Austin Technology Council

What is a Tech Council? There are approximately 100 independent technology councils in North America, and 66 of them are part of the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA). A tech council is a vital organization that brings together technology companies, professionals, academia, government and other stakeholders to foster innovation, collaboration, and growth within a specific region or industry. TECNA is an "association of associations" representing over 66 tech councils across the continent, advocating for the interests of small and midsize technology companies. It is a "best practices" organization for tech council staff to learn and grow. Plus, TECNA's lobbying efforts in Washington DC and Ottawa are instrumental in shaping policies that support tech growth and innovation. In many cities these councils play a crucial role in their communities by providing various services and initiatives, including: Education: Offering workshops, seminars, and resources to help tech professionals stay ahead of industry trends and advancements. Community/Networking: Creating opportunities for tech professionals to connect, collaborate, and share ideas through events and networking platforms. Advocacy: Representing the interests of the tech community in policy discussions, ensuring that the voices of small and midsize companies are heard. At the Austin Technology Council we are proud to offer many of these services. However, we aim to expand our efforts and become a more valuable grassroots organization. Our goal is to enhance our educational programs, community-building activities, and advocacy efforts to better serve our tech community.... but we can only stand strong and united with the assistance of our most civic minded leaders. It is important to all of us in Central Texas that Austin remains a model tech hub and innovation center that other communities aspire to emulate. How can we ensure this vision? It starts with you. Help us collaborate and continue to build a thriving, innovative tech ecosystem in Austin. #AustinTech #Innovation #Community #Advocacy #AustinTexas

As the Olympic Games begin tonight, we witness the extraordinary power of dedication, vision, and community. These same qualities have driven success in Austin's thriving tech ecosystem. At ATC we get to have thought-provoking conversations with a serial entrepreneurs who are thinking three steps ahead (like a successful Olympian). One chat this week was with a "gold medal" level entrepreneur who now coaches others. His insights on Austin's tech evolution were enlightening and inspiring, and underscored a critical point: for the Austin Technology Council to help our community, we must look at how we help build success for the next generation. To stay relevant we cannot rest on our past victories. We need to be dedicated like the world class athletes who will make history in the next two weeks. Austin has emerged as a leading tech hub because of its innovative spirit and strong sense of community. But our wins have not happened by accident. Our continued success depends on our ability to engage the next generation of civic-minded leaders who face the hard challenges and seize opportunities every day. Much like the Olympics or politics... we need to be thinking about handing the torches to the next generation. To serve our tech community, ATC focuses on three foundational pillars: education, community, and advocacy. These pillars are not just strategic priorities; they are the essence of our mission...and should matter greatly to those who are in training to lead our future. Education: We need to offer cutting-edge resources and learning opportunities that help tech professionals stay ahead in rapidly evolving industries. ATC seeks ideas on what our community wants to learn and the kind of sessions that are appealing to our tech leaders. Community: Building a strong, interconnected network is essential to individuals. Weaving a thread through those networks is what ATC is here to do for the community. We facilitate networking events, but also supports the other business non-profits that are trying to make our community better. When the difference groups in our ecosystem are engaged with each other, the whole community wins. Advocacy: We want to elevate the voice of our tech community, advocating for policies and initiatives that promote growth and innovation. To do this we need to hear from the grassroots. Community is more than just a word; it's the fabric of our success. It's about shared goals, mutual support, and collective progress. In Austin, our tech leaders are not just innovators; they are mentors, collaborators, and advocates who understand that their success is intertwined with the community's growth. As the world's Olympic athletes demonstrate their commitment and excellence on the world stage, let's draw inspiration from their dedication and unity. By listening to our tech leaders and fostering a strong, interconnected community, we can continue to drive Austin's tech future forward... and keep #Austin winning the gold.

