Austin Tech Connect: The Podcast For The Austin Technology Ecosystem, Business Leaders, and Tech Entrepreneurs!

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Brett Hurt, one of Austin's most recognized entrepreneurs, investors, and technology leaders... and a recent inductee into the Austin Tech Hall of Fame.  Brett has founded and led companies, had major exits, invested in more than 150 startups, and helped shape the Austin tech ecosystem for decades. But this conversation is not just about startups, venture capital, or the next wave of technology. It is about what happens when a successful entrepreneur begins asking bigger questions about meaning, purpose, consciousness, leadership, and the future of humanity. Brett shares the story behind his new book, Love Conquers Fear, and talks openly about the spiritual awakening and divine calling that changed the direction of his life. He discusses the role psychedelics played in that journey, while also making it clear that this is not about promoting one path for everyone. For Brett, psychedelics were a technology, a tool that helped him go deeper into questions about God, consciousness, love, fear, and the responsibility leaders have in a rapidly changing world. The conversation moves across a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, robotics, brain-computer interfaces, conscious capitalism, religion, meditation, prayer, psychedelics, leadership, abundance, and the dangers of worshiping money as the ultimate scorecard. Thom and Brett also talk about Austin, the importance of community, and the loss of Josh Baer, whose impact on the Austin tech scene continues to ripple through the lives of thousands of people. Brett reflects on what really matters in the end, not the exits, the houses, the cars, or the yachts, but how we show up for others. This is a different kind of Austin Tech Connect episode. It is a conversation about technology, but also about humanity. It asks whether the future we are building will be driven by fear, comparison, and profit at all costs, or by love, service, and a deeper sense of responsibility. Brett Hurt has been on Austin Tech Connect before, but this conversation captures a very different chapter of his life and work. It is honest, personal, wide-ranging, and at times challenging. If you care about Austin tech, AI, entrepreneurship, spirituality, psychedelics, conscious capitalism, or the question of what kind of future we are actually trying to build, this episode is worth your time.

7/9/26 • 73:01

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer (CEO of the Austin Technology Council) sits down with Ben Barnes, the former Texas Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, public service, Texas history, resilience, and staying engaged in life at every age. Ben's political career began when he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives at just 22 years old. He went on to become the youngest Speaker of the House and the youngest Lieutenant Governor in Texas history. In the conversation, he shares stories from those early years, including how he had to earn credibility as a young leader and why he felt a responsibility to open doors for others who would come after him. The conversation also explores Ben's role in helping establish the University of Texas at Dallas. He recalls being invited by Texas Instruments leaders to visit Boston and study the relationship between great universities and the technology industry. That experience helped shape the vision for a major new university in North Texas, ultimately backed by a significant contribution from the founders of Texas Instruments. Ben and Thom also discuss how Texas evolved from an agriculture-focused economy into one of the most important technology hubs in the country. Ben reflects on the decisions made in the 1960s that helped set the stage for Austin's later growth, including investments in higher education, research, and business leadership. He also talks about the importance of continuing to support universities and talent development if Texas wants to remain competitive. The episode includes a candid look at Ben's life after politics, including his public bankruptcy during the real estate collapse of the 1980s. He shares how that difficult chapter shaped him, what he learned from failure, and how lessons from his father and from Theodore Roosevelt helped him rebuild his life and career. At 88, Ben continues to stay active, curious, and engaged. He offers advice for people thinking about retirement, emphasizing the importance of preparation, lifelong learning, physical activity, and friendships across generations. His message is clear: staying involved with people, ideas, and new opportunities is part of living a full life. Ben also talks about his new book, Get It Done: Seven Decades of Lessons from a Political Legend, which will be released on July 14. He explains why he wanted to write the book now and shares the deeply personal story of his recent kidney transplant. This episode is a conversation about leadership, history, second chances, and the power of staying connected to people and purpose.

7/1/26 • 37:18

Peter Zandan has been part of Austin's technology story since 1977... long before anyone was calling this city a tech hub. In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with the long-time entrepreneur and community leader (and recent inductee into the Austin Tech Hall of Fame) to trace that journey from the beginning. Peter shares what brought him to Austin, what kept him here, and how he went on to found multiple companies including IntelliQuest and Zilliant, guided throughout by a philosophy of following his heart over his head in business. The conversation covers Peter's creation of the Zandan Report, which provided objective, data-driven insight into Austin's tech ecosystem at a time when no one else was tracking it... and the role that kind of community infrastructure plays in helping a city understand and grow its own identity. Peter also reflects on his decade as a board member at Meow Wolf, and what sitting at the intersection of art, experience, and technology has taught him about what communities actually need to thrive. On AI, Peter is optimistic in a way that feels grounded rather than naive: he sees artificial intelligence as a tool that enhances human capabilities rather than one that displaces them. That view shapes his broader point about Austin's future... that as the city has evolved from a place that had to recruit tech talent to one that attracts it naturally, what it must protect is precisely the quality of life and community spirit that made it worth moving to in the first place. Human relationships and lived experience, Peter argues, matter more in an AI-driven world, not less.

