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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In this episode of Austinpreneur, Joshua Baer, founder of Capital Factory, sits down with Liv Boeree—Poker Champion, TED speaker, and decision-making strategist—to explore the art of betting on yourself. Liv delves into the psychology behind high-stakes decision-making, the secrets to crafting win-win strategies, and the societal challenges posed by coordination failures, known as Moloch Traps. Whether you're navigating the poker table, building a startup, or striving to make smarter decisions in life, this episode delivers actionable insights to help you think strategically, lead confidently, and win big.

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What does it take to launch a game-changing defense technology startup? Dino Mavrookas, CEO of Saronic Technologies, shares his incredible journey of building autonomous maritime solutions for the U.S. Navy.

From navigating the complexities of the defense sector to assembling a world-class team, Dino reveals the grit, strategy, and innovation it takes to bring three revolutionary products to market in under two years. With a background as a Navy SEAL and private equity executive, he provides invaluable insights into balancing vision, execution, and risk in one of the world’s most demanding industries.

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Explore the future of space exploration with Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. In this episode, Jason discusses Firefly’s record-setting rocket launch, upcoming lunar missions, and the cutting-edge technologies driving space innovation.

Recorded live before an audience at Capital Factory, this conversation delves into personal stories of aerospace inspiration and offers insights on creating a resilient space workforce. Discover a fascinating glimpse into the next frontier of humanity’s journey to the stars.

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In this episode of Austinpreneur, Brett Hurt, founder of Bazaarvoice and data.world, sits down with longtime friend Joshua Baer, founder of Capital Factory, for a conversation on building billion-dollar companies.

Together, they reflect on their early collaborations, share lessons learned, and discuss pivotal moments that shaped their entrepreneurial journeys. From recruiting top talent to capitalizing on inflection points, this episode is filled with actionable advice for aspiring founders.

Don’t miss Brett’s insights—and be sure to grab a copy of his book, The Entrepreneur’s Essentials: Lessons for Startup & Leadership Excellence!

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