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Travis Cook: The AI Software Revolution, Building a Top Dev Shop, Blockchain, Startup Investing

Travis Cook: The AI Software Revolution, Building a Top Dev Shop, Blockchain, Startup Investing

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 In this episode of the Startup Ignition Podcast, hosts John and Tyler are joined by seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and mentor Travis Cook. They dive into Travis's journey, starting with his early days as a Java developer in 1996, co-founding Solution Stream, a pioneering custom software development shop that significantly impacted Utah's tech scene. The conversation explores his experiences as CEO of Apigo (now Taskfire) and President of Nerd United, a blockchain-focused venture. Travis shares deep insights into the evolution of software engineering with the advent of AI, the pros and cons of service-based versus product-based businesses, the tumultuous world of blockchain and cryptocurrency, and his current ventures in AI applications and startup investing. The discussion also touches on the future of work, the impact of AI on hiring, and valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

(00:00:00) The future of software engineering with AI
(00:01:35) Introducing guest Travis Cook: entrepreneur, investor, mentor
(00:04:23) Icebreaker game: Startup Instincts
(00:09:14) Travis Cook's journey: From Atari to co-founding Solution Stream
(00:15:04) Navigating the dot-com bust with Solution Stream
(00:17:20) Scaling Solution Stream: From startups to enterprise clients
(00:23:26) Exiting Solution Stream: Valuing service vs. product businesses
(00:28:37) Advice for founders: Service business vs. product startup
(00:30:33) Experience with Apigo (Taskfire): A B2C product journey
(00:33:57) Nerd United: Building a blockchain economy and hiring 300+ engineers
(00:38:07) Understanding blockchain, decentralization, and Bitcoin
(00:41:30) Challenges with the SEC and the crypto regulatory landscape
(00:45:44) The current state of Nerd United and the product-first philosophy
(00:46:36) Travis Cook's outlook on crypto, blockchain, and DeFi's future
(00:49:15) Venture capitalist sentiment on crypto and blockchain investments
(00:52:08) AI's impact on software development: 1 person doing the work of 10
(00:53:51) How dev shops like Solution Stream adapt to AI
(00:55:37) The broader societal shifts: From Information Age to AI Age
(00:59:13) Speculating on the future of work for those displaced by AI
(01:02:41) Travis Cook's current focus: Investing, AI projects, and coaching
(01:06:59) Travis's top two tips for new entrepreneurs

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