6/24/26 • 37:54

Thom Singer sits down with Kathleen Lucente, founder and CEO of Red Fan Communications, for a conversation about how AI is rewriting the rules of brand visibility. Kathleen has spent nearly two decades advising B2B tech CMOs and founders on messaging, M&A communications, and crisis response.... and she's now watching AI answer engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google Gemini replace the click-through search results that used to drive brand discovery. She walks through her "Brand Authority Index," a seven-factor framework she built to measure and improve how a company's brand shows up when AI tools generate answers, covering everything from third-party endorsements and review-site recency to executive thought leadership and why LinkedIn has become an outsized signal of credibility for AI systems. The conversation also covers the case for getting communications teams involved early in mergers and acquisitions (months before announcement, not days), and closes with Kathleen's read on Austin's three-decade evolution as a tech hub and the case for a unified "Texas Technology Triangle" connecting Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and the Brazos Valley. Austin Tech Connect is sponsored by Calavista Software, software development without the drama.

6/17/26 • 37:35

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer talks with Stephen Straus, co-founder and CEO of KungFu.AI, about what it really means to lead in the age of artificial intelligence. Stephen started KungFu.AI in 2017, years before ChatGPT made AI the topic everyone was talking about, and his perspective is shaped by seeing the early internet boom in Austin and now watching AI reshape every industry. The conversation explores why companies need to think beyond simple automation and start asking how they can use AI to disrupt their own industries before someone else does. Stephen also shares the story behind his upcoming book, "Wayfinding: A Business Fable About Leading in the Age of AI" , about a CEO who has 90 days to build an AI strategy or lose her job. Along the way, Thom and Stephen talk about leadership, vulnerability, proprietary data, the difference between real AI strategy and AI hype, and why Austin's tech ecosystem continues to evolve in powerful ways.

6/9/26 • 28:39

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer talks with Jess Lowry, Laura Timmis, and Rachael DiGiovine of Mindful Collective about career transitions, layoffs, and the very real human impact of uncertainty in today's tech-enabled economy. Mindful Collective is a community of practice that helps people stay active and connected while they explore what comes next, linking members to mentorship, collaborative projects, volunteer opportunities, and client engagements. The conversation looks at some of the common myths around layoffs, including the idea that layoffs only happen to underperformers, and explores how AI-driven hiring tools, ageism, and changing job market dynamics can make it harder for experienced professionals to be seen. Jess, Laura, and Rachael also share how small project-based engagements can help people build current experience, strengthen portfolios, maintain confidence, and continue creating value. This is a timely conversation about talent, resilience, community, and why Austin's tech ecosystem is stronger when we support people through transition instead of letting them navigate it alone.

6/5/26 • 28:25

The Austin Technology Council hosted the third annual Austin Tech Hall of Fame at the offices of Wise at The Domain in Austin, Texas. Two hundred members of the Austin tech community came together to honor the builders, founders, and leaders whose work laid the foundation of one of the most dynamic technology ecosystems in the world. In this episode, Thom Singer recaps the evening and goes deeper on why the Austin Technology Council created the Hall of Fame, what it means to build a program designed to last eight years, and why honoring the past is one of the most important investments a community can make in its future. The theme of the evening was simple but powerful. Celebrate the past. Be present in the now. Look to the future. The more Thom has studied thriving ecosystems, the more convinced he has become that the future of a city is stronger when people understand the story they are joining. History gives newcomers context. It gives longtime residents pride. And it gives leaders a clearer sense of what must be protected while everything around them changes. Austin is growing and changing at a pace that makes it easy to lose that thread. The Hall of Fame exists to make sure that does not happen. The 2026 Foundational/Legacy Inductees Each year the Austin Technology Council inducts eight foundational and legacy honorees, people who were building things in Austin before it was obvious the city would become what it is today. This year those eight were Ken DeAngelis, Hugh Forrest, Brett A. Hurt, Joe McCall, Robert Metcalfe, Jan Ryan, Joel Trammell, and Peter Zandan. Two hundred people got to sit in a room and hear these eight individuals reflect on their careers, their decisions, and the community they helped create. That kind of direct transmission of history is rare. It is also exactly what a healthy ecosystem needs. The 2026 Current Year Inductee Tyson Tuttle, former CEO of Silicon Labs and current CEO and co-founder of Circuit, was announced as the 2026 current year inductee into the Austin Tech Hall of Fame. The 2026 First Time Founder Award Will Wilder was named the 2026 winner of the First Time Founder Award, an honor the Austin Technology Council has presented every year since the Hall of Fame launched. The award recognizes entrepreneurs navigating the specific challenges and milestones of building their first company. An Eight-Year Vision The Austin Technology Council sees the Hall of Fame as a long-term commitment, not an annual event. There are close to 70 people who helped lay the foundation of Austin tech. Honoring all of them at once would do justice to none of them. The goal is to take the time each year to tell a small number of those stories well, to give those people the room to actually be heard, and to build something over time that the entire ecosystem can point to and say, this is where we came from. By the end of this program, the Austin Tech Hall of Fame will represent a living record of the people and decisions that made Austin what it is. Why This Matters The Austin Technology Council exists to connect Austin's tech ecosystem through community, collaboration, and conversation. Thom believes the city will have a stronger future if people choose to be one community rather than a collection of silos. The Hall of Fame is one of the most tangible ways the ATC makes that case, year after year, by putting the right people in a room and asking them to share what they know. If you are new to Austin, this is the story you are joining. If you have been here a long time, this is the story you helped write. And if you are leading something right now, this is the foundation you are building on. Learn More Austin Technology Council: austintechnologycouncil.com

