sxsw Archives - Startup Economist

Founders Can’t Scale What Government Won’t: Policy Infrastructure Entrepreneurship Needs

Wednesday, 11 March 2026 by Paul O'Brien

At SXSW 2026? We’ll be convening a Tech + Policy Meetup at Cosmic Saltillo, Sunday, March 15th at 2 pm – RSVP Here If you work in economic development, run a government affairs office, manage a legislative portfolio, or sit in any room where startup policy gets discussed, tune in. The people with the most

Published in Economic Development

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SXSW 2026 Guide for Founders, Investors, and Ecosystem Builders

Monday, 02 March 2026 by Paul O'Brien

SXSW is here in as much as if you’re coming, you’re curious what to consider. If you’re still treating it like a trade show where you badge-tap your way through panels and collect business cards, you’re behind. The conference this year sprawls across Austin March 12–18, 2026 (before in fact), with all four festivals (Innovation,

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Published in Conferences / Events

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SX Sideways: More to Changing SXSW than Condensing the Weekends

Tuesday, 18 March 2025 by Paul O'Brien

For those unfamiliar, SXSW is rather unique in the world for being far more than a conference, trade show, or film or music festival — it’s an economic engine, a cultural touchstone, and, arguably, the defining force that made Austin a global hub for innovation and creativity. But in 2025, something felt… off. The conference,

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Published in Conferences / Events

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Portugal’s Entrepreneurial Revolution: Why Startups and Innovation Thrive (And What Needs to Change)

Monday, 03 March 2025 by Paul O'Brien

A Country Built on Bold Exploration and Innovation Portugal’s legacy as a global pioneer began long before the word “startup” existed. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Lisbon was the Silicon Valley of its time, launching a wave of global exploration that transformed commerce, navigation, and trade. With figures like Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand

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Published in Regional Development

6 Comments

The Art Making Manchester Startups

Thursday, 30 March 2023 by Paul O'Brien

Have this unusual thesis about innovation and entrepreneurship: Cities and countries throughout the world associate themselves with “tech” or appeal to venture capital, they strive to be known as startup cities or the next Silicon Something; at the end of the day, most fail to achieve the circumstances of such an economy. Startups fail. It’s rather the

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Published in Regional Development

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The Hub of Entrepreneurial Artists; Making the Most of SXSW

Monday, 11 March 2019 by Paul O'Brien

This is my… 13th SXSW (I think). Hazy to recall. Having had so many experiences with the conference, the question of WHO excels there, why, and how to help others make the most of one of the world’s most culturally and economically important events, struck me as a worthwhile question. I like to refer to

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Published in Austin, Startups

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A Giant Conversation

Friday, 05 May 2017 by Paul O'Brien

Why the future is now – and the secrets that could be the key to getting your next big idea funded. Whether it’s VC, sponsorship or grant, I had a chance, with Epsilon’s John Immesoete, to break down the startup ecosystem as it relates to media and technology. We discuss ever-changing role of today’s CMO, and why

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Published in Advertising, Austin, Brand Marketing, Industry, Startups

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