9 Austin Startup Week Sessions at Capital Factory That Blew Us Away

10/23/2019 | Comment

Austin Startup Week, spanning from September 22-26, flourished with learning opportunities and thought-provoking discussions that left us wanting more. From tips on international expansion strategies to using XR as a musical instrument, these sessions at Capital Factory showcased some amazing innovation in Austin’s startup community. 

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Opening Night Happy Hour and Keynote with Scott Kupor: Secrets of Sandhill Road | Fundraising Track

Joshua Baer, Founder and CEO at Capital Factory, delved into the transforming realm of venture capital with Scott Kupor, Managing Partner at Andreessen Horowitz. In his book, Secrets of Sand Hill Road, he explains exactly how VC’s decide where and how much to invest, and how entrepreneurs can get the best possible deal while making the most of their relationships with VC’s. As the cost of starting a company goes down over time, VC’s have become more than just money providers— they also help entrepreneurs gain customers and grow their teams. Scott advises that when you pick investors, you have to have compatible alignments and incentives.

 


Applications of Artificial Intelligence, IoT and Blockchain for Healthcare | Blockchain Track

Picture this: IoT devices and wearable sensors used by patients to gather health information that augments the data stored by their physicians. We heard about these developments, among other tech applications, from three industry professionals: Emmy Sobieski, Former Chief Investment Officer at Alderan Capital, Aman Quadri, CEO at AmChart, and Kristen Johns, Partner at Waller Lansden Dortch and Davis LLP. They discussed how technology combinations present an unprecedented opportunity to protect health data, provide improved care, and streamline the path to innovative services for wellness.


Top EdTech Trends to Look Out for in 2020 | Edtech Track

Panelists analyzed how long sales cycles aren’t appealing to investors, which makes it tough to get technology into schools— and in a reasonable way. Audrey Cisneros, Educator at IDEA Public Schools HQ, made a blunt conclusion: “Is the world equitable? No, but at least we’re talking about it.” Other trends you should keep on your radar include developing kid-friendly robots, scaling STEM learning statewide, and applying design-thinking within schools.

 

The Successes (and Failures) of Experimentation and Personalization | Digital Experience Track

“If you make a change, you’re going to make someone upset— which is a good thing! If someone gets mad, that’s usually a good sign. You found someone that really cares about something,” says Pete Kooman, CTO at Optimizely. Instead of stressing about frazzled customers, use that passion to reflect on your work and continue modifying and improving.  


Overlooked Features in your MVP | Developer Track

Scott White, VP of Engineering at HUVRdata, had great advice for developers with an MVP (minimum viable product) that are alpha/beta testing with real users. Focus on these four components as you move forward: Analytics, Error Tracking, Automated Testing, and Automated Deployment.

 

A Fireside Chat & Happy Hour: The Value of Strategic Partners for Startups | SAP Evening Event

Dr. Ram Jambunathan, SVP and Managing Director at SAP.iO, reflected on the networking connections he made with different partners to raise money and build a company: “Nowadays, you can effectively rent your infrastructure, but a decade or more ago you had to build your own.” SAO.iO currently helps connect relevant innovation to customers by working with entrepreneurs like Natasha Frank, Founder and CEO of EON. 

 

Understanding Your Options for Global Expansion | International Track

The primary driver for global expansion is to capture a new market— but, with growth comes challenge. According to Annie Thompson, Director of Partnerships at Velocity Global, in order to start developing a successful expansion strategy, companies should run a proper market analysis, plan ahead for possible failures and exit strategies, and consult a local expert who can help navigate cultural and compliance considerations.


Creating Body Movement: 3D Spatial Interaction | XR Track

What if you could use body movement and spatial technology to create music? Tim Arterbury, a graduate student in Computer Science from Baylor University, is working on this software to improve audience visualization, performer communication, and customizability of the performance.

https://twitter.com/CFVRLab/status/1176887597097992194

 

Remarks from General Murray, Commander of Army Futures Command | Defense Innovation Track

According to General Murray, the government is nowhere near where they need to be in terms of working and developing relationships with startups, but they’re trying to get there through initiatives like Army Futures Command. He’s interested in expanding boundaries with new solutions and non-traditional thinkers. General Murray also expressed his appreciation towards entrepreneurs for their continued passion and participation while the Army adapts to the startup world.

 

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Did these topics catch your interest? 

Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or just recently entered the tech community, keep up with our events throughout the year at Capital Factory! Subscribe to our Austin Tech Live or Dallas Tech Live newsletters for exclusive updates on our community, events, and announcements.

Couldn’t make it this year? Check out the footage below from Austin Startup Week 2019. See you next year!

 

 

Thousands Crawl Through Austin to Explore Texas’ Startup Community

10/21/2019 | Comment

As Austin Startup Week came to a close on September 26, Austin Startup Crawl brought everyone together to close the week with plenty of music, interactive tech and the coolest startups in town. If you missed this fall’s Austin Startup Crawl, or if you want to reminisce on all the good times you had, here’s a recap.

Special shout out to this year’s amazing host and mega stops. Each had their own entertainment and perks to offer– from giant Jenga at Crowdskout to a folk band jamming out at YETI. Crawlers also visited the dynamic office spaces at Fetch, Proof, and New Knowledge for more networking and engaging games to enjoy with friends! Did you make the trip to each stop?


Each floor at Capital Factory had a special theme— including Robots, Superheroes and Texas live music!

 


If there aren’t dancing robots, can you really call it a successful Austin Startup Crawl?


Our friends at Booz Allen Hamilton and Army Futures Command were on the 8th floor showcasing their work in defense innovation!


We had many talented companies sharing their story with crawlers, check out these ardent startups:


As experienced crawlers know, traveling on the shuttles to each stop is essential.


