Opportunity Austin

Our life sciences tour through the great state of Texas continues with exciting progress. Today, we formalized a partnership between Opportunity Austin and Wallonia Export and Investment, strengthening our collaboration in one of the fastest-growing cities in the USA. A special thank you to Dickinson Wright for the warm welcome at your beautiful facilities and for introducing us to such dynamic partners. Stephen Mason Andrea Arndt Wallonia Export & Investment Agency Corey Rose Dickinson Wright Pascale Delcomminette Michel Kempeneers Opportunity Austin

Bridging the Gap: Connecting Students to Career Opportunities Seven companies from six diverse industries recently gathered for a career engagement event in partnership with Texas State University's TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program, empowering first-generation and underrepresented students with resources to shape their future. Participating organizations included Susser Bank, Fantasy Elect, Safe Space Healing Collective, LLC, Microsoft, Horizon Bank, Silicon Labs, and Hippo Insurance. They provided valuable insights into career paths, internships, and professional growth. During the panel discussion, industry experts emphasized that success often comes from taking risks, learning from setbacks, and building strong networks. This event was not just about sharing knowledge; it was focused on creating tangible opportunities for students to connect with potential employers, fostering a more inclusive workforce for the Austin region. If you're interested in connecting with local talent and becoming more involved with programs like this, apply to become a Talent Ambassador: https://hubs.la/Q02SSX270

With just two weeks until the 2024 A-LIST Awards, now is the time to secure your spot! Join us on October 23 at The Long Center for the Performing Arts as we celebrate Austin’s top innovators, featuring a special fireside chat with our 2024 Ecosystem Leader of the Year, Tyson Tuttle, founder & CEO of Circuit. All attendees checked in during the event will be entered into a live raffle to win two Copa Airlines tickets to a destination of your choice across their 85 destinations in 32 countries. Plus, with Copa’s new stopover in Panama, you could enjoy two trips in one—up to 7 days to explore Panama on the way to your destination. Don’t miss out—RSVP today: https://hubs.la/Q02SG4nQ0

In 2024, Austin is one of the fastest-growing industrial hubs in the country. More than 1,900 manufacturers from a wide range of sectors now call our region home, employing over 74,000 workers and driving the local economy forward. In August 2024 alone, in-demand manufacturing roles like welders, machinists, and electrical engineering technologists saw strong momentum, with 119 job postings—up 41 positions from the previous month. Demand for machinists surged by 36%, highlighting the sector's robust growth. Learn more about our region’s manufacturing journey and what’s next: https://hubs.la/Q02Srlck0 Read the full September Job Postings Report: https://hubs.la/Q02Srk720

Vote for the 2024 A-LIST People's Choice Award! DEADLINE TO VOTE: Monday, October 7th The People's Choice Award celebrates the power of community by giving the public a voice in recognizing Austin's most innovative and impactful startup. Sponsored by Justworks, this award highlights a company that has captured the imagination and support of the community, demonstrating exceptional growth, creativity, and potential to drive the region’s innovation ecosystem forward. Cast your vote here: https://hubs.la/Q02SdSJ80 Join us on October 23rd at The Long Center for the 2024 A-LIST Awards and enjoy a fireside chat with Tyson Tuttle, Founder & CEO of Circuit! Plus, all attendees will be entered to win two Copa Airlines tickets to a destination of your choice - with the option of a stopover in Panama! Register here: https://hubs.la/Q02SdZtZ0

Celebrating Manufacturing Month in the Austin Region Opportunity Austin is proud to highlight the ongoing evolution of Central Texas’ manufacturing industry and its critical role in driving the region’s economy. Our latest edition of "The Surge" covers: - The evolution of manufacturing in Austin, from the 1980s to today's dynamic hub for both advanced technology and traditional industries. - BillionToOne’s expansion and Acutronic Group’s new aerospace facility, driving regional innovation. - The upcoming A-LIST Awards, featuring our 2024 Ecosystem Leader of the Year, Tyson Tuttle. To learn more, read the newsletter and subscribe to stay in the loop.

We are thrilled to announce Tyson Tuttle as the 2024 Ecosystem Leader of the Year, an honor recognizing his incredible contributions to Austin’s innovation landscape. Tyson is the Founder and CEO of Circuit, an AI startup building the world’s most trusted knowledge network, empowering people, communities, and organizations to focus on what matters most. With more than three decades of transformative leadership in the technology sector, Tyson’s career is defined by his vision for a more connected world. As the former CEO of Silicon Labs, Tyson guided the company through a pivotal transformation, growing it into a global leader in silicon and software solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT). His leadership, ingenuity, and commitment to purpose-driven innovation have shaped Austin’s tech ecosystem and earned him global recognition. Join us on?October 23, 2024, at the A-LIST Awards to celebrate Tyson and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives Austin’s innovation economy. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor the trailblazers who are shaping our future. RSVP to hear Tyson speak in a fireside chat at the event: https://lnkd.in/g78bzMUr?

Central Texas has evolved from its roots in early tech manufacturing to become a global leader in innovation, with over 1,900 manufacturers employing more than 74,000 workers. From semiconductors to aerospace, our region’s industries are driving economic growth and shaping the future of advanced manufacturing. As we kick off Manufacturing Month, we celebrate the collaboration between industry, education, and economic development that keeps our sector strong. Workforce development programs play a critical role in this success, ensuring that the next generation of skilled talent is ready to meet the demands of our growing industries. Discover more about the region’s manufacturing journey and what’s next: https://hubs.la/Q02RLTb60

As part of our ongoing commitment to policy and advocacy, we want to remind you that the deadline to register to vote in Texas is just one week away on October 7th. Your vote plays a crucial role in shaping policies that impact our region’s economy and future growth. Check your voter registration status or register by visiting https://lnkd.in/etyiSb2 Your participation is key to ensuring that the Austin region continues to thrive.

Strengthening Regional Perceptions: At today’s Q3 Investor Meeting, industry leaders discussed how perceptions of Austin—locally and nationally—are shaping our region’s growth. While challenges like affordability, infrastructure, and workforce shortages were addressed, the conversation also highlighted the strengths that keep the Austin region competitive. Key takeaways: - Perceptions from Site Selectors: Mark Arend of Site Selection Magazine shared that while Austin faces rising costs and infrastructure limitations, our tech ecosystem and deep talent pool continue to attract top-tier companies, especially in industries like semiconductors, EVs, and life sciences. - Housing Affordability: Emily Chenevert, CEO of Austin Board of REALTORS? and Unlock MLS, noted new policies aimed at improving housing affordability, which are beginning to ease the housing crisis for middle-income families and essential workers. - Downtown Vitality: Jenell Moffett, MBA from?Downtown Austin Alliance highlighted creative efforts to revitalize downtown through programming and public-private partnerships, helping to bring people back to the city’s core. - Commercial Real Estate: Tim Hendricks, SVP, Cousins Properties shared optimism about office space demand, noting that companies like Amazon are gradually bringing employees back and that Austin’s commercial spaces remain highly appealing. Collaboration being key was a consistent theme emerged throughout the panel. The Austin region’s ability to thrive depends on collaboration between the public and private sectors, from infrastructure improvements to addressing housing and workforce needs. Thank you to our speakers and investors for coming together to tackle these important topics.?