Howdy, Austin.

Welcome to Austin Founders Feed, your weekly behind the scenes glance at the fastest growing entrepreneurship community in the country.

South by Southwest is almost over, but there are still so many events! If you want our best recommendations for what to do Monday - Wednesday, be sure to check out our AFF South by Southwest guide! We are updating it as more events come in.

What’s Happening This Week:

❝

Top 3 Featured Events - Special events and discounts for our community

  1. SideHustle Live (Mar. 18th) - $5 off with our exclusive code “AFF5”.

  2. Wishbone Advisory’s Marketing Innovators Happy Hour (Mar. 18th) - Escape the hustle and bustle of SXSW (FREE).

  3. Say This Not That - Online Workshop (Mar. 30) - Only $7 if you use the code “AFF20”. (Tickets are usually $27, this is the biggest discount we’ve been able to get you so far!)

Let’s get to it.

— Ken & Warren

This edition is sponsored by Wishbone Advisory.

Interested in partnering with Austin Founders Feed? Take 30 seconds to fill out this form and tell us about your business.

Local News
📰 From Run Clubs to Forbes: How HNY+ Took Root in Austin

HNY+ founders: Ross Cooley, Liam Brogan, and Luke Smialowicz

Austin’s HNY+ started when three college roommates couldn’t find a clean alternative to the pre-workouts on the market.

When they found that Honey + salt in a packet gave them the performance boost they were craving, they quit their corporate jobs, and went all in.

They ordered 3,000 pounds of organic “Aztec temple” honey and turned it into 15,000 packets of what they call “honey plus the good stuff”:

  • organic honey

  • ancient sea salt

  • magnesium

  • potassium

  • caffeine from organic green tea leaves

Then they spent the entire summer doing the unsexy work: meeting up with two run clubs per day to get real-world feedback.

❝

“I was able to get the best customer feedback possible just from being in Austin surrounded by this health and wellness scene. Everybody wants to help everyone too, which is what I love the most about Austin.“

—Ross Cooley

The three founders, Ross Cooley, Liam Brogan, and Luke Smialowicz were named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2026.

HNY+ is a great example of a CPG brand that not only launched in Austin, but grew because of Austin’s culture: high-density fitness scene, obsessive early adopters, and a community that actually shows up to support.

This Edition’s Partner
Wishbone Advisory’s Marketing Innovators Happy Hour (Mar. 18)

  • 🎟️ FREE (RSVP Required)

  • 📍 March 18th - 5-7 PM @ Lazarus Brewing Co. Airport Blvd.

  • 👉️ Reserve your spot here

Escape the hustle and bustle of SXSW and join Wishbone Advisory for a revitalizing happy hour.

ATX Marketing Innovators Series is a casual, in-person networking event for Austin founders, operators, eCommerce leaders, investors, and marketers.

Join some of Austin’s most forward thinking operators and swap notes on what’s actually working (and what isn’t): GEO strategies, eCommerce listing automation, workflow acceleration, AI-powered marketing operations.

Walk away with actionable tactics you can put to work the very next day.

P.S. Wishbone Advisory is also offering a free 15-minute eCommerce strategy consultation for founders who want expert feedback — leave with crystal clear clarity and next steps.

📆 Grab your slot —> here

Local News
📰 Prototype Vintage Expands to North Loop after 20 Years on South Congress

Prototype Vintage, Austin’s long-running vintage clothing and accessories shop, has expanded with a second location at 123 E. North Loop Blvd., a milestone that also marks 20 years in business.

The shop is owned by best friends Audrie San Miguel and Emily Larson, who launched Prototype in 2005. What started as a vintage furniture store eventually pivoted into vintage clothing, and today it’s one of Austin’s go-to stops for curated pieces.

Prototype is known for their selection of boots, purses and bags, hats, jewelry, and sunglasses. One of a kind wardrobe staples. And part of the magic is the churn: new arrivals daily / inventory changes every day, which gives regulars a reason to keep coming back often.

Surviving retail for two decades is hard. Expanding after they’ve been in business for 20 years is a reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. They’ve built real demand, and a tight brand, the kind that isn’t going anywhere.

Economic Outlook
Austin Looks to Add 12 New Nonstop International Flights

In a Feb. 11 meeting Austin-Bergstrom International Airport officials asked members of the Austin Airport Advisory Commission to review a list of 12 new nonstop international flights:

  • Bogota, Colombia

  • Dublin, Ireland

  • Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  • Guadalajara, Mexico

  • Istanbul, Turkiye

  • Lima, Peru

  • Montego Bay, Jamaica

  • Paris, France

  • Reykjavik, Iceland

  • San Jose, Costa Rica

  • Seoul, South Korea

  • Tokyo, Japan

2.2 million passengers travel inbound and outbound from Austin per year, a 46 percent increase from 2019.