Y’all may have made some new friends during Austin Startup Crawl, but can you top this pair?


Austin Startup Crawl might have “ended,” but that doesn’t mean the party stopped there…

Enthused crawlers made their way over to Speakeasy for some fun tunes and beautiful rooftop views at our Nightcrawler After Party!

 

We’re sad to see Austin Startup Crawl go, but…

We can’t wait to start planning the 2020 SXSW Startup Crawl!

To help us keep improving the Startup Crawl year after year, we would love your feedback. Please take 3 minutes to tell us about your experience here.

We look forward to continue connecting with the community through events such as the Veterans in Tech Summit on November 12 and Defense Innovation Summit on November 19. You can also subscribe to our Austin Tech Live or Dallas Tech Live newsletters to receive exclusive updates on our community, events, and announcements.

3rd Annual Women in Tech Summit Examines Strength, Fundraising & Diversity

10/18/2019 | Comment

On Monday, September 23, Austin Startup Week had an impressive kick-off at Capital Factory where over 400 women and allies gathered at the 3rd Annual Women in Tech Summit! Women leaders from across the U.S. delivered inspirational keynotes and led us through workshops, informative chats, and discussion breakout sessions— along with a startup showcase featuring seven women founders.

You could feel the energy buzzing as guests gathered for the summit’s keynote speech from Vanessa Liu, Vice President of SAP.iO Foundries North America. From a very young age, Vanessa knew she wanted to bring people together and break down borders with innovation. Although she spent her early years studying to become an astronaut, she realized that becoming a founder was her new calling.

Here are 5 lessons she learned while being an entrepreneur:

1. Know your strengths

2. Map your interests to your strengths

3. Shape your success

4. Ask for help

5. Collaborate

Vanessa joined SAP last year to lead SAP.iO, where she helps entrepreneurs and underrepresented founders grow their businesses. She has an impressive record that includes building, launching and relaunching six businesses over a span of twenty years. For her, it’s always been about being at the forefront of innovation. She’s had an array of experiences across different fields, but Vanessa told guests that if you visualize where you want to go, you can make it happen. 


Founder’s Stories: A Fireside Chat 

Julia Cheek, Founder and CEO at EverlyWell, doesn’t have an entrepreneurial background. After spending a portion of her life as a competitive athlete, she utilized her grit and passion to start her own company. Julia discussed the challenges that came along with that commitment; founders have to wear a lot of hats and learn skills on the fly. Although you may not be the best at those skills starting out, it’s essential to master them to move your business forward. 

Despite how difficult it may be to raise funding and keep your company afloat, she believes it’s the best time to be a woman founder. However, Julia advises, you have to stay relentless. Diversity is also important to her— “It’s much easier to have a diverse team when you start with one from the beginning.” Form a team that is committed to creating an inclusive space. It takes a combination of processes, hard work and data. 


Fundraising: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly 

This panel focused on the many trials and tribulations that come along with fundraising, especially as a woman entrepreneur. Tarica Phung Navarro, Founder of KINN, suggests that founders make warm introductions, treat people as human beings and get to know VC’s on a personal level. 

As a founder, you should lay out a definitive plan for what you want to do with the money you raise and be sure it’s the right call for your startup. Keep in mind that it’s possible to find “bad money” that isn’t aligned with your company’s values. Christy Cardenas, Managing Partner at Ecliptic Capital, warns that it can ultimately ruin your business, so you must be diligent with your investor choices.

It comes down to not giving up; keep going in the face of “no.” Ask yourself, “Are there still paths to go down?” If the answer is yes, you’re not done yet.


Uncovering Unconscious Bias

Diversity is an advantage. Diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones, especially when solving complex problems. However, this Google for Startups Workshop made more than a few unsettling points about the nature of unconscious bias. So, how do we counter the act of using your assumptions to make decisions?

Start By Committing to One Action:

1. Structure for success (e.g. Prepare interviews to make it an easier experience for the interviewee) 

2. Collect Data 

3. Evaluate subtle messages 

4. Hold everyone accountable (including yourself)

Stacey Cleveland, Equity Strategist for Employee Engagement at Google, left us with some wise words: “We don’t have all the answers, we may ask you to google it.”


Dealing with Investors, Pushing for Innovation & Easing Generational Tensions

Navigating & Pitching to Venture Capitalists 

If Venture Capital intimidates you, you’re not alone. However, Sara Brand, Founding General Partner at True Wealth VC, said there’s never been a better time for women to raise money. There’s still a huge gap in opportunity, but there’s much more awareness in today’s climate. You can’t deny what the data says: When there’s more diverse teams, they do better financially. Investors have taken notice, which means there are more proactive programs as well as angel groups that have a specific mandate to focus on women.

Intrapreneurs in a Corporate Field

An intrapreneur, not to be confused as a misspelling of entrepreneur, is someone who promotes innovative products and initiatives while working within a large organization. Many people are hesitant to present their ideas in the workplace for fear of being shut down. Andie Young, Design Lead at IBM, encourages everyone to voice their thoughts and work with their company to foster a culture of intrapreneurship. 

Cross-Generational Entrepreneurship

Generational differences raise tensions in the entrepreneurial space, especially when you manage someone older or report to someone younger than you. Janice Omadeke, CEO and Founder of The Mentor Method, has some pointers: Whatever the case may be, instead of being angry or passive-aggressive, approach the situation with compassion and empathy. Jan Ryan, Executive Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at UT Austin, reminds everyone that humans are humans— seeing things from their perspective is essential. Especially as a leader, you must see yourself as a resource and be open to learning from your employees.


