Austin Technology Council

Happy New Year. At the Austin Technology Council we want to promote “community” in 2025. As the amazing technology innovations keep coming (2025 will see big advancements in AI and other technologies)… but the secret weapon of our region is our attention on the community vibes. We cannot lose site if that. ATC wants to see our ecosystem be the most inclusive tech community in the world. Help us promote this in 2025. We need your supports, ideas, and participation. Get involved and let’s create win/win conversations. #austintech

Community Doesn’t Happen by Accident—Let’s Make 2025 a Year of Connection: As we kick off 2025, let’s remember: community only works when people choose to participate. The Austin tech ecosystem is vibrant, innovative, and full of incredible talent—but its strength comes from all of us showing up and contributing to the greater good. At the Austin Technology Council, we believe in the power of collaboration. While we’d love to see you at all of our events this year (like our monthly breakfasts, the Gateway Happy Hour in March, the Austin Tech Hall of Fame celebration in the spring, and the C-Suite Summit in the fall), this isn’t just about ATC. It’s about enhancing the entire tech community, together. Let’s kick off 2025 right—starting with our January Roundtable Breakfast on January 9th at Calavista Software. The topic? How to network in our new world of tech and AI. It’s an opportunity to learn, connect, and set the tone for a year of growth and innovation. You can register today on the ATC website—don’t wait! Austin’s best days are ahead, but only if we make them happen. Show up. Engage. Let’s build a community that continues to lead, inspire, and thrive. See you at breakfast and all throughout the new year! Happy New Year. We ask you to help ATC in our next phase of community development in 2025.

2025 is barreling toward us, and AI is no passing fad—it’s the future. Massive shifts in AI, quantum computing, robotics, and beyond mean Austin has a chance to become even more of a leader in the tech world, but only if we harness our talent and stay curious. How is our tech community collaborating right now to ensure we’re driving these advancements? The key is we need to ensure that community, collaboration, and conversations must infiltrate all things we do in the ecosystem. We have not time for things that distract from cultivating Austin’s role in tomorrow’s world. The Austin Technology Council wants to spark real connections, and keep this city on the cutting edge. We need to hear from the civic minded leaders - as it is time for the next generation of brilliant minds to take a seat at the table—- or better yet…. Build a new table where all are welcome to be heard. It will be fun to look back in ten years and see the people and actions of 2025 and how it all impacts Austin.

What’s Your Biggest Challenge Going Into the New Year? As 2025 approaches, we’re asking Austin’s tech leaders: What’s keeping you up at night? At the Austin Technology Council, we believe that understanding the challenges our community faces allows us to create meaningful programs that truly address your needs. That’s why our monthly Roundtable Breakfasts in 2025 will be “Best Practices by Best Practicers.” These sessions will spotlight actionable insights from industry leaders, tailored to the topics that matter most to you. Your input is invaluable in shaping the conversations and connections that drive solutions. Start the year strong—join us for the first Roundtable Breakfast on January 9th. Visit the ATC website for details.

A baby born today—if she decides to launch a tech startup in 30 years—will be shaped by the foundations we set in 2025. That’s why the Austin Technology Council is evolving and inviting everyone who cares about our region’s future to join us in writing the next chapter. Industry groups like ATC have existed for centuries because communities thrive when there’s a neutral hub to bring people together, spark conversations, and advocate for collective success. As Austin has transformed over the past 32 years—blossoming into a national tech powerhouse—we’ve seen how quickly new ideas can disrupt entire industries. AI and emerging technologies will accelerate that pace of change more than any generation has experienced before. Now more than ever, we need an organization with the goal of uniting all corners of our ecosystem. ATC is committed to collaborating with other business groups in Austin, finding new ways to connect, and ensuring that every voice at the table has a real opportunity to shape our shared future. The collaborative spirit that put Austin on the map still fuels us, and we believe in celebrating each other’s wins rather than competing for the spotlight. If you have ideas for how to keep Austin’s tech scene vibrant—or if you’re looking for a place where your voice can truly matter—ATC is opening our doors wider than ever. We are here to serve as a piece of the puzzle that keeps our region growing. We may be a 32 years old non-profit, but we’re embracing a fresh opportunity to reimagine what a united tech community can achieve. Join us, share your vision, and help shape what’s next for Austin. An ecosystem only thrives when the people within it engage and collaborate—and in a city with endless possibilities and plenty of loud voices, let’s ensure Austin continues to rise for everyone who calls it home. #Austin2025 #AustinTech

Praise others- Great leaders understand that their true legacy is not built on personal accolades, but on how they elevate those around them. They share the spotlight with peers, partners, and even competitors who are driving positive change. When leaders highlight the accomplishments of others, the entire community benefits. Suddenly, it’s not just one person’s triumph—it’s a collective celebration of innovation, creativity, and the human spirit. As we wrap up the year, the Austin Technology Council challenges you and your team to publicly praise someone in Austin doing exceptional work. Post about them on your company social media or your personal LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, or X. Imagine the ripple effect if hundreds, even thousands, of Austinites took this moment to uplift a neighbor, a colleague, or a local entrepreneur. Most will not break the norm of only promoting their projects on social media, but if just a few of us take the step, it’s the perfect way to close out 2024 and set a more collaborative tone for 2025. Share with us if you do it…hashtag #UpLiftATX. Together, we can shine a brighter light on the brilliant minds in our community. And to everyone in our Austin tech ecosystem— enjoy the Holidays…. As 2025 we have a lot of work to do to keep positioning our Central Texas region for future success. Now is the time to bring the vibe of the community together in new ways.

