Austin Tech Connect: The Podcast For The Austin Technology Ecosystem, Business Leaders, and Tech Entrepreneurs!

This week, the Austin Technology Council announced the Legacy / Foundational inductees for 2025. This is the second year of an eight-year launch. You cannot drop 70 names into a hall of fame all in one day, so we decided to add eight people a year so they can be adequately celebrated. In addition to the Legacy/Foundational inductees, we will announce the 2025 inductee, and the first-time founder award winner will be announced at the May 7th cocktail reception.  Congratulations to Angelos Angelou, Joshua Baer, Bob Fabbio, Joe Liemandt, Pike Powers, Carol Thompson, John Thornton, and Ellen Wood. If you do not see people you think should be honored, we invite you to participate in the program for next year.  ATC is a grassroots organization --- which means you are invited to pull your chair up to the table.  For a tech ecosystem to thrive, it cannot just be by invitation only.... it has to be an open place where people can feel they belong.   The Austin Technology Council is about YOU.  Please support our cause and add your voice. 

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Jean Anne Booth, founder and CEO of UnaliWear, for a dynamic conversation about her remarkable journey through Austin's tech ecosystem. From her early engineering days at NASA and AMD to building startups acquired by Apple and TI, Jean Anne shares insights on innovation, resilience, and what it means to be a “maverick” in the tech world. They explore the origin story of UnaliWear's product; an award-winning wearable that empowers independence for seniors... and the passion behind creating tech that truly serves people. Jean Anne offers advice for entrepreneurs, reflects on the evolving Austin tech scene, and champions the importance of community and mentorship. Her story is equal parts inspiring, practical, and full of heart.  Jean-Anne is an example of successful leaders who continue to show up in the community to give back.  If you're an innovator, founder, or tech leader who believes in building with purpose, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Mat Kordell, Co-Founder and COO of CyberStreams, for a conversation that hits at the heart of entrepreneurship, community, and opportunity. Mat shares how his journey from working the help desk to running a multi-location MSP wasn’t fueled by luck or algorithms... it was powered by human connections. From networking events to industry meetups, Mat’s biggest business moves came from showing up. He didn’t meet his co-founder, business partner, or acquisition targets through cold emails... he met them in person. Now based in Austin, Mat talks about the value of being part of a thriving tech community, what makes Austin special, and why entrepreneurs need to get out of their silos and into the room where things happen. Whether you’re building your first company or thinking about your next move, this episode will inspire you to invest in real relationships and think long-term about your role in shaping the future of your city.

In this special episode of Austin Tech Connect, host Thom Singer takes listeners behind the scenes of the Austin Tech Hall of Fame ... a community-driven initiative launched by the Austin Technology Council to celebrate the individuals who have shaped Austin into a world-class tech hub. With the second annual celebration on the horizon, Thom shares the "why" behind this important program, how it was inspired by a brief start in 2013, and why the current version is being thoughtfully rolled out as an 8-year launch. Each year, eight foundational figures from Austin’s tech history will be inducted, honoring the more than 60 leaders who helped build the ecosystem we enjoy today. Thom explains the nomination process, the addition of an annual current-year inductee, and the special First-Time Founder Award... which highlights up-and-coming entrepreneurs making waves in the local scene. He also emphasizes the grassroots nature of this program and encourages everyone in the community to get involved, from nominating candidates to attending the event in May. If you care about the past, present, and future of Austin’s innovation economy, this episode is your roadmap to how the Hall of Fame is helping weave a stronger, more connected tech community.

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Pat Dixon, President of DPAS, to discuss the intersection of operational technology (OT) and cybersecurity in industrial facilities. Pat shares insights on the evolution of industrial tech, how automation has shaped industries like water treatment and manufacturing, and the security risks unique to critical infrastructure. Key topics include: The 4th Industrial Revolution and how industrial facilities were ahead of mainstream tech in digital automation. The growing threat of cyberattacks, not just from the internet but from physical vulnerabilities like USB drives. The challenges of maintaining legacy systems, with many facilities still relying on outdated tech. Why securing industrial operations requires a different mindset compared to financial or traditional IT security. The importance of cross-disciplinary learning, how industrial tech can influence mainstream technology, and what Austin’s future growth might look like. Pat also shares his journey in engineering, the founding of DPAS, and his perspective on the future of Austin’s tech infrastructure, particularly around power and water security.