Seven Women Founders You’ll Want to Meet

We closed out the day with a showcase featuring seven women founders who pitched their startups for a chance to win $75,000 worth of advisory support, an in-person meeting with a True Wealth VC partner, and legal services valued at $10,000. The companies who pitched included: Kanthaka, HappiFamli, Brobe International, BlendedSense, TripLoop, SWAYY and TaxTaker. 

It takes a lot to get up on stage and deliver a pitch (no matter how many times you’ve done it before), but these founders pitched their way into the Capital Factory Accelerator program, among other exclusive startup programs, and know what they’re doing. Our two judges, Mellie Price, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Capital Factory, and Andrea Cunha, Partner at Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis LLP decided that the winner was…Brobe International! Brobe is reframing the experience of surgical recovery by equipping patients with products that provide comfort and confidence.


Let’s Keep the Ball Rolling!

“Women in Tech not only focused on inspirational and honest discussions, but also real, tactical advice that women founders can take away and apply immediately. I was very honored to be a part of it and hope that attendees feel ready to tackle their endeavors with even more focus!” added our Keynote speaker, Vanessa Liu, Vice President of SAP.iO Foundries North America.

We look forward to continuing the DEI conversation within our community through events like our Veterans in Tech Summit on November 12 and even more events in 2020. Stay connected with us through our Austin Tech Live or Dallas Tech Live mailing lists and @CFWoman for updates.

Huge shoutout to the amazing women founders, members and staff we get to work with every day at Capital Factory. Y’all helped us make this event a success!

 

Veteran Entrepreneurs Gather at Inaugural Tech Summit in the DFW Area

10/17/2019 | Comment

“It’s important to give veteran’s options. Let them know what resources are available so they can decide what route to take— whether that be entrepreneurial, nonprofit or corporate. It’s powerful to be aware of the resources available to you,” noted Robert Everhart, Recruiting Lead at Accenture Federal Services, on September 17th at Capital Factory’s inaugural Veterans in Tech Summit in Dallas/Fort Worth. Capital Factory is committed to increasing diversity in the tech community by presenting valuable opportunities and resources to veterans looking to join the tech ecosystem.

This was our first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) summit dedicated to veteran entrepreneurs, but it certainly won’t be the last. We look forward to working with local leaders such as Craig Cummings, Capital Factory’s Director of Military and Veteran Affairs, to uplift the veteran entrepreneurial community. Craig often thinks of our space as Fort Capital Factory, home to groups like Army Applications Lab, AFWERX, Defense Innovation Unit, and Bunker Labs, among others. Capital Factory is a strong, structural support that allows veterans within the startup community space to maintain the meaningful connections they made while serving, and meet even more organizations looking to support them.

The Veterans in Tech Summit started off with a networking lunch which then led to a Keynote speech from Jason Dempsey, Co-Founder of MILLIE; an online community and marketplace that provides military families with information and support to ease the stress of frequent relocations. Jason taught for three years in West Point’s Department of Social Sciences and has led many research reports related to the military, veterans and society. He started off by pointing out that although finding a career is a challenge for all entrepreneurs, it can be especially challenging for veterans. They’re trying to figure out who they are outside of the military, and even more importantly, how to transfer their military skills into the civilian workforce.

Jason identified three phases that veterans face:

  • Veterans transition. Grappling with the move from service to veteran, then becoming a veteran entrepreneur.
  • Entering the tech space. Veterans identify tech as a possible career option.
  • Veteran Entrepreneurship. Veteran communities help each other by providing resources and industry guidance.

According to Jason, veterans transition is most important. There isn’t a roadmap for entering the workforce after the military— nobody is handing you a badge that puts you on a clear path of where to go. Being in the military is a unique and challenging experience, but it doesn’t mean you’re automatically equipped to handle anything. Jason finishes his speech by advising veterans to be both an entrepreneur AND a citizen. He further explains that being a veteran is about an effort to protect and build something better than you, even out of uniform you still have a role in sustaining democracy and making a difference.


Empowering, Training & Employing Veterans

Jason’s keynote was followed by an educational discussion on trainings, programs and resources available to veterans transitioning into the tech industry. VR Small, Executive Director at Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center, kicked off the panel by asking: What should our veterans be doing to take advantage of tech opportunities?

Tad McIntosh, President at Humcap LP, suggested that veterans utilize the transferable knowledge and training from their time in the military when they’re ready to enter the job market. Being able to re-tool and re-skill is a valuable advantage, so being aware of what you already bring to the table is crucial.

Russ Medina, Executive Director at NPower Texas, informed us about the career placement and support that his company offers. Russ made it clear that he wants to work with higher learning, not replace it. The goal is to give people professional training to build a resume for an internship or apprenticeship in corporate America. It’s also important to leverage the resources you already have— be trailing edge rather than bleeding edge. 

Robert Everhart, Recruiting Lead at Accenture Federal Services, discussed Accenture‘s Veteran Technology Training Program and certification platform. This free program lasts two months and equips veterans with the technical skills they need to position themselves for employment. 

As the panel neared its conclusion, VR made it a point to highlight Skill Bridge, a program that connects transitioning service members to career training opportunities. For those that want to take that first step, learn more and apply here!


Epic Office Hours & Roundtable Discussions

For those that aren’t familiar, Epic Office Hours are a series of lightning speed mentoring sessions that pair startup founders with serial entrepreneurs, corporate executives and investors. Attendees receive a curated schedule of meetings based on various factors including stage and industry. This is a great opportunity to connect with the local entrepreneurial community and receive valuable feedback on your venture.

For those not participating in Epic Office Hours, Craig and Jason led a discussion on “Entrepreneurial Ecosystems for Veterans in Tech”, diving deeper into Jason’s research on the landscape for veteran-founded tech startups. It turns out that collecting accurate data on veterans’ entrepreneurial efforts is actually quite difficult. It’s even harder to find these stats among tech startups specifically. So, how can we find out more about the universe of veteran-founded companies? 