With the announcement of Twitter / X relocation of its headquarters to Austin - there were several articles this week that criticized Austin. One in Bloomberg had the headline that we are a city of “stagnant tech dreams”. We at the Austin Technology Council disagree with the premise of this - and other articles - that claim Texas lacks in the self proclaimed comparisons to San Jose / San Francisco. I’m not sure Austin's goal has ever been to “rival” or copy Silicon Valley. For 30 years, Austin has seen amazing growth in population and the economy, with companies continually relocating offices and headquarters here. And it’s not just Austin—Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio (not to mention College Station) are experiencing a fast yet quiet boom in tech companies and tech workers. It's not about Austin alone becoming the tech hub of Texas. As these cities work together, the Texas Technology Triangle will emerge as an innovation powerhouse. While the geography of Texas is big, those four cities are all within a three-hour drive of each other. No one in Austin is trying to “rival” the Valley or talk down the amazing entrepreneurs and businesses that continue to thrive there… but they who live there and write for the press sure seem to want to compare themselves to us! The area’s growth from 700k people in 1990 to 2.2 million in 2024 wasn’t just a pandemic blip; it’s been a consistent demographic surge. The city itself went from the 25th largest to the 11th over 30 years. While Texas has issues and it’s hard in today’s world to get “leaders” to rise to the challenges of tomorrow… But we believe a community of smart, innovative, and civic-minded leaders can have an impact. This is how Austin was built 30 years ago …. And it is how we will thrive into the future. Austin has no desire to play some petty comparisons game with “the Valley”. We just want to be the best Austin…. And that means a big table with lots of seats to hear from all who care about our tech community. Our focus remains on fostering innovation and collaboration, not competing with Silicon Valley. Please help us work for a better Austin. ATC can be that “big table”, but we need YOU. Austin’s best days are ahead. #austin #technology #austintech #austinstartups #texas

What’s Next for ATC and the Austin Tech Community? 🔮 As we look towards the future, we’re excited about the potential for Austin to continue leading as a premier tech hub. But we want to hear from you! What do you think are the key elements that will define the future of tech hubs? 👉 Watch the video and join the conversation! Poll Question: The landscape of tech hubs is constantly evolving. As we look ahead, what do you believe will be the most critical factor in ensuring Austin remains a top tech hub? • Innovation and R&D • Talent acquisition and retention • Infrastructure and investment • Community and collaboration We want your voice to be part of this important conversation. Share your insights in the comments below or reach out directly to ATC. Tell us what you think will shape the future of tech hubs. Your input can help drive our community forward! Share this post and comment with your thoughts on what will make Austin and other tech hubs thrive in the years to come. #FutureOfTech #AustinTech #TechHubs #Innovation #Community

Today’s unexpected tech outage that is impacting airlines, banks, and various businesses, serves as a powerful reminder of how deeply intertwined technology is with every aspect of our lives. The CrowdStrike outage has caused disruptions, but it also highlights the incredible progress we’ve made and the essential role technology plays in our world. For those of us who work in and around technology, it’s easy to focus on the moments when things go awry. Yet, it’s in these very moments that we see just how far we’ve come and the profound impact our tech visions have had on society. Technology has transformed industries, connected people across the globe, and driven innovation at an unprecedented pace. These occasional setbacks are not failures; they are opportunities to improve, adapt, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Every outage, every glitch, is a chance to learn and grow. It’s a testament to our resilience and our commitment to making the world a better place through technology. The tech community (in Austin and around the world) is the architect of a future where we have continuous changes that enhance our lives in ways we can’t even imagine today. Tech has already revolutionized communication, healthcare, transportation, and countless other fields. And we are just getting started. Look at today’s challenges as a reminder of the critical role our tech communities play. Let’s continue to innovate, support each other, and drive forward with the same passion and determination that has brought us this far. Austin - we are a big part of the future. We invite our civic-minded tech leaders to be engaged in our local tech community. Please show up and add your voice and vision to the discussions. A untied and engaged Austin tech scene can show up as part of the world’s tech community. Tomorrow will look different than yesterday and today…. But more community, collaboration, and conversations will always be important. #technology #austintech #techcommuntiy #austin

July Roundtable Breakfast Recap- Yesterday, we hosted another successful Austin Technology Council roundtable breakfast, with over 50 attendees joining us for a morning of connections and learning. We extend our gratitude to our “July Breakfast Community Partner”, the National Speakers Association – Austin Chapter, for their support and for helping secure our insightful speaker, leadership expert Scott Carley. (**** If you’re association or company ever needs to find a local speaker… The local NSA chapter can be a great resource). (**** We are always looking for other business nonprofits who want to partner for events… When the different community organizations work together, all of Austin wins.) Mark your calendars for our next roundtable breakfast on August 14! Stay tuned for more details on our website. National Speakers Association Austin, TX . Scott Carley ⭐️ Trevor Perry #AustinTech #Networking #Leadership #CommunityBuilding

Check out this week’s ATC podcast - staring “GUEST HOST ChatGPT”.