5/21/26 • 14:25

On this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Skip Balch, founder and principal consultant at SalesHandicapper, for a wide-ranging conversation about sales, leadership, artificial intelligence, and the Austin technology community. Skip has lived in Austin for more than 13 years and brings nearly five decades of sales and sales leadership experience to the conversation. His career has included work with startups, technology companies, and high-growth organizations, including time connected to Broadcast.com, one of the legendary stories in the tech world. Today, through SalesHandicapper, Skip helps companies improve their odds of winning by focusing on sales strategy, skills, accountability, and better communication. The conversation begins with Skip's path into sales, including an early career move to Anchorage, Alaska, where he led a sales team for an alternative long-distance telephone company. From there, the discussion turns to the sales lessons that have stayed with him throughout his career. One of Skip's strongest points is that sales are often not lost at the end of the process, they are lost at the beginning. Expectations matter, and if a salesperson does not set them clearly, those expectations are being set somewhere else, often without the salesperson even knowing it. Skip also shares one of the most important lessons for salespeople and business leaders alike: listen to learn, not to respond. Too many people are already preparing their next answer while the other person is still speaking. In sales, leadership, networking, and community building, real progress comes when people slow down, ask better questions, and pay attention to what is actually being said. The episode also explores how artificial intelligence is changing the sales profession. Skip believes AI tools, especially AI sales assistants and note-takers, can be a major advantage because they allow salespeople to be fully present in conversations instead of scrambling to capture notes. But he is also clear that AI does not remove the need for human judgment. In fact, as information becomes easier to access, discernment becomes more important. The best sales leaders will not simply use AI to gather more data, they will know how to determine what matters. A major theme of the conversation is the difference between being "human in the loop" and being human in the lead. AI can help with preparation, research, summaries, and productivity, but business still depends on trust, judgment, accountability, and relationships. Skip argues that people who refuse to adopt AI are the ones most at risk. AI may not replace salespeople directly, but those who ignore it may find themselves replaced by people who use it well. Thom and Skip also talk about the mistakes tech companies make when trying to build sales organizations. Many founders believe that if they build a great product, customers will automatically come. Skip challenges that assumption. Companies must understand whether they are solving a real problem, whether customers care enough to solve it, and whether early sales can become a scalable business. His advice is direct: qualify to disqualify, ask hard questions early, and do not confuse a few early wins with true market traction. The episode closes with a look at Austin's technology ecosystem. Skip sees Austin continuing to attract strong talent, experienced founders, and companies that want to grow in a strong business climate. At the same time, both Skip and Thom point out that Austin cannot become complacent. The city's tech community is still climbing. It must remain scrappy, connected, and committed to building relationships across the ecosystem. This episode is also a reminder that Austin's tech community is strengthened by people and companies that show up, contribute, and support the organizations that bring the ecosystem together. Skip and SalesHandicapper are sponsors of the 2026 Austin Tech Hall of Fame, and Thom recognizes sponsors like them as true community champions. Listen to this episode to hear: How Skip Balch built a career across nearly five decades in sales Why sales are often lost at the beginning of the process The importance of setting expectations early Why salespeople need to listen to learn, not listen to respond How AI sales assistants can improve real human conversations Why discernment may be the most important skill in the AI era What tech founders often misunderstand about sales Why Austin's tech community must stay scrappy, connected, and ambitious About the Guest Skip Balch is the founder and principal consultant at SalesHandicapper, where he helps companies improve their sales strategy, sales skills, accountability, and communication. With nearly five decades of experience in sales and sales leadership, Skip brings a practical, direct, and deeply human perspective to helping teams improve their odds of winning. Sponsor Mention Austin Tech Connect is sponsored by Calavista Software, helping companies create software without the drama. Calavista has worked with startups and Fortune 100 companies alike and continues to support the Austin Technology Council and the Austin tech community.

5/14/26 • 29:22

Bruno Spruth - CTO at Q.ant In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer talks with Bruno Spruth, the newly appointed CTO of Q.ant, a German deep tech company expanding into the United States with its U.S. headquarters in Austin. Q.ant is working on one of the biggest challenges facing the future of AI, energy consumption. As AI systems grow, the demand for compute power continues to rise, and Bruno explains why that creates both a major constraint and a major opportunity. Q.ant's approach centers on photonic compute acceleration, using light, or photons, instead of traditional electronics to help reduce power needs and unlock new possibilities for AI infrastructure. Bruno shares his journey from Germany to Austin, including his long career at IBM, his move into startup life, and why the pace and challenge of Q.ant's work made this opportunity so compelling. He also explains why Austin is the right place for Q.ant's U.S. expansion, citing the city's growing hardware ecosystem, talent pool, quality of life, and the practical advantage of overlapping work hours with Europe. The conversation also touches on Austin's deep tech history, IBM's role in shaping the local ecosystem, the importance of taking on hard technical challenges early in a career, and why Bruno believes this moment in photonic computing feels like the early days of the computing industry. Q.ant is currently building its Austin presence and plans to hire across photonics, integrated circuit design, digital systems, software, and compiler work. For those interested in AI infrastructure, hardware, or deep tech, this episode offers a look at why Austin continues to attract companies working on hard problems with global impact. Austin Tech Connect is sponsored by Calavista Software, software development without the drama. Since 2001, Calavista has been trusted by startups and Fortune 100 companies alike for their custom software needs.