Jason explored popular ecosystems for veterans while also examining similarities and differences with the overall startup community. It’s hard for veterans to enter entrepreneurship straight from military service– they have to be careful about choosing the right ecosystem in the right location. Jason states, “Veterans that have been around the world, and the first thing they want to do is go home.” This is problematic because there often aren’t as many opportunities available to veterans near their last duty stations. Aspiring veteran entrepreneurs should keep in mind that it’s all about being able to pivot and adapt in order to maximize your chance of success. 


The Transition from Service to Corporate

Our programming finished off with a Fireside Chat featuring Adam Marr, Management Consultant at Accenture and Co-Founder at the Warrior Angels Foundation; moderated by Sabrina Wojtewicz, Southwest Regional Executive Director at Bunker Labs. Adam’s brother struggled with brain injuries upon returning home from service. After he witnessed his brother grapple with these issues during his transition, Adam vehemently sought out a treatment that proved to be effective for his brother. Though, he soon learned that not everyone had access to the same treatment, so Adam decided to create a non-profit that raises funds and performs outreach to those affected by traumatic brain injuries; offering additional medical care options that aren’t currently offered to active duty or veterans. 

When it comes to transitioning into an entrepreneurial space— Adam explains that veterans are both problem solvers and leaders, but that doesn’t mean adapting comes easy. There is a huge gap between active service and finding a new career, Adam concludes, it’s not enough just to introduce them to the tech space, “We have to help pave the way.”

Bunker Labs led us into happy hour on a similar note by encouraging guests to take the stage and pitch their experiences and career interests for audience members to provide leads or offer some guidance. 


Starting the Conversation for Supporting Veteran Founders

By the end of the afternoon, attendees had established shared experiences and familiar issues that arise as veterans explore an entrepreneurial route. 

Jason Dempsey left us with some final thoughts, “This was a great kick-off event. It’s the cooperation you need to build a good ecosystem and it’s neat to see the cross-pollination between Austin and Dallas.”

Veterans in Tech is only the tip of the iceberg for us at Capital Factory. We look forward to continuing these discussions with the veteran community in Texas, especially at our upcoming Veterans in Tech Summit in Austin on November 12. Stay connected with us through our Dallas Tech Live or Austin Tech Live mailing lists and follow us @CFDefense and @CFVeterans for updates.

Saturday Startup Spotlight: Blended Sense

10/12/2019 | Comment

Capital Factory’s Saturday Startup Spotlight series returns this week with the Co-Founders of Blended Sense: Abigail Rose, Albert Baez and Georgina Elizondo. If you’re a creator dabbling in the world of content marketing, or a small business owner in need of content, you’ll want to keep Blended Sense on your radar.

Having a digital presence is key if you want your business to stay relevant. Learn more about how the team at Blended Sense is addressing the disconnect between two industries that should be in sync: the small business owner and the creative freelancer.

https://www.facebook.com/blendedsense/videos/316583625684618/

 

Can y’all give us the elevator pitch for Blended Sense?

Abigail: Blended Sense matches the right creative teams to the right projects so they can produce and distribute content, like photos and videos, quickly. We are democratizing content so business owners can stay open, and freelancers can make a decent living.

What are the current goals you want to achieve?

Albert: We’re a two-sided marketplace— our customer is the business owner, and our beneficiary is the creative freelancer. We have goals for both of them. For small business owners, we want to get to a point where purchasing the content they need is straightforward, delivered on time and ongoing. Right now, 85% of small businesses know they should be doing content marketing, but only 50% of them are actually doing it. It’s inaccessible in the marketplace, so we want to make it accessible.

On the other end, creative freelancers struggle with customer service, accounting, and project management. Our big goal is to empower and support them so they can service those small business owners.

As startup founders, what problems are you currently struggling with as you navigate the entrepreneurial world?

Georgina: I think a pain point for me is working full-time while I’m doing this as well. I work eight hours and then go home and work four or five more hours. I’m looking forward to the time where I can at least transition to part-time at both places.

Abigail: I would say our pain point is being separated from you during the day, [Georgina].

Georgina: It’s a lot of feeling like I’m playing catch-up; trying to be efficient in my work because I have limited time.

What experiences are you looking for at Capital Factory? What kind of people would you like to meet?

Albert: We’re a people business, and we want people who are enthusiastic about the idea and understand how big of a problem this is globally. Today we’re servicing small business owners; tomorrow, we’re breaking down communication barriers in a way that no one has been able to do yet.

We want someone on our team that understands the culture, language, and people. Also— understanding that everyone has stories to tell and wanting to be part of that story.

If our community can take away one key point about Blended Sense, what would that be?

Abigail: We are creators and makers ourselves, so we’re creating a platform that we would want to be using. Our hearts are really in it to benefit both the small business owner and the freelancer because we have direct experience in those worlds.

For the creator, by the creator. Thanks so much to the Blended Sense team for chatting with us!

Does their mission resonate with you? Do you have innovative ideas that will bridge gaps in our startup ecosystem? Learn more about our VIP Accelerator program and how to apply.

Don’t miss out on future networking opportunities to meet more entrepreneurs like Abigail, Albert and Georgina. You can also subscribe to our Austin Tech Live or Dallas Tech Live newsletters to receive exclusive updates on our community, events, and announcements.

October Accelerator All Access

10/01/2019 | Comment

Capital Factory’s VIP Accelerator accepts new tech startups from across industries every month. Once accepted, we help these startups meet their first investors, employees and customers with the support of our Investor Relations and VIP teams as well as our exclusive Mentor network of the top entrepreneurs and investors in Texas.

