How Media Distorts the Truth About Regional Ecosystems – Apparently Austin is on Life Support
Tuesday, 27 May 2025
There’s a reason the phrase “don’t believe everything you read” never dies. Because even when it’s printed in The Wall Street Journal, a brand so synonymous with business credibility that your uncle still calls it “The Paper,” the story can be skewed, shallow, and — let’s not mince words — wrong. In this case, we’re
- Published in Startup Ecosystems, Texas Startups
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Belgian Startups, Immigration, and Why your Definition of Innovation is Wrong
Tuesday, 01 April 2025
Let’s make something clear before we get into it, this is a discussion of beer from the perspective of an entrepreneur and economist, to explain to you something critical to your startup ecosystem: “tech” is not code. It’s not apps, websites, VC-backed SaaS tools, or whatever spitting image of Silicon Valley nonsense is being peddled
- Published in Startups
SX Sideways: More to Changing SXSW than Condensing the Weekends
Tuesday, 18 March 2025
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,
- Published in Conferences / Events
Texas Drops a Bigger, Better Blueprint: Why the World Should Take Notes (and Copy It)
Friday, 07 March 2025
What if a state decided to flex its economic muscle so hard that it made entire countries blush? Welcome to Texas in 2025, where Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office (EDT) just dropped a 150+ page love letter to ambition titled Bigger. Better. Texas. — a five-year strategic Texas economic
- Published in Economic Development, Regional Development
Your Conference Event is Boring. Here’s How to Fix It in Austin (Especially for SXSW)
Monday, 24 February 2025
So, you’re hosting an event during a conference or trade show, perhaps a meetup, a happy hour, or maybe even some speakers with engaging content hosted by a dynamic moderator (you are at least getting dynamic speakers, yes? God forbid you’re putting people on stage because they’re the VP or some such); I’m excited, send
- Published in Austin, Conferences / Events, Economic Development
Building Cities Out of Song; the Creative Engine of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Tuesday, 14 January 2025
Music, a primary cultural cornerstone, plays a transformative role in fostering creativity, collaboration, and risk-taking — traits essential for entrepreneurship and innovation. A 2019 study by the World Economic Forum underscored the symbiotic relationship between the arts and innovation, emphasizing that creativity spurred by artistic engagement improves problem-solving and decision-making. Similarly, the National Endowment for
- Published in Austin, Economic Development, Startups
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