4/29/26 • 24:39

Some episodes of Austin Tech Connect are about startups, leadership, and innovation. This episode is about all of those things, but it is also about grief, courage, and purpose. In this conversation, Thom Singer talks with Michael McCown, founder and CEO of H27 Technologies, about the deeply personal story behind LinnESync. Michael shares how a season of unimaginable loss changed his family's life and ultimately shaped his mission to build technology that could help communities and emergency teams coordinate more effectively in times of crisis. Michael speaks openly about what he witnessed during the July 4th flooding in Central Texas in 2025, the compassion and professionalism of first responders, and the real-world communication challenges that can emerge when multiple agencies and volunteers are trying to work together under intense pressure. He is thoughtful in the way he tells this story, and clear that this work comes not from criticism, but from a desire to help support better coordination in the future. He also shares the vision for LinnESync, a platform designed to provide better visibility into resources, missions, incoming support, and response coordination. For Michael, this is about more than building a company. It is about building something useful, accessible, and grounded in service. This episode is moving, human, and ultimately about what can happen when someone decides to turn pain into action. ******************* Austin Tech Connect is the official podcast of the Austin Technology Council, and a leading tech podcast in Central Texas.   Thank you to the sponsor of Austin Tech Connect: Calavista Software

4/23/26 • 35:05

What does it mean when an top local leader in engineering says, "We don't hire engineers"? In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Balazs Barna, Head of U.S. Engineering at Wise, to unpack that statement and explore what engineering leadership looks like in an AI-driven world. Balazs explains that Wise is not looking for people who simply execute tickets. They want "product engineers"...  professionals who can think beyond code, understand customer pain points, evaluate whether a problem is worth solving, and build with the business outcome in mind. The conversation digs into how AI is changing the day-to-day work of engineers, but also why the fundamentals still matter. Balazs argues that AI is a powerful amplifier. It can speed up development, improve testing, and make teams more productive. But it cannot replace human judgment. Organizations still need people who can think clearly, understand tradeoffs, and make sure they are solving the right problems, not just building things faster. Thom and Balazs also talk about what companies get wrong when adopting AI. Too many organizations remain overly top-down or fail to give their teams enough autonomy to choose tools and think critically. At Wise, engineers are encouraged to use leading AI tools, stay close to trends, and remain grounded in first principles. Curiosity, business understanding, and customer awareness are now essential traits for technical talent. The discussion also turns practical for mid-career professionals. Balazs shares his advice for engineers who feel uncertain about how AI may affect their future: learn the tools, stay engaged, and build new skills now. He describes taking time himself to immerse in AI-assisted building so he could better understand what his teams are experiencing. His message is clear: the people who stay close to these changes will be in the best position to take advantage of the new opportunities that AI creates. The episode closes with a broader look at Austin. Balazs reflects on why Wise chose Austin for its U.S. headquarters, what makes the city strong as a tech hub, and why community engagement matters. He also shares thoughts on where Austin can improve, including the need for more meetups, more gatherings, and more visible leadership across the local tech ecosystem. This is a thoughtful conversation about engineering, leadership, AI adoption, and the kind of community Austin needs if it wants to keep building for the future. Key topics in this episode: Why Wise says it hires "product engineers," not just engineers How AI is improving productivity but not replacing judgment What strong engineers still need to understand in an AI era Why autonomy and curiosity matter inside engineering teams Advice for mid-career engineers adapting to rapid change Why Austin stood out as the right place for Wise to grow What Austin tech is doing well, and where the community can do more ******************* Thanks to the Sponsor of Austin Tech Connect - Calavista Software

4/16/26 • 27:39

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Dr. Nick Hallman, professor at The University of Texas at Austin, to talk about one of the biggest business questions of the moment, how companies are actually using AI, and whether they are measuring success the right way. Drawing on research conducted with KPMG, Dr. Hallman shares what his team learned from studying real workplace interactions with large language models over time. What makes this conversation especially interesting is that the study did not just look at whether employees were using AI. It looked deeper. Dr. Hallman and his colleagues were able to examine prompts, responses, and patterns of use across months of professional activity. That gave them a far richer picture of what productive AI adoption really looks like, and what many organizations may be missing when they focus only on usage volume. One of the biggest surprises? Most AI use was not especially advanced. Dr. Hallman explains that roughly 90 percent of the activity they observed was centered on writing help, things like cleaning up emails or improving wording. Useful, yes. Transformational, not really. The more sophisticated uses involved clearly defined tasks such as analysis, coding, and creating tangible work product. Those higher value outcomes tended to come when users were specific about what they wanted and what a successful output should look like. Another unexpected finding was that senior people often used AI more effectively than junior employees. Dr. Hallman suggests that may be because strong AI use mirrors strong delegation. Leaders who know how to clearly assign work to people are often better at directing an LLM. That insight challenges the assumption that younger workers will automatically be the most advanced AI users just because they are more comfortable with technology. The conversation also explores how companies should think about training and evaluation. If raw usage is not the best metric, what is? Dr. Hallman points to more meaningful signals, including whether people iterate with the model, refine their requests, and move beyond one-shot prompts. He also stresses that the best way to improve is through practice. The more people experiment, at work and at home, the more they begin to understand what AI can do well, where it falls short, and how to ask better questions. This episode is a smart, grounded look at AI in the real world. It is not hype, and it is not fear-based. It is a practical conversation about what happens when organizations move past buzzwords and start paying attention to how people actually work with these tools every day. About the Guest Dr. Nick Hallman is a professor in the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin, where he teaches data analytics and Python to accounting students and conducts economics-based research related to the auditing profession. In this conversation, he shares insights from a research collaboration with KPMG focused on how employees are using AI in professional settings. Key themes from this episode AI usage numbers do not tell the whole story. Most workplace AI use is still basic writing support. The best AI results come from specificity and iteration. Senior leaders may be better AI users because they are better delegators. The fastest way to become more effective with AI is simple, use it more often. Sponsor: Austin Tech Connect is supported by Calavista Software, software development without the drama. Trusted by startups and Fortune 100 companies alike.