Take a look at the most recent group of companies to join our VIP Accelerator below. Visit their sites for further information, and keep an eye out for their next big round of funding!

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Evolve Energy

The team at Evolve Energy strives to educate and act as trusted advisors to help their customers save money while understanding that it’s easy to make better choices about your electricity use. Their app uses artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to make buying electricity simple while reducing your carbon footprint.

 


IoT/AI

IoT/AI delivers a sensor platform that fuses cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and edge networking to unlock the power of the edge across harsh IoT, Industrial IoT and Military/Defense environments. Their mission is to amplify situational awareness, cognitive insights and value at the edge of the network.

 

M1neral

Mineral acquisition is going through a major transformation. M1neral collects data, applies AI, enriches it with actionable intelligence and provides a great user experience in the cloud. M1neral is also using a built-for-purpose marketplace to allow more efficient mineral transactions.

 


SubGen

SubGen is a subscription engine for all business types. They provide what you need to launch and manage your own subscription business, whether you already have one in place or if you’re a transactional business that wants to build a subscription model from scratch.

 

SimiDigi

SimiDigi is a new 3D learning management platform designed to help corporations and construction firms cut costs and help train their mobile workforce using desktops, laptops, iOS or Android mobile devices. SimiDigi promotes retention by helping their customers implement an engaging, effective and top notch training program.

 


TaxTaker

With extensive industry knowledge and experience serving hundreds of CPA firms and clients nationwide, TaxTaker can provide your CPA firm or startup company with a reliable R&D Tax Credit program. Their software and built-in support can save you much needed time and money along the way.

 

Laundris

Laundris provides smart commercial laundry services, along with additional insights, for commercial, boutique hotels, and short term rentals. Their main goal is to provide an enhanced and rewarding customer experience by leveraging the use of technology. 

SWAYY

SWAYY helps women find the clothes they need while saving time, money and the planet. They’ve spent time curating a diverse collection of designer brands and cool vintage to give you a rotating closet that keeps up with your personal style.

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Tune in next month for another round of awesome startups. If you’re interested in applying to join Capital Factory’s VIP Accelerator, attend our next Accelerator Info Session to learn more about the program. If you’re ready to apply, complete an application on AngelList!


What You Need to Know About Austin Startup Week 2019

09/21/2019 | Comment

Austin Startup Week, established in 2011, is five days full of inspiring events that celebrate Austin startups, the organizations that support them, and the spectacular people who make it all happen. Since the beginning, the week’s programming has been lovingly organized by Jacqueline Hughes, Events Manager at Kauffman Fellows, Joshua Baer, Founder and CEO of Capital Factory, and the Capital Factory Dream Team. Throughout the week you’ll find panels, keynotes, specialized meetups, happy hours, workshops and our famous Austin Startup Crawl.

From September 22nd-26th, tech companies throughout Austin will welcome local and visiting entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts who are interested in learning more about the startup scene in Austin. Austin has become an impressive entrepreneurial hub, and the world is taking notice. Last year, Austin Startup Week was packed with 125+ events and sessions and attracted 7,500+ attendees. To make things even better, Austin Startup Week is always free and open to the public.

 

Don’t Wait, Register Today!

In order to guarantee your spot during Austin Startup Week, you have to register and RSVP to events. Registration is quick and easy so you can spend your time planning your unique schedule. We suggest you start claiming your spots soon because, as we’ve seen year after year, events fill up FAST. 

 

Venue Locations & Event Tracks

Currently there are 15+ locations announced to host Austin Startup Week events including: Austin Public Library Gallery, The Riveter, The University of Texas Student Activity Center (SAC), Galvanize and MELD Coworking (check out their FREE coworking happening all week!). 

 

With 20 tracks, there’s a topic for everyone to get excited about. Some of these tracks include fields such as Blockchain, Cybersecurity, FinTech, International, Social Impact, XR and Fundraising.

 

Why don’t we let you hear a little from the track leads themselves?

 

 

Key Sessions That Should Be On Your Radar:

 

Women in Tech Summit

Time: Monday, September 23rd, 9:00am-6:00pm
Location/Track: Capital Factory, Women in Tech Summit Track

Capital Factory welcomes you to our annual Women in Tech Summit, which will kick off Austin Startup Week! We’re dedicated to increasing diversity in the tech community and making our coworking space an inclusive and welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds and identities. The summit is a full day of programming to help inspire, engage and elevate female entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

 

Opening Night Happy Hour and Keynote with Scott Kupor

Time: Monday, September 23rd, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Location/Track: Capital Factory, Fundraising Track

Austin Startup Week’s first keynote is with Scott Kupor, managing partner at Andreessen Horowitz— where he is responsible for all operational aspects of running the firm. He has been with the firm since its inception in 2009 and has overseen its rapid growth from three employees to 150+, and from $300 million in assets under management to more than $10 billion.

 

Kendra Scott and The University of Texas at Austin: The Future of Female Leadership

Time: Tuesday, September 24th, 4:00pm-6:30pm
Location/Track: Bass Concert Hall, Evening Events

Join Designer and CEO Kendra Scott with remarks by UT President Gregory L. Fenves for an exciting event celebrating women leaders. There will be a Female Power Panel followed by a concert with a surprise country music singer, and additional programming in store for guests to enjoy.

 

Building a New Network: Fireside Chat with Frank Mong, COO at Helium

Time: Tuesday, September 24th, 3:45pm-4:15pm
Location/Track: Capital Factory, Developer Track

This Fireside Chat will feature Frank Mong, COO at Helium, and Kelsi Kamin, Investor at Silverton Partners. Frank is responsible for sales, marketing and business development and has over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, networking and software. Kelsi is on the investment team and also serves as an Advisor to Abacus (YC S18)— a blockchain startup that has built an administration platform for company, fund and real estate securities.

