Austinpreneur

Mike Maples Jr. didn’t make his mark by playing it safe—he built it by betting early on ideas that looked crazy… until they changed the world. In this new episode, Mike shares why conviction-based investing matters more...

While most banks steer clear of early-stage defense contractors, Leonid Capital Partners runs toward them. Founding Partner James Parker explains how his team evaluates risk through contract data —not pitch decks...

Startups often struggle to navigate the labyrinth of defense procurement. Mica Dolan, President & COO at ATI, offers a guide to cutting through it. She explains how Other Transaction Agreements empower the DOW to fund...

In this episode, Josh Baer sits down with Tim Kopra, a decorated astronaut and Voyager Technologies Chief Human Exploration Officer, to discuss the next chapter in human spaceflight: the transition from the...

In this Austinpreneur episode, recorded live at Fed Supernova 2025, host Nick Spiller sits down with Arthur Grijalva , Director of SpaceWERX , the U.S. Space Force’s innovation arm, to discuss how startups are reshaping...

In this episode, recorded live at Fed Supernova 2025, we sit down with Jason Hundley, Marine veteran, NASA researcher, and founder of X-Bow Systems, to explore how his team is rethinking solid rocket motors for the 21st...

In this episode of Austinpreneur, recorded live at Fed Supernova 2025, Nick Spiller talks with Leonard Lublin, Deputy General Manager of BAE Systems’ FAST Labs, the company’s advanced R&D arm. Leonard explains how FAST...

In this episode, recorded live at Fed Supernova 2025, Nick Spiller sits down with Dr. Michael Webber, UT professor, GTI board member, and global energy thought leader, to explore the intersection of energy systems...

Why do some businesses thrive through uncertainty while others crumble? According to serial entrepreneur, former Swiss Army officer and Capital Factory Mentor Sam Goodner, the difference comes down to discipline...

When most entrepreneurs think of federal funding, they picture grants or SBIR awards. But Eric Robinson, of Baker Botts, reveals how the Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) is rewriting the playbook: a $200B program that...

In this episode of Austinpreneur, recorded live at Capital Factory, we sit down with Paradromics Founder and CEO, Matt Angle, to explore the cutting edge of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Paradromics recently became...

When expanding into new markets, especially in the Middle East, success isn’t about closing the fastest deal; it’s about building the right relationship. In this live-recorded episode from Capital Factory, Rudy Mirran...

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...

What does it take to craft a pitch that truly captivates investors? In this episode, recorded live at Capital Factory House 2025, Allyson Eman, CEO of Venture Atlanta, breaks down the key elements of a winning pitch...

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 Austin embodies the spirit...