11 Top Picks: Austin Startup Week on Oct 11

The Forrest Four-Cast: October 11, 2017

Wednesday brings the third day of Austin Startup Week 2017, which celebrates the many different facets of entrepreneurial activity in Central Texas. Some of the sessions that we are most excited about for today include:

An Algorithm to Protecting the American Dream**Capital Factory at 4:00 pm**FWD.us hosts a collection of leaders from the Austin tech community to discuss the recent state of affairs regarding the cancellation of the DACA program and the implications this has on the Austin tech and startup community, as well as the nation as a whole.

Crypto Panel with the Co-founders of Multicoin Capital Capital Factory at 4:00 pmMulticoin Capital is a venture-style fund in Austin that invests exclusively in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many smaller and newer cryptos. In this panel, Kyle Samani and Tushar Jain will discuss what they look for in evaluating new cryptos, how they manage the fund, and provide their thoughts on the impending crypto bubble.

Future Food Tech: Delivery Madness**The New Movement at 2:00 pm**This panel features representatives from four Austin-based food delivery companies (Door Dash, Dinner Elf, Full Fridge, and Farmhouse Delivery) who will discuss how their technology is changing the industry, plus what they see the future of food delivery looking like.

Looking for Funds in all the Right Places**Capital Factory at noon**Wanting to get money from Austin-based investors? Join David Altounian and Stephen Straus for a real-time Q&A on their recently-published post: Looking for Funds in All the Right Places: The Definitive Guide to Austin Capital.

Making Money in VR/AR Talk 10:00 am at Capital Factory at 10:00 amViewer Ready CEO JJ Castillo will cover how to “work smarter, not harder” while sharing successful approaches (and not so successful approaches) he’s learned at his virtual reality company.

Pushing Back: Austin’s Diverse Startup Community Showcase**Capital Factory at 6:00 pm**Diversity and entrepreneurism are not always synonymous, but attend this session to learn about the many strides that Austin is making in this area. This panel examines the city’s unique and richly diverse startup community that has led to new innovations and opportunity.

SXSW Startup Hacking: 10 Tips for March Magic Success**Galvanize at 4:00 pm**If your startup is interested in applying to the SXSW Accelerator Pitch Event or if you simply want to understand the best strategies for learning, networking and discovery, then be sure to attend this information-filled conversation. One lucky attendee to this panel will win a FREE badge for SXSW 2018!

Smart Cities + Startups Capital Factory at 10:00 amWe are at an exciting point in time as civic leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs come together to explore challenges in cities large and small. Digi.City founder Chelsea Collier will explain why startups are an important voice in this conversation — but that integrating with government is far from simple.

Startup Grind Austin: Fireside Chat With Bob Metcalfe Capital Factory at 6:30Internet Hall of Famer Bob Metcalfe (pictured above) is Professor of Innovation and Murchison Fellow of Free Enterprise in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. In this interview with Damon Clinkscales of Spredfast, the inventor of the Ethernet will talk about his mission to help make Austin a better version of Silicon Valley.

Un.Expressed: Get Real With Women Founders Soma Vida at noonThe startup scene in Austin is full of inspiring women whom you may not have met. Come join us for an intimate conversation with several of these forward-thinking female founders. You’ll leave with new connections with like-minded people, as well as the inspiration you need to pursue your passion.

Women in Tech for Good Pitch Competition**WeWork Domain at 6:00 pm**Have you founded a tech startup whose business has a strong social or environmental positive impact on our society and/or our planet? Are you a woman (or do you have a woman in your founding team)? Then come and pitch your startup at Tarmac TX’s Women in Tech for Good Competition!

Remember that all Austin Startup Week events are FREE to attend. But you must sign up here to be part of the fun.

Hugh Forrest serves as Chief Programming Officer at SXSW, the world’s most unique gathering of creative professionals. He also tries to write at least four paragraphs per day on Medium. These posts often cover tech-related trends; other times they focus on books, pop culture, sports and other current events.

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