Austin Next

In this episode, recorded at the Austin Data Science Salon, I sit down with Cheryl Sew Hoy, CEO and Founder of Tiny Health. Tiny Health is a pioneer in gut microbiome testing, providing critical health insights for moms and babies during the first 1,000 days. We dive into the current buzz around AI and machine learning, discussing the tailwinds and challenges founders face when raising venture capital. Cheryl shares her journey and insights, highlighting what VCs are looking for in today's dynamic environment.

Cheryl Sew Hoy:  X/Twitter, LinkedIn
Tiny Health: Website, X/Twitter, LinkedIn
Data Science Salon: Website, X/Twitter, LinkedIn

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Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn
Ecosystem Metacognition Substack

How does a nonprofit innovate and scale its mission? Joining me today is Alice Pomponio, Managing Director of BrightEdge, the venture arm of the American Cancer Society, to discuss the intersection of venture capital and nonprofit work. Is this approach a unique case, or part of a new wave of strategies catalyzing the defeat of cancer and other societal challenges?

Episode Highlights

• BrightEdge, the innovation and venture capital arm of the American Cancer Society (ACS), aims to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and practical application, creating a new funding source for the nonprofit.
• ACS has allocated over $5 billion to 25,000 researchers and 50 Nobel laureates, significantly influencing global cancer research.
• Capitalizing on the ACS’s extensive partnership network and volume of grants, BrightEdge enhances its deal flow and supports innovative cancer care solutions, ranging from therapeutics to care delivery.
• The newly announced Texas Accelerator by ACS highlights the strategic importance of the region in advancing national cancer research efforts, leveraging local capabilities, and enhancing ACS's impact through innovative cancer care approaches.
• What's Next?
  • "Bright Edge is investing in innovation for impact. So we are really excited about reporting on our impact performance. We're excited about the accelerators taking flight and we're excited about building community"

Alice Pomponio: LinkedIn, X/Twitter
BrightEdge: Website, LinkedIn

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Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn
Ecosystem Metacognition Substack

I am diving back into the quantum realm where the stakes are high and the potential for innovation is even higher. Joining me is Scott Faris, a seasoned expert in the field, to unravel the complexities and opportunities of quantum technology. We explore how this revolutionary tech is shaping the future of global industries and national security, and why Austin is at the forefront of this next wave.

Episode Highlights

• Amidst escalating geopolitical tensions, the US, China, and other nations are racing to define the future, positioning quantum technology as a critical battleground where securing a first-mover advantage may determine long-term global dominance.
• Quantum technology leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to manipulate atomic and subatomic particles, unlocking new levels of precision.
• Even while quantum computing is still in development, quantum technology enhances capabilities in sensing, timing, and communications, setting new standards for accuracy and speed.
• Austin is poised as a key player in quantum technology, bolstered by its history with semiconductor manufacturing, a deep tech industry presence, and an ecosystem that efficiently supports scaling complex technologies.
• What's Next, Austin?
  • "I think next Austin, everyone says this, everyone wants to be this. It is the epicenter of the technology industry in the United States in my view. It is what Silicon Valley once was and priced its way out of and politicized its way out of it. You need that as an economic engine for this country to be successful...Austin has all the right ingredients to exist at that scale. It's scale of creative, it's scale of industrial, it's scale of capital."

Scott Faris: LinkedIn

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Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn
Ecosystem Metacognition Substack

As we enter the Bio Century, AI innovations are becoming pivotal in shaping the future of biology and medicine. In this episode, I am joined by Micha Breakstone, the founder and CEO of Somite.ai, who is at the forefront of integrating AI with stem cell biology. Together, we explore the intersection of AI and health, its history, and its impact on startups and enterprises alike.

Episode Highlights

• AI innovations are transforming biology and medicine, paving the way for revolutionary advances in disease understanding, diagnostics, and treatments.
• Somite.ai, aiming to be the OpenAI for stem cells, is developing a platform to map cell trajectories and guide pluripotent stem cells to become targeted cells for therapeutic use.
• AlphaFold's understanding of protein folding represented a major breakthrough, deepening our scientific understanding and serving as a clear example of AI’s potential impact on biology.  
• The evolving landscape is creating tension between traditional asset-focused strategies and AI-driven platform business models, prompting questions about where the true value of these companies lies.
• What's Next, Austin?
  • "I would absolutely love to see Austin become a force of nature in moving innovation forward."

