loader from loading.io

Pattern Breakers with Mike Maples Jr.

Austin Tech Connect

Release Date: 08/27/2024

State of Funding For Growth Companies show art State of Funding For Growth Companies

Austin Tech Connect

This episode is the audio from the featured panel at the 2024 C-Suite Summit and Industry Think Tank.  The discussion is about the state of funding for Small and Mid-Sized Tech Companies.  The session was sponsored by MUFG.   The panelists brought sharp perspectives from the world of Banking, VC, Law, and company points of views.  Thanks to (MUFG), Smith (Latham & Watkins), (TalentGuard), and (Sapphire Ventures) for their great insights shared in this panel.   The Austin Technology Council's "C-Suite Summit and Industry Think Tank" took place on...

info_outline
Break Down Silos with Taylor Capito show art Break Down Silos with Taylor Capito

Austin Tech Connect

This week on the Austin Tech Connect podcast is one of the most fun conversations you will find on any tech blog.  Local entrepreneur Taylor Capito from GenRAIT joins host Thom Singer for a look at tech impacting humanity, innovation, mentors, inspiration, Star Trek, and the movie Flubber.   Taylor is the perfect example of leaders who make a difference in our Austin tech ecosystem.  She shares her story and her views of what makes Austin great.  She also goes deep into ways to "Go Change It" if you see things that need attention.  Taylor is a real "DOER".... and if...

info_outline
Dr James Truchard Shares His Wisdom show art Dr James Truchard Shares His Wisdom

Austin Tech Connect

In this captivating episode of Austin Tech Connect, host Thom Singer sits down with Dr. James Truchard, founder and former CEO of National Instruments, one of Austin's greatest homegrown success stories.   Dr. Truchard shares his journey from moonlighting Ph.D. student to tech industry pioneer, offering invaluable insights into building a sustainable company and fostering innovation. Listeners will be inspired by Dr. Truchard's tales of early entrepreneurship in Austin, his visionary approach to business strategy, and the critical role of community in nurturing a thriving tech ecosystem....

info_outline
Austin Tech Week 2024 with Jacqueline Hughes show art Austin Tech Week 2024 with Jacqueline Hughes

Austin Tech Connect

On this weeks episode of “Austin Tech Connect” we hear from Jacqueline and Hughes, the cofounder and co-producer of Austin Tech Week (Formerly Austin Startup Week).  Coming up October 28 through November ….. Austin Tech week is going to be an amazing conglomeration of events all over town.   (take note - the ATC “C-Suite Summit and Industry Think Tank Will take place on October 28 from 1 PM to 6 PM)   About Jacqueline Hughes   Jacqueline Hughes is a human-centric event producer with over 13 years of experience supporting innovation leaders through transformative...

info_outline
Brilliant Things Happen When Smart People Spend Time Together with Razat Gaurav show art Brilliant Things Happen When Smart People Spend Time Together with Razat Gaurav

Austin Tech Connect

This week on Austin Tech Connect we are joined again by Razat Gaurav, CEo at Planview.  In this conversation we hear about his experience in Austin the last 3 years, the growth of Planview, and his outlook for our tech community.   Razat is also going to be the opening keynote speaker for the ATC "C-Suite Summit and Industry Think Tank" on October 28, 2024.  While we do not talk about the summit in this interview, you can see from this conversation why the Austin Technology Council asked him to speak at the event.    Be sure to share this episode with all your friends...

info_outline
Doing Good with Karen Gordon show art Doing Good with Karen Gordon

Austin Tech Connect

In episode 90 of "Austin Tech Connect", Thom Singer talks to Karen Gordon, CEO of  Dynamics.  Karen is a serial entrepreneur, who is passionate about helping people harness the power of differences to amplify outcome.   About Karen Gordon   Karen Gordon is the CEO of 5 Dynamics, a company that is focused on making the world a better place one relationship at a time. 5 Dynamics’ proprietary software, Simpli5, creates cultures fueled by self and interpersonal awareness to bolster productive collaboration, boost morale, accelerate timelines, and deliver better results....

info_outline
Austin Hall of Fame Inductee Admiral Bobby Inman show art Austin Hall of Fame Inductee Admiral Bobby Inman

Austin Tech Connect

This week we have a legend on the podcast - Admiral Bobby Inman.  Admiral Inman was recently inducted into the Austin Tech Hall of Fame. He has living and working in the Austin tech scene for over 40 years and has been an investor and advisor to countless companies.  His remarkable career spans both public service and private enterprise, leaving an indelible mark on our city's technological landscape. Born and raised in Texas, he graduated high school at age 15, received his BA from UT Austin at 19, and then joined the US Navy. The Admiral served with distinction in the U.S. Navy...

info_outline
Pattern Breakers with Mike Maples Jr. show art Pattern Breakers with Mike Maples Jr.

