September 16, 2026:‍ ‍The biggest moment in Texas innovation is about to arrive. On October 1, 2026, more than 20 co-host organizations across 10+ cities will power the 4th Annual Texas Venture Fest. It’s a statewide and simultaneous celebration for 3,500+ Texans convened by the ecosystem of entrepreneur support featuring networking and programming. As the largest Texas-focused experience in the history of the Lone Star State, this signature event amplifies each region’s unique startup & venture ecosystem locally, while connecting them into one powerful statewide network.

This unique experience highlights how the largest pro-business state in the United States can collaborate as one unified force for innovation. The effort is driven by a diverse coalition of organizations such as: venture capital firms, emerging managers, accelerators, incubators, angel networks, universities, startup development organizations, chambers of commerce, economic development corporations, coworking hubs, membership clubs, and more—all building a connected and thriving ecosystem. Help support this local and statewide initiative via sponsorship thanks to various sectors, such as banks, law firms, tax & accounting firms, recruiters, and more in order to meet the community’s diverse needs.

“Innovation is not merely an industry sector or collection of startups. It is a governing capability through which Texas develops strategic industries, converts research into prosperity, attracts capital and talent, strengthens communities, and advances its position in the national and global economy,” Texas Venture Fest Organizer, CS Freeland said. “What a big moment for our state, and thank you to the 100+ partners that we collaborate with whom we co-create events and resources with throughout the year.”

The Texas Venture Fest has rapidly evolved every year, outgrowing it’s name since inception. Starting in 2022 as the “Austin Venture Crawl,” the event drew 1,000+ attendees across multiple downtown Austin locations, supported by several Texas venture capital firms. Building on that success, the 2023 experience expanded 10X, adding 9 more cities, 40+ venture panelists, and around 2,000 Texans. In 2024, it grew to over 3,000 Texans and introduced the Texan’s Choice Awards. Last year it grew to 3,500 Texans, 15 cities, 25 venues, and over 100 panelists.

TEXAS VENTURE FEST CO-HOSTS

Austin’s Venture Crawl / Geek Ventures: At Geek Ventures, our mission is to drive equal opportunity for visionary immigrant entrepreneurs through capital and connections. Texas Venture Fest reflects this vision by bringing together diverse founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders to accelerate innovation. We are especially grateful to our Vice President, Sarah Romanko, for serving as Chief of Staff for this year’s Fest and exemplifying the values we champion.

Austin’s Venture Crawl / Silverton Partners: Silverton’s Founders’ Bags & Brews is going full Oktoberfest this time around alongside Texas Venture Fest and kicking off ACL Weekend One. Expect Easy Tiger sausages + giant pretzels, live music from Yodel Blitz, and lederhosen & dirndls highly encouraged. Austin has a special entrepreneurial environment where a rising tide lift all boats.

Round Rock Chamber’s Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship: “I’m so excited that this is our fourth year participating in Texas Venture Fest! This year, I’ll be joining founder Mathias Ihlenfeld for a fireside chat about the good, the bad and the ugly of entrepreneurship. I’m looking forward to a candid conversation about what it really takes to build a company and keep going when things don’t always go according to plan.

Georgetown: The City of Georgetown is excited to bring together entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community partners to create meaningful opportunities for our local startup and small business ecosystem. We’re especially excited to welcome Gary Forni of Central Texas Angel Network, who will lead a hands-on workshop on “Thinking Like an Angel” and pitch preparation, with the day co-sponsored by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and lunch sponsored by VeraBank, along with door-prize opportunities for one-hour coaching sessions with angel investors and business coaches. We’ll also be launching a new digital platform designed to connect Georgetown startups and small businesses to resources, coaching, and tools to help turn ideas into action and strengthen our entrepreneurial ecosystem.

San Antonio: Texas Venture Fest San Antonio is our chance to put the city's founders, arts and culture scene, and everyday momentum in front of people who haven't seen it yet. We built this event around the companies and creators doing real work here, the ones who don't always get the spotlight. We're excited for people to leave with a different picture of what's happening in San Antonio." - Dr. Lina Rugova & Christine Colburn, Emerge and Rise

ABOUT THE TEXAS VENTURE FEST

The Texas Venture Fest is a signature experience within a broader suite of events and resources amplifying the ecosystem of entrepreneur support. Co-created with 100+ partnered organizations locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally, and featured in the Texas State Governor Greg Abbott’s five year economic development plan,“Bigger. Better. Texas.”‍ ‍here, we’re the largest network and only statewide association for innovation.