This trend is only increasing as Austin continues to rise in popularity as a travel destination, all around the world.

Resources from Austin Founders Feed
Our Top Resources for you

In this brand new section we’ll include all of our resources and announcements that we’re building to help support the AFF community. We’re working hard to aggregate resources that get you closer to your business goals.

Top Free Resources:

  1. SXSW Non Ticket Holder Guide (link) - Every year, dozens of free and low-cost events pop up around SXSW that are specifically designed for founders and operators who want the upside without the price tag. This is Austin Founders Feed’s curated list of free and cheap events happening during SXSW week that are actually worth your time.

  2. Austin Founders Feed Business Directory (link) - This is a database of some of the finest local businesses in Austin. Add your business to get on the radar of our 2,300+ founder network. All you have to do is to fill out THIS FORM.

  3. Austin Founders Feed Free Resource Guide (link) - Ken spent 100s of hours putting together 20+ pages of info on grants, educational resources, funding sources, and much more to help you get a competitive edge for your Austin local business.

Poll
Win a $100 Amazon Gift Card

We’re trying to improve our newsletter. Your feedback is the best way for us to do that. Please fill out this 2 minute survey. Mostly taps. It helps us ship a better version next week.

Give us Feedback (link).

Everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a drawing to win a $100 gift card. Once we reach 50 responses, we will randomly select one participant to receive the prize.

We will also be adding other prizes to the prize pool soon, so stay tuned for that!

Networking / Events

Entrepreneurs Social Calendar ←(Click here for Links to all events)

Ken will be on stage performing at SideHustle Live. If you see him, come say hi! He will have a special gift for you.

This is what he looks like —> https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenjee/

SideHustle Live (Mar. 18th) - $5 off with our exclusive code “AFF5”.

Monday, Mar. 16:

  • Texas Real Estate Forum: Industrial / PropTech/ Open Claw - Austin San Antonio Entrepreneurs - 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM - 2801 I-35, Austin - Join 250+ RSVPed guests for a high-energy gathering of real estate moguls, innovators, and thought leaders from across Texas — spanning the Austin-San Antonio Corridor to Dallas and Houston (Free).

  • The LegalTech AI Boom: Where Are We Now, and Where Are We Going? - Orrick - 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM - Austin - This panel brings together leaders from across the ecosystem: legal tech founders, in-house counsel, product executives, and operators to unpack what’s actually working, what’s overhyped, and how AI is transforming both the practice of law and the companies building the tools (Free).

  • Microsoft for Startups: Founder x Funder Reception @ SXSW - Microsoft for Startups - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM - Austin - Join Microsoft for Startups for an intimate, invite-only dinner connecting founders with active investors. This curated evening is designed to spark meaningful conversations around fundraising, go-to-market strategy, and scaling high-growth companies (Free).

  • Nashville ♥️ Austin - Launch Tennessee - 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM - 1401 S Congress Ave, Austin - celebrate Tennessee entrepreneurship, Music City ingenuity, and Texas-sized big ideas, and raise a glass with old friends and new collaborators (Free).

  • Startup Founder Dinner - Context, Community, Connections, & Capital - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM - Austin - Context Ventures, VetraFi, The Military Veteran, and Perkins Coie are hosting a dinner for Startup Founders in Austin and those visiting (Free).

  • Velric & UEV: The Founder x Investor War Room - Velric Events - 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM - Austin - This gathering is built around a simple premise: put serious founders and investors in the same room, remove the noise, and let real conversations happen (Free).

  • SXSW: AI Localization Happy Hour - Localization + Multilingual AI - 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Austin - Join a gathering of AI founders, product leaders, media innovators, localization experts, and forward-thinking creatives who believe the next frontier isn't just content creation; it's content transformation at scale (Free).

  • VC Village & Augment Present: Let's Get Liquid Investor Happy Hour @SXSW - VC Village - 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM - Austin - Join for an evening of drinks, apps, dealflow, and insights in the early stage world. Investor only (Free)!

  • Deep Tech and Hardware Expo - Antler US - 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM - Austin - Join for a curated showcase of breakthrough deep tech and hardware companies pushing the boundaries of what's possible (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 - Join in person or via Zoom to improve your public speaking and leadership skills (Free).

Tuesday, Mar. 17:

  • Spark Your Flow Fest - Austin Creatives + Entrepreneurs - 10:00 AM to 11:30 PM - 323 East 6th Street Austin - Spark Your Flow Fest brings together artists, founders, visionaries, and cultural leaders who are building the future with integrity (Free).

