Howdy Austin.
Welcome to Austin Founders Feed, the weekly newsletter that answers the question, “What’s happening behind the scenes in Austin’s founder community?”
If you’re a founder who wants to make the most of your free time by staying in the loop with all things Austin entrepreneurship, you’re in the right place.
This week:
Austin’s $5B humanoid robot bet
18 founder events
Austin’s top 5 smash burgers
Let’s get to it!
Local News
📰 Humanoid robotics startup Apptronik's valuation climbs to $5B
Humanoid robots for the price of a car? Sounds like a pretty good deal.
Austin-based Apptronik is betting that Apollo, its flagship humanoid robot, can become the next “hire” for warehouses and factories:
Stands 6ft tall.
Can lift up to 55lbs.
Works 22 hours/day, 7 days/week.
Backed by Google and Mercedes. Powered by Gemini 2.0. These robots look to revolutionize the American workforce. Their sights are firmly set on packaging and logistics. But it’s only a matter of time before they start showing up in other industries.
For Austin founders, that $5B valuation is a loud signal: serious money is flowing into deep tech and robotics here.
Personally, I’m already fantasizing about the “Apollo Home Edition.” Just picture it: coming home from work - dinner is cooked, house is cleaned, laundry is done and put away. That alone would put a real pep in my step as I walk through the door and say, “Honey, I’m home.”
Economic Outlook / From City Hall
Small Business is Booming
By the Numbers (Austin at a Glance)
Unemployment: 3.4% - competitive hiring environment
Median home price: $422K - recent decline, looking like a buyers market
Startups: 1768 - one of the densest founder communities
Unicorns ($1B+): 16 - investors are putting their money in Austin
From City Hall (What Actually Matters for Founders)
Place-Based Enhancement Program. Austin’s Economic Development Department just approved new incentive awards for two local companies and is promoting a program focused on affordable space for small businesses and creatives. If your startup needs below-market rent or build-out help, this is a program worth watching.
Small Business Saturday. With more than 42,000 small businesses, the city is leaning hard into small-business promotion. Expect more campaigns and possibly grants aimed at local operators. Great time for founder-led brands to piggyback on city marketing and put your brand in front of Austin’s “shop local” crowd.
Networking / Events
Monday, Dec. 8:
Austin Startup Meetup - 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm - Capital Factory (701 Brazos Street) in the Captain America room on the 8th floor - Ample networking opportunities, pitches, expert talks, and startup showcases. Featuring a gathering of over 6,300 entrepreneurs, investors, and startup enthusiasts.
Central Austin Toastmasters - 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm - 2008 Justin Lane - Improve your public speaking and leadership skills.
Drop-in Coworking in East Austin - 10:00 am to 4:00 pm - 3706 Goodwin Avenue, Suite 168 - Enjoy a like-minded community while you work.
ATX Ecosystem Resources, Updates, Networking, Lightning Pitches, Raffle & More - 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm - 701 Brazos St - Get support, feedback and advice from experienced entrepreneurs, mentors, advisors and investors.
Tuesday, Dec. 9:
Founders Feedback Lab - 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm - Austin Centre - you’ll be guided through a step-by-step process for turning unspoken thoughts into something clear, constructive, and useful.
Tech and Tequila Talks Meetup - 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm - Austin Centre - A fun networking and social gathering where technologists come to hear from innovative speakers while enjoying a sip of a tasty tequila
AI & Startup Networking - 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm - 720 Brazos Street - Great opportunity to meet professionals in technology, AI, startups, and investing, with industry updates and opportunities to showcase products.
Wednesday, Dec. 10:
Creatives & Tech Speed Networking - 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm - 701 Brazos St - Meet up, timer starts, share contact, and go to the next person.
Business Owners Council Meeting - 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm - email [email protected] for details - Get access to seasoned professionals and industry experts. Learn about actionable strategies, and gain valuable connections.
Thursday, Dec. 11:
Your Startup Sucks | Live Pitch Comedy Show - 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm - 323 East 6th Street - Watch brave, passionate founders pitch to a panel of investors, former founders, and comedians for recognition and brutally honest and hilarious feedback.
Austin AI Community: Christmas Soirée - 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm - Register to see the address - An end-of-year holiday celebration for the Austin AI community—engineers, founders, researchers, and operators.
FI Austin Holiday Party & Demo Day - 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm - Cabana Club - Join the Founder Institute Texas Family for an evening of celebration as they close out the FI Austin Fall 2025 Cohort and debut their newest companies to the community.
The State of Austin Tech - 8:30 am to 10:30 am - Thompson Hotel - Join industry leaders, innovators, and curious minds for an insightful look at the current landscape of technology.
Saturday, Dec. 13:
Founders Running Club :: Austin - 8 am to 9:30 am - 1601-1999 Nash Hernandez Senior Rd · Austin, TX - Get your cardio in & possibly meet your next co-founder
The Feed
Austin’s Top 5 Smash Burgers (Biased List)
BB’s Burgers - Each burger has a little crisp on the edges. Uses white American cheese that I swear tastes better. Eat a great burger and get a sweet treat from Zed’s after.
Jabs - 10/10 execution and phenomenal fries.
Ken’s Smash Burger - Yes, I put my own burger on this list. The only way to have one of these is to get invited to one of my BBQ’s.
Culver’s - I may get some slack for putting a fast food chain on here, but don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.
Patty Palace - This used to be my go to, but I find it is a little inconsistent. Still a great classic smash.
No honorable mentions. Only dishonor for burgers not on this list.
Poll
What’s your #1 bottleneck as a founder in Austin right now?
Until next week,
Austin Founders Feed
