Why Austin?

Interdisciplinary research,
education and capacity building

The city of Austin is a vibrant, creative community that serves as a magnet for high technology talent while it provides opportunities for entrepreneurial artists and connoisseurs. Within these famous city limits “the weird” is desirable and the extraordinary abounds. It is a center for significant events and large celebrations. Several events that draw wide international audiences include:

· Austin City Limits

· Austin Film Festival

· South by Southwest (SXSW) Events: Music/Film/Interactive; Eco; edu; V2V

· Formula One Racing

This creative region provides a rich entrepreneurial ecosystem that is based on education, human networks, and innovation. It is a great place to do business and its key growth industries include:

· Advanced Manufacturing

· Multimedia Technology

· Clean Energy & Power Technology

· Corporate Headquarters

· Data Centers

· Life Sciences & Biotechnology

Austin’s economy has proved to be resilient in the face of recession and has been repeatedly acknowledged for the rare opportunities it provides:

· Live music capital of the world, self-proclaimed

· #1 City to live and make films, Moviemaker, ‘13

· #2 – The Best Cities for Finding Employment, Forbes, ‘11

· Among Top 10 U.S. Brain Magnets, Forbes, ‘11

· #2 – Most Innovative Cities in the U.S., Forbes, ‘10

· #1 for Economic Vitality, Wall St. Journal, ‘07

· #3 Most inventive city due to patent activity, Wall St. Journal ’07

· Best Place for Business & Careers, Forbes, ‘03-’05