Sam Cossman never set out to revolutionize firefighting—but that’s exactly what he did.

In this episode, recorded live at Capital Factory House 2025, Sam, CEO & Co-founder of Qwake, shares how his unconventional path as a volcano-diving adventurer led to building tools that help firefighters work smarter and safer.

Driven by necessity, forged through extreme field testing, and grounded in deep respect for tradition, Qwake created an AR-enabled helmet that’s transforming how first responders see and operate in the most dangerous conditions. From pioneering NASA-grade thermal systems to collaborating with the Department of Homeland Security, Qwake’s journey is a masterclass in building rugged, life-critical hardtech.

Tune in to hear what it really takes to engineer gear that survives the extremes—because when lives are on the line, failure isn’t an option.

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Why toss your old laptop when it could live another life—and another—without ever hitting a landfill?

That’s the question driving John Erik Metcalf, CEO & Co-founder of Upgraded, who joins Nick Spiller to talk about building a business that’s equal parts circular economy, fintech, and tech retail. John dives into his 10+ years of startup experience, from early coworking projects in Austin to launching leasing platforms for Apple products in Scandinavia. He shares lessons on team-building, fundraising, and why you shouldn’t just mimic Elon Musk.

Whether you’re deep in product ops, raising your next round, or simply curious about the future of sustainable tech, this episode delivers fresh perspective on what it means to scale with purpose.

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AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it's today’s competitive edge.

Recorded live at Capital Factory House 2025, Jesse Lozano, Co-founder and CEO of Intellectible, reveals how top businesses are turning AI into a profit-driving machine. With over five years of experience building on OpenAI and other LLMs, Jesse shares real-world strategies that are delivering serious results.

From automating RFPs and due diligence to accelerating research, Intellectible’s no-code platform is reshaping how teams work—saving time, cutting costs, and creating new value for customers.

Listen in to learn how you can harness AI to drive revenue, streamline operations, and stay ahead of the curve.

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Unlock the future of cell & gene therapy in this episode of Austinpreneur, recorded live at Capital Factory House 2025. Join Ryan Swoboda, CEO & Co-Founder of NAVAN, as he unveils the revolutionary NanoStraw technology. Designed to precisely deliver next-gen therapies into all primary cell types, NanoStraw is poised to reshape the landscape of cancer treatments and regenerative medicine. Discover how this breakthrough innovation is transforming healthcare and opening new frontiers in cell therapy.

Tune in to explore the exciting intersection of technology and medicine driving the future of healthcare!

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The VC landscape is shifting—so how can founders stay ahead?

In this special episode of Austinpreneur, recorded live at Capital Factory House 2025, Samantha Lewis, Partner at Mercury, shares what fundraising looks like in 2025.

With a decade of experience shaping the Houston startup ecosystem, Sam has backed some of the most promising early-stage companies in fintech, AI, blockchain, and data platforms. Now investing from Austin, she offers an insider perspective on how Mercury’s investment thesis has evolved, what early-stage founders need to know about raising capital today, and the key traits that make a startup stand out. She also dives into the red flags that turn investors away and how founders can successfully connect with VCs—even without a warm intro.

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How does a deep-tech startup go from a $50,000 prototype to a $100 million defense contract? In this special episode, recorded live at Capital Factory House 2025, Col. Elliott J. Leigh and Col. Nathan Stuckey reveal how AFWERX is de-risking defense innovation and creating scalable pathways for startups.

They break down the biggest challenges of transitioning technology into the U.S. Air Force, why government funding is the key to unlocking private capital, and how startups can navigate the complex world of defense procurement—and win.

If you're an entrepreneur looking to crack the Air Force innovation pipeline, this is your step-by-step playbook to take your tech from the lab to the warfighter.

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Space isn’t just for NASA anymore. Texas is taking the lead in space commercialization, defense, and workforce development—and in this episode, Nick Spiller chats with Norman Garza, Executive Director of the Texas Space Commission, to break it all down.

With giants like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Intuitive Machines setting up shop in the Lone Star State, Texas isn’t just participating in the 21st-century space race—it’s winning. Garza shares how the Texas Space Commission is fueling innovation through bold investments, cutting-edge university partnerships, and next-gen facilities.

What does the Texas space industry look like in 2035? Buckle up and tune in to find out.

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What does it take to turn a first-time pitch into a thriving rideshare platform with over 200 vehicles on the road? In this episode, Joshua Baer, CEO & Founder of Capital Factory, sits down with Matthew Iommi, CEO & Co-Founder of Fetii, to explore the journey behind building Fetii from the ground up. Matthew shares the hard-earned lessons from navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship—crafting a standout value proposition, taking on industry giants like Uber, and transforming challenges into opportunities. Get ready for a masterclass in persistence, creativity, and execution straight from the trenches of startup life.

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In this episode, Walker Drewett, Founder of NuBrakes, takes us on his journey from a simple idea to a scalable startup. With candid insights and hard-earned lessons, he reveals how late-night garage hustles, customer obsession, and strategic pivots turned his vision into reality.

Tune in to hear about tough talks with co-founders, make-or-break moments, and the bold decisions that shaped his entrepreneurial path.

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What if running a biotech experiment were as simple as writing a line of code?

In this episode, Brian Frezza, CEO and Co-Founder of Emerald Cloud Lab, opens the door to the groundbreaking world of cloud-based research and automation in biology.

Discover how Emerald Cloud Lab empowers scientists to conduct experiments remotely—leaving the heavy lifting to robotic systems and expert staff in fully automated labs. Brian shares the vision that sparked the company, the challenges of building a revolutionary platform over more than a decade, and how democratizing access to advanced research tools could transform the future of science.

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