Micha Breakstone: LinkedIn, X/Twitter
Somite.AI: Website, LinkedIn, X/Twitter

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Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn
Ecosystem Metacognition Substack

In the midst of the streaming wars, a battle rages over the future of how we watch and interact with media. Joining me is Blake Sabatinelli, CEO of Atmosphere, to navigate the changes in consumer expectations, the future of the industry, and how Austin is quietly becoming a real player.

Episode Highlights

• Atmosphere is designed to enhance communal environments with curated content intended to replace muted TV, currently reaching 137 million people monthly across 65,000 businesses.
• The streaming industry is currently navigating an 'era of churn,' with likely consolidation ahead to enhance profitability and user experience, while Netflix remains well-positioned to thrive in this era through its expansive content library.
• Roku's move to Austin, the building of new of film studios, and companies like Atmosphere's innovating in the space exemplify the region's growth as a media hub, at the intersection of creativity and technological advancement. 
• What's Next Austin?
  • "I believe fundamentally that within the next 10 years, Austin will become a hub for creative use of AI. The companies that help drive it and the creatives that are around it, I think that will spur another revolution in this city."

Blake Sabatinelli: LinkedIn, X/Twitter
Atmosphere: Website, Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter

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Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn
Ecosystem Metacognition Substack

What makes innovation ecosystems thrive and can the learnings of one hub be applied to another? Today I am joined by Isaiah Taylor, a founder building in the Gundo, and John Coogan, who has done his own deep dive on the hub, to discuss all things Gundo. We explore its rise, what makes the region unique, its future, and the first principles that other hubs should be thinking about.

Episode Highlights

• Stretching from Santa Monica to Long Beach and encompassing more than just El Segundo, the Gundo stands out as a broad hub for aerospace, defense, and hard tech, where a "small town Americana" vibe thrives.
• The Gundo attracts companies and individuals focused on solving complex challenges with atoms, not just bits, embodying a hardcore ethos that underscores a commitment to ambitious tech innovation.
• With its recent viral fame, the Gundo now faces the challenge of maintaining its innovation ethos amidst the pressures of increased visibility and expectations.
• Key lessons that can be brought to other regional ecosystems include the importance of not being apologetic about their core strengths and ambitions, coupled with the impactful role of strong personalities.
• What's Next?
  • John Coogan "Startups were like in chaos...And in the midst of all that, there's like this small group of like five or so guys that are just like, we're going to go a very different direction. We're going to go off and do this thing. And, and it was like, so counter cultural that it, everyone just fell in love with it. Everyone just loves it online."
  • Isaiah Taylor "I think what's next for the Gundo is we each have a company here has a lot of unbelievably ambitious things to pull off and we have to work extremely hard on it...here's a lot of people thinking about us the Gundo is the spot. And I think probably what's next for the the people who are here is making sure that people don't get overheated with it."

Gundo Deep Dive by John Coogan

Isaiah Taylor: LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Valar Atomics, Why Hydrocarbons
John Coogan: LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Website, YouTube

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Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn
Ecosystem Metacognition Substack

E-commerce is reshaping how we do business, but where do we stand four years after lockdowns pushed everything online? I'm joined by Roei Yellin, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of 8fig, to dissect the current state of the industry. We'll explore whether we've returned to previous trends, settled into a new normal, the impact of Chinese competitors, and of course everyone’s favorite buzzword, AI.

Episode Highlights

• 8fig is a growth platform that combines financial planning and direct financing, uniquely supporting e-commerce sellers in areas where traditional bank lending falls short.
• Despite a transient spike during the pandemic, the e-commerce industry has resumed its steady, long-term growth, reflecting an increasingly digital consumer base.
• The maturing e-commerce market is raising barriers to entry and increasing competition, necessitating strategic and efficient business operations.
• The emergence of Chinese e-commerce platforms is introducing new competitive dynamics, with consumers becoming increasingly comfortable ordering products from these platforms.
• What's Next Austin?
  • "So the reason we came and we built the office in Austin was because it's a very strong hub for e-commerce sellers...Austin is also becoming a hub for the creative space. So online creators, podcasters, YouTube creators, Instagram influencers are all coming to Austin together. I think there will be a very interesting mix between the two"

Roei Yellin: LinkedIn
8fig: Website, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube

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Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn
Ecosystem Metacognition Substack

How we live, work, and innovate is changing, transforming not only our interactions within cities but also how regions interact with each other. In this episode, we welcome back Richard Florida to explore his concept of the Meta City. We discuss and dissect how the physical and digital relationships between regions are rooted in historical connections and the emerging ecosystem models of today.