 

Fireside Chat & Happy Hour: Value of Strategic Partners for Startups

Time: Tuesday, September 24th, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Location/Track: Capital Factory, Evening Events

Join this Fireside Chat with SAP.iO SVP & Managing Director, Dr. Ram Jambunathan and Natasha Franck, Founder and CEO of NYC-based EON, and Joshua Baer, Founder and CEO of Capital Factory. They will discuss the startup journey “from startup to scaleup in enterprise software”, lessons learned, the challenges of scaling and why the right strategic investors or partners can be beneficial even at early stages.

 

Austin Does Zero Waste

Time: Tuesday, September 24th, 1:30pm-2:45pm
Location/Track: Impact Hub Austin, Social Impact Track

Every piece of plastic you’ve ever thrown away is still laying around somewhere. Join this panel as guest speakers discuss practical implementable solutions to our landfill and climate change issue. These are change makers in packaging, reusability and sustainable business. Learn how you can hold your favorite businesses to a higher environmental standard.

 

Don’t Fail Your Startup (Lessons from the Front Line)

Time: Wednesday, September 25th, 10:00am-12:00pm
Location/Track: Capital Factory, Defense Innovation Track

In this interactive, two-hour session, attendees will learn to apply critical principles from the front lines to guide dynamic, effective teams through constant change and uncertainty. By working in diverse groups to consider and respond to real-world startup scenarios, with the help of former U.S. Special Forces operators turned entrepreneurs, participants will walk away knowing more about how to make the right call in the most dire situations.

 

The xView 2 Challenge: Improving Disaster Response with Computer Vision and Future Vertical Lift (FVL), Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA) and Business Opportunities

Time: Wednesday, September 25th, 2:30pm-3:00pm
Location/Track: Capital Factory, Defense Innovation Track

Disasters can strike anywhere, disrupting local communication and transportation infrastructure, making the process of assessing specific local damage difficult, dangerous and slow. Recognizing an opportunity to solve a key analytical bottleneck, the Defense Innovation Unit, working together with other Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Recovery (HADR) organizations, is releasing a new densely labeled, high-resolution satellite dataset and a challenge to the computer vision community.

 

Creating Music with Body Movement: 3D Spatial Interaction for Music Software

Time: Wednesday, September 25th, 2:30pm-3:00pm
Location/Track: Capital Factory, XR Track

This session will be an informative talk on the topic of body movement interaction for creating/performing with digital music software. The talk surveys past academic and non-academic work in the area, including speaker Tim Arterbury’s own graduate research. The talk is followed by a demonstration of his company’s product in development: MoveMIDI, a software that converts body movements from 3D tracking systems (like VR/AR systems) into musical triggers to be interpreted by 3rd party music software.

 

State of Womxn of Color: Advancing Community, Culture & Careers in Austin

Time: Wednesday, September 25th, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Location/Track: The Riveter, HR and Culture Track

Join The Riveter and Future for Us for The State of Womxn of Color Roadshow, an evening to tell audacious stories of womxn of color at work, accompanied by an overview of the data, insights and solutions. This collaboration provides a platform for rising and established womxn of color professionals to share their experiences and next step strategies as they build powerful communities to create a future where womxn of color lead at the highest levels across all sectors.

 

Nature Already Has the Startup Ideas

Time: Thursday, September 26th, 4:00pm-5:00pm
Location/Track:Austin Central Library Gallery, Sustainable Communities Track

There are a lot of problems in building sustainable cities and sustainable communities, and even more when we realize the interdependencies of the built environment with the people living there. Several Austin entrepreneurs have captured insights and inspiration from how nature solves complex systems, and are building innovative solutions to some of our most challenging problems.

 

To finish off our list, we can’t forget the most iconic party during Austin Startup Week…

 

Austin Startup Crawl

Time: Thursday, September 26th, 5:00pm-9:00pm
Location/Track: Various Locations, Downtown Austin

Austin startups are unique to the core, and we’re gathering all the hottest companies for you and your friends to enjoy. Get ready to tour the latest and greatest of Austin’s startup community. Take the shuttle from stop to stop to grab a free beverage, drop off a resume, dance in the silent disco and deep dive into Austin’s startup scene. 

The fun doesn’t stop there. Keep the energy going at Nightcrawlers: The Official Austin Startup Crawl AFTER PARTY! Reminisce over your favorite moments from Crawl with some live music and an open bar over at Speakeasy.

Check out more details on Austin Startup Week’s venues and events here.

 

Stay in the Loop

We’ll be on the move and covering all of Austin Startup Week – keep up with us on Twitter @ATXStartupWeek and look out for emails on important updates!

 

Saturday Startup Spotlight: Homads

09/20/2019 | Comment

Capital Factory’s Saturday Startup Spotlight series continues this week with the Co-Founder and CEO of Homads: Vi Nguyen. Finding the right place to live is hardly a simple task, so Homads has organized all of the research for you. 

Homads is an online platform designed to help users sublet their home or apartment while helping other users find medium-term rentals in a community that feels like home. They believe that the neighborhood you want to call home-sweet-home should match your lifestyle and identity seamlessly, so they’ve figured out how to help people find, and test out, that perfect community. Learn all about how Vi and her team are changing the real estate search and making it easier for you to find the right information.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSUCF1FjVix/

 

Can you introduce yourself and give us your elevator pitch?

I’m Vi Nguyen, one of the co-founders and CEO of Homads. We have two other founders that run the head of data and tech, and I run the business side. What we do is help people find neighborhoods that feel a lot more like them. Think of us as the social search for real estate, so you’re not just looking for price and proximity— it’s everything else as well. 