4/10/26 • 34:21

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Taylor McHargue of Cushman & Wakefield. Taylor is a new board member at the Austin Technology Council, and is a good example of the next generation of people in the tech ecosystem that want to show up and help build the future for all. In this interview we explore what the commercial real estate market can tell us about the current state of Austin's tech economy. It is a timely conversation, because office space is no longer just about square footage. It has become a reflection of hiring, funding, culture, confidence, and where companies believe they are headed next. Taylor explains that in the boom years, especially around 2016 to 2018, tech companies often leased more space than they needed and signed longer terms because growth felt inevitable. Today, that mindset is gone. After the disruptions of the pandemic, many executives carry real caution about long leases and unused space. Companies are now trying to match their footprint closely to current needs, with far less appetite for risk. The conversation also highlights how Austin's office market has evolved since COVID. While vacancy remains high on paper, Taylor notes that activity has picked up, especially among technology firms, and especially since the start of 2026. Some of that momentum is tied to AI-related companies, while broader return-to-office trends are also playing a role. Many firms are no longer debating whether they will gather in person at all. Instead, they are figuring out what kind of office strategy best supports collaboration, flexibility, and growth. One of the biggest takeaways is that not all office space is equal. The buildings performing best are highly amenitized, well located, and often move-in ready. For many companies, office space is now a recruiting and retention tool. That means coffee shops, fitness centers, conference amenities, and proximity to the areas where talent wants to be matter more than ever. Taylor describes the market as a tale of two worlds: some buildings struggle, while others attract most of the serious demand. This episode offers a smart window into where Austin tech is today, and where it may be headed next. ******************** Ausitn Tech Connect is sponsored by Calavista Software ******************** The Austin Technology Council exists to help Austin's fast growing tech community stay connected, collaborative, and engaged. As the ecosystem gets bigger and more complex, ATC creates space for the conversations and relationships that help people find their place in the bigger story of Austin tech. We believe strong communities do not happen by accident, they are built through trust, shared ideas, and leaders who show up. That is the role ATC continues to play as Austin's tech future unfolds.

4/1/26 • 34:32

This episode  of "Austin Tech Connect" (the official podcast of the Austin Technology Council) features a conversation between Thom Singer (CEO at ATC) and Paul O'Brien about Paul's new book "Startup Ecosystems." Paul discussed his career journey from Michigan to Silicon Valley to Austin, where he has lived for 17 years working in public affairs for startup ecosystems. They explored how Austin's tech ecosystem has thrived through effective marketing and storytelling, contrasting it with other cities.    Paul explained how his book builds on Brad Feld's earlier work (Feld's book "Startup Communities" was a pivotal work for Startups) by providing a more current economic and pragmatic approach to developing startup communities, emphasizing the importance of proper mentorship, marketing fundamentals, and policy development. They also discussed the challenges and opportunities for Texas's growing tech ecosystem, particularly the potential for collaboration across the state's major cities. ************* Austin Tech Connect is sponsored by Calavista Software

3/18/26 • 45:44

The episode of Austin Tech Connect is an interview with Christine McDannell, an M&A advisor who recently moved to Austin from San Diego. Christine discussed her entrepreneurial journey, including her experience selling multiple companies and founding The Magnolia Firm, which specializes in helping digital businesses and SaaS companies find buyers. She explained her unique approach of turning away 95% of potential sellers to focus on high-quality listings and offered insights into the current market challenges, such as finding willing sellers. Christine also shared her perspective on Austin's tech community, highlighting its welcoming nature and vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. The conversation concluded with Christine emphasizing the unique culture of Austin and encouraging listeners to visit the city, while Thom Singer, the host, expressed his hope for Christine's continued involvement in the Austin tech community. Every week on this podcast, the Austin Technology Council wants to introduce you to people in the community from companies of all sizes. Austin is not just start ups, or big companies, our tech ecosystem is a perfect collaboration of many things. When our community can revisit connections over silos, we set ourselves up for the future.  Austin Tech Connect is sponsored by Calavista Software. 

