That's what I think is holding Austin back. Startups here tend to be pragmatic and a bit dreary, Indeed just had a big exit, but how exciting are they? The big

That's what I think is holding Austin back. Startups here tend to be pragmatic and a bit dreary, Indeed just had a big exit, but how exciting are they? The big idea companies (gowalla) or the ones doing something truly new (five runs) have either not done very well or have been bought out (Other inbox, Hey Ride). I think its because most of the hackers, VC money and technology leadership here come from Java and semi-conductor backgrounds where the kind of truly creative thinking and crazy experiments that lead to world changing companies aren't exactly encouraged. But in addition to that, the gravitational pull by Silicon valley of talent, ideas and money is going to be very difficult to overcome, without some really deliberate effort and resources.