 

What are the current goals you have in mind for Homads to achieve?

We’re big on bootstrapping and we’re really good at identifying “Yes.” We identified that midterm rentals are a thing, and we know that business model works so we took on funding to grow it. 

Our next milestone is to get ourselves out of Texas. We started thinking a lot bigger as in: “If we really needed to scale, how can we scale quickly?” That’s a big part of us. An example of that would be aggregating supply instead of building it. Understanding that we want to be your go-to place when you move, so we need to have enough supply for you and enough resources for you to stay on our platform. We then decided to bring in other partners instead of trying to do this ourselves. 

 

What challenges have you been facing lately?

It’s helpful because I have a team. I always like to say, “I’m not the smartest person in the room, but I’m good enough to know who all the smart people are.” All my co-founders and team members are amazing at what they do.

On the technical side of what’s difficult, it’s scaling. Scaling is great, and we’ve found a way to bring in supply (homes) nationally and internationally, but then everything also needs to function well. We went from a couple hundred listings to a couple hundred thousand. So, how do we do that where it doesn’t slow down and break our site? I think we know what to do— it’s just finding an efficient way of doing it. 

Personally, I think the biggest roller coaster that most entrepreneurs have is balance. I’m lucky that I joined a CEO group a year and a half ago, almost two years now; It’s mostly bootstrapped companies there. We talk about the health of our businesses, the health of ourselves and the health of our families. They say those are the three pillars that support who you are in your day-to-day. 

 

What’s the hardest part about your role?

I’m typically an operations person so if I could choose I’d prefer to be a COO, but I’m the best at being a CEO and that requires selling. I can sell to customers, team members and investors but that’s something I learned to do. I think if you’re a sales person and you grew up with sales experiences you’re used to “No”— you’re used to rejection. I’m learning that through the last few years and I think that still gets to you. 

Luckily, we’ve been getting lots of “Yeses” recently– it helps you get through the rest. 

 

You’ve been a part of the Capital Factory community for a little while now, but is there anyone you’re still trying to meet that could help you at this moment?

Honestly, you guys have been badass. I’ve known about Capital Factory for three years, but it took me until March to actually join. Some of it had to do with culture, it was very evident that culturally it was not as diverse. I’m talking to two women right now so things have changed. People look different— and it’s not only that you look different, you think different. 

The second reason I joined was: You can’t really ask for change if you don’t create demand. Coming in and saying, “I really want to see more blank, blank and blank.” Your Investor Relations team connected me to 4 VC’s within one day. I wanted to do it on my own before; I wanted to understand what it was like. I definitely know that if you don’t have that network yet, which a lot of people don’t (typically minority and low income), you’re not going to grow up with that network because your parents don’t have it. 

What you have to do is say: “I want to meet person A but I need to meet person B, who introduces me to person C. If I get past these people I’ll get a meeting with person A.” Capital Factory bypasses that. Not only do you sit down with them quickly, but they have a good perspective of you already and you’re vetted in this accelerator. 

 

Last question, why should we all keep an eye on Homads?

I think we had a certain reputation when we first started— we’re first-time entrepreneurs. We really didn’t know what we were doing, we didn’t think we knew what we were doing, but looking back…we did know. We kept in the shadows for a while. It wasn’t until 2018 when we looked at the past two years and said okay there is a business model here, let’s take on further funding and monetize this idea. That was when our business model also changed— our concentration got bigger. We thought scale, we didn’t think, “How do I use $100,000 and prove out this small thing?” We basically thought, “How do we take over the world?” 

I think that a lot of people who know Homads, that know me, know me from before. Marc Nathan [a Capital Factory Mentor] said if you have not talked to them in a year,  it’s a whole new conversation, it’s completely different. That’s most startups too, there are twists and turns and you hope you’re smarter and better each time. 

 

Thank you for taking the time to talk to us, Vi!

Does her story sound familiar? Are you looking to establish a network of experienced, successful entrepreneurs, investors and mentors that can help you on your journey? Learn more about our VIP Accelerator program and how to apply.

Listen to Vi’s new episode on Capital Factory’s Austinpreneur podcast- Using Machine Learning to Find the Perfect Home– for further insight on Homads and Vi’s journey!

Don’t miss out on future networking opportunities to meet more entrepreneurs like Vi. You can also subscribe to our Austin Tech Live or Dallas Tech Live newsletters to receive exclusive updates on our community, events and announcements.

Are Y’all Ready? We’ll be Crawlin’ on Sep 26th

09/19/2019 | Comment

It’s time for tech enthusiasts to gather once again for the most iconic party during Austin Startup Week —  Austin Startup Crawl presented by Microsoft! On September 26th, prepare to tour the latest and greatest of Austin’s startup community. Austin Startup Crawl is a celebration of technology and entrepreneurship in Austin. Last year we had more than 90 companies and 8,000+ registered crawlers, and we’re expecting even more participation this year.


Who’s Invited?

Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur, an ardent business owner, or a general tech lover— we want you there!

Crawlers will get to explore downtown Austin in a completely new light as they take the shuttle from stop to stop, discovering the startups that are driving technology innovation from Austin, Texas. Meet startups tackling everything from cybersecurity to social networking all while grabbing swag, food and drinks along the way.

 

Where Can I Sign Up?

If you haven’t already, click here to register for this year’s Austin Startup Crawl! Your ticket only indicates your first stop of the night— after that, you can go anywhere you want.

 

How Should I Plan My Night?

There are two kinds of people: those that make a game plan and those that go with the flow. We leave that decision up to y’all! Take a peek at our map for Austin Startup Crawl to start preparing your evening. Each stop will have their own entertainment in store for crawlers.

