Austin Technology Council

ATC is excited to share the latest episode of the Austin Tech Connect podcast, where host • Thom Singer, CSP sits down with the legendary entrepreneur and VC Mike Maples, Jr, founding partner of Floodgate and author of the must-read book "Pattern Breakers: Why Some Startups Change the Future". Mike is one of the leading early stage venture investors in the Silicon Valley, but his roots go back to Austin where he founded Motive and other companies. In this insightful conversation, Mike dives into the mindset and strategies that set truly disruptive startups apart from the rest. From his early days as an entrepreneur to becoming a respected venture capitalists, Mike shares his journey and the concept of "pattern breaking"—how challenging the status quo can lead to extraordinary success. Whether you’re a startup founder, investor, or just passionate about the future of tech, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and inspiration. 🎧 Tune in now on your favorite platform: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Etc... Don't miss out on this conversation that may challenge the way you think about innovation and entrepreneurship. #AustinTechConnect #Podcast #StartupSuccess #Innovation #TechEntrepreneurship

Our friends at the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce are hosting this event tomorrow… from 4-6 PM. Check it out! “Cybersecurity Essentials: Protecting Your Business in a Digital Age.” https://lnkd.in/gwcSvBQH #austinai #austintx #austibusiness

When civic-minded leaders show up in the community - when they meet, collaborate, and work together for the good of our region… we all win. The intersection of people meeting for the good of the community is more important now than at anytime. Our Austin tech companies are the economic driver of our region. But Austin isn't just about funding, stock options, and exits…. Austin is about people working together to make our region a leading innovative center. For 32 years, the Austin Technology Council has been at the heart of this community, fostering connections and driving innovation. Founded as an ecosystem builder, we are returning to that mission. In 2024, we’re doubling down on our purpose, with a renewed focus on education, community/networking, and advocacy. As a grassroots organization, we thrive when local leaders step up and share their voices. Your engagement today shapes the tech scene of tomorrow. Can we count on your company’s leaders? We need you! #ATC #AustinTech #CommunityLeadership #EcosystemBuilder

In a world where change is the only constant, it’s the forward-looking thinkers... those who dare to break patterns...who shape the future. Austin has long been a beacon for these innovators, a place where entrepreneurs, companies, and communities don’t just react to the future - they create it.   In his thought-provoking new book Pattern Breakers: Why Some Startups Change The Future, venture capitalist (and former Austin resident and entrepreneur) Mike Maples Jr explores this idea in depth. He emphasizes that those who truly capitalize on moments of change and see the critical inflection point do so by living in the future. They don’t merely accept the status quo or follow traditional paths. Instead, they challenge conventional thinking, question existing models, and reimagine what’s possible. This mindset is essential for anyone looking to lead rather than follow, to disrupt rather than be disrupted.   Austin, known for its vibrant tech scene and entrepreneurial spirit, embodies this forward-looking philosophy. Our city is more than just an innovation hub... it’s a community where the future is actively designed, nurtured, and brought to life. But what does it mean to live in the future, as Maples suggests? For Austin, it means fostering an environment where risk-taking is encouraged, where collaboration fuels creativity, and where diverse ideas collide to spark groundbreaking solutions. It means not resting on our laurels but continuously pushing boundaries and exploring new horizons.   For the Austin Technology Council, we realize we are a 32-year-old organization, but we are also a 32-year-old startup association that is challenging itself to reinvent. We celebrate the past, but we do not live in it. Instead we are relooking at our historic role in building the community, and asking what does it mean now to be a future looking tech ecosystem?   As members of this dynamic tech community, we all have a unique opportunity - and responsibility - to keep driving innovation forward. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a corporate leader, or a community advocate, ask yourself: How can you break patterns? How can you contribute to Austin’s legacy of innovation by embracing change and thinking beyond the present?   Next week on the ATC podcast, Austin Tech Connect, Mike Maples Jr. will join the conversation to delve deeper into these ideas. I met Mike a few times in the 1990s/2000s, but really got to know him better doing this interview and reading his book. His insights challenge us to rethink our approach to business and innovation. It is important that Austin's leaders take that challenge to heart.   Everyone within 300 miles of Austin will thrive if we come together to talk about the future. Its up to us to ensure that Austin remains not just a participant in the future, but a place where the future is made. ***This is from todays ATC weekly newsletter.

