Austin startup week (What it is + how to win the week)

If you keep hearing founders, builders, and investors talk about austin startup week, here’s the simplest way I can explain it:

It’s a packed week where the Austin startup scene comes out in full force—events, talks, workshops, meetups, panels, pitch nights, casual coffees, and big social moments—so people can meet, learn, and do business faster than they normally would in a month.

One important detail that confuses people: austin startup week is now run under the “Austin Tech Week” name (same roots, same ecosystem energy). It originally started in 2011, and the rebrand happened later as the event grew beyond “just startups.”

Quick facts you should know (before you plan anything)

Here are the basics people usually search for:

• It’s a five-day format with lots of separate events (not one single conference room all day).
• Main hub location is often Capital Factory (701 Brazos), with programming also happening around the city.
• Dates move by edition, but it commonly lands in late October. The official site lists the next run as Oct 26–30, and a recent run spanned Oct 19–24 with main programming called out as Oct 20–24 in coverage. (Always confirm in the official schedule.)
• Many events require advance registration and can use different platforms (you’ll see things like Luma and other tools depending on the host).
• There’s a well-known finale-style event: Austin Startup Crawl, basically a huge demo + social night that’s been a signature part of the week since 2011.

What happens during austin startup week (in plain words)

Think of the week like a menu, not a single meal.

On any given day, you’ll see a mix like:

• Morning networking walks / coffee meetups
• Founder panels (what worked, what didn’t, what they’d do differently)
• Workshops (fundraising, marketing, hiring, product, AI, etc.)
• Pitch events and investor-heavy sessions
• Evening socials where the real bonding happens

In one recent edition, coverage mentioned 50+ gatherings ranging from early-morning networking to pitch competitions and evening events—so yeah, it’s busy.

My honest advice:

Don’t try to attend everything. You’ll burn out by day two and remember nothing by day five.

The tracks people actually care about (and how to pick yours)

A lot of events cluster around themes/tracks. Recent track themes have included things like:

• Women in Tech
• Entrepreneurship
• Marketing & Growth
• Fundraising
• Future Forces (emerging tech)
• HR & Culture
• AI (Hi-Tech Chic)

How to pick the right sessions (my simple rule)

Before you RSVP to anything, pick one main goal for the week:

Goal A: Customers → prioritize demos, industry meetups, growth/marketing sessions, and anything where buyers hang out.
Goal B: Hiring → prioritize talent-focused events, culture/HR sessions, and the most social mixers.
Goal C: Fundraising → prioritize fundraising talks, investor events, pitch nights, and founder dinners (if you can get in).
Goal D: Learning → pick two deep workshops per day, max.

If you pick your goal first, your schedule becomes obvious.

A realistic 5-day game plan (so you don’t waste the week)

Here’s a plan that works even if you’re not “super extroverted.”

Day 0 (the day before): Set up your “why”

Do these three things:

1. Write one sentence: “This week I want ___.”
2. Write your short intro (15 seconds):
   • “Hey, I’m ___, I’m building ___ for ___, and I’m here to meet ___.”
3. Prepare one ask:
   • customers → “Can I get 10 minutes to show you what we built?”
   • hiring → “Who’s the best engineer/designer you know who’s open?”
   • fundraising → “Who should I learn from if I’m raising soon?”

That’s it. Don’t overcomplicate it.

Day 1–2: Learn + meet (light networking)

• Attend one workshop (real skills)
• Attend one session where speakers are accessible after
• Attend one social where people actually talk

Day 3: Book meetings (the “relationship day”)

This is where you stop collecting random business cards and start doing:

• “Want to grab coffee tomorrow morning?”
• “I saw you’re in X space—can I ask you 2 questions?”
• “If I send you a 3-line summary, can you tell me if I’m crazy?”

Day 4: Pitch / demo / show up with intention

If you’re a founder, this is where you:

• do your best pitch event
• do your best demo moment
• talk to partners/sponsors (they often introduce you to the right people)

Day 5: Startup Crawl + follow-up prep

If you’re going to Austin Startup Crawl, treat it like speed-dating for startups:

• Walk in with a plan (more on that below)
• Take quick notes after each conversation
• Don’t stay in one spot the entire time

How to network at austin startup week without feeling fake

Let me make networking easy:

Use the “3 questions” method

Instead of “So what do you do?”, try:

1. “What are you building right now?”
2. “What’s been the hardest part lately?”
3. “What would make this week a win for you?”

People instantly relax. Because it feels human.

The best follow-up line (steal this)

“Hey — loved chatting about ___. You mentioned ___. If you’re open, I’d love to continue this over coffee next week. I can work around your schedule.”

Short. Clear. No weird vibes.

