Austin Next

From cutting-edge chips to AI networks the disruption happening up and down the tech stack is upending invention and value. Everything is on the table. Tyson Tuttle, former CEO of Silicon Labs and current founder and CEO of Circuit, brings decades of experience building innovative products across multiple tech waves. In this conversation, Tyson shares insights on Austin's ecosystem past and present, the global tech competition, and how AI-powered knowledge networks that could finally deliver on the collaboration we have been promised. Episode Highlights ------------------- Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn Ecosystem Metacognition Substack

The Texas innovation ecosystem is accelerating at breakneck speed as technologies like AI and institutions such as the Texas Stock Exchange reshape what is possible. Samantha Lewis, Partner at Mercury Fund, recently relocated to Austin from Houston to strengthen the firm's presence in the region. Our conversation reveals how the founders and funders in the Texas Triangle are positioning themselves during this tech revolution, and why the connections between Austin, Houston, and Dallas are a superpower that is just getting started. Episode Highlights Samantha Lewis: X/Twitter, LinkedIn Mercury Fund: Website, X/Twitter, LinkedIn ------------------- Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn Ecosystem Metacognition Substack

Technology is advancing rapidly, but our social systems and institutions struggle to keep pace. Janine Leger co-founded Edge City, a society incubator accelerating social innovation through popup and experimental communities, and they're bringing their next gathering to Austin March 2-7. We explore how rethinking the intersection of technology and agency can lead to human flourishing, and why Austin is emerging as the perfect laboratory for this experimentation. Episode Highlights Janie Leger Edge City Austin Edge City: Website, X/Twitter ------------------- Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn Ecosystem Metacognition Substack

A unicorn biopharma that ignores the traditional playbook, breaks development speed records, and chose Austin over the traditional biotech hubs. Mallory Factor, Founder and CEO of IntraBio, joins us to share how his Oxford-born company created an FDA-approved drug in record time while doing everything differently. In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore how finding unconventional talent, maintaining ruthless focus, and embracing a different mindset has led to transformational success in an industry resistant to change. Episode Highlights Mallory Factor, IntraBio, Aqneursa ------------------- Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn Ecosystem Metacognition Substack

A coffee conversation turned into a deep exploration and personal obsession about how we shape our world and how it shapes us. I had to invite my partner in that conversation, Dr. Gena Gorlin, on to the podcast to bring her perspective as a psychologist, professor, and founder coach to examine the interplay between agency, innovation, ecosystems, and technology. Episode Highlights Gena Gorlin: Substack, X/Twitter, Founder Coaching, UT Austin Faculty Page ------------------- Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn Ecosystem Metacognition Substack

Last June, SXSW announced they would no longer allow military and defense companies as sponsors. This sparked strong reactions from Austin's defense tech community, with one of those reactions leading to the creation of Austin4America. I'm joined by Luke Fischer, one of the summit's creators, to discuss why this matters and how it fits into Austin's broader innovation story. Episode Highlights Austin4America Luke Fischer: X/Twitter, LinkedIn, SkyFi ------------------- Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn Ecosystem Metacognition Substack

This past November, the University of Austin hosted their Inaugural SOMA Summit to explore the amazing transformation in space right now, especially how the commercial space era is decentralizing access. I had the privilege to moderate a fascinating panel titled "Science in the Commercial Space Age" featuring Chris Sembroski from Blue Origin, along with University of Florida space biologists Dr. Rob Ferl and Dr. Anna-Lisa Paul. As space becomes more accessible, it's evolving beyond merely a frontier to explore into its own innovation platform and ecosystem. This opens up a whole galaxy of possibilities. Episode Highlights Chris Sembroski: X/Twitter, LinkedIn Rob Ferl: UF Faculty Page Anna-Lisa Paul: UF Faculty Page ------------------- Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn Ecosystem Metacognition Substack

AI is becoming the biggest force multiplier for human talent in history. Austen Allred shares how Gauntlet AI is reimagining engineering education for this new reality and why Austin's is the perfect place to build this ambitious program. This is was quick turnaround episode as Gauntlet AI applications close January 4th (application link below). We also go deeper on the 2nd and 3rd order effects of this transformation on engineering, learning, kids, and Austin. Episode Highlights Gauntlet AI Austen Allred: X/Twitter, LinkedIn ------------------- Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn

Space is becoming our next great innovation frontier as we move from 700 astronauts spending days or months to tens of thousands spending years. What does that do to the human body? What does it mean for our species? Eliah Overbey, Assistant Professor of Bioastronautics at the University of Austin, joins the podcast to explore topics in the increasingly blurred line between science fiction and science fact. Episode Highlights Eliah Overbey: LinkedIn, X/Twitter University of Austin: Website, LinkedIn, X/Twitter BioAstra: Website, LinkedIn, X/Twitter ------------------- Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn

Austin is rapidly emerging as a significant edtech hub, attracting not just innovative startups but also established industry leaders. In this episode, Udemy's Chief Revenue Officer Rob Rosenthal joins me to explore what skills are in-demand and how technology is transforming both what we learn and how we learn it. Episode Highlights 2025 Global Learning & Skills Trends Report Q3 2024 Global Workplace Learning Index Rob Rosenthal Udemy: Website, LinkedIn, X/Twitter ------------------- Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn

Recorded live at Austin's Quantonation Day this past September, I sat down with senior leaders from Strangeworks, Qunnect, Pasqal, and Tau Systems to discuss the state of quantum and physics tech. This candid panel went beyond the typical quantum computing conversation to face the market realities of building a business in the space. We explored the tension between the possible future this technology brings and immediate needs of customers today. Episode Highlights William 'whurley' Hurley: Strangeworks, LinkedIn, X/Twitter Noel Goddard: Qunnect, LinkedIn Wasiq Bokhari: Pasqal, LinkedIn Bjorn Manuel Hegelich: Tau Systems, LinkedIn Quantoation ------------------- Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn

Optimizing health is about more than just new tech, it's about new models, new ways to engage, and being fun. Jim Donnelly, founder and CEO of Humanaut Health, is pioneering a comprehensive approach that combines advanced diagnostics, the latest interventions, with lifestyle changes to add decades of healthy living to people's lives. In this episode, we look at these new approaches and how Austin is emerging as a hub for health innovation companies. Episode Highlights Jim Donnelly Humanaut Health: Website, Instagram ------------------- Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn

Building companies that can 10x humanity requires extraordinary leadership. Craig Cummings of Moonshots Capital has made finding and backing these leaders his mission. Craig shares his insights on building the next generation of mission-driven companies and the future of the Austin ecosystem. Episode Highlights Craig Cummings Moonshots Capital: Website, LinkedIn, X/Twitter Dancing with Starts Austin Center for Child Protection: Website, Instagram ------------------- Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn

Nothing motivates a parent to action like a sick child, and for the Andrews family, words like no and impossible became mere roadblocks on their journey to help their kids. Our guests, Pam and Chris Andrews, founders of the Firefly Fund, turned their battle with their daughters' rare genetic disorder into a mission to revolutionize rare disease research and treatment here in Austin and beyond. Episode Highlights Firefly Fund: Website, Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn ------------------- Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn

Angel investors are supposed to descend and bring early grace to startups but the reality of angel investing is much more complicated and complex. From individual big-check writers to small investors to organized groups, the will, experience, and dynamics vary widely. Katie Russel (Central Texas Angel Network), Hall Martin (Ten Capital), and James Burkett (NuFund) join us to explore angel investing evolution and the state of Austin's scene. Episode Highlights Katie Russel: LinkedIn, Central Texas Angel Network (CTAN) Hall Martin: Ten Capital Group, Startup Funding Espresso, Investor Connect James Burkett: LinkedIn, NuFund, Florin Digital ------------------- Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn

Are we overlooking the most powerful model of intelligence we have in our race to create smarter machines, the human mind? Peter Voss, CEO and Chief Scientist of Aigo.ai, coined the term "Artificial General Intelligence" (AGI) and brings decades of experience in AI research and development. We explore Peter's vision and challenge the current consensus path we are on. Episode Highlights Peter Voss: LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Aigo.AI Concepts Is All You Need: A Direct Path to AGI Towards Incremental Learning Why We Don’t Have AGI Yet? INSA – Integrated Neuro-Symbolic Architecture Creating The Future With Artificial General Intelligence LLMs are not the Path to AGI ------------------- Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn

What connects the Startup Nation to the Lone Star State? We're witnessing a growing nexus that crosses tech, cultures, and economic verticals. To explore this emerging relationship, I'm joined by Tal Shmueli and Simone Ledeen from Texas Venture Partners. They're at the forefront of catalyzing this intersection between two innovative ecosystems. Episode Highlights Tal Shmueli: Website, LinkedIn Simone Ledeen: Website, LinkedIn Texas Venture Partners: Website, LinkedIn ------------------- Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn

From wargaming to Riskgaming, what can simulations and stories teach us about the future of technology and innovation? Danny Crichton, Head of Editorial and Risk Gaming at Lux Capital, brings his unique insights from his experience in both tech journalism and venture capital. What started as a conversation on the tech-media divide expanded to encompass human psychology and all the little details and nuances that make innovation tick. Episode Highlights: Hacking Primordial Soups Danny Crichton: Website, Articles, X/Twitter, LinkedIn Lux Capital: Website, X/Twitter, LinkedIn Riskgaming: Website, Podcast ------------------- Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn

Is venture capital on the cusp of a data-driven revolution? Gopinath Sundaramurthy, Founder & Head of Data Science at Ensemble VC, believes AI and advanced analytics are reshaping how VCs identify and support promising startups. From transforming deal pipelines to finding diamonds in the rough around the globe, we explore what this new era will mean for venture, startups, and even our own Austin backyard. Episode Highlights: Data innovation + process innovation = top-tier VC Gopinath Sundaramurth Ensemble VC: Website, LinkedIn ------------------- Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn

Can the stories we tell shape the future we build? Devon Eriksen, author of "Theft of Fire" and now Dragon Award finalist, argues that science fiction isn't just entertainment; it's a catalyst for innovation and human progress. Our narratives can be beautiful and optimistic, inspiring us to build, or ugly and pessimistic, causing us to stagnate. It's time to choose. Episode Highlights: Devon Eriksen: Website, X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram Theft of Fire, Theft of Fire Audiobook Kickstarter ------------------- Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn