ANNOUNCEMENT:
Texas Venture Gala & Forum 2025
ANNOUNCEMENT: America House 2026
AUSTIN, March 12, 2026:
America House, a showcase of innovation ecosystem leaders from across our country delivered state briefings at the Texas State Capitol, as an early unofficial kickoff to a big weekend of SXSW. The speakers discussed the lay of the land, insights from building their networks, shared lessons and fresh observations that have shaped and will continue to shape, the past, present, and future of America.
These briefings drew from a full range of leadership perspectives: university innovators, venture/startup association leaders, tech & startup week founders, government, corporate innovators, fellows, chambers & economic development executives, national & global innovation hub organizers, investors and more, with distinguished guests to kickoff this special experience.
"Events like this are a powerful reminder that innovation doesn’t happen in isolation, it grows through the exchange of ideas between regions,” Startup Boston Founder, Stephanie Roulic said. “I’m excited to represent Massachusetts and share how Boston’s startup community continues to build one of the most collaborative and dynamic ecosystems for founders anywhere in the world.”
A few booming regions such as Chicago, Illinois told their story of how their region has grown and what recognition they’ve received as a result.
“The Chicagoland innovation economy is driven by the intersection of world-class research, deep talent, and industry at scale,” World Business Chicago President & CEO, Phil Clement said. Today our region ranks among the nation’s Top 5 tech hubs and has been named the #1 metro for corporate relocation and expansion for 13 consecutive years by Site Selection magazine. Those recognitions reflect the strength of Illinois’ innovation ecosystem and the growing momentum of companies choosing Chicagoland to build, scale, and invest.”
The states were asked to deliver briefings including numbers or other data about their region, including a little background about themselves and their organizations. We also covered what is and isn’t working in their part of the country’s innovation ecosystem, and how their state and/or organization is trying to attack it and work toward a solution. Audience members were encouraged to connect with the leaders and attend, sponsor, and promote their events as well.
“It was a great honor to collaborate and welcome so many innovation ecosystem leaders from across the country to convene inside our wonderful Texas State Capitol building. I hope everyone continues to stay connected, learn from each other, and lean on one another as they play such an important role for their community, the entrepreneurs and innovators, and our country. Thank you to all that they do, and see y’all next year!”
Presenting a lineup of keynotes and highlighted speakers driving innovation across the country:
TEXAS: Distinguished Speaker, the Texas House of Representatives District 48 (Austin); Innovation & Technology Caucus Policy Committee Member, Representative Donna Howard
TEXAS: Distinguished Speaker, the Texas Capitol's Ultimate Insider, Quorum Report's Owner & Editor Harvey Kronberg
TENNESSEE: Memphis Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, Ted Townsend
MASSACHUSETTS: Startup Boston Founder, Stephanie Roulic
OHIO: Ohio Startup Network, Director of Veale Entrepreneurship Lab & LaunchNet Entrepreneur in Residence at Case Western Reserve University, William Tavel
ILLINOIS: World Business Chicago, Vice President of Innovation & Venture, Nicole McCarthy
COLORADO: German Accelerator Global Project Lead & Start2 Group, Americas Lead, Annika Pierson
OKLAHOMA: Build In Tulsa, Director of Programming, Desiree Frieson
NEW MEXICO: New Mexico Startup Alliance Founder, Sandra Hirschberg
PENNSYLVANIA: 1Philadelphia Executive Director & Host of Philly Tech Week, & Coded by:, CEO, Danae Mobley
CALIFORNIA: 776 Fellow & Sotira Founder, Amrita Bhasin
FLORIDA: Startup Grind Global Community Director; Ganas Ventures Deal Partner, Ecuador Tech Week Cofounder, Guillermo Vizcaino
GEORGIA: Infosys US Lead Senior Director: AI-Driven Marketing Strategy, Nakeya Bennett
TEXAS: The Building Texas Show Host, Justin McKenzie
TEXAS: Invincible & Latin Startup Alliance Founder, Jesse Martinez
TEXAS: The Founders Arena President, Pamela Cytron
TEXAS: DivInc Cofounder & CEO, Preston James
TEXAS: Texas Venture Fest and Texas Venture Gala & Forum Founder & Executive Director, CS Freeland
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