Make America Texas Again
Tuesday, 12 November 2024
The story of the Alamo is one etched into the American consciousness, a tale of courage and defiance against overwhelming odds that has inspired generations. In 1836, Texian and Tejano defenders faced off against the Mexican army in a siege that would ultimately result in their tragic defeat. But the Alamo’s legacy transcended that single
- Published in Economic Development, Industry
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The Quantum Corridor
Thursday, 03 October 2024
For too long, cities across the U.S. have attempted to define their startup communities by adopting monikers like “Silicon Prairie,” “Silicon Hills,” or “Silicon Beach,” an approach that inadvertently undermines their efforts to establish distinct, innovative identities. By labeling themselves after Silicon Valley, cities unintentionally (and likely unwittingly) put themselves second to an established technology
- Published in Industry, Insights / Research, Regional Development
Marketing and Storytelling Manifest a Startup City
Friday, 23 August 2024
The explosive growth of specific cities throughout the world might be the best evidence of the impact of good old-fashioned marketing. Not advertising mind you, but marketing: understanding what you have, for whom, why they care, and delivering that to them. The last 25 years or so have witnessed the transformation of our world from
- Published in Economic Development, Industry, Insights / Research, Startup Ecosystems
What it Takes to Make Your City “Next” in Innovation
Friday, 29 September 2023
So, the guy who chose and loves Austin has some thoughts about the potential of Houston. I had a chance to sit with Chris Howard during their interview series when in Austin, for Forging the Future through Softeq, where we talked about how culture and distinction draws entrepreneurship, tech, and capital. How Houston is on
- Published in Economic Development, Startups
The Creator Capital of the World
Monday, 11 September 2023
A significant shift is underway, explored by Kaya Yurieff with The Information, A Reckoning Arrives for Creator Economy Startups, “Two years ago, Dmitry Shapiro and Sean Thielen were so optimistic about the booming creator economy that they pivoted their startup to a new product: a simple tool called Koji that lets influencers more easily link to their online
- Published in Industry, Insights / Research, Regional Development, Startups
Uncovering Austin FinTech as an Ecosystem
Thursday, 13 April 2023
I have a confession to get off my chest. In my work through Austin, I’ve long celebrated and promoted the maturing of Austin’s startup ecosystem by illuminating that we’re starting to specialize and move beyond downtown; that, as the most effective startup ecosystems do, the city of Austin isn’t generically “tech” and shouldn’t be considered
- Published in FinTech, Industry, Texas Startups
Developing Austin’s Startup Ecosystem
Tuesday, 28 February 2023
Regional culture, history, and infrastructure are the qualities of a region of the world that drives innovation, jobs, and economic development because technology is ultimately about people and their potential. A really a wonderful article about Austin in The New Yorker sparked a series of wonderful discussions of the past and present of the Austin
- Published in Industry, Startup Ecosystems, Startups, Texas Startups