Austin Tech Connect

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer chats with Mike Maples Jr., the visionary founding partner of Floodgate and the author of the compelling new book Pattern Breakers: Why Some Startups Change the Future. The conversation dives deep into the mindset and strategies that differentiate the startups that truly disrupt industries from those that merely follow the rules. Mike shares his journey from his early entrepreneurial days in Austin to becoming one of the most respected venture capitalists in Silicon Valley, investing in radical startups at their earliest stages. We discuss...

info_outline
A Legacy of Leadership in Austin Tech with Joyce Durst show art A Legacy of Leadership in Austin Tech with Joyce Durst

Austin Tech Connect

In this episode of "Austin Tech Connect," Thom Singer welcomes back Joyce Durst, founder and CEO of Growth Acceleration Partners, who was recently honored as the 2024 inductee into the Austin Tech Hall of Fame. As one of the few repeat guests on the show, Joyce shares her journey in the Austin tech community, reflecting on how the city has evolved since she first arrived 30 years ago. They delve into the importance of mentorship, community involvement, and the responsibility of today's leaders to pave the way for the next generation. Joyce discusses the need for a renewed focus on inclusivity...

info_outline
The 10 Pillars That Made Austin a Global Tech Hub show art The 10 Pillars That Made Austin a Global Tech Hub

Austin Tech Connect

In this episode, host Thom Singer talks about the ten pillars that helped make Austin become a global technology hub. While there were civic minded community leaders who had ideas and plans to set our region up to grow, the ten pillars that supported the success of Austin are not something that can be dupblicated by other cities.  This is a retrospective, not a recipe book. Austin's success was not luck, it was the product of several things that come together at the right time.  And it was about the people.  Leaders who would show up regularly to support the community who had...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer chats with Mike Maples Jr., the visionary founding partner of Floodgate and the author of the compelling new book Pattern Breakers: Why Some Startups Change the Future. The conversation dives deep into the mindset and strategies that differentiate the startups that truly disrupt industries from those that merely follow the rules. Mike shares his journey from his early entrepreneurial days in Austin to becoming one of the most respected venture capitalists in Silicon Valley, investing in radical startups at their earliest stages.

We discuss the concept of "pattern breaking"—how startups that succeed against the odds often do so by challenging conventional wisdom and introducing ideas that are not only innovative but also non-consensus. Mike reveals the critical importance of timing and inflection points, explaining how recognizing and harnessing these moments can make or break a startup. He also shares personal anecdotes, including the unexpected success of Twitch, a company he invested in without fully understanding its potential at the time.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the unique challenges and rewards of investing in and building disruptive companies, as well as practical advice for entrepreneurs who aspire to be at the forefront of innovation. Whether you're a startup founder, an investor, or simply someone interested in the future of technology, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Mike’s reflections on the importance of resilience, the role of storytelling in building a movement, and the necessity of embracing risk make this a conversation you won’t want to miss.

About Mike Maples Jr

Mike Maples is a co-founding Partner at Floodgate.  He has been on the Forbes Midas List eight times in the last decade and was also named a “Rising Star” by FORTUNE and profiled by Harvard Business School for his lifetime contributions to entrepreneurship.

Before becoming a full-time investor, Mike was involved as a founder and operating executive at back-to-back startup IPOs, including Tivoli Systems (IPO TIVS, acquired by IBM) and Motive (IPO MOTV, acquired by Alcatel-Lucent.)

Some of Mike’s investments include Twitter, Twitch.tv, Clover Health, Okta, Outreach, Chegg, Demandforce, and Applied Intuition.

Mike is known for coining the term “Thunder Lizards,” which is a metaphor derived from Godzilla that describes the tiny number of truly exceptional companies that are wildly disruptive capitalist mutations. Mike likes to think of himself as a hunter of the “atomic eggs” that beget these companies.

Mike is the author of the National Bestselling book Pattern Breakers and host of the Pattern Breakers podcast, which shares startup lessons from the super performers.