Paul O'Brien

Paul O'Brien Email and Phone Number

Managing Director, Publisher, and Economist @ STARTUP ECONOMIST
Austin, TX, US
Paul O'Brien's Location
Austin, Texas, United States, United States
About Paul O'Brien

I specialize in economic development, public policy, and venture capital, with a focus on building startup ecosystems that foster innovation and sustainable growth. As the founder of MediaTech Ventures, I developed a media-first incubator model that helps startups align their marketing and team strategies—key drivers for early-stage success. My experience spans startup funding, policy advocacy, community development, and ecosystem maturation, giving me a unique perspective on how to create environments where startups and innovation thrive.In my roles as a former Venture Partner at Meaningful Ventures, Director of Funded House, and Director of Founder Institute Texas, I've helped build communities and connect entrepreneurs with resources and investors more germanely than local communities typically do on their own. Launching and scaling the Texas Startups online networks has been a big part of that work, creating collaborative spaces to support innovation and regional economic development.With a background that combines technical expertise, startup experience, and insights into venture capital, I’m passionate about shaping public policy to lower barriers and attract investment in innovation. I’d love to connect and explore how strategic consulting and policy work can more effectively drive meaningful impact on entrepreneurship that fuels solutions and startups in your region or organization.

Paul O'Brien's Current Company Details
STARTUP ECONOMIST

Startup Economist

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Managing Director, Publisher, and Economist
Austin, TX, US
Paul O'Brien Work Experience Details
  • Startup Economist
    Managing Director, Publisher, And Economist
    Startup Economist
    Austin, Tx, Us
  • Founder Institute
    Head Of Public Affairs
    Founder Institute
    Austin, Tx, Us
  • Startup Economist
    Publisher
    Startup Economist Jan 2005 - Present
    Much of the technology upon which our future world will be built, has been built. Already engineered and developed, we're experiencing a transition of our tech economy from the infrastructure, platforms, and software on which we build, to the applications, experiences, and innovations the world wants. Our economy is evolving from coded and constructed technology to innovative and practical applications from the minds of designers, artists, business professionals, marketers, and economists. We're bridging the gap from engineered technology to our future in Energy, Entertainment, Transportation, and more.But our economy is struggling to make the transition. Too few experienced "nodes" in venture capital, incubation, executive participation, corporate partnership, and media/marketing exist through which professionals and the public can make the leap from traditional to new. We work with technology executives, entrepreneurs, politicians and planners, developers and economists, media professionals, and venture capitalists to meet our future with a passion for talent, markets, later-stage capital, and thriving economies connected throughout industries and geography.We bring industries to market. commercialize businesses, products, web services, and entrepreneurs.
  • American Youthworks
    Board Member
    American Youthworks Dec 2023 - Present
    Austin, Texas, Us
    Founded as a GED and literacy program for incarcerated youth, American YouthWorks, today, houses two primary programs: YouthBuild, established in 1997, built upon the Conservation Corps, launched in 1993. These programs have been pivotal in empowering young people to complete their education and receive career training, all while serving the Greater community.Parc Smith, our CEO since 2010 and a long-time member of the organization, has been instrumental in driving our mission forward. His passion for community service, environmental preservation, and creating educational and career opportunities for young people has been the cornerstone of our success.Conservation Corps crew members conserve natural landscapes and recreation areas across the Central Southern United States. Our Disaster Response Teams are deployed to assist communities impacted by natural disasters such as Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and Irma. In our YouthBuild program, young people have the opportunity to complete their high school education while simultaneously serving the Greater Austin community being engaged in valuable vocational training in the growing Healthcare, Media, IT, and Construction industries.
  • Mediatech Ventures
    Chief Executive Officer
    Mediatech Ventures Jan 2016 - Present
    Austin, Texas, Us
