Command, sits down with Joshua Baer, Founder & CEO of Capital Factory, for a discussion about the Army's forward-thinking initiatives.Tune in as Kimberly reveals how Army Futures Command is spearheading advancements in robotics and AI, forging impactful partnerships with local innovators, and redefining the landscape of national security in the 21st century. Stay updated with the latest from Austinpreneur at www.capitalfactory.com/podcast

The landscape for hardware ventures is evolving, and Texas is taking center stage. With major investments like Samsung's Semiconductor Plant in Taylor, DARPA's $800M+ award to UT Austin for an advanced manufacturing facility, and the Hayes Innovation Center for Advanced Manufacturing (HICAM), the Lone Star State is quickly becoming a hotspot for innovation and re-shoring.In this episode of Austinpreneur, recorded live from Fed Supernova 2024 at Capital Factory, we sit down with Marcus Metzger, Executive Director of HICAM. Marcus brings a unique perspective, having previously built creative tech incubators like FutureSpace in NYC, and now leading efforts to boost advanced manufacturing here in Texas.We dive into Marcus's journey from art installations to reshaping the future of American manufacturing. The conversation explores new opportunities for startups at HICAM, what re-shoring means for the U.S. economy, and how lessons from the art world are shaping Texas's innovation scene.Whether you're a founder, innovator, or just curious about the next big wave in tech, this conversation will leave you inspired and informed.Tune in and stay updated with the latest from Austinpreneur at www.capitalfactory.com/podcast