Episode Highlights

• The Meta City represents an evolution of the spatial division of labor, expanding beyond urban/suburban distinctions to digitally connect distant cities with unique economic specializations into a global network.
• Informed by LinkedIn data on skilled professionals' mobility, the Meta City concept was born out of an attempt to understand remote work's impact and instead uncovered new linkages that redefine the connections between cities.
• The relationship between Austin-Silicon Valley, Miami-New York, and Nashville-Los Angeles exemplifies these interconnected ecosystems, where talent and innovation flow is not only a result of their historical and cultural ties but also significantly enhanced in the digital connectivity era of the Meta City.
• What's Next Austin?
  • "Linking innovation, university research, high-tech ecosystems, startup ecosystems with popular culture innovation, and music, and all lifestyle, and not only music but outdoor recreation, all the things I like with now a production component. So it's kind of a more full-fledged model. So I like that. You know, I think what next for Austin, just keep doing what you're doing."

The Rise of the Meta City

Richard Florida: Website, LinkedIn, X/Twitter

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Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn
Ecosystem Metacognition Substack

As we navigate the tumultuous currents of the startup world, we're thrilled to welcome back Peter Walker, Carta’s Head of Insights. He comes with a treasure trove of data shedding light on the twists and turns of 2023 and what may lie ahead in 2024. We see the impact on the national level, from pre-seed to late stage, and how it is affecting founders and funders from Austin to Silicon Valley.

Episode Highlights

• Despite talks about 2023 being the worst year in a decade for startup fundraising, the reality was more about the severe whiplash being felt from the highs of 2021/2022, as significant capital was still being deployed.
• With the high number of bridge rounds and the leveling off of capital raised, questions remained about whether the market has hit bottom or if there are still less viable startups to churn through.
• Amidst the flight to quality, startups are increasingly striving for runway and self-sufficiency, whether with new AI tools, creative hiring, or greater efficiency.
• Austin was ranked as the number five market for total capital raised and performed well across a variety of industries, demonstrating a broad-based ecosystem that sets it apart from other growing ecosystems.
• What's Next Austin?
  • "Is the difference between Austin and, LA, New York, Boston, San Francisco, merely a question of scale? What percentage of people who have a lot of disposable income take some of that and put it into startups? Maybe that's the scale. That's like the next part up. And candidly, I think Austin could probably surpass places like LA in that without too much difficulty over the next three or five years."

Startups & Statistics: Analyzing 2023's Story & Anticipating 2024 Slides

Peter Walker: LinkedIn, Twitter, The Data Minute Newsletter

Carta: Website, LinkedIn, Twitter

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Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn
Ecosystem Metacognition Substack

How does innovation show up at SXSW? Is it all carefully crafted, or the result of spontaneous interactions among artists, musicians, technologists, and more? That is the key question that we dive into with Monica Sack and Chris Valentine, key organizers of the festival. We break down specific programs like Pitch and the Innovation Awards, explore how the conference fosters serendipity, and discuss how the spirit of Austin is always present.   

Episode Highlights

• SXSW facilitates creative collisions by bringing together diverse industries and encouraging attendees to explore content outside their daily work.
• SXSW's Pitch Competitions and Innovation Awards highlight innovators from startups to established firms, showcasing groundbreaking ideas and helping create over $20B in company value.
• Austin's influence is reflected in the content, with health topics booming post-Dell Med School launch and transportation themes possibly paving the way for Tesla's arrival.
• What's Next Austin?
  • Monica: A renaissance of the food space...Austin's going to be the place where it gets to redefine the food experience.
  • Chris: Austin is a city that is continually changing and evolving, but in an exciting way. I feel like that we're one of the most, probably one of the best cities in the world to live, to work, to play in and I feel like we're kind of ahead of the curve. 

Monica Sack: LinkedIn
Chris Valentine: LinkedIn, X/Twitter
SXSW: Website, LinkedIn, X/Twitter

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Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn
Ecosystem Metacognition Substack