How Lucas Martell turned a fun idea into a hit VR game

Exploring Austin’s suburban tech and startup scene with Justin Sayers

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.

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.

Inside the Humanoid Robotics Race with Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas

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.

Revolutionizing Sports Nutrition: Doss Cunningham's Journey

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 [https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2025/10/08/base-power-zach-dell-austin-factory.html]  QuoteWell Raises Millions for Insurtech [https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2025/10/07/quotewell-raises-millions-austin.html] Firefly’s Big Acquisition [https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2025/10/05/firefly-aerospace-scitec-merger.html] John Deere Test Farm (Weird and Wired Segment) [https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2025/10/09/deere-opens-research-development-center-texas.html]

How Lucas Martell turned a fun idea into a hit VR game

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.