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Startup Networking · AustinBuild Your Network is the always-on startup networking platform for Austin. Meet founders, investors, and mentors in Austin's ecosystem without waiting for the next event. Discover people based on intent, not job title.
Austin's startup ecosystem is built on SaaS, energy tech, semiconductor design, crypto/Web3, and defence tech, powered by institutions like Capital Factory, Silicon Hills VC network, UT Austin, and the Dell Medical School Innovation Hub. Austin has become the fastest-growing tech hub in the United States, fuelled by the migration of companies and founders from Silicon Valley. Capital Factory anchors a vibrant SaaS and energy-tech ecosystem, while SXSW provides the largest annual startup gathering in North America. Texas's zero state income tax and lower cost of living are accelerating founder migration.
Traditional startup networking in Austin is event-dependent — pitch nights, demo days, accelerator cohorts. Build Your Network makes it always-on: discover and message founders, investors, and mentors in Austin any day, filtered by what they're actively looking for.
Built for Austin's founder ecosystem
Meet founders and investors in Austin any time — not just at scheduled events.
See what each person is open to before you reach out — co-founding, investing, advising, or collaborating.
GPS-based discovery surfaces people in Austin within your chosen radius — 10 km to 200 km.
About startup networking in Austin
Join Build Your Network free, set your location to Austin, and declare your intent. BYN immediately surfaces people in Austin who match your intent — no event required, no cold email.
Austin has regular startup events through Capital Factory, Silicon Hills VC network, UT Austin, and the Dell Medical School Innovation Hub. Beyond events, Build Your Network provides always-on networking — you can discover and connect with founders, investors, and mentors in Austin any day of the week.
On Build Your Network, investors in Austin set their intent to "Angel Investing". Filter by investor intent in your city radius and you'll see exactly which investors in Austin are actively looking at new investments — and you can message them directly.
For startup-specific networking, yes. LinkedIn shows past jobs; BYN shows current intent. Every member in Austin on BYN has declared what they need right now — co-founder, mentor, investor, or collaborator — making connections significantly more likely to convert.
On BYN, mentors in Austin set their intent to "Open to Advising". Filter by mentor intent and your city to see exactly who is available. Austin has experienced operators across SaaS, energy tech, semiconductor design, crypto/Web3, and defence tech — many of whom actively mentor early-stage founders via BYN.
Yes. Build Your Network is free — create a profile, set your intent, and start connecting with founders, investors, and mentors in Austin at no cost. Premium plans unlock unlimited connections and priority visibility.