Austin Venture Association

Big thanks to Umar Brimah, LaTecia Johnson and INGENIUS for the opportunity to talk on the Future of Community panel last week; had a great time sharing a bit about our work to mobilize the Austin energy ecosystem what it takes to accelerate climate-tech innovation and advance clean energy in our state!

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I’d like to take a moment to reflect and give thanks to the incredible Austin venture community. Looking back at the year, I somehow (almost accidentally!) ended up hosting 18 events this year, bringing together several thousand people—from investors and founders to executives and tech professionals. As Bill Murphy said, “Austin is the #1 city for community in the nation,” and it shows. The way this community consistently shows up—ready to learn, connect, and share—is nothing short of amazing. I’m also incredibly grateful for everyone who has not yet gotten completely annoyed by my bi-weekly text blasts/emails.. Your enthusiasm and participation does not go unnoticed! Last Wednesday’s Creators and Convos was a perfect example of the magic this community creates. We gathered to discuss the Future of Community, and the insights shared were fantastic. In addition to battling loneliness in a post covid world community is evolving into a critical go-to-market function, expanding beyond the brand itself to create entire ecosystems that drive connection, commerce, and growth. A huge thank you to our amazing panelists LaTecia Johnson, Sean Voigt, Jake O'Shea, Raymond Kaminski and Keven Duran! Now, for the grand finale of the year: I’m teaming up once again with my friend Pat for an Ugly Sweater VC/PE/Tech Holiday Happy Hour at Busy Signal sponsored by Latham & Watkins! Looking forward to closing out 2024 with some festive vibes, good conversations, and terrible holiday fashion. Link to apply in the comments. Hope to see you there! ????

INGENIUS, in partnership with the Austin Venture Association and Executive Council Network (ECN), is excited to invite you to apply to attend an exclusive evening of conversation around community through our CreatorsxConvos series – a high-end event series bringing tastemakers, creators, investors, and founders together for deep, meaningful conversations beyond the surface. ? Topic of the Evening: The Future of Community Join us as we delve into why community has never been more crucial. In a world marked by digital transformation, remote work, and evolving societal norms, our sense of connection and belonging faces new challenges—and new opportunities. Communities are reshaping how we work, live, and support one another, from the rise of online interest groups to shifting norms in workplace culture. Recent studies show that nearly 30% of Americans now rely on digital communities for personal connection, and companies with strong community-driven cultures report 3x higher employee retention. Our industry leaders will share insights and strategies to help you not just navigate but thrive in this rapidly shifting landscape of connection and community. Esteemed Guests of Honor: - LaTecia Johnson – CEO of INGENIUS, a pioneer at the intersection of culture, community, and creativity. - Sean Voigt – Co-President of Stanford Angels & Entrepreneurs of Austin and founder of the Austin Climate Hub. - Jake O'Shea O’Shea – Principal at Antler, a community builder and entrepreneurship enthusiast. Raymond Kaminski – CEO of ibble, reinventing social media around community and conversations. - Keven Duran – Head of Community at Posh, expanding global digital growth. Event Details: ?? Location: A Secret Speakeasy – RSVP Required ??? Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20th 6-9pm ?? Attire: Smart Casual ?? Run of Show: 7:00 PM – Welcome Mezcal Tasting 7:30-8:15 PM – Panel Discussion on the Future of Community 8:15 PM – Closing Happy Hour About the Hosts: ?? INGENIUS: Empowering the next generation of creators and brands to scale ?? Austin Venture Association: Supporting Austin's VCs and early-stage startups. ?? Executive Council Network: An invite-only community of executives and entrepreneurs driving global innovation. Apply now to attend using the link in the comments

Huge thanks to everyone who came out during Austin Tech Week to learn about the Future of Influence, sip some mezcal, and rev a few engines.. ..and thank you to our panelists Charlie B., LaTecia Johnson, Micah "Musa" Pellerin, Julie Theis, and Preston Troutt for donating their time to share an incredible wealth of knowledge!

INGENIUS, in partnership with the Austin Venture Association and Executive Council Network (ECN), is excited to invite you to apply to attend an exclusive evening of conversation around community through our CreatorsxConvos series – a high-end event series bringing tastemakers, creators, investors, and founders together for deep, meaningful conversations beyond the surface. ? Topic of the Evening: The Future of Community Join us as we delve into why community has never been more crucial. In a world marked by digital transformation, remote work, and evolving societal norms, our sense of connection and belonging faces new challenges—and new opportunities. Communities are reshaping how we work, live, and support one another, from the rise of online interest groups to shifting norms in workplace culture. Recent studies show that nearly 30% of Americans now rely on digital communities for personal connection, and companies with strong community-driven cultures report 3x higher employee retention. Our industry leaders will share insights and strategies to help you not just navigate but thrive in this rapidly shifting landscape of connection and community. Esteemed Guests of Honor: - LaTecia Johnson – CEO of INGENIUS, a pioneer at the intersection of culture, community, and creativity. - Sean Voigt – Co-President of Stanford Angels & Entrepreneurs of Austin and founder of the Austin Climate Hub. - Jake O'Shea O’Shea – Principal at Antler, a community builder and entrepreneurship enthusiast. Raymond Kaminski – CEO of ibble, reinventing social media around community and conversations. - Keven Duran – Head of Community at Posh, expanding global digital growth. Event Details: ?? Location: A Secret Speakeasy – RSVP Required ??? Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20th 6-9pm ?? Attire: Smart Casual ?? Run of Show: 7:00 PM – Welcome Mezcal Tasting 7:30-8:15 PM – Panel Discussion on the Future of Community 8:15 PM – Closing Happy Hour About the Hosts: ?? INGENIUS: Empowering the next generation of creators and brands to scale ?? Austin Venture Association: Supporting Austin's VCs and early-stage startups. ?? Executive Council Network: An invite-only community of executives and entrepreneurs driving global innovation. Apply now to attend using the link in the comments

