On September 4th, I had the opportunity to attend Austin Climate Hub’s first event of the fall season: “Challenges and Emerging Solutions to Scaling First-of-a-Kind Energy Technologies.” Held at The Sunset Room in downtown Austin, the event brought together an all-star panel of investors, financiers, and cleantech leaders to tackle one of the most persistent challenges in the climate innovation space—how to get bold new ideas off the ground and into the real world.
The evening was packed with insights, networking, and conversations around the nuances of funding and scaling first-of-a-kind (FOAK) energy technologies. These are the game-changing projects that, while promising, often get stuck between R&D and real-world execution. So what’s holding them back and how do we move them forward?
August was packed with opportunities to reconnect, learn, and expand my network across sustainability, marketing, and innovation communities in Austin. Each event brought something unique to the table, here’s a look at the highlights.
After bouncing back from my fifth round of COVID, it felt incredible to return to the USGBC Texas Green Coffee Hour at Easy Tiger. Conversations ranged from fire prevention strategies to career journeys and even how solar can be more seamlessly integrated into design. More than anything, I realized how much I’d missed being surrounded by green-minded peers. This morning left me recharged and ready to rebuild momentum in my networking efforts.
FIESTA (Founders, Investors, Entrepreneurs, Startups, Techies, and Austin Newcomers) delivered its usual mix of big ideas and fresh connections. From ten one-minute founder pitches—including innovations like turning methane into jet fuel and an RV-sharing platform—to sponsor companies like FreeWater and SoberWater leading with purpose, there was no shortage of inspiration. I walked away with fresh perspectives, valuable conversations, and a renewed sense of just how dynamic Austin’s startup ecosystem has become.
Last night I had the chance to attend the 2025 Circular Austin Showcase, an event that celebrates innovation, collaboration, and bold ideas for building a zero-waste future. Hosted by Austin Resource Recovery and the City of Austin Economic Development Department, the showcase brought together entrepreneurs, investors, city leaders, and community members who all share a passion for sustainability. It was an evening that reinforced Austin’s reputation as a city where creativity and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.
Grand Prize CompetitorsCircular Accelerator CompetitorsJudges Panel
The event focused on its finalist pitches — eight businesses sharing how they’re tackling real-world waste and resource challenges. Each idea pushed the boundaries of what’s possible when we rethink our relationship with materials.
Cocarbon is using agricultural plant waste to produce activated carbon for clean water filtration. Their carbon-negative, solar-powered process provides safer water and eliminates the need for costly water transport while creating local jobs.
CRAFTshowed how a public studio model can reduce waste by making art supplies and workshops more accessible. Instead of single-use consumption, they foster creativity through shared resources.
Save the Good Stuff is tackling the preservation and reuse of historic building materials, ensuring Austin’s architectural history isn’t lost to landfills.
Wanderlust Wine Co. is proving that even the wine industry can adapt, using wine-on-tap systems with reusable packaging to cut down on waste and emissions.
Since the start of Taylor-Made Socials, I’ve been experimenting with what it looks like to create easygoing, inclusive social spaces for adults in Austin to meet new people without all the awkwardness that can come with traditional networking or bar-hopping with strangers. It’s not about hype or big ticket productions—it’s about showing up, being real, and creating the kind of social spaces I wished existed when I was trying to make new friends in this city.
Each event has been a learning experience, and each one has offered its own surprises, challenges, and moments of connection. Here’s a closer look at what we’ve done so far.
Pizza Party Social at Tony C’s Pizza & Beer Garden (Our First Event) – Saturday, January 25
Our very first social mixer was hosted at Tony C’s in North Austin, and I couldn’t have asked for a better kick-off. The weather cooperated, the seating setup was lively but not overwhelming, and people started showing up before the official start time — something that told me I was onto something. The crowd skewed a little larger than expected, which created this really natural buzz of conversation that carried through the event. Some folks came solo and found themselves at tables with total strangers-turned-new-acquaintances within minutes.
What made this event special wasn’t just the turnout, but the tone it set. People weren’t glued to their phones or trying to “network” — they were just there to relax, chat over pizza, and enjoy a shared experience that didn’t require dressing up or having an agenda. I left the event physically exhausted but socially energized, with a mental list of ideas to try next.
As Texas continues to face mounting water challenges, from drought-prone climates to water-intensive industries, the conversation around innovative solutions has never been more urgent. I had the opportunity to attend the latest Austin Climate Innovation meetup, where the spotlight was on water access, quality, and sustainability—with a strong focus on Central Texas and its unique regional and growth hurdles.
The event featured two standout companies, Eden Tech and Aquaria, who are developing breakthrough technologies that address water from two very different, but equally important methods. It was a hopeful and thought-provoking night centered around one essential resource: water.
Texas Water ChallengesInnovative Water SolutionsNew Solutions are NeededAI, Data Centers and WaterInnovation Barriers in Water
The August Ecosystem Space meetup felt like another step in my networking journey into the aerospace sector. Hosted at Capital Factory and organized by the Space Workforce Incubator for Texas (SWIFT) in collaboration with the Space Force Association, this monthly event continues to excel with its focus on industry connections and forward-thinking dialogue. It’s not your typical networking mixer either, there are no standardized panels or elevator pitches. Instead, it’s a space for real conversations and ideas that fuel innovation in Texas’ booming space ecosystem.
With every event, I’ve started to recognize more familiar faces and feel more plugged into a growing community of thinkers, doers, and dreamers. From technologists and entrepreneurs to students and institutional leaders, everyone brings something unique to the conversation. And as someone coming from a sustainability and communications background, I find this multidisciplinary approach both welcoming and essential to our future.
Selfie by the Capital Factory logoStaff: Heather Wagner ReedStaff: Joseph KopserPre-event attendeesSWIFT Event Announcements
