The NW Austin Tech & Startup Corridor
Thursday, 07 January 2016
There is a frequently heard mantra in Austin that we’re not like Silicon Valley (that we don’t want to be like Silicon Valley) and though I’m of the mind that disagrees with that, considering Silicon Valley an industry of which we’re a part rather than a merely a specific location, what you can’t refute is
- Published in Austin, Industry, Insights / Research, Startups
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Why Where Matters
Monday, 09 November 2015
Some time ago, I shared some thoughts about how the size and scope of Silicon Valley eludes most entrepreneurs. That, challenging most startup communities, is the fact that comparing and contrasting one’s local economy to “Silicon Valley” easily misleads, as N. California’s startup community is much more than a city, more than a region even,
- Published in Austin, Brand Marketing, Industry, Insights / Research, PR, Startups
Austin is Where Tech Comes to Life
Tuesday, 12 May 2015
With another SXSW well behind us and the inevitable cries that the conference has lost something since it has failed again to discover the next Twitter or Facebook, I find myself considering bigger picture questions: Why are so many moving to Austin? Why did I move to Austin? Is it finding the next Unicorn that
- Published in Austin, Brand Marketing, Industry, Insights / Research, Local, Startups
What Stickers on Laptops Say About Your Startup Community
Wednesday, 14 January 2015
Think about the last time you spent in a coffee shop working. Perhaps you had a quick meeting with a friend or potential partner, perhaps you haven’t made the leap to coworking and call Starbucks your office; regardless of why you were there, picture the laptops around you. When I arrived in Austin, TX, I
The Ancient Startup Communities of Greece and Rome
Wednesday, 16 April 2014
Recently, I had the honor of addressing a group of investors from Shenzhen, China, exploring opportunities in Texas and asking the question, why? Why here? Why Texas? Why Austin? Fostered by DB Business Group (a multi-sector global business development group), and a program called Invest Austin, a veteran of Silicon Valley like myself can’t help
Why Do Startups Work in Silicon Valley?
Thursday, 27 March 2014
One of the most frequently asked questions of today’s startup economy, no? Invariably, we discuss capital, talent, and ambition, frustrated with our own communities’ lack thereof, perhaps. And yet, is that really what’s at the heart of making a startup community work? When you think about it, the access to and significance of capital available
Starting your Dream
Monday, 20 January 2014
Just the other week, I had the distinct pleasure of joining Dreamit Venture’s kick-off of their spring 2014 class. The roster of incredible teams, including Cheggin, CollaborateCloud, eyeQ, Notorious, Octane Lending, Stereo, Swan, TeleCog, and UserApp, set me wondering what role dreams play in one’s success as an entrepreneur. Thinking more about the shifting role of capital and the emigration of innovation