OPEN Austin

Almost time to turn in those applications! Don’t forget the application deadline is Sept 15th! ??

??Calling all young innovators in Austin!?? Are you a motivated elementary or middle school student with big ideas? Join us for the Youth Hackathon 2024 presented by OPEN Austin! No experience needed—just bring your creativity and passion. ?? How it works: 1?? Sign up & join a team 2?? Work with a mentor to develop your business proposal 3?? Pitch your idea to real-world entrepreneurs ?? Why You Should Join: - Gain public speaking skills and confidence - Learn entrepreneurial skills - Meet new people - Certificates will be awarded! ??? Mark your calendar: - Planning Meeting: Sept. 11 via Zoom - Pitch Day: Sept. 29 from 2 PM-5 PM @ Pflugerville Library Sign-ups coming soon! Get ready to pitch your innovative idea and compete for the best one! ?? #YouthHackathon2024 #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #AustinYouth

From Quetta to Airlift: How Ahmed Ayub Became a Tech Visionary OPEN Austin continues to excel in its mission to bridge the gap between the vibrant Austin community and seasoned entrepreneurs. OPEN Austin hosted Ahmed Ayub, co-founder and former CTO of Airlift, on July 15, 2024 in Round Rock, Texas. This event epitomized this vision drawing in a crowd eager to hear from a tech industry luminary. Ayub's journey from Quetta to leading a high-flying startup resonated deeply with the audience. Ahmed Ayub's narrative, marked by resilience and innovation, provided attendees with valuable entrepreneurial wisdom. Ahmed Ayub shared his early life in Quetta, attending Urdu medium schools and facing challenges with humor and grit. His move to Lahore for higher education brought new challenges, including being mockingly dubbed "Khan Sahib." His path led him to FAST University, where he honed his software engineering skills. Despite growing expertise, he felt constrained by employers prioritizing conformity over innovation, pushing him toward entrepreneurship. In 2016, Ahmed co-founded Experia (a software services company) and worked with Usman Gul to develop an MVP for a mass-transit project, evolving into Airlift. The company quickly gained traction, initially offering bus services in Lahore, expanding to Karachi, and later pivoting to online grocery delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Airlift's rapid ascent included an $85 million Series B round in 2021, the largest for any Pakistani startup. Despite financial turbulence following the Russia-Ukraine conflict, leading to its shutdown in mid-2022, Airlift's story remains a testament to agility and resilience in business. Ahmed's business philosophy centers around hiring passionate individuals and fostering innovation. His emphasis on team well-being was highlighted when he told seasoned Silicon Valley investor, Aatif Awan, that he will first use his investment to buy ergonomic chairs for his software engineers. Ahmed's charisma and humility shone through as he humorously recounted an incident with Tony Xu, co-founder of DoorDash. When Xu sent Ahmed an email about investing in Airlift, Ahmed called his brother in the U.S. to ask who Xu was, only to be sent a Fortune magazine cover featuring Xu. ?? Currently, Ahmed innovates at Conrad Labs, driving strategic initiatives and supporting cutting-edge projects, underscoring his commitment to the tech community. The event was more than a networking opportunity; it was a testament to resilience, innovation, and the human spirit. Ahmed Ayub’s journey serves as a beacon of inspiration for entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts alike, reminding us of the importance of determination, mentorship, and the relentless pursuit of dreams. #OPENAustin #Inspiration #CommunityEngagement #AirliftTechnologies #pakistanistartups #techinnovation Ahmed Ayub Conrad Labs Rich Pusateri Airlift Technologies Asif Habib Sadia Asif OPEN Austin OPEN Global