“Starting and growing an idea into a business requires having the right people, information and tools,” says Tech Ranch Austin in Texas. It’s a community of vibrant tech startups and some less techie, like Across Cultures–a an intercultural services company, founded by Anna Katrina Davey–that leverage the social capital of the community.
I have participated and have soaked up the enthusiasm of others. One user of this business accelerator drives 5 hours each way to spend time there and fill in missing pieces in his startup armory. He met another entrepreneur with a complementary skill set and has him building in some features to his business that he could not do himself.
Some are really on-person businesses, like Trevor Titman’s isthislost.com startup that offers ID tags with QR codes for belongings making it easy for people to return them when lost. Others may have bigger aspirations like Contract Gurus that offers attorney-based contract review and negotiation services, where an attorney will review, summarize and explain your contracts for a fraction of the cost of a traditional lawyer or law firm. Founder Michael Kiamanesh, runs the business for now, from the Tech Ranch offices in North Austin, where offices cost between $400-600 a month.
Tech Ranch Austin offers cowering space to other entrepreneurs who are not yet ready for a permanent office. At $150 a month it gives the startup all the facilities of a base without breaking the bank. But the big deal is that people come together in various formats, including classes and have access to mentoring, networking events. the many options allow for taking new directions as well as learning, as soon to launch startup founder, Wolfram Gauglitz of pickpocket.com will testify.
Beyond Austin, you may find it rewarding to visit Startup Owl’s Venture Incubators and Accelerators page.