In this episode of Startup Junkies, Jeff Amerine, Caleb Talley, and Davis McEntire sit down with Vance Reavie, founder and CEO of Junction AI. Vance is a multi-time founder, and he recently completed Fuel, a Northwest Arkansas-based accelerator that helps growth-stage artificial intelligence and machine learning startups become enterprise-ready. Throughout the episode, Jeff, Caleb, Davis, and Vance discuss Junction AI, Vance’s journey to Northwest Arkansas, building a launchpad for corporate innovation, and much more!

Shownotes

(1:26) Introducing Vance Reavie and Junction AI

(6:35) Allowing Yourself to Pivot

(9:19) What Does Winning Look Like?

(11:27) Vance’s Background and Transition to Arkansas

(14:59) Building the Junction AI Team

(19:40) Why Vance Is Excited to Be In NWA

(27:20) Advice for Young Talent

(30:56) Building a Launchpad for Corporate Innovation 

(36:14) Advice for Vance’s Younger Self

(40:41) Closing Thoughts

Links

Caleb Talley

Jeff Amerine

Davis McEntire 

Vance Reavie

Junction AI 

Fuel Accelerator 

Quotes

“We had to understand, does what we do matter to the enterprise, and if it does, how are we going to get in there and sell it and make a success of it? So that’s why we wanted to [be a part of Fuel], and I was blown away by the program.” Vance Reavie, (6:24)

“They say the top three things that typically cause new ventures to fail is number one, you’re building something that no one wants. Two is you’ve hired wrong—you’ve got people in the wrong seats. And the third one is a lack of focus. And all three of those can be equally deadly.” Jeff Amerine, (8:34) 

“...You get quite addicted to that idea that things can move this fast, and that’s a lot of fun. And it draws people in. People want to be part of it when they see this happening because, seriously, none of us want to do nothing or just be bored at work or whatever it is. We see something exciting happening and you’re drawn to those people or that project…” Vance Reavie, (32:26)