Austin’s tech scene did not happen by accident. It was the vision of forward-thinking city leaders, business pioneers, university collaborators, and investors who all believed we could build something remarkable here. Today, we see the fruit of their determination in our vibrant startup community, the presence of global tech giants, and the unmistakable sense of possibility that has become part of the vibe of Austin.
But we should never forget how we got here. The world is changing, and is more inherently global than it was in the 1990s. Many cities and regions are investing to replicate what happened in Central Texas, and even other parts of Texas are becoming recognized “tech hubs”. Austin cannot go forward by living on our past, we must be evolving to remain a top-tier innovation center.
The role of the Austin Technology Council is to celebrate the past, be fully engaged in the present, and keep a steady eye on the future. This is how we protect and grow what so many worked to create. While every community will have people with egos and agendas, ATC is trying to be a thread that remembers how we got to this point, and work to thread between the cliques to keep Austin growing.
HOW DID AUSTIN BECOME A WORLD-CLASS TECH HUB AND INNOVATION CENTER?
THE EARLY ROOTS: IBM AND TEXAS INSTRUMENTS
If we roll back the clock to the 1960s, we find IBM opening an office in 1967, followed closely by Texas Instruments in 1969. These were watershed moments. IBM and TI did not randomly choose Austin. They came here because the University of Texas at Austin was already recognized for cutting-edge research. They also discovered a city that was affordable, pro-business, and eager to welcome new industry. Their move made an important statement: Austin was a good bet for technology. At the time, no one could have predicted how big that bet would pay off.
Discover more from Austin Women in Technology
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Cool!