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I think the problem is that the feedback loop between UTCS and the Austin startup community hasn't hit a critical level. I can't name a single product made by a

I think the problem is that the feedback loop between UTCS and the Austin startup community hasn't hit a critical level. I can't name a single product made by an Austin startup that I've used, while I can think of dozens within a few miles of Stanford. Additionally, plenty of SV startups are within walking distance of Stanford, whereas most Austin startups are at least 10 minutes (by car) from the UT campus and are located in office parks, rather than the open pedestrian environments of University Ave and Castro.

tfinster 16y ago
If you've ever read a customer review on Dell's, Macy's, Costco's, or Home Depot's websites, you've used an Austin startup product - BazaarVoice. If you've recently booked a vacation rental, you've almost certainly used one of HomeAway's properties (they're in the middle of consolidating the entire industry). Maybe you've looked for a job via Indeed.com? Use Gowalla instead of Foursquare (Gowalla relocated from Dallas)? The startups are there; they are far and few now but rapidly increasing. I fully agree with you on the disconnect between academia and the startup community though - it's frustrating just how hard it is for Austin startups to hire UT talent.
- jderick 16y ago
  Or if you've ever used a Dell computer. :)
didip 16y ago
http://www.enthought.com http://www.enthought.com is a "startup", more like small firm, that regularly sponsors scipy event. They are in Austin, TX.
abossy 16y ago
I agree. I'm a UTCS grad that was hell-bent on getting involved in startups, but there simply weren't many options at the time ('08). The reasons I witnessed are the following: * Austin is no longer an entrepreneurial town. * The 10% rules hurts the entrepreneurial spirit. * Geographic isolation hurts the entrepreneurial spirit. * Little emphasis on consumer companies. * No network effect. * No virtuous cycle. More details here: http://www.quora.com/Why-are-there-so-few-startups-founded-by-University-of-Texas-at-Austin-alumni http://www.quora.com/Why-are-there-so-few-startups-founded-b...

tfinster 16y ago

If you've ever read a customer review on Dell's, Macy's, Costco's, or Home Depot's websites, you've used an Austin startup product - BazaarVoice. If you've recently booked a vacation rental, you've almost certainly used one of HomeAway's properties (they're in the middle of consolidating the entire industry). Maybe you've looked for a job via Indeed.com? Use Gowalla instead of Foursquare (Gowalla relocated from Dallas)? The startups are there; they are far and few now but rapidly increasing. I fully agree with you on the disconnect between academia and the startup community though - it's frustrating just how hard it is for Austin startups to hire UT talent.

jderick 16y ago
Or if you've ever used a Dell computer. :)

didip 16y ago

http://www.enthought.com http://www.enthought.com is a "startup", more like small firm, that regularly sponsors scipy event. They are in Austin, TX.

abossy 16y ago

I agree. I'm a UTCS grad that was hell-bent on getting involved in startups, but there simply weren't many options at the time ('08). The reasons I witnessed are the following: * Austin is no longer an entrepreneurial town. * The 10% rules hurts the entrepreneurial spirit. * Geographic isolation hurts the entrepreneurial spirit. * Little emphasis on consumer companies. * No network effect. * No virtuous cycle. More details here: http://www.quora.com/Why-are-there-so-few-startups-founded-by-University-of-Texas-at-Austin-alumni http://www.quora.com/Why-are-there-so-few-startups-founded-b...