This is great news- Austin continues to be the place for innovation!

2024 Austin Tech Hall of Fame inductee Joyce Durst sits down on the ATC podcast "Austin Tech Connect". She is one of the few people to ever be on the podcast twice!!! In this episode she talks about her journey of 30 years in the Austin tech community and reflects on how the city has evolved over the years. She shares her belief in the importance of mentorship and community involvement....and talks about the responsibility of everyone in the community to pave the way for the next generation. Austin is ready for a renewed focus on inclusivity and collaboration within our tech industry, and our future will rely on young professionals getting involved in committees, boards, and non-profits. This conversation looks at what it means for Austin to continue its growth as a tech hub and innovation center...and how we can all support startups and mid-sized growth companies. The Austin Technology Council brings you great local leaders, like Joyce, on the "Austin Tech Connect" podcast every week. You can find the show on Apple, Spotify, YouTube (and there is a link each Friday in the ATC Newsletter....which has doubled its reach in the last two years - not being sent to over 13,000 people....are you subscribed?). Check out the podcast NOW. #AustinTechConnect hashtag #Austin hashtag #AustinTech hashtag #AustinPodcast

Now is the time to get engaged in the Austin tech scene. The future of our region is going to be great … and we need a connected and focused community to ensure we thrive! “Be someone who gives back to the community- and the community will give back to you” - Joyce Durst #AustinTech #Austin

According to the Austin business Journal… Austin tops the USA Today list for the best place to start a business. The Austin Technology Council is always excited to see Austin in the lead spot on any of these “best places” lists… As we believe the best days for our tech ecosystem are ahead. Austin keeps proving its reputation as a leading hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Recently, USA Today ranked Austin as the No. 1 city in the U.S. to start a new business. The ranking considered factors like net business births, GDP growth, and employment in startups, where Austin particularly excelled. With 5% of our workforce employed by startups and a 14.3% GDP growth between 2021 and 2022, the city's dynamic business environment continues to offer a strong foundation for entrepreneurs. While the landscape of startup funding is shifting, Austin's position as a top startup city remains solid. You can find the ABJ article and the full report at USA Today for more insights. #startups #austinatartups

Make sure your company is nominated for the Opportunity Austin “A-List Awards”. Presented in partnership with SXSW- this awards program is now and it’s 13th year. The Austin Technology Council wants to encourage all of the people in the tech community to make sure that they have nominated their favorite companies for this award that celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit and industry achievements that make our region a vibrant hub of innovation. More information on the Opportunity Austin website… Do not miss the deadline. https://lnkd.in/g78bzMUr #austintech #alist #austinstartups

In a world where online connections are just a click away, it’s easy to think we’re getting enough networking. But at the Austin Technology Council, we know that real connections happen when people show up in person—and that’s something we can’t afford to lose. The connected relationships in Austin have been our secret to success for decades.    This week, over 70 of you showed up for a great program at the ATC August Roundtable Breakfast. The energy in the room was electric, and the content was top-notch, with legendary economist Angelos Angelou delivering an insightful Austin economic update and forecast. The conversations sparked at this gathering were powerful, the kind that can only happen when we come together face to face.   Angelos shared that he is more upbeat about the future of the Austin economy than he has been at almost any other time in his 40 years studying our region. And who doesn't like to hear great news like that?    But community events (be it ATC events or those hosted by other local non-profit business groups) are only amazing if YOU SHOW UP. Your presence is not just a formality; it's a catalyst for change. It’s a reminder of why face-to-face still matters, and it might matter more now than ever. Your participation is what will shape the future of our community. Those individuals and companies that show up and participate in the community will have more opportunities over the long run.    Online networking and Zoom calls have their place, but they can’t replace the depth and impact of in-person interactions. When you attend events, you’re not just a participant, you’re an essential part of the community that drives Austin’s tech scene forward.   It is up to all of us to keep the momentum going for Austin's tech scene. We need you to continue showing up, engaging, and building the connections that will shape our future. Because together, in person, we’re stronger, more innovative, and ready to take on whatever comes next.   As we move into the last four months of 2024.... get you and your team out to local tech events. When your team shows up in the community, you help both Austin and your company thrive. (this is from today's ATC Newsletter- if you are not getting the weekly email .... sign up on our website). #Community #showup #austintech