After arriving at your first location, there will be free shuttles, sponsored by Sana, to transport you across the city so you won’t miss a beat. Of course, the voyage will come with plenty of free food and drinks along the way. 

 

Nightcrawlers: The Official Austin Startup Crawl AFTER PARTY

What happens when Austin Startup Crawl ends but you and your friends still have all that energy and entrepreneurial adrenaline? Well, “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here!” Join us at Speakeasy for Nightcrawlers: The Official Austin Startup Crawl AFTER PARTY; look forward to live music and a bar tab courtesy of your friends at Capital Factory. Don’t forget to register and have your Crawl wristband for entry!

 

Take Austin Startup Crawl to the Next Level

 

Capital Factory’s Exclusive Baller Club Pass is just what you need for a serious startup fix. It’ll give you an unparalleled experience during Austin Startup Crawl— here are the perks to look forward to:

Not everyone is meant to be a Baller—there are only 100 passes available this year!** Want to meet the top influencers in Austin’s tech ecosystem? Get your Baller Club Pass before they’re all gone!

 

We don’t mean to brag, but… 

Our startups bring their A-game year after year. Austin Startup Crawl keeps getting bigger, and the tech just keeps getting better! If you can’t be there, follow our live tweets through @ATXStartupCrawl— but we highly encourage you to experience this for yourself. 

Register for Crawl today, we’ll see y’all there!

 

**Capital Factory Members do not need to purchase Baller Passes. VIP Access is included with your membership.

$100,000 Artificial Intelligence Investment Challenge at Defense Innovation Summit

09/12/2019 | Comment

Capital Factory is pleased to announce the $100,000 Artificial Intelligence Challenge focused on AI startups whose solutions address the four AI “initial thrusts” articulated by the Army Artificial Intelligence Task Force*. 

The launch of the AI Task Force allows the Army to better connect with the broader artificial intelligence community and focus their efforts in this dynamic field. Artificial intelligence capabilities are relevant to all services and each of the Army’s cross-functional teams (CFT’s). The Army AI Task Force, located at Carnegie Mellon University, is subordinate organization of Army Futures Command.

On November 19th, during Capital Factory’s Defense Innovation Summit, five technology startup finalists will be judged by a panel of successful entrepreneurs, defense industry leaders and venture capitalists. One will walk away with a $100,000 investment that day! 

Startups! Submit your application on AngelList

 

Who is eligible?

Any U.S.-based startup company with a solution to one of the four problems identified below can apply to participate. If you win, you will receive a $100,000 investment from Capital Factory on a convertible note.

Here are the four initial thrusts identified by the AI Task Force:

Intelligence Support (Long Range Precision Fires): As part of the Army’s number one priority, LRPF, the AI Hub will lead development into an intelligence support platform designed to identify, assess and prioritize threats based on real-time updates from all available sensors, both manned and unmanned. This platform will provide real-time updates to command echelons alongside ground units while distilling and filtering information relevant to the corresponding unit. 

Automated Threat Recognition (Next Generation Combat Vehicle): The NGCV is the U.S. Army’s second priority. The AI Hub will focus on helping develop systems to support an automated vehicle and fleet of vehicles. This will not only include autonomous driving, but will go a step further by developing and integrating automated threat recognition. This solution will be designed to reduce the cognitive load for leaders and soldiers to more swiftly find, fix, track and target threats on the battlefield. 

Human Resources/Talent Management (Human Capital): The U.S. Army wants to improve the critical life-cycle function for managing its most valuable resource: people. They are doing this by identifying the core competencies that made successful performers ideal for their roles and matching these with potential candidates for the position within the ranks of the U.S. Army and potential soldiers from the recruiting station.

Predictive Maintenance (PMx): Vehicle maintenance is intensely resource expensive, and the Army wants to break away from their legacy method of performing routine maintenance and parts replacement on all fleets. They want to leverage recorded data by integrating stressor variables from different environments that equipment performs under to predict and prevent breakdowns before failure. 

Defense Innovation

Earlier this year, Capital Factory opened the Center for Defense Innovation — 23,000 square feet of collaboration space with the Army Applications Lab, AFWERX, Defense Innovation Unit, MD5, The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and a team of Booz Allen Hamilton’s defense innovators as initial tenants. This unprecedented collaboration between the public and private sector brings entrepreneurs and government innovators shoulder-to-shoulder in a coworking environment where they can learn from each other and have a kind of serendipity that can’t happen behind high security.

This new center of gravity for defense innovation brings together military leaders with entrepreneurs, innovators, and established defense industry leaders to co-create solutions that ensure our armed forces are poised to meet the threats of tomorrow. Just a few months ago on June 6, the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, Capital Factory held the Defense Innovation Challenge and awarded $100,000 to Austin startup, ZPEG, a video compression marketplace that reduces file sizes and streaming costs.

To showcase the finalists of this $100,000 AI Challenge and select the winner, the November 19th Defense Innovation Summit at Capital Factory’s Center for Defense Innovation will gather Texas’ hottest startups, investors, mentors, and corporate companies in the defense industry. The day will also include keynotes, lightning talks, Epic Office Hours, panel discussions, lunch, happy hour, and more to connect Texas’ defense startup ecosystem and make the introductions to fuel its growth.

Think you’ve got a shot at $100,000? Apply now on AngelList to be one of five teams selected to pitch. You could walk away with $100,000 and a new home at the Center of Gravity for Defense Innovation! Application deadline is October 25.

Startups! Submit your application on AngelList

*Disclaimer: Investment will be made from the Capital Factory fund. Army Futures Command and AI Task Force are not providing any funds and have no formal affiliation with the investment challenge.