Introvert-friendly rule

Give yourself a cap:

• 3 real conversations per day is enough
  If you do 3 meaningful convos daily, you’ll leave the week with more progress than the person who “met everyone” but followed up with nobody.

Austin Startup Crawl strategy (how to not wander aimlessly)

Austin Startup Crawl is described as a big “wrap up” party-style night where startups demo their products and meet attendees—thousands of potential customers, investors, and hires in one place.

Here’s how to do it smart:

Before you go (10 minutes)

Make a short list:

• 5 startups you want to see (for partnerships, inspiration, hiring, whatever)
• 3 people types you want to meet (investors, engineers, marketers, buyers)

While you’re there

• Don’t spend 20 minutes at one table unless it’s the table.
• Ask every startup: “Who should I meet tonight?”
  You’ll get introductions faster than any app.

After you leave

Write notes in your phone like:

• Name + company
• What they care about
• One promise you made (intro, link, deck, job post)

Image suggestion (place under this section)

• Heading/location: Under “Austin Startup Crawl strategy…”
• Image idea: Photo of startup demo tables + crowd
• Alt text: “Startup demos during austin startup week crawl night”

What to bring (tiny things that save your day)

This is the “nobody tells you, but you’ll thank me” list:

• Portable charger (you’ll use it)
• A notes app template (Name / Company / Why I care / Follow-up)
• A light layer (indoor venues can be cold)
• Shoes you can walk in
• A simple one-page “what we do” link (Notion page, website page, Google doc—anything)

If you’re hiring, bring a QR code that goes directly to:

• your job post
• your company page
• a short “why work with us” page

If you’re a founder, here’s how to get ROI fast

1) Don’t pitch your product first—pitch the problem

Try:
“I’m seeing a lot of ___, and it’s costing teams ___. We’re fixing that.”

2) Schedule meetings early

The week gets hectic fast. If you can book 2–3 coffees before the week starts, you’ll feel in control.

3) Use the speaker list to spot your “right people”

Speaker lineups often include investors, operators, and experienced founders (for example, recent lists have included names like Mike Maples Jr. (Floodgate) and Jesse Draper (Halogen Ventures), plus local ecosystem leaders tied to Capital Factory).
Even if you never meet them, the rooms they draw tend to be full of serious builders.

After austin startup week: the follow-up that actually works

Most people don’t lose opportunities during the week.

They lose them after the week by doing nothing.

My simple follow-up system (48 hours)

Create 3 lists:

List 1: Must follow up (top 10)
Send a message within 48 hours.

List 2: Nice to follow up (next 20)
Message within a week.

List 3: Future connections
Connect and keep them warm (comment on posts, share a resource, etc.).

A message template you can copy

Subject/DM: “Great meeting you at austin startup week”

Message:
“Hey ___ — great talking about ___. You mentioned ___. Here’s the link I promised: ___.
If you’re open, I’d love to continue this conversation. Want to do a quick coffee next week?”

Helpful links (so you don’t hunt around)

• Official event site + dates, location, app info (Austin Tech)
• Austin Startup Crawl details (Austin Tech)
• Austin Technology Council event info and community calendar (Austin Technology Council)
• Capital Factory’s broader events calendar (useful if you’re extending your trip) (Capital Factory)
• Techstars Startup Weekend overview (another good way to meet builders fast) (Techstars)
• Austin tech events calendar (for year-round meetups) (Austin Tech Events)

FAQ: austin startup week

What is austin startup week?

It’s a multi-day series of events focused on startups, tech, and the local ecosystem—talks, meetups, workshops, networking, and demos. It grew from its startup roots into what’s now branded as Austin Tech Week.

When does austin startup week usually happen?

Most editions land in late October. The official site lists upcoming dates (for example, Oct 26–30 for the next run), and recent coverage called out Oct 20–24 as main days in a recent edition.

Where do events happen?

A major hub is often Capital Factory at 701 Brazos, with other events happening across the city.

Do you need a ticket?

Many events require registration, and some use different platforms depending on who hosts. Always check the official schedule and event pages before you show up.

Is austin startup week worth it if I’m not a founder?

Yes—if you go with a goal. People attend to learn, find jobs, meet cofounders, discover startups, and build partnerships.

What is the Startup Crawl?

It’s a major demo + social event where startups set up tables, show products, and meet thousands of attendees—customers, investors, and potential hires.

What should I wear?

Simple, comfortable, and “you can walk in it.” This week is more about conversations than outfits.

How do I make the most of it in one sentence?

Pick one goal, attend fewer sessions, talk to more people, and follow up within 48 hours.

Final word

Austin startup week is one of those weeks where momentum is everywhere—but only if you show up with a plan.

If you want the shortest “success formula,” it’s this:

Plan → RSVP early → talk to humans like humans → take notes → follow up fast.