3/3/26 • 25:55

In this episode of the Austin Tech Connect podcast, Thom Singer interviewed Phil Gilbert, author of "Irresistible Change: The Blueprint for Earning Buy-In and Breakout Success," about his career in technology and his experiences transforming IBM after its acquisition of Lombardi Software. Gilbert shared his journey from founding a PC consulting company in the 1980s to leading design at IBM, where he implemented a successful change management program that improved employee engagement and market share. They discussed the changing landscape of Austin's tech community, with Gilbert expressing concerns about the loss of community spirit and corporate citizenship. The conversation highlighted the importance of understanding Austin's rich tech history and the need to rekindle the city's entrepreneurial and collaborative culture.   Austin Tech Connect is the offical podcast of the Austin Technology Council and is one of the top Austin tech podcasts.     Austin Tech Connect is sponsored by Calavista Software.  

2/26/26 • 36:20

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Matt Zilli, the new CEO of Planview, for a grounded conversation about leadership, career growth, and why real relationships still matter in a tech world chasing speed. Matt shares his unusual path through SaaS, from computer science at Santa Clara, to Marketo, to leading private equity backed software companies, and how a strong network of people willing to "take a bet" on you can unlock unexpected opportunities. Matt also unpacks Planview's approach to hybrid work through what the company calls "purposeful connections," which is less about counting office days and more about bringing people together for a reason, to build relationships, solve real problems, and strengthen mentorship. The conversation closes with an optimistic look at Austin's tech ecosystem, what makes it special, and what the community needs to protect as the city keeps growing. If you care about innovation and community, this one hits the sweet spot. ********** Thank you to the sponsor of Austin Tech Connect - Calavista Software...  Software development without the drama.  Since  2001 Calavista software has been trusted by startups and fortune 100 companies for their custom software needs.  

2/20/26 • 33:14

What happens when a single, outdated $5 semiconductor can stall an aircraft program, delay medical equipment, or freeze production lines? In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Ryan Hatcher, CEO and founder of Phoenix Semiconductor, to unpack a supply chain problem that quietly cripples industries: "end-of-life" chips that are no longer manufactured, but are still essential to the systems we depend on. Ryan shares how his career path from physics to defense electronics to tech scouting put him front-row during the COVID-era shortages, where the real bottlenecks weren't always the cutting-edge chips… but the small components no one could replace. Ryan explains how Phoenix Semiconductor is building drop-in replacement chips that perform indistinguishably from the originals... and why that matters for defense, aerospace, medical devices, energy, and heavy industry. Along the way, you'll hear a smart, honest look at entrepreneurship (starting with "zero momentum"), the power of mentorship, and why Austin's tech ecosystem still has a rare advantage: the ability to reach the right people through real relationships. If you care about semiconductors, supply chain resilience, or how founders build meaningful companies in Austin, this one is worth your time. ******** Subscribe to Austin Tech Connect on your favorite podcast platform. ******* Thank you to Calavista Software for being the annual sponsors of this podcast for 2026.

2/13/26 • 35:04

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer talks with Prakhar Agrawal, CEO of Senseloaf AI, an Austin based startup using AI agents to make recruiting faster, more human, and less frustrating for both candidates and hiring teams. Prakhar shares his path from mechanical engineering to entrepreneurship, and how a broken job search experience in 2017–2018 pushed him to build an "automated matching" approach long before AI became a buzzword. He explains how he reunited with his cofounder, an early NLP practitioner, and tells the origin story behind the name Senseloaf, "making sense of data" with recruiting as the first "slice" of a bigger vision. The conversation dives into what Senseloaf actually does, from intelligent candidate matching beyond keywords, to a 24/7 conversational agent that engages applicants, to AI powered screening and interview workflows that scale without removing humans from decision making. Prakhar also discusses the realities of building an AI company in a market filled with hype and mistrust, how the business survived COVID by evolving its model, and why the team is moving toward a value first approach by opening the platform so companies can test it before committing. The episode wraps with a candid look at why Austin attracted him from Boston, what the city does well (and where it can improve) for founders, plus a bigger discussion about the rise of "engineer entrepreneurs" as risk and barriers to building have dropped. To learn more, visit senseloaf.ai or connect with Prakhar on LinkedIn.   Thank you to the sponsor of the Austin Tech Connect Podcast.... Calavista Software. 

2/4/26 • 27:38

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, ATC's Thom Singer sits down with Brandon Tigges, co-founder and CEO of Austin based Job Machine. Brandon grew up a military kid, was homeschooled, moved eight times before age 18, and learned early how to adapt, learn fast, and build relationships. That path took him from finance to tech sales, then into entrepreneurship, fueled by mentors, books, and an obsession with solving real problems. Brandon shares how Job Machine helps workforce organizations, schools, and outplacement providers place people into jobs faster, and why their big, hairy, audacious goal is simple, any American who wants a job should be able to get one. Along the way, he talks about work ethic, paying it forward, and what Austin needs to keep doing right if we want the tech ecosystem to stay strong.   Austin Tech Connect is sponsored by Calavista Software

1/29/26 • 34:23

Austin did not become a tech city by accident, and it will not stay an innovation center on autopilot. In the first Austin Tech Connect episode of 2026, Thom Singer sits down with Jan Ryan, CEO of Three Hills, a longtime operator in venture backed startups, a builder of community, and a force behind expanding opportunity for women founders in Austin. Jan takes us back to the mid 90s when Austin was still "a lovable, slightly disorganized teenager," then connects the lessons of the dot com era to what is happening now with AI and frontier tech. This is a conversation about leadership, not hype. Jan lays out why innovation is moving faster than the institutions that are supposed to support it, talent pipelines, capital networks, and policy frameworks, and why inclusion is not a tagline, it is a growth strategy. Thom and Jan dig into what it will take for Austin to lead the next decade, how leaders can show up without burning out, and why it is not just networking, it is equipping. If you care about the next chapter of Austin tech, this one is your seat at the table. Thank you to the 2026 sponsor of Austin Tech Connect.... Calavista Software.  It is companies that are true "Community Champions" that sponsor organizations like the Austin Technology Council.  

