Jessica Reeves, CEO of AxonIQ, shares insights from her journey from HR to leading a fast-growing AI infrastructure company. Learn how she helped scale Austin-based Anaconda into a $1.5B unicorn, and why people-first leadership matters in tech. She explores the future of AI — including explainability, trust and why “showing your work” is becoming essential as AI plays a bigger role in finance, healthcare, and other regulated industries.

Plus, a roundup of the latest Austin startup news and what it says about the city’s growing tech ecosystem.

Humanoid robots aren’t science fiction anymore—they’re being built right here in Austin.
Join us for a conversation with Apptronik co-founder and CEO Jeff Cardenas, whose team is on the front lines of one of the biggest technological races of our time. Apptronik has raised hundreds of millions from venture investors, established global partners and several of its Apollo humanoid robots already in pilot programs. Learn about the robotics race, Apptronik’s approach and what the future may hold in this episode of the Beat Podcast.

In this episode of The Beat podcast, Doss Cunningham, CEO and chairman of NutriBolt, shares his journey into the sports nutrition industry, the evolution of NutriBolt's product lineup, and his investment strategies through LiveWell Ventures. He discusses the importance of addressing food insecurity through the GiveJoy Foundation and shares insights on the vibrant CPG scene in Austin. 

News Round Up Stories:

Base Power Raises $1 Billion 

QuoteWell Raises Millions for Insurtech

Firefly’s Big Acquisition

John Deere Test Farm (Weird and Wired Segment)

Lucas Martell was a music major in school, but he taught himself animation, which led to a career in film that later ignited an interest in gaming. Now Martell is at the helm of Mighty Coconut, creator of hit VR game Walkabout Mini Golf. In this episode of the Beat Podcast, we talk with Martell about his pathway to the popular game, as well as why the gaming studio hasn’t leaned heavily into AI tools. 

With about 600 publicly traded companies in Texas, the Southern U.S. and Latin America, Rachel Racz has a lot to keep track of. As head of listings for Nasdaq’s southern markets, she’s constantly working with high velocity companies and touching base with the startups that may have an IPO in their future. In our conversation on the Beat Podcast, Racz shares her views on how startups can prep for an IPO and how Nasdaq competes with other exchanges.

 Austin is known as a tech town, but some of its most recognizable brands come from the world of consumer packaged goods. In our latest episode, we take a deep dive into the people and companies shaping the city’s CPG ecosystem with Austin Business Journal reporter Sahar Chmais. We discuss some of the most active investors and founders, as well as some of the Austin-made drinks, snacks and sweets that we might want to try out.

In this month’s installment of the Beat podcast, we sit down with Code2College co-founder and CEO Matt Stephenson to discuss how paid tech company internships can be transformative for high school students. Our conversation digs into Code2College’s efforts to recruit volunteers to mentor students, as well as how the organization hopes to expand geographically and inspire others to launch similar programs.

In the latest episode of the Beat Podcast, we take a deep dive into Austin’s evolving startup and venture ecosystems with one of the metro’s top venture capitalists. We explore recent changes in funding levels, the impact of tariffs and strategies founders can use to help lay the groundwork for future success. 

Xebec co-founder Alex Levine tells the detailed story of how his company navigated an ever-changing set of tariffs on products being shipped from China. The startup, which makes laptop monitors and other computer hardware, was able to beat the clock on the steepest trade bills. But the unexpected expenses are having a ripple effect. 

Get the full story, as well as an update on the top Austin tech news of the month in our latest episode!

On this episode of The Beat, we chat with Firefly Aerospace CEO Jason Kim to learn more about the company’s recent lunar mission and how it might set the stage for more frequent visits to the Moon. We’ll also explore an upcoming IPO, new investments to advance robotics at the University of Texas and a company that has used gene editing to produce mice with woolly mammoth-like fur coats.