Austinpreneur

Tune into this episode, recorded for a live audience of Capital Factory founders during SXSW® 2024, featuring an interview with SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman by Joshua Baer, CEO & Founder of Capital Factory. Get ready to dive deep into the world of entrepreneurship as Administrator Guzman sheds light on the pivotal role of the Small Business Administration in enabling entrepreneurs to secure funding and foster growth. Discover firsthand the latest policy shifts spearheaded by Administrator Guzman within the SBA.

Isabel Casillas Guzman, serving as the 27th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration under President Biden, advocates for America's 33 million small businesses and startups. With a background in entrepreneurship influenced by her father's business and her own ventures, she brings experience from her roles in the Obama-Biden Administration and leading California's Office of the Small Business Advocate. Guzman oversees the SBA's $500 billion portfolio, annually deploying $50 billion to support small businesses, with a focus on increasing access to capital, contracting opportunities, and resources for underserved communities. Her leadership has enhanced the agency's ability to provide essential support and growth opportunities for American entrepreneurs.

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Explore societal implications of artificial intelligence with Mike Millard, Partner at Ecliptic Capital, and Nick Spiller, Venture Principal at Capital Factory, in this week's episode. With roots tracing back to his role at Dell in 1999, Mike's extensive experience in Austin's tech landscape includes notable positions at Austin Venture and the launch of MassChallenge Texas before assuming his current role as a VC at Ecliptic Capital.

The conversation centers around Ecliptic's recently published report on artificial intelligence, offering valuable insights into this rapidly evolving field. Check out the report firsthand by clicking here.

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In this episode of Austinpreneur, we chat with Melissa Blatt, Founder & CEO of indipop. Melissa's entrepreneurial journey began with a realization many can relate to—the daunting costs of health plans outside the safety net of large corporations. Determined to make a difference, she launched indipop, a platform dedicated to crafting personalized health plans, or healthshares, tailored for small business owners, independent contractors, and anyone navigating the maze of healthcare expenses.

With a prestigious background, having studied at NYU and led business development in diverse industries such as media, technology, and nonprofits, Melissa brings a wealth of experience to the table. Tune in to this episode, recorded live at Austin Startup Week 2023, to learn about Melissa's journey, and discover how indipop is making healthcare more accessible and friendly for all!

Dive into a conversation situated at the intersection of national security and venture capital, recorded during Fed Supernova 2023. Our guest for this episode is Chip Walter, Managing Director at Marlinspike, known for his expertise in defense innovation. With a career marked by impactful contributions to both the U.S. government and the private sector, Chip's journey began as a U.S. Navy Pilot. His professional trajectory extends through over a decade in Washington D.C., where he adeptly navigated legislative and congressional affairs, before entering the private sector at Northrup Grumman. Today, Chip continues to bring his wealth of experience to the forefront at the nexus of national security and entrepreneurial ventures.

Visit fedsupernova.com for more information.

Prepare for the era of AI with Jason Cohen, the Founder of WP Engine, as he engages in an insightful conversation with Joshua Baer, CEO & Founder of Capital Factory. This dynamic episode of Austinpreneur, recorded for a live audience of Longhorn Startup students at The University of Texas, not only explores the founding journey of WP Engine but also delves into the profound implications of AI. Join Jason and Josh as they passionately geek out on the latest tech trends.

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One of Austin's iconic entrepreneurs, Brett Hurt, CEO & Co-founder of data.world, shares his venture's vision for artificial intelligence in society and business. Prior to founding data.world, Brett revolutionized e-commerce through online reviews at BazaarVoice. Much of the conversation dives into the implications of AI for businesses and how data.world's array of AI initiatives are facilitating this future. Brett and host Nick Spiller also reminisce on their collaborative work catalyzing undergraduate entrepreneurship at The University of Texas over a decade ago.

For a deeper dive into the discussed topics, check out the related article on Brett's blog here.

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Dive into the up and coming Texas whiskey scene with Chris Seals, CEO & Founder of STILL Austin. As the pioneering distillery within Austin’s city limits since the days of prohibition, STILL embodies the spirit of innovation and tradition.

In this episode of Austinpreneur, recorded for a live audience at Capital Factory, Chris Seals unfolds his unconventional narrative — a transformation from an economist to a whiskey-driven entrepreneur. Discover the secrets behind his pursuit of crafting a whiskey brand destined to stand the test of time, spanning a century of excellence. Gain exclusive insights into the intricacies of Chris’s entrepreneurial odyssey, from navigating the challenges of building a legacy brand to securing essential capital through the Central Texas Angel Network.

Tune in for a an intimate exploration of the vibrant journey that is the evolution of STILL Austin!

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Explore optimal strategies for maximizing development funding through the utilization of offshore talent. In this episode of Austinpreneur, we are joined by Jacqueline Samira, the CEO & Founder of Howdy. Delve into the intricacies of assembling international teams for venture-backed startups as she shares insights from Howdy’s journey, from passing through Y-Combinator to joining the Capital Factory portfolio on their path to success.

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Presented by The Outpost, our guest for this episode is Brad Harrison, who is General Partner at dual-use venture capital firm Scout Ventures out of Austin. The episode was recorded at Capital Factory's Fed Supernova in August of 2023. Brad is a graduate of West Point and MIT. He served the United States as an Airborne Army Ranger specializing in Air Assault. Today, Brad invests in top founders exiting the military, intelligence community, and top research labs. By doing so, Scout is paving the way for military veterans and intelligence professionals to access hundreds of millions in government grants and non-dilutive capital. Keep listening to to get a peek inside the mind of this investor funding the future of dual-use defense technology.

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Our guest for this episode is Brad Harrison, General Partner at dual-use venture firm Scout Ventures out of Austin. Brad is a graduate of West Point and MIT. He served the United States as an Airborne Army Ranger specializing in Air Assault. Today Brad invests in top founders exiting the military, intelligence community and top research labs. By doing so, Scout is paving the way for military veterans and intelligence professionals to access hundreds of millions in government grants and non-dilutive capital. Keep listening to to get a peak inside the mind of this investor funding the future of dual-use defense technology.

Get the best Austinpreneur updates at www.capitalfactory.com/podcast