Howdy, Austin.
Austin Founders Feed is your weekly peek behind the scenes of the city’s founder community.
If you’re building in Austin and want this year to be the one where you finally feel in the know, you’re in the right place.
Here’s what’s inside this week:
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT - Get exposure to the Austin Founders Feed network for FREE
Top Story - Austin’s office space ghost town
Poll - Tell us why you love Austin Founders Feed
Did you know? - Free 1:1 startup mentorship
The Feed - Delicious Tamales (mom & pop spotlight)
Social Calendar - 30 founder events (links)
Let’s get to it.
— Warren
Announcement
Have You Seen the Austin Business Directory?
Feature your business for free and get exposure to the Austin Founders Feed network.
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.
Local News
📰 Lego Pieces in Space: CesiumAstro
Austin based space tech startup, CesiumAstro, originally set out to build rockets, but quickly realized the bigger opportunity was in the components that go on satellites.
Now they’re working to commoditize active phased-array antennas, technology that directs radio waves in a precise direction, across frequencies from sub-gigahertz up to 60-70 GHz.
Founder and CEO, Shey Sabripout, likes to say you no longer need RF and antenna PHDs to stand up a phased array. Instead, you get a plug-and-play system:
an ethernet cable
a power cable
a easy-to-use graphical user interface
The arrays can be installed on satellites, aircraft, drones, or even ground stations, and ship with all the software, algorithms, and wave forms customers need.
Even ordering is being productized: you go to their site, describe your use case, and the system configures a phased-array solution for you.
Shey chose Austin for affordability, lifestyle, and abundant young talent in UT Austin and Texas A&M. Teams like CesiumAstro are affirmation that Austin’s startup ecosystem is primed to birth brand new billion dollar unicorns… you could be next.
Poll
Got 3 seconds? Fill out our poll.
How do you mostly use Austin Founders Feed right now?
Local News
📰 Austin’s Office Space Ghost Town
As of late 2025, Austin’s office vacancy rates have soared to 28%, placing Austin among the cities with the most vacant office spaces in the country.
Developers spent the last cycle betting big on a full return to in-person work. Then came nationwide tech layoffs, a cooler funding environment, and the hard reality of hybrid work: leaving Austin with far more office space than demand.
For founders, this is a rare moment.
If you’re looking for cheap or flexible office space, take advantage of this renters market. Expect more concessions, better terms, and landlords who are suddenly very motivated to talk to small teams.
Don’t count on this window staying open forever.
What investment is rudimentary for billionaires but ‘revolutionary’ for 70,571+ investors entering 2026?
Imagine this. You open your phone to an alert. It says, “you spent $236,000,000 more this month than you did last month.”
If you were the top bidder at Sotheby’s fall auctions, it could be reality.
Sounds crazy, right? But when the ultra-wealthy spend staggering amounts on blue-chip art, it’s not just for decoration.
The scarcity of these treasured artworks has helped drive their prices, in exceptional cases, to thin-air heights, without moving in lockstep with other asset classes.
The contemporary and post war segments have even outpaced the S&P 500 overall since 1995.*
Now, over 70,000 people have invested $1.2 billion+ across 500 iconic artworks featuring Banksy, Basquiat, Picasso, and more.
How? You don’t need Medici money to invest in multimillion dollar artworks with Masterworks.
Thousands of members have gotten annualized net returns like 14.6%, 17.6%, and 17.8% from 26 sales to date.
*Based on Masterworks data. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Important Reg A disclosures: masterworks.com/cd
Economic Outlook
$5.6B I-35 Expansion
The reconstruction of I-35 is one of the most impactful mobility projects in the entire Central Texas region
Why I-35 needs to be rebuilt:
Improve access to major employment centers.
Add modern design and safety features to reduce deaths and serious injuries.
Make it easier to travel east-west across the highway.
The project will add two new non-tolled, high-occupancy managed lanes in each direction and is currently estimated at $5.6 billion in total cost.
In the short term, expect 2-3 years of construction pain. In the long term, expect improved mobility for talent, customers, and suppliers moving through Austin’s core.
Did You Know??
Free Startup Mentorship
You can get 1:1 mentoring from experienced founders and execs through SCORE Austin for free.
For over 50 years, SCORE's helped thousands of small business’ nationwide. SCORE business mentoring is free and confidential thanks to the working and retired business professionals who volunteer to support your success.