  • 2026 Asia x Austin Summit - Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce - 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM - 701 West Riverside Drive, Mezzanine Floor, Austin - Join for a full day of high-stakes insights, venture-focused pitches, and cross-border networking, all capped off by an immersive film- and pop culture-themed afterparty overlooking the Austin skyline (Paid).

  • Home Services-Focused Networking Event - NetworkingATX - 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM - ProSource Wholesale 250 Chula Hill Dr, Kyle - This is a curated, construction-focused mastermind designed specifically for owners and decision-makers in the trades and the businesses that support them (Free).

  • Bitcoin & Coffee - Bitcoin Park Austin - 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM - 2110 S Congress Ave, Austin - Join for coffee, breakfast tacos, and Bitcoin conversation (Free).

  • Open Source Data Happy Hour ATX - Aiven - 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM - 3300 N Interstate Hwy 35, Austin - Enjoy a session designed for data engineers, architects and technical decisions-makers like you, who want to address the challenges they face in data-infrastructure (Free).

  • VCs with Voltaic Marine on Lake Austin - Antler US - 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Austin - Antler invites early-stage VCs to join us on Lake Austin for demo rides aboard Voltaic Marine's AEW24—their first high-performance electric watercraft (Free).

  • Base Crypto Builders and Investors - Crypto & Cocktails - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Austin - Join for an evening of real conversations between the founders building the future onchain and the investors backing them (Free).

  • Tech Leaders x SXSW 2026 - thoughtbot - 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Austin - Join a wider audience of product folks, founders, and creatives from Austin and beyond. This group will be some of the smartest and most delightful folks you’ll meet all week (Free).

Wednesday, Mar. 18:

  • ATX Marketing Innovators Happy Hour - Wishbone Advisory - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM - 4803 Airport Blvd, Austin - Network with some of Austin’s most forward-thinking operators, explore practical tools and use cases, and walk away with actionable tactics you can put to work the very next morning (Free).

  • SideHustle LIVE in Austin, TX: Last Night of SXSW - SideHustle Entrepreneur Comedy Game Shows - 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM - 2415B E 5th St. Unit B, Austin - This isn't just a show, it's a full evening experience. Arrive early to hang and connect for happy hour, connect with fellow doers, watch the chaos unfold on stage, then keep the conversations going with good vibes and music till close (Paid).

  • SxSHold'Em: Founders Only - Startuplandia - 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM - Austin - The vibe is the same as every Startuplandia game — loose, fun, and real. If you're a founder in town for SxSW looking to meet other founders, this is it (Paid).

  • Austin EVO VC & Startups in Edge Rooftop - EVO VC & Startups Community - 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM - 110 East 2nd Street, Austin - You’ll meet people who speak your language - Tech growth, capital, innovation. You’ll leave with connections, clarity, and energy to take your startup to the next level (Free).

  • Monthly Meeting: Networking for Technology Leaders - Austin CTO Club - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - 800 Brazos St #340, Austin - The theme for March is "Networking for Technology Leaders". How can you get the most out of your network? How do you grow it? Where do you look for networking opportunities? What makes for a good networking interaction? When should you network? Join us to share insights with your peers (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 (Paid).

  • Connecting Business Owners at Live Oak - Business Networking International - 7:45 AM to 9:15 AM - 9600 Escarpment Blvd, Austin - Surround yourself with driven, like-minded professionals who are passionate about business growth and building lasting connections (Free).

  • BXN North - Business eXchange Network - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM - 10515 N Mopac Expy NB, Austin - Connect with fellow professionals, foster business growth, and enjoy the interactive and referral-driven atmosphere of our group (Free).

  • Small Business Perspectives: Certified Business Success - Austin Small and Minority Business Resources - 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM - Austin Energy HQ, 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin - Learn how to successfully do business with the City of Austin—best practices, processes, and what wins contracts (Free).

  • Startups and Operators Pitch Night Austin - Startup Valley - 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM - Higbie's, 720 Brazos St #B-710, Austin - Live pitches + investor/operator feedback + networking—good place to sharpen your story and meet peers in one night (Free).

  • Website Trends - Robot Creative - 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM - Online - In this episode of the CMO Scoop, host Lara August and guest CMO Belinda Gudmundsson will take a look at current website trends to help SMBs understand where things are headed (Free).

Thursday, Mar. 19:

  • Asmbly Maker Meet: Entrepreneur in a Box - Asmbly Maker Meets - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - 9701 Dessau Rd Suite 304, Austin - Entrepreneur in a Box is more than just a chance to discuss business strategies; it's an opportunity to connect with other entrepreneurs who have your same passion for designing and innovating (Free).

