Austinpreneur

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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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sponsored by ATI

Explore the dynamic world of "Other Transaction Agreements" (OTAs) in this Austinpreneur episode, recorded live at Fed Supernova 2024. Learn how OTAs are revolutionizing collaboration between startups, big enterprises, academia, and the government, breaking down barriers and accelerating innovation. These agreements are a game-changer, empowering startups to take center stage in ambitious projects that drive groundbreaking research, development, and prototyping of emerging technologies.

Mica Dolan, President & COO of Advanced Technology International, brings a wealth of knowledge on building and managing consortia-based OTAs—from initial formation through contract negotiation and execution. Mica provides a practical roadmap for startups looking to seize opportunities within these agreements, offering actionable insights for growth and innovation. This episode is essential listening for anyone aiming to understand and navigate the complexities of OTAs.

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Peel back the investing philosophy of a VC who has been on Forbes' Midas List over ten times. Joshua Baer, Founder & CEO of Capital Factory, hosts this interview for a live audience of founders, investors and other partners at Capital Factory.

Mike's latest book, Pattern Breakers, takes a hard look at what it really takes to back a breakout company, expanding on his famous "Thunder Lizards" concept, as opposed to unicorns.

Get ready to hear investment strategies behind some of the most iconic startups—and explore more insights on the Pattern Breakers podcast.

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Get ready for an in-depth look at the crossroads of law, AI, and business with Rich Harper, Partner-in-Charge of Baker Botts' New York office and Co-Chair of their Artificial Intelligence Practice. Visiting Austin from New York, Rich brings his extensive experience advising top technology, media, and entertainment companies like PepsiCo and Formula 1 Racing. He leads litigation teams in high-stakes business tort and fiduciary duty disputes, representing major players such as Liberty Media, NASCAR, Starz, and Charter Communications.

Rich is at the forefront of AI-related litigation and regulations, guiding clients on the legal and strategic implications of AI in their ventures. Tune in as he shares expert insights on how entrepreneurs are leveraging generative AI, the evolving regulatory landscape, and what executives from New York and other Tier 1 cities think about Austin’s rise as a tech hub.

This must-listen conversation offers actionable advice from one of the nation’s top legal minds on integrating AI into your company’s strategy and shaping its future impact on business.

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sponsored by ATI

Disinformation and propaganda have reached new heights in the age of digital media. Tracking and understanding misinformation is critical to high stakes operations. While AI seemingly could provide a solution, hallucinations from generative AI models can make the problem worse.

This week's guest sees this firsthand in his role as AI Advisor to US Central Command, which includes annual deployments to the field. Tune in as Capital Factory Principal Nick Spiller sits down with Charlie Burgoyne, Founder & CEO of Valkyrie, for an eye-opening conversation on his relevant experience in mitigating these threats.

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