Howdy, Austin.
Welcome to Austin Founders Feed, your weekly glance behind the scenes at the fastest growing entrepreneurship scene in the country.
There’s a ton of exciting events coming up. Be sure to stay tuned next week for our full breakdown of South by Southwest’s opportunities!
Here’s everything that’s happening this week:
Top Story - Can this Austin startup save home ownership?
Come hang out with Ken & I @ Wishbone Advisory’s no pitch eCom event (Feb. 26th)
AFF Business Directory - Add your business to our database for free exposure!
Did you know? - The statewide program for small business funding
Last Chance - Sign up for NOEM.ai’s free AI Chatbot workshop! (Feb. 17th)
Social Calendar - 37 founder events (links)
Let’s get to it.
— Warren
This week’s letter is sponsored by Wishbone Advisory & NOEM.ai.
Interested in sponsoring Austin Founders Feed? Take 30 seconds to fill out this form and tell us about your business.
Local News
📰 ICON: Rewriting the American Dream in Austin

The American Dream of homeownership is broken.
As of 2025, only 27% of Gen Z Americans own a home, and with the average new home in the U.S. costing around $650K, can you blame them?
It’s not just a U.S. problem though: roughly 1 in 7 people globally live in impoverished or inadequate housing.
Austin-based startup ICON is working to change that. So far, they’ve 3D-printed around 300 homes and structures across the U.S. and Mexico using a new kind of construction stack:
A large-format robotic printer capable of multi-story construction
A low-carbon building material optimized for printing
An “AI architect” layer for home design and construction
Their key insight: construction makes up about 62% of a home’s total cost, with the wall system being the most expensive part. By developing technology that reduces the cost of building that wall system while also improving its quality, ICON can meaningfully lower the cost to build a home, without asking families to compromise on safety or performance.
In their words, it’s the fastest, most affordable way to build a wall of acceptable quality in the world.
The hardest part isn’t just the printer, it’s everything around it: navigating local building codes, winning over inspectors, integrating with existing trades, and convincing buyers that a 3D-printed home is not a novelty, but an upgrade.
If ICON can keep overcoming those hurdles from their base here in Austin, they won’t just be building houses, they’ll be rebuilding what the American Dream looks like for the next generation.
This Week’s Sponsor
Wishbone Advisory’s No-Pitch eCom Meetup (Feb. 26)
🎟 FREE (RSVP Required)
📍 February 26th - 5-7 PM @ Central Machine Works
👉 Reserve your spot here
ATX Marketing Innovators Series is a casual, in-person networking event for Austin founders, operators, investors, and marketers.
No stage. No pitches. No presentations.
Just real people working in eCommerce, marketplaces, and growth, swapping notes on what’s actually working (and what isn’t): paid, creative, retention, funnels, CRO.
P.S. Wishbone Advisory is also offering a free 15-minute eCommerce strategy consultation for founders who want expert feedback — leave with clarity and next steps.
📆 Grab your slot —> here
Local News
📰 Small Business Spotlight: Mercado Sin Nombre

Owner Maltby started Mercado Sin Nombre in 2020, selling corn tortillas, pan dulce, coffee beans, and more at farmers markets around Austin.
In 2024, the small family business took the leap into a brick-and-mortar location at 408 N Pleasant Valley Rd.
From the outside, it’s the opposite of “polished.” The café operates out of an old, run-down building with no indoor seating and not even a sign in the front. And yet, the food and coffee alone have been strong enough to put it on the map: Bon Appétit recently named it one of the best new breakfast spots in America, and it was included in 2025’s Michelin guide.
They’ve built that reputation on two must try items:
Masa Twinkies
Atole cortado (corn-infused espresso)
A quiet, scrappy operation, serving some of the most innovative breakfast in all of Austin.
If you’re building in Austin, stories like this one prove one thing: the bar for branding may be high, but the bar for authenticity is even higher, and that’s where small businesses win.
Poll
Tap your answer below. We want to know when you go to founder events!
Which day are you MOST likely to attend a founder event?
Reply and tell us: Which day are you attending an event this week?
Announcement
Businesses in the Austin Business Directory Report Increased Traffic!
Don’t miss out on an opportunity to grow your business! Join 30+ Austin businesses that are already listed.
The Austin Business Directory (link) is a database of some of the finest local businesses in Austin.