    The preeminent global venture development group for the media and technology industries, employing a proprietary framework of global partnerships, connecting capital and people advancing opportunities in modern media.Our economy has for the better part of recent decades seen an evolution of media like never before. Technology led to publishing with the printing press, photography and film thanks to the camera, and music flourished with the invention of new instruments and then the record player, radio, and compact disc.As the twentieth century wound to a close, we witnessed the impact of computer, software, internet, and smart phone; our experience with media is forever changed and we believe in that future seeing gaming, VR and immersive video, augmented reality, adtech, streaming, and more, changing not just entertainment but every facet of our lives.MediaTech Ventures works at the heart of the entire industry. We work in support of artists, developers, producers, entrepreneurs, and financiers.
  • Funded House
    Founder And Director
    Funded House Dec 2018 - Present
    Startups Struggle Beyond Seed Capital. On average, only 48% of startups make it to a second round of funding. The challenge for these startups is knowing how to allocate their funding properly.The deployment of capital into startups is all about education, and meaningful relationships. Startups that learn how to properly invest to scale, while being connected to investors and service providers create success.Funded House is the SolutionWe created a PLACE to talk about what it TAKES to get to the next round.Through an integrated series of meetups, lounges, panels, interviews, and parties focused on helping funded startup leaders navigate the difficult task of growing their business, Funded House, showcases businesses and tools that serve growing companies.
  • Collective | Mediatech Media Incubator
    Founder
    Collective | Mediatech Media Incubator Jun 2017 - Present
    Austin, Texas, Us
    Teaching media and technology to help the creative class lead Innovation
  • Divinc
    Mentor
    Divinc Aug 2016 - Present
    Austin, Tx, Us
  • Accelerate Texas
    Founder
    Accelerate Texas Dec 2014 - Present
    Accelerating Texas' economic development, innovation, and venture capital
  • Cleantech Open
    Mentor
    Cleantech Open May 2014 - Present
    Los Angeles, California, Us
  • International Accelerator
    Advisor
    International Accelerator Mar 2014 - Present
    West Lake Hills, Texas, Us
  • Fund Conference
    Advisor
    Fund Conference Jan 2018 - Mar 2024
  • Founder Institute
    Director
    Founder Institute May 2017 - Mar 2024
    Palo Alto, Ca, Us
    For aspiring and idea-stage entrepreneurs up to the challenge, the Founder Institute provides a comprehensive step-by-step program to launch a startup, support from top startup mentors, and a global network of entrepreneurs to help you be successful.
  • Venturepoint
    Board Member
    Venturepoint Sep 2015 - Mar 2024
  • Texas Venture Growth Forum - Txvgf
    Steering Committee Member
    Texas Venture Growth Forum - Txvgf Apr 2015 - Mar 2024
  • O'Brien Clan Foundation
    Board Member
    O'Brien Clan Foundation Jan 2012 - Mar 2024
  • Meaningful Ventures
    Venture Partner
    Meaningful Ventures Jul 2018 - Jan 2020
    Naples, Florida, Us
    Our vision is to enable meaningful endeavors which facilitate the passing on of culture and heritage from one generation to the next. Our mission is to pioneer the development of self-reliant, entrepreneurial entities that create new ways to perpetuate knowledge and mastery.Meaningful Ventures uses a range of creative strategies to achieve this mission. Early-stage investment is key, but can be supplemented by bespoke strategic support and mentoring to innovate and improve the portfolio. All pursuits meet the overarching objective of stewarding cultural excellence to benefit future communities.
  • Sprinklr
    Marketing Advisor / Consultant
    Sprinklr Feb 2014 - Jun 2017
    New York, Ny, Us
  • Icontrol Networks
    Digital Strategy (Acquired By Comcast)
    Icontrol Networks Aug 2015 - May 2016
  • Smarttouch Interactive
    Advisor
    Smarttouch Interactive Sep 2014 - May 2016
    Austin, Texas, Us
  • Pragma Systems, Inc.
    Marketing Advisor
    Pragma Systems, Inc. Jan 2014 - May 2016
    Austin, Texas, Us
  • Microventures
    Chief Marketing Officer
    Microventures Sep 2014 - May 2015
    Austin, Texas, Us
    MicroVentures, a crowdfunded investment bank with licensed professionals, combines the best of venture capital with equity crowdfunding. We conduct detailed due diligence on startups and open the door to qualified opportunities for you to review and in which to invest. We uncover what you need to know about startups.
  • Vchain Solutions, Inc.
    Mentor
    Vchain Solutions, Inc. May 2014 - May 2015
    Austin, Tx, Us
    Clean Tech Open Accelerator mentor
  • Tuffwerx
    Marketing Advisor
    Tuffwerx Aug 2013 - May 2015
    Austin, Tx, Us
  • Dachis Group
    Marketing Advisor / Consultant (Acquired By Sprinklr)
    Dachis Group Mar 2013 - Dec 2014
    Austin, Tx, Us
  • Fovnders
    Co Founder
    Fovnders Nov 2013 - Oct 2014
    Developed entre.co and fovnders.com
  • Corvalent
    Marketing Consultant
    Corvalent Mar 2013 - Oct 2014
    Cedar Park, Texas, Us
  • Half Past Now.
    Advisor
    Half Past Now. Oct 2013 - Sep 2014
  • Mydocket
    Marketing Advisor / Consultant
    Mydocket Feb 2014 - Aug 2014
    Austin, Tx, Us
  • Adpeople Worldwide
    Digital Strategist
    Adpeople Worldwide Apr 2013 - Oct 2013
    New York, Ny, Us
    Led the development of Kimberly-Clark's innovative micro site my-achoo.com
  • The Next One'S On Me, Inc.
    Cmo (Pivoted Company To Loop & Tie)
    The Next One'S On Me, Inc. Nov 2012 - Sep 2013
    Austin, Tx, Us
    Involved with the launch of Loop & Tie (Next One's On Me pivoted and rebranded in October 2013)
  • Cospace
    Co-Founder
    Cospace 2011 - Sep 2013
    Austin, Tx, Us
  • Moodfish.Com
    Co-Founder & Advisor
    Moodfish.Com Feb 2012 - Sep 2012
  • Fliptop
    Fractional Marketing Executive (Acquired By Linkedin)
    Fliptop Apr 2011 - Sep 2012
  • Foxtranslate
    Fractional Marketing Executive
    Foxtranslate Nov 2010 - Mar 2012
    Austin, Texas, Us
  • Pac Labs
    Marketing & Community Development (@ Gild)
    Pac Labs Apr 2011 - Jan 2012
  • Ip Commerce
    Marketing & Community Development
    Ip Commerce Mar 2011 - Jan 2012
    Us
  • Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association
    Founder
    Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association 2011 - 2012
  • Outright.Com
    Vp Marketing (Acquired By Godaddy)
    Outright.Com Apr 2009 - Oct 2010
    Mountain View, Ca, Us
  • Rareexception.Com
    Founder
    Rareexception.Com Jan 1995 - May 2010
    - Founded music entertainment site http://www.rareexception.com/- Directed online commerce and marketing initiatives related to Juice Stores: http://www.juicestores.com
  • Zvents
    Vp Marketing (Acquired By Ebay'S Stubhub)
    Zvents Apr 2007 - Dec 2008
    San Francisco, Ca, Us
    • Manage MarCom P/L leveraging Brand/Product and Channel marketing segments to drive awareness of and traffic to the Zvents network and adoption of Local Search platform and Local Listing• Coordinate SEO for 300 duplicate cobranded sites, search engine marketing, paid inclusion feeds, PR and Marcom, display advertising including banners and print, and trade conferences and speaking opportunities as an industry thought leader• Balance arbitrage based budgets to maximize growth and performance resulting in 1300% traffic and 2900% revenue growth• Direct adoption of emerging technologies: RSS, custom toolbars, blogs, video, dynamic content, social search, and One Search
  • Hp
    Interactive Marketing
    Hp Feb 2005 - May 2007
    Houston, Texas, Us
    • Strategic manager of direct online marketing for HP.• Oversaw a portfolio consumer online marketing program with respective resources managing paid search, search engine optimization, comparison shopping feeds, affiliate marketing, social media, and display advertising• Coordinated and optimized online marketing with traditional brand, direct mail, catalog, and channel promotions• Managed a behavioral, performance based search program of over 18,000 terms, generating awareness and following purchase activity • Drove sophisticated analytics and conversion funnel projects• Led natural search optimization growing organic traffic from 1% to 20% of store traffic in 9 months• Outpaced HP Store performance, delivering 20x natural search traffic, 4x affiliate business, and 4x paid search volume• Optimized comparison shopping relationships and catalog feeds resulting in 35x growth of the HP data feed channels
  • Yahoo!
    Advertising Solutions
    Yahoo! Sep 2000 - Feb 2005
    Sunnyvale, Ca, Us
    • Responsible for marketing solutions, media pricing and programming, negotiation, campaign performance, and sales training• Partnered manufacturers, retailers and wireless carriers through interactive media, dynamic feed based marketing, and search • Worked inter-departmentally, cross-functionally, and externally with clients and agencies to assess the competitive landscape, prioritize revenue opportunities, and develop compelling advertiser opportunities and an engaging site design• Directed one report and day to day sales programs operations including sales development, value propositions, and program analytics • Promoted from Yahoo! Shopping Sales Producer having exceeded revenue goals for eight consecutive quarters
  • Insight Enterprises
    Vip Sales And Accounts
    Insight Enterprises Sep 1999 - Oct 2000
    Chandler, Arizona, Us
  • Arizona State University
    Web Design
    Arizona State University Dec 1996 - Sep 1999
    Tempe, Az, Us
    Designed, built and managed various department of public safety websites.

Paul O'Brien Education Details

  • Arizona State University
    Arizona State University
    Business Management
  • W. P. Carey School Of Business – Arizona State University
    W. P. Carey School Of Business – Arizona State University
    And Related Support Services
  • Portage Northern
    Portage Northern

Frequently Asked Questions about Paul O'Brien

What company does Paul O'Brien work for?

Paul O'Brien works for Startup Economist

What is Paul O'Brien's role at the current company?

Paul O'Brien's current role is Managing Director, Publisher, and Economist.

What schools did Paul O'Brien attend?

Paul O'Brien attended Arizona State University, W. P. Carey School Of Business – Arizona State University, Portage Northern.

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