Texas Innovation Ecosystems in the AI Era with Samantha Lewis, Partner Mercury Fund

The Texas innovation ecosystem is accelerating at breakneck speed as technologies like AI and institutions such as the Texas Stock Exchange reshape what is possible. Samantha Lewis, Partner at Mercury Fund, recently relocated to Austin from Houston to strengthen the firm's presence in the region. Our conversation reveals how the founders and funders in the Texas Triangle are positioning themselves during this tech revolution, and why the connections between Austin, Houston, and Dallas are a superpower that is just getting started.

Episode Highlights

• Mercury Investment Thesis
• Expansion to Austin
• AI Competition Landscape
• Importance of Founder Vision
• Good Businesses vs VC Backable 
• Bits Meet Atoms
• Healthcare Innovation Frontiers
• Austin Growth Opportunity
• Texas Stock Exchange Impact 
• High Speed Rail vs Airports
• Texas Innovation Triangle and Collaboration
• Houston Industry Challenges
• Tech Inspiration Moments
• What's Next Austin?
  • "We're so excited to just hang out and see everybody, meet entrepreneurs, hopefully build a big fintech community here as time goes on...The more VC firms that are here, the better. The more entrepreneurs that are getting funding here, the better"

Samantha Lewis: X/Twitter, LinkedIn
Mercury Fund: Website, X/Twitter, LinkedIn

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