1/6/26 • 50:06

Austin Tech Connect closes out 2025 with a milestone episode celebrating the podcast's three year anniversary and ending the year with a high energy conversation about entrepreneurship, custom software, and what it takes to keep building in Austin. Thom welcomes Scott Kenyon, founding partner at Applaudo, a firm that helps companies go from early stage ideas to real products, covering strategy, MVPs, design and development, cloud platforms, AI, DevOps, and cybersecurity. Scott shares his entrepreneurial path, including leaving college to start a business, then returning later to finish after a first venture gave him real world experience and momentum. From there, he explains how Applaudo grew from a focused service offering into a broader set of capabilities by staying close to client needs and expanding carefully in a trust driven industry. A key theme throughout the episode is that software services still run on reputation, relationships, and accountability, especially when companies are betting real dollars on complex builds. The conversation includes a memorable story about helping a pro sports organization modernize an outdated workflow, plus a look at the different industries Applaudo serves and why focus matters even when you work across multiple verticals. Thom and Scott also dig into AI, not as hype, but as a practical tool that is changing how work gets done, along with a candid discussion about the infrastructure demands behind AI and what that could mean over the next several years. The episode wraps with thoughts on what makes Austin's tech community strong, where the ecosystem needs to stay scrappy, and a look ahead to 2026, including Austin Tech Hall of Fame nominations opening in January. Thanks to the sponsor of the podcast, Calavista Software. 

12/19/25 • 32:04

This week on Austin Tech Connect, we are sharing the keynote from the 2025 State of Tech breakfast, hosted by the Austin Technology Council and the Austin Chamber of Commerce. Tyson Tuttle, CEO of Circuit and former CEO of Silicon Labs, unpacks how AI is accelerating into the physical world, why energy and compute infrastructure matter more than ever, and what the convergence of AI, semiconductors, and industry means for the next decade of innovation in Austin and beyond. "Texas gives us scale, Austin gives us soul" - Tyson Tuttle

12/12/25 • 24:30

Austin Tech Connect welcomes back data and AI expert (and ATC board member) Ronnie Sheth for a very real conversation about what is actually happening inside companies trying to adopt AI. Ronnie helps organizations design human first experiences with data and AI, and she brings both a strategic lens and a deep sense of responsibility to how this technology shows up in our businesses and our community. She also cares deeply about Austin as a global tech hub and about the Austin Technology Council's role as a connector across the ecosystem. In this episode Ronnie explains why AI adoption numbers are slipping and why that is not a sign that AI has lost its shine. Drawing on recent reports from the U.S. Census Bureau and MIT, she points out that many generative AI pilots are failing not because the tools are weak, but because companies never built the foundation. They jumped to "doing AI" without a clear data strategy, without thinking through adoption and scale, and without asking the basic question, "Is our data ready for this?" Ronnie makes a compelling case that data excellence is the real starting point. Companies need high quality, trusted data and a clear vision for how it supports decisions, innovation, risk management, and AI models. She shares how her clients move from vague "data governance" conversations to concrete strategy, and why data must be treated as an asset that can quickly turn into a liability if handled poorly. We also dig into regulation, ethics, and the human side of AI. Ronnie describes AI as a "collection of humanity" and reminds leaders that AI is not yet a prescriptive oracle. It is a thought partner that can amplify human intelligence, not a fix for broken processes or culture. The Austin Tech Connect Podcast is presented by Calavista Software, software development without the drama.

12/4/25 • 35:39

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Austin Tech Hall of Fame inductee Bob Fabbio, a founder and leader whose career is woven into the story of our region's tech ecosystem. Bob shares how a reluctant interview trip from Massachusetts to IBM Austin in 1987 turned into a one way ticket to a city he quickly fell in love with. After realizing he was "a fish out of water" in big corporate environments, he left IBM to launch Tivoli Systems, pursuing a then radical idea to manage heterogeneous computer networks as if they were a single machine. People told him he was crazy. They were wrong. From there, Bob walks through building multiple category defining companies, his time in venture capital with Austin Ventures and TL Ventures, and why he chose to run those firms like real businesses with intentional branding, community engagement, and entrepreneur boot camps. Bob also talks about his commitment to mentoring founders and "paying it forward," inspired by the early leaders who pushed him to have the courage to launch Tivoli. He shares his powerful framework of "the whats" that every entrepreneur must answer clearly, from the real problem they solve to pricing, distribution, and the macro trends they are riding. Finally, Bob describes his latest chapter, Norio Capital Partners, a long short hedge fund powered by machine learning and AI, and why this may be his favorite venture yet. It is a masterclass in thinking big, betting on yourself, and building the future from Austin. ******* Are you supporting the Austin Technology Council? Since 1992 ATC has been working to unite the tech community to celebrate the past, be present in the NOW, and to look toward the future.  ATC needs the real grassroots leaders in the community to help shape tomorrow. 