Apply to become part of the Austin Founders Feed network by filling out THIS FORM.
Economic Outlook
Austin Ranked Top U.S. City for Startups
Austin placed third in WalletHub’s best large city to start a small business in ranking in 2025, across three different qualifications: business environment, access to resources, and business costs.
Business Environment
This was scored by 8 different metrics:
Length of average work week
Average growth in number of small businesses
Startups per capita
Average growth of business revenues
5-year business-survival rates
Industry variety
Entrepreneurship index
Job growth in 2023 vs. 2019
Austin ranked second across these metrics.
Access to Resources
This was scored by 7 different metrics:
Financing accessibility
Venture investment amount per capita
Prevalence of investors
Human-capital availability
Higher-education assets
Share of college-educated population
Working-age population growth
Austin ranked fourth across these metrics
Business Costs
This was scored by 4 different metrics:
Office-space affordability
Labor costs
Corporate taxes
Cost of living
Austin ranked eighty-first across these metrics.
Reply and tell us: Do these rankings align with your experience?
From City Hall
2/03/2026 - City Council Work Session
Park surveillance cameras & public testimony: Dozens of speakers weighed in on a proposed contract for mobile, AI-enabled security cameras in parks. Opponents warned about mass surveillance, data being stored by a private company, and the risk it could be accessed by federal agencies (especially impacting immigrants, unhoused people, and protesters), plus concerns about kids being filmed at pools and the general insecurity of cutting-edge AI tools.
AI, privacy, and timing: Council members dug into how the system works and where the data goes, with IT staff saying AI features like facial recognition/correlation would be disabled, access would be tightly controlled and audited, and footage encrypted in compliant cloud storage.
Parks funding: Council briefly reviewed a budget tweak for the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex (just shifting existing operating revenue into city accounts) and mitigation funds from a state highway project that must be spent on replacement parkland near impacted areas, in the context of a much larger overall parkland acquisition need. A long discussion followed on an ordinance to launch a multi-year, citywide efficiency assessment run by an outside consultant under the City Auditor’s oversight.
Did You Know??
Texas Small Business Credit Initiative (TSBCI)
Did you know there’s a statewide program (administered by the Office of the Governor) that expands access to funding for small businesses.
Backed by a $472 million allocation, TSBCI works with lenders to support small business loans and investments, with an emphasis on underserved businesses and those affected by COVID-19.
Eligibility:
Very small business (fewer than 10 employees)
Small business (fewer than 500 employees)
for-profit
Based out of Texas
51% of employees located in Texas
Reply and tell us: Are you seeking funding for your small business?
Networking / Events
Join Ken & I at Wishbone Advisory’s No-Pitch eCom Meetup this upcoming Thursday, Feb. 26th @5PM CT. — Last chance —> Sign up for NOEM.ai’s free AI Chatbot workshop! (Feb. 17th @ 5PM CT) |
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Monday, Feb. 16:
Authentic Relating for Founders and Friends - I love Austin, but I need some f*****g friends! - 5:45 PM to 7:45 PM - Capital Factory (5th floor), 701 Brazos St., Austin - Gain the ninja skill to transform boredom into fascination. And don't worry about having to sit through a tedious lecture: nearly all the time will be spent playing communication games with others (Free).
Momentum Monday - Momentum Coworking - 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Lazarus on Airport - Quiet, focused productivity sprints broken up by 5 minute breaks for connection (Free).
Central Austin Toastmasters - Toastmasters - 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM - Parish Hall, 2008 Justin Lane, Austin, TX - Join in person or via Zoom to improve your public speaking and leadership skills (Free).
Tuesday, Feb. 17:
NOEM.ai Workshop: Speed-to-lead, automated - NOEM.ai - Online - 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM - Launch powerful no-code AI chatbots that handle customer support, lead conversion, onboarding, and more across your website, Shopify store, WhatsApp, and Zendesk (Free).
Small Business Office Hours - Austin Public Library - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM - Little Walnut Creek Branch, 835 W Rundberg Ln, Austin - Bring your toughest “what do I do next?” business questions and get real answers + referrals to local resources that can unblock you fast (Free).
Home Services-Focused Networking Event - NetworkingATX - 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM - ProSource Wholesale 250 Chula Hill Dr, Kyle - Join for a dynamic discussion with other driven owners who understand the challenges of running a trades business and are committed to helping each other win (Free).