The future of our Greater Austin tech scene continues be exciting! There was a great event yesterday- “Demo Day” at Plug and Play Cedar Park. Plug and Play hosted a great event and featured presentatios from several early stage and growing companies. Innovation is alive and well- and that means good things for Texas!! The featured speaker was Thomas Healy for Cedar Park headquartered Hyliion. He is the youngest CEO of an NYSE traded company (and a Carnegie Mellon graduate). Hearing his company’s journey- and how they chose the Austin area as their HQ was a great story! Anytime you see a gathering of tech like this you know the good things are still ahead for our region. If you are not familiar with the work they are doing at Plug and Play in Cedar Park- you should check it out. The local director Ehab Gabr, MBA will happily give you a tour or tell you the details! ATC looks forward to collaborating with Plug and Play for some future events! #austintech #plugandplay #austin

Hey tech innovators! Ever wonder why Austin is the place to be right now? It’s because the local tech leaders of the past came together and laid the groundwork for the future. (***sign up now for this week’s ATC Roundtable Breakfast on Wednesday, July 17th***) The Austin Tech Council has been one of the places where the brightest minds in tech come to connect, collaborate, and drive innovation. We’re shaping the future of tech right here in Austin. Now is the perfect time to join us. With unparalleled networking opportunities, educational resources, and a strong advocacy voice, we’re here to support your growth. Join the Austin Technology Council and be part of a thriving community that’s making a real impact. Together, we can elevate the tech industry to new heights! Don’t miss out. Join us today and be a part of Austin’s tech revolution! We need the visionary leaders in our tech scene to add their voices to the conversations. #austin #austintech #austintexas #communitybuilding

From today's newsletter: ATC is dedicated to building the future of our region by addressing the top concerns of the tech community in Austin. Recognizing the need for skill development and staying current, ATC collaborates with other organizations to promote workshops, training sessions, and certifications on emerging technologies.   To help build and maintain professional networks, ATC hosts regular events, happy hours, and conferences such as The C-Suite Summit.    For learning and career advancement, ATC offers network opportunities to help find mentorship, career coaching, and job placement services.   We keep the tech community informed on regulatory and compliance changes and advocate for tech-friendly policies. Locally we support the Austin Chamber and Opportunity Austin's state and city policy efforts, and in Washington DC we are part of the lobbying efforts of TECNA. By focusing on education, community/networking, and advocacy,  ATC supports the thriving tech ecosystem in Austin, helping professionals and businesses succeed.   THE BRIDGE BUILDER By Will Allen Dromgoole   An old man going a lone highway, Came, at the evening cold and gray, To a chasm, vast and deep and wide, Through which was flowing a sullen tide. The old man crossed in the twilight dim, The sullen stream had no fears for him; But he turned when safe on the other side, And built a bridge to span the tide.   "Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near, "You are wasting strength with building here; Your journey will end with the ending day, You never again will pass this way; You’ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide, Why build you this bridge at eventide?"   The builder lifted his old gray head: "Good friend, in the path I have come," he said, "There followeth after me today, A youth, whose feet must pass this way. This chasm that has been as naught to me, To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be; They, too, must cross in the twilight dim— Good friend, I am building this bridge for them."   The Austin Technology Council is here to help facilitate building bridges to the future, much like the thoughtful builder in Will Allen Dromgoole's poem "The Bridge Builder."   By offering education, networking, and advocacy, ATC helps today's tech professionals navigate the ever-changing landscape of technology. Just as the builder constructs a bridge for the youth who will follow, ATC fosters community, collaboration and conversations, ensuring that the next generation of innovators can cross their own chasms with ease.   The Austin Technology Council is asking all of you to help pave the way for a more inclusive and innovative future. If our community has a holistic approach, which includes promoting entrepreneurship, career opportunities, mental health and advocating for tech-friendly policies, we ensure that the bridges we build today will support the journeys of countless future tech leaders in Austin. #AustinTech #Austin #community