Startups Archives - Page 28 of 34

The Ancient Startup Communities of Greece and Rome

Wednesday, 16 April 2014 by Paul O'Brien

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

Published in Austin, Industry, Startup Ecosystems, Startups

10 Comments

Why Do Startups Work in Silicon Valley?

Thursday, 27 March 2014 by Paul O'Brien

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

capital culture entrepreneurship Industry innovation silicon valley talent

Published in Regional Development, Startups

15 Comments

The Social Intelligence Industry is in Austin

Wednesday, 19 February 2014 by Paul O'Brien

A short time ago, I started exploring the significance of industry on an economy; the role that it plays in creating awareness of, drawing talent to, engaging capital on behalf of, and focusing a community around, innovation and entrepreneurship. If you’ve read here before, you know I’m something of a Druckerist, a student of Peter

Analytics austin culture dachis group Industry intelligence social intelligence social marketing Social Media sprinklr texas

Published in eCommerce, Industry, Startups

4 Comments

The Role of Ruby on Rails

Tuesday, 18 February 2014 by Paul O'Brien

Austin, Texas is a hotbed of mobile and traditional software development, startups, and Rails shops, and given my history in Silicon Valley, where Ruby on Rails has been the framework of choice for years, I wanted to find out from Lance Vaughn, CEO of CabForward, what makes Ruby on Rails in Austin. Why CabForward? The

austin developers development ruby on rails startups texas

Published in Industry, Startups

1 Comment

The Single Most Important Trait that all Successful Business Owners Have

Thursday, 13 February 2014 by Paul O'Brien

Progress can only be made through unanswered questions. One can’t find success by doing the same thing everyone else does, or making the mistakes others have answered. In starting with unanswered questions, you must agree that some, perhaps many, of your hypothesis, will prove wrong. You will fail, you might succeed. The alternative is that

entrepreneurs entrepreneurship growth progress success

Published in Startups

6 Comments

Starting your Dream

Monday, 20 January 2014 by Paul O'Brien

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

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Published in Austin, Startups

4 Comments

Austin is eCommerce

Wednesday, 15 January 2014 by Paul O'Brien

Leave it to me to spend 14 hours in Dallas on the very day that 3 of my favorite industries crush capital… * Social marketing, with $14M through Bessemer Venture Partners and Harrison Metal Capital to Main Street Hub * WordPress, by way of $15M via North Bridge Growth Equity in WPEngine * eCommerce, as Volusion wraps up $35M with Silicon Valley Bank Though, I’m glad