This episode is co-produced with the Austin Technology Council. ATC is a 30 year old association focused on promoting and facilitating growth of technology companies in Central Texas. Over the past three decades the business ecosystem in Austin has changed, and ATC is actively changing, too. Learn more at https://AustinTechnologyCouncil.org.
This episode is a great conversation about change, the rate of change, and the power of Community. Rebecca (Becky) Taylor has been an active software engineer, entrepreneur, community activist, and advisor for over three decades in the Austin community and beyond. She was an early member of the Austin Technology Council (originally called the Austin Software Council) and remains active working with the Austin Technology Incubator – the oldest continuous tech incubator in the United States.
Check out this episode and be inspired.
About Becky Taylor
Rebecca (Becky) Taylor is Executive-In-Residence at the Austin Technology Incubator, and Industry Fellow at UT-Austin’s Ethics Project. Ms. Taylor is a senior level executive with 35 years’ experience inventing new technologies, forming startups, building committed teams and raising funds. She has led advanced development and strategy efforts at organizations from very small start-up companies to large multinationals including the launch team at Shell Technology Ventures, and senior advisory roles at the U.S. Department of State. She has executed and advised on monetization involving licensing, venture capital investing, sales negotiations, expanded market opportuni5es.
An inventor and multiple patent holder, she created technology that among other things, makes your phone smarter. She served as an Entrepreneur-In-Residence at the University of Texas at Austin in 2009, advising the University on commercialization alternatives for promising research. Ms Taylor has advised dozens of startups in the course of her professional career, helping them with funding strategies, technology planning, and negotiations. She is a mentor and very much enjoys presenting to diverse audiences, large and small. She has had a lifelong commitment of raising money and awareness for important community needs.
Becky Taylor is a Senior Member of the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and serves Vice Chair of the IEEE-USA Government Relations Committee. She holds a BS in Computer Science from Iowa State University and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas’ LBJ School of Public Policy. She is certified as a Winemaker by the University of California – Davis. She holds a Series 79 FINRA designation and is affiliated with a NYC-area boutique early stage investment bank. Her board service has included board and advisory roles with multiple startups, election as a director of TruWest Credit Union ($750 MM assets), service on Austin Community College’s Foundation Board and service for other non-profit organizations in the Austin area. A resident of Austin for 40 years, she has fun with family – her son, lovely daughter-in-law, adorable granddaughter, happy dogs, and is traveling as often as possible.
About Thom Singer
Thom Singer is an advocate for “Community, Collaboration and Conversations” with people, companies, and non-profit organizations. He is also a keynote speaker (but he only works with specific types of events who are as committed to the human interaction as they are to the content). In June 2022 he stepped into the role of CEO at the Austin Technology Council.
After a successful career in sales and marketing, Thom Singer became a growth leadership speaker in 2009. A decade later he has brought his high energy presentations and action-oriented content to over 1000 audiences. Thom knows that as the speaker or master of ceremonies he has a responsibility to set the tone for a strong conference attendee experience. Known as “The Conference Catalyst” he creates an atmosphere of fun and interaction that lasts beyond his presentation.
Thom earned his Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) in 2014 and is committed to the business of meetings. He is the author of 12 books and is the host of the popular “Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do” podcast. On his show he has interviewed over 1000 entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, business leaders and others with a focus on discovering how the most successful people get farther across the gap between potential and results.