<![CDATA[The Beat: Austin's tech and startup podcast]]>33847738-76fc-5f7b-9adf-1e1676ef890bThu, 02 Apr 2026 18:12:02 +0000Captivate.fmAustin Business JournalStay on top of Austin’s booming startup and tech scene with The Beat podcast.  

 

Host Brent Wistrom, editor of Austin Inno and The Beat, leverages his deep local roots and connections in the Austin startup and tech scene to bring you the top stories and conversations around who’s innovating, funding and launching new ventures. Each month, we’ll bring you insightful and fun conversations with local founders and investors, as well as a download on the city’s top tech news and what we’re hearing on the street. 

 

Listen to new episodes every Thursday and subscribe to the Beat podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]>https://artwork.captivate.fm/4f0cc14e-5b01-4a27-942a-af99f1709af8/vm4hh25wpysyng0ftqq1yqun8mjh.jpgThe Beat: Austin's tech and startup podcastAustin Business JournalAustin Business JournalStay on top of Austin’s booming startup and tech scene with The Beat podcast. &nbsp; &nbsp; Host Brent Wistrom, editor of Austin Inno and The Beat, leverages his deep local roots and connections in the Austin startup and tech scene to bring you the top stories and conversations around who’s innovating, funding and launching new ventures. Each month, we’ll bring you insightful and fun conversations with local founders and investors, as well as a download on the city’s top tech news and what we’re hearing on the street.&nbsp; &nbsp; Listen to new episodes every Thursday and subscribe to the Beat podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.&nbsp;https://the-beat-austins-tech.captivate.fmfalseepisodichttps://feeds.captivate.fm/the-beat-austins-tech/nopodcastmbailey@bizjournals.comExploring Austin’s suburban tech and startup scene with Justin SayersExploring Austin’s suburban tech and startup scene with Justin SayersJustin Sayers, a senior reporter at the Austin Business Journal, sits down with The Beat Podcast to discuss the rapid growth of advanced manufacturing, defense tech and startup ecosystems in Austin’s suburbs and outlying communities. 

]]>Justin Sayers, a senior reporter at the Austin Business Journal, sits down with The Beat Podcast to discuss the rapid growth of advanced manufacturing, defense tech and startup ecosystems in Austin’s suburbs and outlying communities. 

]]>Buzzsprout-18579769Wed, 28 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -040026:14falsefull111111Building Trust in AI: A Conversation with AxonIQ CEO Jessica Reeves Building Trust in AI: A Conversation with AxonIQ CEO Jessica Reeves 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.

]]>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.

]]>Buzzsprout-18401740Tue, 23 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -040035:06falsefull110101Inside the Humanoid Robotics Race with Apptronik CEO Jeff CardenasInside the Humanoid Robotics Race with Apptronik CEO Jeff CardenasHumanoid 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.

]]>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.

]]>Buzzsprout-18214499Wed, 19 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -040028:04falsefull1991Revolutionizing Sports Nutrition: Doss Cunningham's JourneyRevolutionizing Sports Nutrition: Doss Cunningham's JourneyIn 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)

]]>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)

]]>Buzzsprout-18012124Wed, 15 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -040027:17falsefull1881How Lucas Martell turned a fun idea into a hit VR gameHow Lucas Martell turned a fun idea into a hit VR gameLucas 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. 

]]>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. 

]]>Buzzsprout-17855859Wed, 17 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -040031:34falsefull1771Why Nasdaq’s Rachel Racz is all in on TexasWhy Nasdaq’s Rachel Racz is all in on TexasWith 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.

]]>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.

]]>Buzzsprout-17737923Wed, 27 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -040016:02falsefull1661Inside Austin’s CPG scene with ABJ reporter Sahar ChmaisInside Austin’s CPG scene with ABJ reporter Sahar Chmais 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.

]]> 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.

]]>Buzzsprout-17515796Thu, 17 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -040022:18falsefull1551The Beat Podcast: Matt Stephenson on internships, workforce development and AIThe Beat Podcast: Matt Stephenson on internships, workforce development and AIIn 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 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.

]]>Buzzsprout-17358051Wed, 18 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -040030:29falsefull1441Ups and downs: How Austin’s startup scene is changingUps and downs: How Austin’s startup scene is changingIn 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. 

]]>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. 

]]>Buzzsprout-17158249Thu, 15 May 2025 04:00:00 -040029:46falsefull1331Xebec's Alex Levine on navigating huge tariff billsXebec's Alex Levine on navigating huge tariff billsXebec 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!

]]>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!

]]>Buzzsprout-16997891Fri, 18 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -040034:15falsefull1221Firefly’s Jason Kim on our lunar future, plus Austin’s next tech IPO and mammoth miceFirefly’s Jason Kim on our lunar future, plus Austin’s next tech IPO and mammoth miceOn 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.

]]>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.

]]>Buzzsprout-16818268Wed, 19 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -040024:19falsefull1111Introducing: The BeatIntroducing: The BeatStay on top of Austin’s booming startup and tech scene with The Beat podcast.  

Host Brent Wistrom, editor of Austin Inno and The Beat, leverages his deep local roots and connections in the Austin startup and tech scene to bring you the top stories and conversations around who’s innovating, funding and launching new ventures. Each month, we’ll bring you insightful and fun conversations with local founders and investors, as well as a download on the city’s top tech news and what we’re hearing on the street. 

 Listen to new episodes every Thursday and subscribe to the Beat podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]>Stay on top of Austin’s booming startup and tech scene with The Beat podcast.  

Host Brent Wistrom, editor of Austin Inno and The Beat, leverages his deep local roots and connections in the Austin startup and tech scene to bring you the top stories and conversations around who’s innovating, funding and launching new ventures. Each month, we’ll bring you insightful and fun conversations with local founders and investors, as well as a download on the city’s top tech news and what we’re hearing on the street. 

 Listen to new episodes every Thursday and subscribe to the Beat podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]>Buzzsprout-16807690Tue, 18 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -040000:57falsefull11