When communities are small, their tight-knit spirit almost seems effortless. Everyone knows everyone, and there’s a tangible collective desire to build something meaningful from the ground up. In the early days of Austin’s tech ecosystem, there was a shared enthusiasm that felt pure and focused. Back then, it was easy to feel like we were all in it together—cheering on every startup, celebrating every win, and encouraging each newcomer who took the risk to plant roots in this city. But as the community grows, the dynamics inevitably shift, and sustaining that sense of unity becomes more challenging.
What hurts community is complacency. It’s the quiet settling into the idea that “we’ve arrived” and don’t need to put in the same level of effort as before. The danger lies in believing that because we’ve built an ecosystem known for innovation and opportunity, the heavy lifting is done. When that mindset creeps in, so does a general drifting apart. Groups that once collaborated now compete for attention and resources, and individuals become more guarded with their time and ideas. Without even realizing it, people can start to view the ecosystem as something that just “is,” rather than something that demands continuous care, feeding, and reinvention.
What hurts community is selfishness. Chris Heivly, author of “Build the Fort” and founder of MapQuest—someone who has counseled countless startups and early-stage ecosystems—articulates this well: “I think the first and biggest thing that comes to mind is the behavior of acting solely on one’s behalf and never acting on behalf of the community. There has to be a sense of investing in the community (which will waterfall positive things to everyone). When there is that selfish, take-only behavior, the community fails.” This idea rings true for any rapidly expanding ecosystem. As opportunities increase, so does the temptation to protect your corner and forget that your success is, in many ways, intertwined with the success of others.
We can’t turn back the clock. Austin will never be the small tech hub it once was, and frankly, none of us should want that. Growth is a testament to success, and the energy that propelled Austin to new heights is still here—it’s just more complex now. The key is to embrace this growth while holding on to the core values that brought us together in the first place. A thriving community needs a collective commitment to ongoing engagement. It requires that individuals, companies, nonprofits, and business groups double down on the things that once made us special: openness, collaboration, curiosity, and the willingness to give back.
What hurts community is silence. When people watch from the sidelines and assume that someone else will speak up, pitch in, or raise a hand, the space for collaboration shrinks. The hard truth is that communities are built on the shoulders of those who show up. If we’re not intentional about inviting new voices to the table—voices that reflect the increasingly diverse, creative, and global nature of Austin’s ecosystem—we risk stagnation. We can’t rely on the same few individuals or organizations to carry the torch. Progress doesn’t belong to any single group. Strong communities form through a chorus of perspectives, even when it’s not entirely comfortable to hear them all at once.
What hurts community is fear. Fear that competition overrides cooperation. Fear that someone else’s success detracts from our own. Fear that we’ll lose our edge if we share credit and spotlight. But real innovation and resilience come when we transcend these fears. If organizations—whether they are nonprofits, business alliances, or industry groups—choose to collaborate instead of compete, the pie expands. Everybody’s slice can get bigger, and new solutions can emerge that none of us would have uncovered alone.
The Future of the Austin Tech Community
So how do we keep the community spirit alive as we move into a future shaped by massive growth, new technologies, and the complex evolution of AI? We do it by making some fundamental choices:
Choose to convene. Schedule more intentional gatherings where people can talk openly about what’s next. Not just the big, splashy events, but smaller meetups, roundtables, and cross-industry discussions. We thrive when we hear from voices that are new, different, and challenging. Facilitating that type of exchange will keep the engine of innovation humming.
Choose to mentor and be mentored. Don’t just look to senior leaders to guide the newcomers. The next generation has insights and ideas that can spark fresh thinking, and seasoned professionals can nurture this talent by providing context, history, and networks. Communities remain strong when knowledge flows in multiple directions.
Choose to cross boundaries. Don’t stay locked into one silo or alliance. Explore partnerships between different sectors within tech, and even beyond tech into healthcare, education, logistics, or entertainment. These unexpected collaborations can generate breakthroughs and keep Austin’s ecosystem flexible and resilient.
Choose to speak up. If something feels off, say it. If you think we’re drifting into complacency, raise the flag. If you see an opportunity to unite groups that don’t typically work together, extend an invitation. The community isn’t “out there” somewhere; it’s right here in each person who calls Austin’s tech environment home. Without your voice, your insight, and your willingness to help, the community falters.
No single person or organization has the perfect blueprint for keeping Austin’s community strong (not me, not ATC, not anyone). The moment we think anyone does, we start to lose that essential spark. The real answers live in our collective minds and hearts. As we stand at this crossroads, we must remember that dynamic growth doesn’t preclude deep connections. In fact, it demands them. The future of this city and our Austin tech community will belong to those who step forward, willing to forge new ties, champion one another’s success, and co-create a thriving ecosystem that can weather massive change. This is our call to action—together.
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Thom Singer is the CEO of the Austin Technology Council and a professional keynote speaker. He believes strongly in the power of community, collaboration, and conversations as the way to solve all problems.
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