Huge thanks to everyone who came out during Austin Tech Week to learn about the Future of Influence, sip some mezcal, and rev a few engines.. ..and thank you to our panelists Charlie B., LaTecia Johnson, Micah "Musa" Pellerin, Julie Theis, and Preston Troutt for donating their time to share an incredible wealth of knowledge!

Announcing our Guests of Honor for next week's panel and supercar exhibition during Austin Tech Week! Event Details: Date: October 29th, 2024 Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00PM Location: Pershing, Austin Attire: Smart Casual Our Guests of Honor: Charlie B. - Founder & CEO of Valkyrie Charlie Burgoyne is the founder and CEO of Valkyrie, an applied science lab optimizing data-driven solutions for decision-making. With previous roles at NASA, the DOE, and Rosetta Stone, he brings a deep expertise in machine learning and holds advanced degrees in theoretical and nuclear physics. LaTecia Johnson - Founder & CEO of INGENIUS LaTecia Johnson is a senior entertainment and technology executive, founder of Visionary Rising, a creative studio supporting startups, brands, and creators. She has led global partnerships at Royal, delivering activations for artists like Nas, Diplo, and The Chainsmokers, and champions strategies for creators to monetize their audiences and retain intellectual property. Micah "Musa" Pellerin - VC at Microsoft, Former National Football League (NFL) Micah Pellerin, a former NFL athlete, is now a Senior Business Development Manager at Microsoft, helping $1B+ companies leverage the full Microsoft ecosystem. He also advises startups and hosts a podcast focusing on athletes transitioning to corporate America. Preston Troutt - Founder & CEO of Crowdsurf Preston Troutt is the founder of Crowdsurf, a crowdfunding platform that allows fans to invest directly in their favorite creators. With experience the lead investor and strategic partner for Commonwealth, Preston is focused on democratizing the creator economy by enabling fan-driven investments. Julie Theis - Reality TV Personality, Psychologist & Marketing Director Julie Theis is a psychologist and media personality who won Netflix’s reality competition "The Trust: A Game of Greed." She leads the non-profit "Dancing for a Purpose," empowering young women through dance, and advocates for mental health through her platform, Psychadvice Inner Circle.

As a born and raised car enthusiast with a bit of marketing experience, this may be my favorite event of the year and possibly the best event flyer I've made so far AVA, INGENIUS, Executive Council Network (ECN), and The Exotics Network are teaming up for Austin Tech Week to bring you a panel and exotic car exhibition with twice the vehicles as last year The panel will feature thought leaders deconstructing the Future of Influence, exploring everything from tech titans and All In podcast personalities to athletes and emerging artists to deconstruct "influence" and determine the new origin of commerce and how it's affecting GTM strategies across every vertical. October 29th at Pershing ???

Congratulations to ATX Venture Partners Co-Founder Chris Shonk on being nominated as one of Austin Business Journal's Power Players for the second year in a row.?Chris is a pioneer investor in the Austin region for over 20 years with an impressive track record of?high-multiple exits. He is a trusted partner for dozens of top companies who he supports 24/7 at every step of the founder journey.?I am always impressed by the generous amounts of time he lends to rising founders in our region.?Way to go! ??

We're thrilled to welcome José Luis Silva Vázquez, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Dux Capital, to the Austin Venture Association Board! Passionate about growth, finance, startups, and golf, José Luis is the co-founder of Dux Capital, a Venture Capital fund that invests in Latinx outliers. He spearheads the Investor Relations team, Portfolio Management, and contributes significantly to the Investment and Startups’ Funnel, overseeing portfolio investments in Fund 1 and 2. A seasoned entrepreneur, José Luis has founded over eight companies, showcasing his multifaceted expertise in the entrepreneurial realm. Among these ventures is Uassist, a startup that has grown into a company providing insurance products for cell phone repair and robbery. Uassist now boasts more than 50 employees and is growing exponentially. Before co-founding Dux, José Luis served as a corporate and investment banker at HSBC’s Global Banking team in Mexico. He played a pivotal role in landmark transactions across Mergers and Acquisitions, Debt & Equity Capital Markets, Structured Finance, and Treasury for esteemed names in Latin America. José Luis holds an MBA from IE Business School in Madrid, specializing in Private Equity/Venture Capital on a dual diploma from Singapore Management University. Additionally, he graduated with a BA in Finance from Tec de Monterrey in Mexico City. Two years back, José Luis, with his wife and two kids, moved to Austin, Texas, seeing it as the perfect spot to kickstart his second fund amidst a vibrant startup scene. Realizing there weren't many others doing what he does in the USA, he was excited about diving into the blue ocean, where he often finds himself as the only one in the room. Nowadays, José Luis serves on the board of the University of Texas - Texas Venture Lab, sharing his experiences and knowledge as a lecturer, inspiring young minds to become outstanding entrepreneurs. He also serves on the board of the Austin Opera.?