Thursday

(Community Matters)
a back to back day. Snuck away for a few minutes of quiet and lunch alone. Breakfast for DLA Piper’s Venture Pipeline at the Four Seasons. Moderator and friend, Paul Hurdlow peppered the three growth equity panelists about deals they look for, todays markets and funding. Local David Lack (AV partner) joined by two colleagues from out of town (my notes not on me). DLA’s venture ombudsman presented on state of venture and growth equity. Up until last week, 08 was shaping up well in dollars and deal flow, nationally and in Texas. Austin accounting for half of Texas’ deal flow, our industries quite diverse among technology. There is money out there but much more judicious placment than in previous ten years. If you aren’t a serial entrepreneur, it’ll be very difficult without existing revenues.

Greenlights for nonprofit success confernece. Matthew Dodd morning keynote. I walked in on the tail end but he’d obviously touched his audience. His closing remark was predicting an Obama win. Lots of good info from City of Austin demographer, including that Hispanics accounted for 48% of city’s growth in 90s, between 70% – 80% in 2000s. At the end of 2006, among our population under 18 yo, Hispanics accounted for 50.1%, 54% if under five yo. Dove Springs 90% Hispanic (75,000 residents), English isn’t the primary language in that neighborhood. One part of Hispanic community is enjoying unprecedented prosperity and upward mobility. The other is living mostly in two barrios. African American households continuing to decrease in Austin. We are a majority minority city. Back to Crossroads. Later Tech Crunch (UT event, then Pangena). Then David Byrnes concert at Paramount. Finally Moximity’s launch party at Belmont.I’m sleeping late tomorrow.posted from my blackberry.