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

Brad Englert, a tech veteran, discusses the importance of authentic business relationships in his book 'Spheres of Influence'. He shares insights on leadership, mentorship, and the economic transformation of Austin. Engaging chapter explores the collaboration that drives success in the tech community.

The Austin Technology Council is working to help more local tech companies and industry leaders engage as speakers, panelists, workshop leaders, etc... at the 2025 SXSW Festival next March.   On of the ways to get on the radar of the SXSW team is to apply for a session via the PanelPicker (which is accepting applications until July 21, 2024).   This episodes looks at SXSW and how to to apply to speak.  We are joined by the Senior Director of Conference Programing, Monica Sack.     You do not want to miss this conversation.   About The SXSW PanelPicker: PanelPicker® is the official SXSW user-generated session proposal platform. This two-step online process allows the SXSW community to have a significant voice in what sessions become part of the Conference programming. During the open application process, we encourage everyone in the SXSW community to upload proposals for solo presentations, panels, book readings, workshops, and more.   About Monica Sack In 2009, Monica Sack started working for SXSW helping speakers prepare for their March speaking engagement. Now the Senior Director of Conference Programming, she helps ensure that the Conference portion of the event runs as smoothly as possible so that both speakers and attendees alike have a positive and engaging SXSW experience. When not working, Monica enjoys reading, walking her dogs, and rooting for her beloved Portland Trail Blazers.

One of the best things about the Austin tech scene is the people and the unique problems their tech companies solve. This week's "Austin Tech Connect" episode is a chat with Bob Michaels from Content Access.  Their AdFlow Plugin brings website navigation to the cloud, and changes how people engage when they come to your site from clicking ads.     Bob is also musician who has been in both the music and tech businesses since the 1980s and 1990s.     About Bob Michaels   From the dawn of the World Wide Web, Robert “Bob” Michaels has been at the forefront of internet technology innovation. A professional developer since the beginning—when Bob built his first website, there were less than 20,000 websites online—Bob swiftly grasped the web's transformative potential. Bob's digital journey followed a decade as a touring lead guitarist after graduating from the University of Texas with a communications degree. This experience honed his ability to connect with audiences, shaping ContentAccess solutions to reflect deep engagement expertise. In 1994, Bob pioneered digital technologies, creating groundbreaking websites for music artists like Willie Nelson and Ray Benson. He partnered with Mark Cuban's Broadcast.com, pioneering online streaming media from Austin, Texas, in the early 2000s. Bob's technological acumen extended to the enterprise, executing business automation solutions for industry giants like Dell, Compaq, and Tivoli Systems. His inventive efforts earned a prestigious software patent award. In the public sector, Bob developed all public-facing web properties for the Texas General Land Office under Commissioners Jerry Patterson and George P. Bush, including the state's primary disaster recovery website, recovery.texas.gov, influencing HUD's best practices for federally required websites. Bob has also led the development of dozens of enterprise websites for higher education clients, addressing their unique needs with robust, user-friendly, and accessible solutions that enhance educational experiences and streamline administrative processes. As CEO of ContentAccess, Bob drives innovation in digital advertising and web development. Under his leadership, ContentAccess has developed advanced tools and services like AdFlow, AccessNav, and cutting-edge animated video banners that significantly enhance user engagement and conversion rates. With a tech career spanning three decades, Bob Michaels embodies relentless innovation and adaptability, profoundly impacting the digital landscape. His leadership at ContentAccess demonstrates a commitment to delivering state-of-the-art digital solutions that drive success across many industries.  About Content Access ContentAccess offers a robust portfolio of proprietary patent-pending cloud technologies and digital marketing services. Our AdFlow Plugin dynamically adapts landing page content to match ad messages, significantly boosting relevance and conversion rates. The AccessNav Solution cuts through dense content like a lightsaber, driving double-digit percentage increases to critical web pages. Our Advanced Ad Banners transform passive and boring display ads into exciting and compelling interactive experiences, yielding exceptional click-through rates. We excel in Strategic Campaign Development, delivering bespoke strategies grounded in a profound understanding of market dynamics, complemented by our Creative Design and Content Creation, which produce compelling multimedia content seamlessly integrated across platforms. Our expertise extends to Campaign and Demand Side Platform (DSP) management, providing expert real-time bidding across multiple exchanges for efficient ad placement and maximum reach. Our DSP leverages sophisticated algorithms and data analytics to continuously enhance engagement rates. We offer Cross-Channel Marketing Integration, ensuring a cohesive and consistent marketing strategy across all digital channels. Our Performance Tracking and Analytics deliver transparent and actionable insights, empowering informed decision-making. Our World-Class Enterprise Web Design & Development service specializes in crafting custom websites for higher education and government sectors, offering complete redesigns and seamless CMS integration. The combination of these services ensures that ContentAccess clients benefit from personalized and engaging user experiences that drive superior engagement and conversion rates.

