There’s a reason cities across the country study how Austin became a tech hub. It wasn’t just luck, incentives, or big headquarters deals. It was people. It was presence. It was a culture of open access, curiosity, and collaboration. The success of Austin’s tech ecosystem was built on connection…not curation. The leaders who worked in companies, banks, law firms, venture funds, etc… showed up and that community vibe was part of the magic that allowed Austin to grow. There is a spirit of Austin Tech…and we need to embrace it going forward.
Today, we find ourselves at a crossroads. We have experienced amazing growth and success, but is it sustainable?
Too often, events have become exclusive. Carefully curated invite lists. Private rooms. The same familiar faces. While small, focused gatherings have their value, they’re not the fuel that built Austin’s momentum in the first place. When the same handful of people only engage with each other, innovation slows, and community trust erodes. If the “leaders” are annoyed by the next generation of business professionals and do not show up, then the cycle ends.
The Austin Technology Council believes it’s time to reawaken the energy that helped Austin become Austin. But first we need to talk about the elephant in the room. We are not the town we once were where everyone was only separated by one or two degrees. Gone are the days where community leaders answer a phone call. If there is really a unique “Spirit of Austin Tech” do our current industry leaders work to keep the flame lit?
We’re not suggesting we go backward. Communities evolve. Ecosystems change. But if we want to maintain our edge (and we have an edge over so many other places)… and grow it… we must recommit to accessibility, community building, and shared conversations.
Being a leader in Austin’s tech scene isn’t just about scale, exits, or press mentions. It’s about showing up. Not at every event. Not every week. But being visibly part of the broader, open community… at least occasionally. If someone isn’t engaged with the community they benefit from, are they really leading it? If they are not funding public non-profits to instead just host curated events, are they really leading? Is excluding people based on who knows who really part of the spirit of Austin tech?
As we reflect on the incredible individuals inducted into the Austin Tech Hall of Fame, one trait stands out: they didn’t build their careers in silos. They showed up. They gave back. They mentored. They listened. They supported others at all stages… not just their peers.
ATC’s mission is to ensure that the future of Austin tech is just as vibrant as its past. That means rebuilding the bridges that helped make this city special in the first place. We want to be a tech community where anyone, from student founders to seasoned CEOs, feels welcome to contribute. We want to be a group that listens to every group in the community, not just the “Cool Kids”. We want ATC to be a grassroots organization that is a thread that supports everyone who is doing things for the good of the tech ecosystem.
We must resist the temptation to wall ourselves off. Austin doesn’t need more gatekeepers. It needs more connectors.
ATC is committed to creating more spaces where connection is the default, not the exception. Where leaders don’t hide behind exclusivity but lead by example. Where One Austin isn’t a slogan… it’s a way of doing business, together.
We invite you to be part of that future. Show up. Stay open. And help ensure that Austin remains a place where anyone with ambition and heart can thrive. Please be a person who contributes to the spirit of Austin tech.