Austin Next

Today I explore how AI is reshaping learning and challenging traditional expertise. Through my own experiences with my 10-year-old son, we'll look at the potential of AI as a new educational frontier. Don't miss this intimate journey into the transformative impact of technology on the next generation. Episode Highlights As new technology empowers not just a new wave of entrepreneurs, it is also ch...

In this special solo episode, I dive into what makes Austin not just another 'Silicon Something' and about how we can transform into a generational ecosystem. After defining our region’s superpowers, I introduce a new mental model that synthesizes Austin's eclectic influences, from bleeding-edge technology to advanced manufacturing to the intellectual and creative spheres. All of this puts us on p...

In this live episode from the Texas Venture Crawl, I'm joined by Kaitlyn DeBernardo of Next Coast Ventures and Aaron Perman of S3 Ventures to delve into Austin's entrepreneurial landscape. We unpack the shifts in venture capital operating models, the essential role of community in innovation, as well as the forces that both fuel and challenge Austin's ongoing growth. Episode Highlights Next Coast...

In today's rapidly evolving entrepreneurial landscape, technology is the great equalizer, opening new avenues for innovation and challenging traditional notions of business scalability. We sit down with Sameer Gulati, CPO at ZenBusiness, to explore how the company is empowering startups on their business journey. We examine the impact of recent innovations on the entrepreneurial environment and de...

What makes a city truly great? In this episode, we dive into the tapestry of cities that have shaped human history with Chelsea Follett, author of 'Centers of Progress: 40 Cities That Changed the World.' From the invention of writing to the digital revolutions in modern metropolises, we explore the key factors that have allowed cities to become centers of progress, innovation, and enduring impact....

What is decentralized science and what will be its impact on research and innovation? Joined by experts from Arcadia Science, VitaDAO, and the Foresight Institute, we discuss the challenges posed by traditional scientific models and the rise of alternative approaches. From new funding mechanisms to the transformative potential of AI, we explore the evolving landscape of research and the promise it...

Fostering connectivity within an innovation ecosystem is crucial for its ongoing vitality and growth. Often revolutionary concepts emerge from the most unforeseen origins. My guest, Elle Beecher, founded The Board Walks, where community and innovation unite through a simple yet powerful concept—a five-mile walk. In this episode, we explore this social experiment, examine how these walks serve as c...

Innovation ecosystems thrive not just on groundbreaking ideas, but also on the stories that bring them to life. In this episode, I chat with Walt Maciborski, the main anchor for CBS Austin News and an Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist. We dive into Austin's tech transformation from its humble beginnings to today's mix of tech giants and startups. Our conversation also explores the...

In this episode, we unpack the idea that innovation transcends the mere creation of new solutions. Through the lens of healthcare, and with insights from Dr. Isaac Turner, Co-founder and CTO of Curative, we delve into two key areas: how payment design can redefine user interactions, and the intricacies of diffusing groundbreaking innovations to ensure they're not only invented but also effectively...

In this episode, we dive deep into the AI wave and the nexus between academic research and commercial applications. Joining us is Risto Miikkulainen, an esteemed computer science professor at the University of Texas at Austin and AVP of Evolutionary Intelligence at Cognizant Technology Solutions. Together, we explore the journey to the current AI boom, delve into the era of digital natives, and as...

Why is Austin leading the charge as a beacon for creative minds and how are cities like it rewriting the blueprint for our economic future? Dive into this episode with Richard Florida, the trailblazer behind the "Creative Class" theory. As we explore Austin's magnetic pull and its broader implications for cities from Madison to Nashville, we'll uncover the intersection of traditional industries, t...

The startup ecosystem in Austin is experiencing a dynamic transformation, influenced by an influx of talent and marked changes in fundraising trends. Carta, an equity management platform that offers a distinctive lens into private market data, holds a unique vantage point to observe these shifts and more. Peter Walker, who helms Carta's Insights Team, joins us in this episode to shed light on the...

How do defined tracks and cultural status symbols passed on from previous generations affect a person’s life choices? When we break with those paths is that being self-employed, an entrepreneur, a creative, or something else? In this episode, we challenge the traditional notions of career paths and entrepreneurial journeys, with thought leader and author of "The Pathless Path" Paul Millerd. The co...

In this culminating episode of Austin Next's first era, Jason engages with AndiBot, the AI-powered chatbot that amalgamates the insights of 19 innovation thinkers. Together, they explore AndiBot’s perspectives on how Austin can ascend to a superstar innovation hub. Later, Michael joins in for a reflective discussion on the AI's capabilities and the insights shared. Plus, don’t miss our special ann...

In this episode, we dive into the world of patient capital and its potential to bring about transformative changes in climate technology. Joining us is David J. Neff, Operating Partner at Ecliptic Capital, who sheds light on Ecliptic's forward-thinking climatetech investment strategy, how they find innovations, and Austin's future as a hub for the sector. Episode Highlights Ecliptic Capital champi...

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 th...

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,...

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 exci...

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 implicati...

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 surgeries They just closed their Seed Series 3, raising over $4 million with a post-money valuatio...

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 p...

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 technologie...

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 T...

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 ecosyste...

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 fu...