In this episode we talk to Cody Treybig, the son of Austin Tech Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmy Treybig.  At the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Cody spoke for his father, who was recovering from medical procedures. Cody shared his fathers words about his love of the Austin tech community and the people who make up our ecosystem.   We invited Cody to the podcast to talk about his father, but also to look at what it is like to grow up around a booming tech scene, and his own career path in his short time out of college.   Cody is currently moved back to Austin to be close to his parents, and is seeking his next career opportunity.  Having grown up around "Austin Tech" he has a great viewpoint of our tech scene.     Check out this episode.   About Cody Treybig   Cody, born in 1996 in Austin, TX, is the son of Jimmy Treybig, founder and CEO of Tandem Computers. He studied English at Rice University and interned at TEXO Ventures before working at Union (formerly TabbedOut) in sales operations and client success. He returned to Rice for business school but moved back to Austin to support his father after a serious brain injury. Now, Cody is seeking a client success manager role in B2B tech. He loves the Grateful Dead and is learning guitar to form a cover band.

On this week's episode of "Austin Tech Connect" Thom Singer sits down with Mike Siegel from VeUp and Ashley Rose from Living Security.   Mike is a board member for the Austin Technology Council and his company, VeUP, was the sponsor of the "First Time Founder Award" that was presented at the Austin Tech Hall of Fame event on June 4, 2024.  On this episode he shares his overview of the event, and shares why his company was a supporter of ATC for this new Hall of Fame and First Time Founder Award program.   We are joined by the winner of the 2024 First Time Founder Award, Ashley Rose.  She is the co-founder and CEO at Living Security.    Once you hear this conversation, it will be clear why ATC selected Ashley as the first person to win this award.     About Ashley Rose   As the CEO and Co-founder of Living Security, Ashley Rose is the driving force behind Living Security’s push to lead the Human Risk Management industry. She has successfully raised more than $25 million in funding to scale the business, pivoted the company from solely in-person training to a fully digital platform, and has led the company to be named an industry leader in the Forrester Wave.  She co-founded Living Security based on the philosophy that empowering people is the best approach to lasting security behavior changes and breach prevention. She is an industry thought leader, sharing her unique perspective on the evolution of cybersecurity with various publications including Forbes, TechRepublic, Darkreading, Security Magazine, CyberWire and Cybersecurity Ventures.   About Living Security    Living Security, the global leader in human risk management, transforms human risk into proactive defense by quantifying human risk to engage humans with relevant content and communications to change human behavior. Living Security solves the challenges of human risk through risk identification, awareness and training, and risk reduction, all through an integrated platform. Living Security is trusted by security-minded organizations, including Mastercard, Verizon, Biogen, AmerisourceBergen, and Hewlett-Packard.

Marc Tucci is the founder and CEO of the Austin Sports & Social Club, the market leader in adult recreational sports leagues and corporate teambuilding events.  With a mission of being the part part of their customers day, they currently serve 40,000 players locally, and 110,000 among five markets.  He has also expanded the brand to Austin SSC Kids, to give all children, as young as two years old, the ability to learn and have fun through leagues & clinics.  And in addition to having three young athletes of his own, he serves on the board for both Leadership Austin & BuildSoccer.   About the Austin Sports and Social Club   The Austin Sports & Social Club (SSC) has been providing co-ed recreational leagues for over 40,000 adults each year, since 2005.  With a dozen different sports, location all over town and emphasis on "social", leagues are open to everyone (no experience necessary) and all games are followed by happy hours.  No team?  No problem.  Austin SSC allows one to sign up by themselves, or with a small group of friends, and be placed with others just like you.  For companies, they offer private leagues, tournaments or field day events, to give all employees the change to laugh and bond with co-workers outside the office.  And for the little ones, SSC Kids offers leagues & clinics for children as young as two years old, with a goal of returning the focus to "fun" in youth sports.

As a tech community we all rely a lot on the ease of air travel, and the first part of that is our local Austin Bergstrom International Airport.  On this episode of Austin Tech Connect we hear from Rick Belliotti, the Deputy Chief Officer- Information Technology at ABIA,   Rick ir relatively new to Austin, but has spent a lifetime in the tech side of the "Airport Business".  He will share his career journey as well as give us a look behind the curtain of the world of "Airport Tech".   About Rick Belliotti Rick Belliotti is currently the Acting Chief Performance and Experience Officer and Deputy Chief Officer, Information Technology (CTO/CIO) for Austin Bergstrom International Airport. Mr. Belliotti has worked in various capacities in the aviation industry since 2001, as a consultant, an airport operator, and a solution provider. Mr. Belliotti’s expertise is in bringing people together to achieve common visions and goals. Mr. Belliotti was instrumental in bringing to life the Airport Innovation Lab at San Diego, enabling innovators to create solutions for the airport industry, and forever changing the way that innovation was done in airports.  Prior to joining the City of Austin, Mr. Belliotti served as CIO at San Diego International Airport, and led various departments, including IT, business development, small business development, and the arts program. About Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is owned by the City of Austin and operated by the Department of Aviation. The airport is self-sustaining and generates revenue to cover operating costs. What was once the site for the Bergstrom Air Force Base, the federally-owned property was transformed into a commercial airport with the opening of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on May 23, 1999 replacing the former, smaller Austin Robert Mueller Municipal airport. Since then, AUS has connected more Austin and Central Texas travelers to the world all while providing a uniquely authentic Austin experience to every customer that travels through the Barbara Jordan Terminal. Known for live music, local concession brands, and Texas hospitality, AUS prides itself on reflecting the culture and values of the community it serves. The airport’s overall estimated economic impact on the Central Texas region is $7.6 billion, supporting 74,000 jobs (source: TxDOT 2018 Economic Impact), 6% of the total jobs in the Austin MSA. In 2023, AUS projects to serve a record-breaking 22 million annual passengers, more than a quarter increase in total annual travelers since the world’s pre-pandemic benchmark year of 2019. To address the rapid pace of passenger and airline activity, AUS has launched the Journey With AUS airport expansion and development program, multi-year capital improvement and development effort that will improve and modernize AUS facilities in the near-term and for generations to come.  