Joe McCall, co-founder of Melelem with a rich history in Austin's tech, and Nik Kairinos, a lifelong AI expert, dive into the transformative power of meta-learning in AI. They discuss how Melelem’s real-time learning can change the game for LLMs, eliminating the need for multiple subscriptions. The conversation reveals challenges like AI hallucinations and the necessity for more personalized models. Joe reflects on Austin’s tech evolution, while Nik highlights the rapid advancements in AI and the role of collaboration in driving forward the city's innovation.

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, the Austin Technology Council CEO, Thom Singer, sits down with Piyanka Jain, CEO of Aryng, to cut through the AI buzz and get to the real impact of artificial intelligence in business. With over 20 years of experience,,, building AI models long before it was trendy... Piya shares her insights on: ✅ The biggest hiring mistakes companies make when bringing on AI talent ✅ Why most AI investments are wasted (and how to avoid it) ✅ The role of first-principles thinking in driving business growth ✅ How Aryng is changing the game with Enola, a 24/7 AI-powered business analyst If your company is thinking about AI strategy, hiring an AI expert, or just trying to keep up with the rapid changes in tech, this episode is packed with must-know insights. 🔗 Connect with Piyanka Jain: Aryng.com | or on LinkedIn.  Don’t forget to subscribe to Austin Tech Connect for more conversations with the best minds in tech!

All Companies are Tech Companies: In the modern era, all companies are tech companies. We used to have a line between traditional business and tech.... but now that line has blurred. People do not often think about how businesses in all industries rely on, create, and utilize technology.   In this interview, Thom Singer talks to Harsha Bellur, the CIO at Texas based James Avery Jewelry.  This 70 year old company now uses tech in design and manufacturing, as well as all other aspects of their business. Harsha has had an interesting career journey, from working in his fathers business in India as a teenager to begging a CIO with a masters degree and an MBA.   Tune into the Austin Tech Connect podcast to hear his story and his advice.  

This week on Austin Tech Connect we tackle the world of government policy, and why it matters to Austin’s small and mid-sized tech companies. Our guest is Lindsay Ries, Director of Government Affairs at TECNA (The Technology Council’s of North America).   Lindsay has two decades of experience in Washington DC policy, and is committed to helping growth oriented technology companies have their voices heard on Capitol Hill.   In this interview she talks about how the Austin Technology Council and TECNA are working to influence and educate our elected officials on policy that matters to tech.   AI, Tax Policy, Energy Policy, Chips Act, Tariffs, etc.. will all impact the bottom line of our local entrepreneurs. There are many things now being proposed and tech cannot just wait and see what the elected officials do.... we must be involved in the creation of these policies.    The Austin Technology Council cares about these issues, and wants to ensure that Austin has a seat at the table for these discussions.  Join ATC now and support our connection to TECNA.

In this episode of the Austin Tech Connect podcast, we dive deep into the transformative power of being actively involved in a trade association like ATC. Thom Singer, CEO of the Austin Technology Council, unpacks why participation is about more than just attending events—it’s about building connections, creating opportunities, and contributing to something bigger than yourself. Discover how involvement can accelerate your career, strengthen your company, and help drive innovation and collaboration across the entire industry. Thom highlights the tangible benefits of membership, including professional development, increased visibility, and the chance to influence the direction of the tech community in Austin. We also explore the ripple effects that engagement has on the broader community. When individuals and companies come together through associations, they not only solve immediate challenges but also create a foundation for long-term growth, innovation, and resilience. If you’ve ever wondered how being part of an association like ATC can help you grow personally and professionally while contributing to the success of your industry, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiring stories to get you motivated. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or just starting out in the tech world, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about the power of participation. Tune in to learn how you can make a bigger impact—on yourself, your company, and the community—by getting involved and staying engaged.