Earlier this week, an article in the Wall Street Journal questioning Austin’s future as a tech hub made the rounds, and it didn’t stop at one headline. It was picked up by dozens of outlets, cited in college newspapers, forwarded in slack channels inside California companies, and echoed across social media.
As a community, we have to take note of that. Because perception becomes reality if we don’t counter it with action, energy, and truth.
The best way to fight bad press? Be the best version of the Austin tech ecosystem we can be.
If you’re part of this community, now is the time to show up: mentor someone, host an event, support a founder, join a roundtable, or simply speak well of the place we call home.
Much of the recent commentary in the article and online comes from people who moved to Austin, didn’t get what they wanted, and left. What we don’t hear as often is whether they gave anything to Austin. Someone who comes here for a year or two and moves away is not the norm. Nor should anecdotal opinions be the lead of an article in the WSJ . Those who make a real connection to Central Texas will fight to stay here. A region does not triple in population in 30 years because is does not have something to offer. The good things about Austin are more powerful than the not-so-good aspects.
With growth comes strains on infrastructure and cost of living. As a community we have issues that need to be addressed (every city does). But real Austinites have an unnatural love-affair with Austin. We understand that it is hot in the summer, that there is traffic, that sometimes we have to change planes to reach a destination, and that we do not have the same levels of investors as a handful of other places (we still rank in the top five cities in the country for venture funding, although just a fraction of Northern California).
But those who love this place… who are rooted in it, building in it, and collaborating here know what’s real. There’s a unique pride that runs through the Austin tech scene. We’re not perfect, but we’re passionate, and we show up for each other. Austin tech is defined by its people.
Organizations like the Austin Technology Council, Austin Women in Technology, Opportunity Austin, Capital Factory, the Austin Chamber, and many others are here to create space for connection, leadership, and meaningful contribution. Austin’s tech ecosystem is people committed to the long run of building this community. We have never tried to be the next Silicon Valley… we just want to be the best Austin.
We’re not defined by one poorly researched headline. We’re defined by our people: by community, collaboration, and conversations. Let’s keep building what makes Austin extraordinary. Together.
(The Austin Technology Council is here to help unite our tech community… but we can’t do it alone. No single organization can serve everyone, and that’s why our mission is rooted in collaboration, not competition. Austin’s tech ecosystem is diverse, and we proudly support and partner with other business-focused nonprofits working to make our region stronger.
Together, we embrace a “One Austin” mindset because division weakens a community, but unity fuels growth. If you believe in the power of connection, innovation, and a stronger Austin, ATC is asking for your help and support)
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When you look at the growing list of people inducted into the Austin Tech Hall of Fame, (*Please note that we are two years into an eight year launch of the Austin Tech Hall of Fame, which means there are many many more people who will be added to the list of inductees) and you hear their stories…. you cannot overlook the truth about Austin. Austin Tech is Defined by Its People. We are a special community that has never tried to be San Francisco or New York. We are not competing with Dallas or Houston. We are Austin. The story our our journey as a tech hub and innovation center is just beginning…. check back with us in 2035 and you will realize that those who tried to say our spot as a tech leader was over in 2025 were just dead wrong.