This week on the "Austin Tech Connect" podcast we chat with Balazs Barna, Head of US Engineering and Austin Site Lead for Wise.  As Wise continues to grow their US presence, Austin has become a key location for the company.  Since 2017 Wise has grown from 500 people worldwide to over 5500 employees.     In this interview we hear about Mr Barna's career journey (including being a 2x Kick Boxing World Champion), the growth of Wise, and his take on why Austin is such a great place to grow a company and raise a family.   About Balazs BarnaBalazs Barna is the Head of US Engineering and Austin Site Lead at Wise. At Wise, Balazs oversees the US engineering team, which is building the tech and infrastructure needed to facilitate instant, convenient and affordable cross border transactions. He also heads up our newly formed Austin office.   Over his 7 years at Wise, Balazs has led and helped his team build the company’s historic direct access integration to the Hungarian banking sector’s instant payment system, the first of its kind for a company with a payment service license. He also oversaw and built Wise’s core infrastructure that enables the company’s European operations. Prior to joining Wise, Balazs worked at MSCI and Morgan Stanley. He graduated from Corvinus University of Budapest in Business Information Systems (BSc), and Computer Engineering (MSc) from Pannon University.   About Wise Wise is a global technology company, building the best way to move and manage the world’s money. With Wise Account and Wise Business, people and businesses can hold 40 currencies, move money between countries and spend money abroad. Large companies and banks use Wise technology too; an entirely new network for the world’s money. Co-founded by Kristo Käärmann and Taavet Hinrikus, Wise launched in 2011 under its original name TransferWise. It is one of the world’s fastest growing, profitable tech companies and is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker, WISE. 16 million people and businesses use Wise. In fiscal year 2023, Wise processed approximately £105 billion in cross-border transactions, saving customers around £1.5 billion.  

As Austin continues to grow, we find more and more that we have lots of different "tech" industries operating in our region.  One area that is growing is the tech used to create movies, TV, music, etc...  Entertainment Tech is a coming together of many technologies that solve problems and make things easier for film makers, producers, directors, etc...     This week on "Austin Tech Connect" we talk to Nate Strayer from Stray Vista.  Stray Vista is the largest Virtual LED Volume Studio in Texas.  Nate went to school to be a film director, moved to LA and directed Music Videos, went home to Michagan and directed his first feature film, and then moved to Austin to launch the studio.   Check out this conversation about how Austin is growing as a place for movie and TV production, how tech in impacting the way movies, shows, and commercials are filmed, and hear how Nate thinks our unique juxtaposition of tech and art makes Austin ideal for more growth in this industry.   About Stray Vista:   Stray Vista is the largest Virtual Production LED Volume studio in the state of Texas. With experts in this emerging technology and how it amplifies storytelling and entertainment, Stray Vista has quickly become a staple in the Austin Film Industry as it grows and expands.   About Nate Strayer:   Nate Strayer is a film producer and studio owner. He opened Stray Vista studios in 2023 after directing his first feature film. Residing in Austin Texas, Nate has grown Stray Vista to become a multi-million dollar media production company, the largest LED Volume studio in Texas, and produced multiple films and commercials that have been seen by millions of people.  

This episode of "Austin Tech Connect" is all about the idea of continuing to build and expand the idea of "Community" in our tech ecosystem.  While most episodes are interviews, this is a solo episode with the Austin Technology Council CEO, Thom Singer.   For nearly two years Thom has been working with ATC to help "Celebrate the past, be present in the NOW, and look to the future.  The Austin Technology Council is a 32 year old organization that was founded for many reasons, a main one being to bring the tech community together.  This need is still important, but very different today than it was in 1992.  Our community is larger, both in geography and population, and we need to discover new ways to serve the whole ecosystem.   ATC is also part of the Technology Councils of North America, that lobbies in Washington DC on behalf of small and mid-sized tech interests.  there are over 100 independent tech councils in North America, and about 66 of them belong to TECNA.  For ATC to be more active with these efforts, we need to hear from our local company leaders to be sure we know what is important in their business.   In this episode Thom talks about why your company should be engaged in the Austin business scene (not just ATC) and shares three tips on how to get your team more involved.