Austin’s Tech and AI Scene: A Guide for Builders
Austin is one of the country’s biggest tech hubs, and it’s full of people building with AI, and some building against the worst of it. Here’s how to plug in.
Where people connect
- Capital Factory: downtown Austin’s best-known startup hub and event space
- SXSW: every March, the city fills with tech, film and music
- UT Austin: student startup programs, clubs and hackathons
- Meetups: search for AI, product and founder meetups in Austin; new ones start every month
The AI question every builder is asking
AI can now generate realistic video, voices and people. That’s powerful, and it’s also why trust online is collapsing. Here’s what that looks like on social media.
A local example: Portal
Portal is an Austin startup building the opposite of AI content: a camera-only social app where every post is captured live, tied to a real place, with no uploads and no AI. It’s pushing 250 users with $0 in marketing.
Want to get involved?
We’re looking for Austin people to join our focus group and our ambassador program. Both are great for your resume and your network.
See open roles Join the focus group
Frequently asked questions
How do I get into the Austin tech scene?
Go to Capital Factory events, SXSW, UT Austin programs and local AI and founder meetups, and get involved with early-stage startups.
Are there Austin startups looking for help?
Yes. Portal, an Austin social app, is recruiting ambassadors and focus group members.
Real people. Real places. No AI.
Portal just launched. Free on iPhone, live everywhere in the US.