They provide:
Free, confidential business mentoring in person, via email or by video
Volunteer mentors who share their expertise across industries
Free business tools, templates and tips online
Inexpensive or free business workshops (locally) and webinars (online 24/7)
They’ll help you think through business models, funding, hiring, marketing—whatever’s blocking you.
Take advantage of this free resource.
The Feed
From $500 and a Family Recipe to a Central Texas Staple
In 1980, Valerie Gonzalez and her then husband started their first Delicious Tamales location with just $500.
Family-owned and family-operated from day one, the business was an instant hit.
Valerie’s daughter, Herlinda, would go on to take lead of Delicious Tamales scaling across Central Texas.
Today, they sell more than 3.4 million tamales a year, with:
8 locations
A multi-million-dollar valuation
Nationwide shipping
But Valerie and Herlinda aren’t done. They’re focused on growing even bigger, while continuing to support hispanic communities across Texas.
In a city obsessed with software and AI, Delicious Tamales is a reminder that a simple, delicious physical product plus unwavering execution can still build an empire.
Networking / Events
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!
Monday, Jan. 19:
Central Austin Toastmasters - Toastmasters International - 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM - 2008 Justin Lane - Improve your public speaking and leadership skills (Free).
Momentum Monday (+ Wednesday + Friday) Coworking - Momentum Coworking - 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Easy Tiger S Lamar - Get stuff done and connect with your newfound coworkers with quiet, focused productivity sprints broken up by 5 minute breaks for connection (Free).
Authentic Relating for Founders and Friends -Austin Love Juggernaut - 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM - 701 Brazos street, 1st floor - Gain the skills—and most importantly, practice them—to turn small talk into real connections. You will improve your communication and gain the ninja skill to transform boredom into fascination (Free).
Tuesday, Jan. 20:
January 2026 FIESTA Founder Magic - FIESTA - 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM - 701 Brazos St - Entrepreneurship is hard. Progress deserves to be acknowledged. Both big milestones and small wins matter here. When you share your success, you give others hope and momentum (Free).
Fixated On Real Estate - Austin Meetup - Austin Real Estate Investors - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - 1305 W Oltorf St - Join for networking, discussing the real estate market, meeting new people and more (Free).
Bitcoin & Coffee - Bitcoin Park Austin - 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM - 2110 S Congress Ave - Join for coffee, breakfast tacos, and Bitcoin conversation (Free).
Home Services-Focused Networking Event - Kyle, TX - NetworkingATX - 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM - ProSource Wholesale 250 Chula Hill Dr, Kyle, TX 78640 - This is a curated, construction-focused mastermind designed specifically for owners and decision-makers in the trades and the businesses that support them (Free).
Startup Secrets Austin: What Got You Here Won't Get You There - Scaling Secrets - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - 3001 Scofield Ridge Pkwy - You'll meet founders who've solved problems you're hitting right now. You'll meet people 1-2 steps ahead of you who can actually help. You'll realize everyone's dealing with the same chaos—and that's somehow comforting (Free).
Cedar Park Business Mastermind and Networking - Charles Heinzelman - 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM - 1345 East Whitestone Boulevard Cedar Park, TX - Share ideas, swap stories, and build lasting partnerships in a relaxed atmosphere. Don’t miss out on gaining fresh insights and new contacts that can help your business thrive (Free).
Wednesday, Jan. 21:
BXN North - Weekly Networking Luncheon - BXN - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM - 10515 N Mopac Expy NB - Connect with fellow professionals, foster business growth, and enjoy the interactive and referral-driven atmosphere of our group (Free).
Rise & Thrive: Connecting Business Owners at Live Oak BNI - BNI - 7:45 AM to 9:15 AM - 9600 Escarpment Blvd - Join a thriving community of business professionals committed to supporting each other’s success. Imagine having a dedicated sales force that actively promotes your business, even when you're not in the room. That’s the power of BNI (Free).
Cedar Park / Leander / Liberty Hill "Coffee Hour" by Networking Local™ - 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM - 1615 Scottsdale Dr Building 1 Suite 110 · Leander, TX - Swing on by, meet your business neighbors and, most importantly, Stay Local! Enjoy great coffee, atmosphere and tacos (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).
Small Business Office Hours - Austin Small and Minority Business Resources - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM - 211 East William Cannon Drive - Connect with resources, programs, and services. Participating departments include Economic Development, Financial Services, Austin Public Library, Austin Energy, and Small and Minority Business Resources. Staff will be on hand to answer questions and make referrals to available programs and services offered by City departments and local business support organizations (Free).
