technology Archives - Startup Economist

Startup Ecosystems Fail Because of Investors

Wednesday, 28 May 2025 by Paul O'Brien

Yes, I meant what I said in that headline… let’s see if I can back it up. In my conversation with Bryan Hancock on Executive Connect, I pulled back the curtain on the startup mythology that’s selling cities, founders, and investors a false bill of goods. We don’t need more accelerators. We need people who

Published in Economic Development, Startups

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How Silicon Valley Really Got Its Start: In Fashion Tech

Friday, 21 December 2018 by Paul O'Brien

It was in 1848, that a carpenter by the name of James Marshall spotted gold at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, Calif. Soon hopeful prospectors flooded the Golden State in search of their fortunes. Today’s gold rush is, of course, the venture capital discovered in them thar hills; with entrepreneurs flooding the Valley in search of their

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Published in Industry, Insights / Research

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When an Economy needs Co-Founders – And Seems to have a Tech Talent Gap

Tuesday, 11 September 2018 by Paul O'Brien

A characteristic of local economies that I never experienced much before leaving Palo Alto, California: “we can’t find co-founders!” Many know that I’ve spent half of my professional life in Silicon Valley and the other half in the new economy’s most appealing innovation region: Central Texas. I’ve touched a few times on the stark differences

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Published in Startup Ecosystems, Startups

19 Comments

From Cambridge to Coffee Barista, How University has been Sold to Us

Thursday, 23 August 2018 by Paul O'Brien

CNBC’s Courtney Connley reported recently that Google, Apple and 13 other companies that no longer require employees to have a college degree, spurring some consideration of the implication on jobs and education. The amateur economist in me read the headline on the surface of it and thought, “great! More affirmation that $100,000 in debt to

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Published in Insights / Research

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What Does it Mean to be Working in Technology?

Friday, 13 July 2018 by Paul O'Brien

Frankly, I hate how, since the dawn of the computer and internet, when we say “technology” we tend to presume only software, web sites, and smartphones. “Technology” does not mean semiconductor and code! The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes The idea of technology was defined in 1829! Technology (“science of craft”, from Greek, techne, “art, skill, cunning

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Published in Industry, Insights / Research, Startups

18 Comments

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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The Vision For Austin

Wednesday, 08 March 2017 by Paul O'Brien

You know that licking of your lips and grasping at air that one does when trying to put in to words a dream. How you think through, as you’re talking with someone, something you just can’t quite simplify. What I’m thinking about is not a dream but a vision. Something magical is happening by way

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Published in Brand Marketing, Texas Startups

52 Comments