11/14/25 • 37:45

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Austin Technology Council CEO, Thom Singer, sits down with Greg Cooper, president at Offerd, to explore how PropTech is reshaping commercial real estate and why Austin is a compelling place to build it. Greg's Austin story spans three decades and a rare path. He grew up in Jamaica, spent time in England, went to high school in Houston, then earned a UT law degree focused on real estate. While in law school he co-founded Austin Java and ended up running a fast growing restaurant company with hundreds of employees, an experience that sharpened his operator mindset. He then moved into residential real estate, helping build one of Keller Williams' top teams before launching a brokerage that grew to more than one hundred agents. The pivot to commercial came after the sale of that firm, where Greg discovered an even higher bar for talent and execution. In 2020 a cold call led him to the Offerd founder and a platform that aggregates fragmented commercial data into one system, applies predictive analytics, and surfaces who is most likely to buy or sell. Greg first joined as an affiliate to use the tech, then quickly began working Offerd's institutional deal flow. Within weeks his team had nine figure pipelines and he closed transactions with public REITs, validating that the model could change how large assets trade. Today Offerd operates as a brokerage paired with an internal product team, and the company is evaluating a spin out of the technology to give the software a clear valuation while the brokerage retains a permanent license. They talk candidly about capital strategy, the difference between lumpy services revenue and SaaS, and why the total addressable market for brokerage commissions remains massive. They also dive into Austin's market reality. Rates froze residential mobility, new apartments created pressure on rents, and affordability must improve, yet the region's long term trajectory is strong. Greg sees a growing local PropTech cluster but notes the lack of a consistent forum for founders to compare notes. That is why community matters. Real leaders show up, cross vertical conversations prevent silos, and Austin works best when collaboration is the norm. Big thanks to Calavista Software for supporting this show as the sponsor...and their support of the broader tech community.

11/7/25 • 26:29

Patrick Smith, Tax Principal with CLA... and new comer to the Austin tech ecosystem joins the conversation on the Austin Tech Connect podcast to talk about recent changes in the tax laws and how it impacts Austin companies.   The Austin Tech Connect podcast is the official podcast of the Austin Technology Council and one of the premier podcasts in the Austin tech scene.  

10/31/25 • 27:33

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Tyson Tuttle, the former CEO of Silicon Labs and one of the most influential figures in Austin's technology landscape. Tyson shares an inside look at his remarkable journey from a hands-on engineer to a purpose-driven CEO who helped shape one of Austin's most respected semiconductor companies. The conversation explores how curiosity, courage, and collaboration guided his leadership approach and how his experiences continue to inform his perspective on innovation and community today. Tyson reflects on the early days of Austin's tech scene and what it took to help Silicon Labs scale from a local startup to a global industry leader, all while maintaining a strong sense of culture and connection. He discusses how leadership evolves through different stages of growth and why adaptability, humility, and trust are essential for navigating constant change. Listeners will also hear about the lessons he learned through transitions, both personal and professional, and how purpose and people have always remained at the center of his work. Beyond business, Tyson and Thom dive into the broader questions facing Austin's future as a tech hub: How can the region continue to innovate while staying true to its collaborative roots? What role does mentorship play in developing the next generation of leaders? And how can technology serve humanity rather than overshadow it? This conversation is more than a retrospective... it's a thoughtful look at what it means to lead, connect, and contribute in a world where community is every bit as important as code.

10/6/25 • 52:20

John Hartigan, CEO of Lumineo, returns to Austin Tech Connect to share what has changed since his 2023 visit and how his team fully pivoted into AI for corporate learning. Host Thom Singer, talks to John about practical wins over hype, from improving content creation and microlearning workflows to blending live action with AI avatars, and what is coming next with interactive AI tutors. John explains where AI saves time, where humans add the creative spark, and why, in his words, "mediocrity is now free." We dig into leadership, retraining teams, prompt skills, and ethical transparency around synthetic voices and video. Thom adds how he uses AI for ideation without outsourcing his voice, and the two compare notes on blind spots, communication tone, and building trust in an AI driven world. We close with the impact on the Austin tech ecosystem, why early stage founders now have unprecedented tools, and an open invite to connect with Lumineo, to share this episode with your team, and to show up at ATC events where human interaction stays front and center.

9/30/25 • 39:03

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Tom Alexander, co-founder and CEO of Holistic, for a candid conversation about the future of work and what a great employee experience really looks like. Tom shares lessons from working in Chicago's tech scene at "1871" and the mayor's office, and explains why many executives say people are their most important asset yet lack the language and systems to manage the people experience with the same rigor as revenue. They dig into the pendulum swings in today's workplace, the role of DEI as an integrated part of culture rather than a stand-alone program, and how AI can free up the hours we spend on low value tasks so humans can focus on creativity, empathy, and problem solving. They also talk about location and remote work, the responsibility that comes with flexibility, and why internal and external community both matter. Tom's core model is simple and powerful, sit on the same side of the table and look at the world together. If you care about building healthy teams, thriving companies, and a stronger Austin ecosystem, you will love this conversation.   This show is sponsored by Calavista Software, software development without drama.

9/15/25 • 39:40