BizAid Business Orientation - Austin Economic Development - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM - 211 E. William Cannon Drive - an introductory class designed to equip aspiring business owners with the knowledge and resources to kickstart their entrepreneurial journey seamlessly. Navigate the intricate landscape of city, state, and federal regulations and gain invaluable insights into the City of Austin's development process for commercial properties (Free).
Leveraging AI for Founders & Professionals Meetup - The PromptShop AI - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM - 701 Brazos Street - Master AI for Business Success! Hands-on 2-hour workshop teaching entrepreneurs how to leverage AI. Small groups, big results (Free).
Thursday, Jan. 22:
Your Startup Sucks | Live Pitch Competition 💵 - Your Startup Sucks-Live Startup Pitch Comedy Show - 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM - 501 Brushy St - Your startup can win $300 cash 💵 - the audience votes on the winner!! Whether you own a SAAS, a web 6 taco truck, or the next unicorn. Your startup might suck, but you don’t have to. Watch brave, passionate founders pitch to a panel of investors, former founders, and comedians for recognition and brutally honest and hilarious feedback (Free).
ABLE BI-MONTHLY Meeting - Austin Business Lead Exchange - 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM - 10515 N Mopac Expy NB - a place for professionals across any and all industries to have a place to network in a way where they think of others first -- "how can I help you" has always been the motto. There is less "selling" to each other, and more genuine relationship building (Free).
Real Estate Deals Made Here! - Real Estate Investor Masterminds - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM - 8127 Mesa Drive - join for informative networking, deal pitching, discussing real estate strategies, and ways to leverage your success in real estate investing (Free).
BXN Round Rock Networking Luncheon - BXN - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM - 119 E Main St · Round Rock, TX - Connect with fellow professionals, foster business growth, and enjoy the interactive and referral-driven atmosphere of the group (Free).
B2B SaaS Night - Mētan Meetups International - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - 3508 S. Lamar Blvd - Meet people solving the same problems you are. Founders and operators in B2B SaaS sharing what's working, what's broken, and who can help. The kind of conversations that turn into followups, intros, and actual partnerships (Free).
The Consumer VC Wake Up! CPG Austin - Wake Up! - 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM - 121 Pickle Rd - Austin-area CPG brands, retailers, service providers, and local enthusiasts are welcome to join us for a lively discussion about the CPG scene and helping each other grow our businesses and community (Free).
Friday, Jan. 23:
Bouldering Night at Mesa Rim - LOCOE - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - 1205 Sheldon Cove Building 3 - Meet up, boulder upstairs, help and cheer each other on, and then head to Tyson’s Tacos (Free).
South Austin In-Person Power Networking Event (Kick OFF!) - Health Partner Coaching - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM - 3804 Woodbury Drive #Suite A Austin - Join for a relaxed, relationship-driven networking experience designed for local small business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals who want to grow through real connection not awkward pitches or forced sales (Free).
Saturday, Jan. 24:
Founders Running Club :: Austin - Founders Running Club - 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM - 1601-1999 Nash Hernandez Senior Road - Brings 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)!
Data Day Texas + AI 2026 - Austin Artificial Intelligence - 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM - 1900 University Avenue - Launched in 2011, and quite possibly the longest running big data conference in the world, Data Day Texas returns in January with an international list of marquee presenters. The core focus of this year's edition will be careers - becoming resilient in uncertain times (Paid).
Sunday, Jan. 25:
HIIT FIT SUNDAY FUNDAY - The Rise: Free Outdoor Fitness in ATX - 8:00 AM to 9:15 AM - 1510 Toomey Road - Expect to run, jump, burpee, push up, sit up, pull up, squat, lunge, swang (not a typo! come find out), and more. It's a full body workout (Free).
Meet other Algorithmic Traders, Day Traders, Option Traders and Investors - Algorithmic Trading and Investing - 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM - 11920 Domain Dr. - Join for a meetup where you can share trading ideas, and connect with others who share a common interest in investing (Free).
Last Week’s Poll Results
Which of these services would help your business the most over the next 3–6 months?
A lot of you have told us that sales and lead generation are your biggest bottlenecks.
Austin Founders Feed can help.
Our readers are business owners, high-earning professionals, and founders actively investing in their businesses, all in the Austin area.
Our stats:
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8% click-through rate
Growing 500+ subscribers/month
Hyper-local Austin focus
We’re opening up early sponsor pricing right now. For most of you, the math is simple: you only need 1–2 customers to make it worth it.
Interested in sponsoring?
Take 30 seconds to fill out this form and tell us about your business.
Until next week,
Austin Founders Feed