Introverted Women Entrepreneurs Connecting + Community Open House - Building Her Dream - Online - 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Meet like-minded introverted founders, share what you’re building, and connect in a way that feels natural, not forced (Free).
4 Steps to a Money Making Website - Sprout Creative - Online - 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM - Shift your website from something that just exists to something that actively supports your business goals (Free).
Practical AI for Teams and Small Businesses - Ty Avnit - Capital Factory, 701 Brazos St, Austin - 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM - Learn how to use modern LLM tools effectively, along with three practical AI workflows you can set up in minutes and immediately apply—across teams, projects, or your own company (Free).
Create A Marketing Plan & Calendar - Austin Economic Development - 5202 E Ben White Blvd suite 300b, Austin - 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM - A hands-on workshop designed for small business owners and nonprofit professionals looking to jumpstart their marketing strategy. Develop a comprehensive marketing plan with a detailed content calendar (Paid).
BizAid Business Orientation (In person at Library) - Austin Economic Development - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM - Little Walnut Creek Branch, 835 W Rundberg Ln, Austin - A practical orientation to help you navigate the city/state/federal business landscape and avoid rookie mistakes before you spend time and money (Free).
TVG x YC & SalesPatriot - Texas Venture Group - 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM - The University of Texas at Austin, Austin - Meet UT’s venture crowd and hear directly from a YC partner + defense founder on building in regulated markets—solid for students/founders exploring defense/dual-use (Paid).
FIESTA in February - Founders, Investors, and ATX Newcomers - 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM - Capital Factory, 701 Brazos St, Austin - Progress deserves to be acknowledged. Both big milestones and small wins matter here. When you share your success, you give others hope and momentum. Share your Wins with like minded entrepreneurs (Free).
Wednesday, Feb. 18:
Rise & Thrive: Connecting Business Owners at Live Oak BNI - Business Networking International - 7:45 AM to 9:15 AM - Waterloo Ice House Escarpment, 9600 Escarpment Blvd, Austin - Surround yourself with driven, like-minded professionals who are passionate about business growth and building lasting connections. Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or just starting your journey, you’ll find inspiration and opportunity (Free).
BXN Westlake Networking Luncheon - BXN - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM - Las Palomas Restaurant & Bar, 3201 Bee Caves Road, Austin - Connect with fellow professionals, foster business growth, and enjoy the interactive and referral-driven atmosphere of the group (Free).
Dinner with Entrepreneurs | Austin (Gold Tier Edition) - Ermantourage - 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM - East 6th Street, Austin - A cozy dinner with entrepreneurs to network + share experiences! This is for more established entrepreneurs (Free).
DSS 🦇 ATX | GENAI & INTELLIGENT AGENTS IN THE ENTERPRISE - Data Science Salon Austin - 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM - Oracle, 2300 Oracle Wy, Austin - A full-day GenAI/agents conference for practitioners. Great if you want enterprise-grade lessons, real implementations, and high-signal networking with ML builders (Free).
Unlocking AI for Small Business Growth Series - The PromptShop AI - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM - Capital Factory, 701 Brazos Street, Austin - Master AI for business success! Hands-on 2-hour workshop teaching entrepreneurs how to leverage AI (Free).
Thursday, Feb. 19:
2/19 - Technically Ethical Session: Topic TBD - Technically Ethical - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - House of Deerfield Fellowship (Co-op Community), 1708 Deerfield Dr, Austin - Small-group discussion for people who love tech and question it. Walk out with sharper takes and a few thoughtful new connections (Free).
South Austin Networking Mixer - A&W Roofing and Exteriors - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM - 12010 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78748 - Laid-back networking for real estate pros, investors, and vendors—great for building relationships that lead to deals and referrals (Free).
Third Person VIP Operators Dinner | Austin - Third Person - 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM - Juniper, 2400 E Cesar Chavez St Unit 304, Austin - Curated dinner for decision-makers in brands, 3PLs, and logistics tech—high-quality conversations with zero sales-pitch energy (Paid).
Write An Effective Business Plan (Hands-On Workshop) - Austin Economic Development ****- 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM - 5202 E Ben White Blvd #Suite 300B, Austin - A hands-on 4-hour workshop (City of Austin Business Skills Certificate eligible) that helps you turn ideas into a real plan you can execute and share (Free).
Sales and Marketing 101 for Technical Founders - Austin Tech Sales Meetup - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - 701 Brazos Street, Austin - A tactical session for current and future technical founders (and/or anyone interested in sales) in Austin Texas that are looking to learn the fundamentals of sales. This session will include actionable advice, not just theory, for founders at all stages (Free).
Entrepreneur in a Box - Asmbly Maker Meets - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - 9701 Dessau Rd Suite 304, Austin - connect with like-minded individuals to discuss all things entrepreneurial within the maker community (Free).
Buda Networking and Coffee Hour - BXN - 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM - 306 S Main St, Buda - Connect with other professionals and grow your business. The group is fun, interactive, passes referrals, and gives back to local charities (Free).
Real Estate Deals Made Here! - Real Estate Investors Mastermind - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM - The Galaxy Cafe, 8127 Mesa Drive, Austin - Join for informative networking, deal pitching, discussing real estate strategies, and ways to leverage your success in real estate investing (Free).
Westlake Business Owners Networking and Mastermind - Charles Heinzelman - 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM - Jack Allen’s Kitchen, 3600 North Capital of Texas Highway #Building D, Austin - Join us in person for a laid-back yet powerful gathering of local business owners! This is your chance to connect, share ideas, and mastermind with fellow entrepreneurs who get what it takes to grow a business (Paid).
Accounting Essentials for Startup Success - Arcus Advisors - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM - Capital Factory, 701 Brazos Street, Austin - Learn how to build a strong financial foundation for your startup or small business! We’ll cover accurate bookkeeping, fraud prevention, audit readiness (critical for fundraising), and using financial insights to drive growth (Free).
Friday, Feb. 20:
Texas Venture Group × c0mpiled Hackathon - c0mpiled - 5:00 PM to 10:30 PM - The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX - Fast-paced hackathon on energy + urban systems + AI—build something tangible in a few hours with cutting-edge tools and strong builder energy (Free).
The 2% Club x Sweat 440: The Sculpt Social - The 2% Club x Sweat 440 - 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM - Sweat 440 Zilker, Austin - Sweat first, connect after: a fitness-forward networking event for founders/operators/investors with snacks and wellness perks—great if you like intentional convos (Paid).
Startups Fund Raising Program - Lakshman Singh - 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM - Online - Join this startup business fund raising event to learn how to raise money (Free).
Saturday, Feb. 21:
Robotics and Edge Inference - PyTorch ATX - 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM - 111 Congress Ave, Austin - Technical robotics event focused on end-to-end edge inference. From runtimes to perception and control, perfect if you want practical deployment knowledge (Free).
ATX Writing Club - ATX Writing Club - 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Austin - Once per year, huge event for writers in Austin and the surrounding areas. Get to know the most thoughtful, curious, and kind folks in your area through dedicated creative time (Free).
Primewise Founders Club VC Connect and Networking Event - Primewise - 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM - Online - Pitch your startup directly to leading venture capital investors and Join Primewise Founders Club's exclusive networking session where visionary entrepreneurs connect, collaborate and create magic together (Free).
Founders Running Club Austin - Founders Running Club - 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM - Estacionamiento Edward Rendon Park, 1601-1999 Nash Hernandez Senior Road, Austin, TX 78702 - Join founders, investors, tech, creative people and startup enthusiasts together for weekly easy runs and networking (Free).
Dinner with Entrepreneurs | Austin (Gold Tier Edition) - Ermantourage - 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM - East 6th Street - A cozy dinner with entrepreneurs to network + share experiences! This is for more established entrepreneurs (Paid).
Big Ballers: Dinner with Entrepreneurs | Austin (Giving Back Edition) - BarCada - 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM - Congress Avenue - Join for a cozy dinner with local entrepreneurs to network, share experiences, & make new connections while giving back to those in need (Paid)!
P.S. Both Ken and I will be at the New Media Summit Feb 26-27. We managed to snag a promo code: “KEN20” for 20% off.
If you can make it, be sure to come say hi!
Last Week’s Poll Results
What’s Austin’s biggest competitive advantage for startups?

Which event are you going to this week? Hit reply and let us know.
Until next week,
Austin Founders Feed