In a world buzzing about A.I. and automation, it’s easy to forget the undeniable power of face-to-face connections. But let’s be clear: real human relationships still drive innovation, opportunity, and career growth. Kick off 2025 by joining local communications expert Marny Lifshen and ATC CEO • Thom Singer, CSP at the first ATC event of the year. They will be digging into why in-person networking matters more than ever—and how to get your team fully engaged in the local community. Many leaders tell us their newer employees simply don’t know how—or why—to show up in person. The truth is that building a network, cultivating relationships, and making your mark in the community remain the hidden keys to unlocking success. Marny and Thom have been speaking on these topics for two decades, and yes, they wrote the book on it (literally) in 2008. This ATC Roundtable Breakfast will set the tone for a year of meaningful connections. Here’s who should join us: • Leaders who know that real trust and collaboration come from shared experiences—inside and outside the company. • Ambitious professionals ready to elevate their personal brand and grow a network that opens doors. • Anyone who believes that Austin’s tech ecosystem thrives when people actually meet, talk, and collaborate. Don’t sit on the sidelines. Head to the ATC website now and secure your spot. The future belongs to those who show up. January 9, 2025 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM at Calavista Software

Former ATC board chair Joel Trammell has a great newsletter - “Managing the Future”. He has moved the content to Substack, now delivering expanded articles three times a week. It's a great resource for leadership strategies, curated insights into breaking news, and perspective on emerging technology trends—all through the lens of a CEO. If you’re a leader looking to stay ahead of the curve or an innovator shaping the future, this newsletter is for you! ————- Also- make sure you are in the subscriber list for the weekly ATC newsletter!!! Speaking of great content… Do you subscribe to the ATC’s weekly podcast “Austin Tech Connect”? One of the most listened to local podcasts- make sure you are subscribed. Are you a local entrepreneur who is growing a tech company? Do you have a compelling story? Do you have civic-minded opinions about the future of our tech ecosystem? We want you as a guest on “Austin Tech Connect”. #austintech #managingthefuture #austintechconnect

Throughout history communities and society as a whole have hit turning points. We saw it with the introduction of the printing press, expansion of business with the Industrial Revolution and assembly lines, mass messaging of television, the internet, the spread of the smart phone, etc… And AI brings levels of changes that could rival every turning point from the past. Over 30 years Austin’s tech community has evolved into a fast-paced, boundary-pushing ecosystem—but we need to revisit that collaborative community spark we once held so close. Business groups and associations have struggled to keep pace, some losing touch as the world rushed forward. The old playbooks aren’t built for this era. We need fresh thinking, new energy, and bold ideas. The Austin Technology Council (ATC) is exploring several transformative ideas in 2025 and beyond, but meaningful change can’t be dictated from the staff of an association. It takes every entrepreneur, innovator, and leader to step up, share ideas, and invest in shaping a future to craft our vision. We live in a unique moment we haven’t seen in 30 years—an opportunity to rally our community, reignite that civic spirit, and embrace inclusiveness to show the next generation what true community support looks like. We need to think big. We need to consider possibilities that go far beyond what old-school trade associations ever imagined. We’re not saying we’ll do these things below- as we need the civic minded community leaders to be help us figure out the path. But ATC believes that we must stretch our minds to what could be possible: • Create startup studio hubs within associations that incubate member-led projects. • Partner globally with other innovation cities, fostering virtual exchange programs that elevate our know-how. • Deploy micro-credentials for community members who actively contribute expertise, offering recognition that matters. • Replace the stale meeting formats with dynamic, traveling “pop-up” events hosted in unconventional venues. • Develop mentorship exchange platforms powered by A.I. matchmaking, ensuring everyone finds their perfect guide. • Curate theme-based micro-communities within the association to serve niche interests and spark action. We’re not locked into any one approach. That’s the point. ATC is a community organization that can only reflect the brilliance of our city. Collaboration will beat silos in the long run. Together, Austin’s brilliant entrepreneurial minds can break the mold. But we must have the voices at the table. We will thrive if we can tap into that original Austin energy, come together, and show the world what happens when a tech community decides to shape its own destiny. The path to tomorrow begins now. Please help us find the way. Don’t wait - be the leader our community needs in this time of change. #AustinTech #Austin

Polarization: The Merriam-Webster Word of the Year for 2024. This is the kind of term that makes us pause and consider the state of our world. For the Austin tech community, it’s a reminder of just how important it is to bring people together. At the Austin Technology Council, we believe that when innovative minds gather to share ideas and support one another, something special happens. It’s not about picking sides; it’s about understanding that we are all invested in the success of this city’s tech ecosystem. In 2025, we’re doubling down on fostering a real sense of belonging. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just getting started, we want you to feel at home when you walk through the door at one of our events. Our promise is simple: we’ll keep creating opportunities for you to connect with peers, mentors, customers, and friends—building bridges that lead to growth, innovation, and a thriving, collaborative future. Check out the ATC calendar and join us on January 9 for our first Roundtable Breakfast of the year. Let’s make it the first step in weaving together a community that rises above the noise and focuses on what truly matters—achieving success, together. #austintech #austintexas