  • Westlake Business Owners Networking and Mastermind - Charles Heinzelman - 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM - 3600 North Capital of Texas Highway, #Building D, Austin - Join 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).

  • Real Estate & Investing Discussions - Real Estate Investor Masterminds - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM - 8127 Mesa Drive, Austin - Join for informative networking, deal pitching, discussing real estate and investing strategies, and creative ways to leverage your success (Free).

  • Austin Bitdevs #74 - Bitcoin Park Austin - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - 601 Congress Avenue, Suite 250, Austin - Austin Bitdevs is inspired by the original BitDevs NYC and similar meetups to help grow a community in the Austin area of those interested in discussing and participating in the research and development of Bitcoin and related protocols (i.e. Lightning, Fedimint, Stratum, etc.) and software (Free).

  • Buda Networking and Coffee Hour - Business eXchange Network - 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM - 306 S Main St, Buda - Join us for some Networking and Coffee at Nates in Buda! Connect with other professionals and help grow your business (Free).

  • ABLE MONTHLY Meetings - Austin Business Leads Exchange - 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM - 10515 N Mopac Expy NB, Austin - Join for a networking group with less "selling" to each other, and more genuine relationship building (Free).

  • Networking for Entrepreneurs & Digital Nomads - Mētan Meetups International - 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM - Austin - expect a social, international crowd of entrepreneurs, operators, creators, and remote professionals. No speeches, no panels — just relevant intros and real conversations that can lead to partnerships, clients, and friendships (Free).

  • Dinner with Entrepreneurs: Austin | Girls Night Out - Ermantourage Dinner with Strangers - 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM - South Congress Avenue, Austin - Meet your next gal pals over dinner with strangers! Connect with other entrepreneurs on an engaging night out in the city (Paid).

  • ATX EAs & Admins: Connection & Cocktails🍹 - GroupTogether - 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM - 2337 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin - Join GroupTogether and Darcy Bennet for a night of networking designed exclusively for the EAs and Admins who make Austin’s business world actually function (Free).

Friday, Mar. 20:

  • Your Startup Sucks ATX - Your Startup Sucks: Live Startup Pitch Comedy Show - 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM - 501 Brushy St, Austin - WATCH brave, passionate founders pitch to a panel of investors, former founders, and comedians for recognition and brutally honest and hilarious feedback (Free).

  • Capital & Strategic Growth Experience - Capital Variation LTD - 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM - 4100 Banister Lane, Austin - This event represents a strategic bridge between global family offices, high-net-worth investors, and TXSE-listed or dual-listed companies — bringing together capital allocators, visionary companies, and ecosystem partners in a curated, high-impact environment (Paid).

  • Community Coworking - Creative Collective - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM - 2505-A East 6th Street, Austin - Our weekly coworking sessions are designed for women who want to show up for themselves, move ideas forward, and work in an environment that feels encouraging, calm, and energizing (Free).

  • Level Up Your Network at SmallBizFriday! - Small Ventures - 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM - Online - This virtual event is designed to help you explore diverse career possibilities, build meaningful relationships, and unlock your potential within the vibrant SmallVentures community (Free).

  • Build Wealth Young - Visionaries Financial - 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM - 5716 West US Highway 290 Service Road, #suite 208, Austin - During this session, they’ll break down simple financial concepts and how starting early with small, consistent investments can create powerful long-term results (Free).

Saturday, Mar. 21:

  • Founders Running Club - Founders Running Club - 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM - 1601-1999 Nash Hernandez Senior Road, Austin - Founders Running Club (FRC) brings founders, investors, tech, creative people and startup enthusiasts together for weekly easy runs and networking (Free).

  • Int'l Women's Month Technology Panel - Austin User Experience Professional Association - 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM - 101 N Loop Blvd E, Austin - This gathering brings together Austin tech professionals for an intimate panel discussion, moderated Q&A, and meaningful connection centered on building sustainable, forward-thinking products (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 (Paid).

  • Big Ballers: Dinner with Entrepreneurs | Austin (Giving Back Edition) - BarCada - 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM - Congress Avenue, Austin - Join for a cozy dinner with local entrepreneurs to network, share experiences, & make new connections while giving back to those in need (Paid)!

Sunday, Mar. 22:

  • Meet other Algorithmic Traders, Day Traders, Option Traders and Investors - Algorithmic Trading and Investing - 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM - 11920 Domain Dr., Austin - Discuss trading and investing strategies, as well as the skills needed to start. This is a casual meetup to meet people who are interested in trading or building a career around it, especially algorithmically. No "financial gurus" are welcome (Free).

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Austin Founders Feed

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