How does a nonprofit innovate and scale its mission? Joining me today is Alice Pomponio, Managing Director of BrightEdge, the venture arm of the American Cancer Society, to discuss the intersection of venture capital and nonprofit work. Is this approach a unique case, or part of a new wave of strategies catalyzing the defeat of cancer and other societal challenges?

Episode Highlights

• BrightEdge, the innovation and venture capital arm of the American Cancer Society (ACS), aims to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and practical application, creating a new funding source for the nonprofit.
• ACS has allocated over $5 billion to 25,000 researchers and 50 Nobel laureates, significantly influencing global cancer research.
• Capitalizing on the ACS’s extensive partnership network and volume of grants, BrightEdge enhances its deal flow and supports innovative cancer care solutions, ranging from therapeutics to care delivery.
• The newly announced Texas Accelerator by ACS highlights the strategic importance of the region in advancing national cancer research efforts, leveraging local capabilities, and enhancing ACS's impact through innovative cancer care approaches.
• What's Next?
  • "Bright Edge is investing in innovation for impact. So we are really excited about reporting on our impact performance. We're excited about the accelerators taking flight and we're excited about building community"

Alice Pomponio: LinkedIn, X/Twitter
BrightEdge: Website, LinkedIn

-------------------
Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn

I am diving back into the quantum realm where the stakes are high and the potential for innovation is even higher. Joining me is Scott Faris, a seasoned expert in the field, to unravel the complexities and opportunities of quantum technology. We explore how this revolutionary tech is shaping the future of global industries and national security, and why Austin is at the forefront of this next wave.

Episode Highlights

• Amidst escalating geopolitical tensions, the US, China, and other nations are racing to define the future, positioning quantum technology as a critical battleground where securing a first-mover advantage may determine long-term global dominance.
• Quantum technology leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to manipulate atomic and subatomic particles, unlocking new levels of precision.
• Even while quantum computing is still in development, quantum technology enhances capabilities in sensing, timing, and communications, setting new standards for accuracy and speed.
• Austin is poised as a key player in quantum technology, bolstered by its history with semiconductor manufacturing, a deep tech industry presence, and an ecosystem that efficiently supports scaling complex technologies.
• What's Next, Austin?
  • "I think next Austin, everyone says this, everyone wants to be this. It is the epicenter of the technology industry in the United States in my view. It is what Silicon Valley once was and priced its way out of and politicized its way out of it. You need that as an economic engine for this country to be successful...Austin has all the right ingredients to exist at that scale. It's scale of creative, it's scale of industrial, it's scale of capital."

Scott Faris: LinkedIn

-------------------
Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn

As we enter the Bio Century, AI innovations are becoming pivotal in shaping the future of biology and medicine. In this episode, I am joined by Micha Breakstone, the founder and CEO of Somite.ai, who is at the forefront of integrating AI with stem cell biology. Together, we explore the intersection of AI and health, its history, and its impact on startups and enterprises alike.

Episode Highlights

• AI innovations are transforming biology and medicine, paving the way for revolutionary advances in disease understanding, diagnostics, and treatments.
• Somite.ai, aiming to be the OpenAI for stem cells, is developing a platform to map cell trajectories and guide pluripotent stem cells to become targeted cells for therapeutic use.
• AlphaFold's understanding of protein folding represented a major breakthrough, deepening our scientific understanding and serving as a clear example of AI’s potential impact on biology.
• The evolving landscape is creating tension between traditional asset-focused strategies and AI-driven platform business models, prompting questions about where the true value of these companies lies.
• What's Next, Austin?
  • "I would absolutely love to see Austin become a force of nature in moving innovation forward."

Micha Breakstone: LinkedIn, X/Twitter
Somite.AI: Website, LinkedIn, X/Twitter

-------------------
Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn