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Paul O'Brien

Investor

Head of Public Affairs at Founder Institute

Austin, Texas

Writes $10K – $1M checks · typically $250K

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About

Paul O'Brien is Managing Director, Publisher, and Economist at STARTUP ECONOMIST, where he advises governments, advocacy groups, and private sector leaders on policy and legislative strategy related to entrepreneurship and innovation. He previously founded MediaTech Ventures, an early-stage incubator, and held roles as Venture Partner at Meaningful Ventures and Director of Founder Institute Texas. His experience encompasses economic development, venture capital, public policy, founder support, and cross-sector coalition building, with a focus on removing systemic barriers to startup formation and capital formation.

Experience

  1. STARTUP ECONOMISTManaging Director, Publisher, and Economistcurrent2005 — present
  2. Founder InstituteHead of Public Affairscurrent2025 — present
  3. Founder InstituteDirectorcurrent2017 — presentAustin, Texas Area
  4. Space Force AssociationPublic Affairs and Marketingcurrent2026 — presentAustin, Texas Metropolitan Area
  5. Startup Champions NetworkPolicy Committee Membercurrent2026 — present
  6. GenerationalManaging Directorcurrent2024 — present
  7. American YouthWorksBoard Membercurrent2023 — presentAustin, Texas Metropolitan Area
  8. DivIncMentor2016 — 2026Austin, Texas Area
  9. Accelerate TexasFounder2014 — 2026Austin, Texas Area
  10. Funded HouseFounder and Director2018 — 2025
  11. Collective | MediaTech Media IncubatorFounder2017 — 2025Austin, Texas Area
  12. MediaTech VenturesChief Executive Officer2016 — 2024Austin, Texas Area
  13. FUND ConferenceAdvisor2018 — 2024Greater Chicago Area
  14. VenturePointBoard Member2015 — 2024San Antonio, Texas Area
  15. Texas Venture Growth Forum - TXVGFSteering Committee Member2015 — 2024Austin, Texas Area
  16. O'Brien Clan FoundationBoard Member2012 — 2024
  17. Cleantech OpenMentor2014 — 2020Austin, Texas Area
  18. Meaningful VenturesVenture Partner2018 — 2020Austin, Texas Area
  19. International AcceleratorAdvisor2014 — 2019Austin, Texas Area
  20. SprinklrMarketing Advisor / Consultant2014 — 2017Austin, Texas Area
  21. Icontrol NetworksDigital Strategy (Acquired by Comcast)2015 — 2016Austin, Texas Area
  22. SmartTouch InteractiveAdvisor2014 — 2016Austin, TX
  23. Pragma Systems, Inc.Marketing Advisor2014 — 2016Austin, Texas Area
  24. MicroVenturesChief Marketing Officer2014 — 2015Austin, Texas Area
  25. VChain Solutions, Inc.Mentor2014 — 2015Austin, Texas Area
  26. TuffwerxMarketing Advisor2013 — 2015Austin, Texas Area
  27. Dachis GroupMarketing Advisor / Consultant (Acquired by Sprinklr)2013 — 2014Austin, Texas Area
  28. FOVNDERSCo Founder2013 — 2014Austin, Texas Area
  29. CorvalentMarketing Consultant2013 — 2014Cedar Park, TX
  30. half past now.Advisor2013 — 2014Austin, Texas Area
  31. myDocketMarketing Advisor / Consultant2014Austin, Texas Area
  32. AdPeople WorldwideDigital Strategist2013Austin, Texas Area
  33. The Next One's On Me, Inc.CMO (Pivoted company to Loop & Tie)2012 — 2013Austin, Texas Area
  34. CospaceCo-Founder2011 — 2013Austin, TX
  35. Moodfish.comCo-Founder & Advisor2012Austin, Texas Area
  36. FliptopFractional Marketing Executive (Acquired by LinkedIn)2011 — 2012
  37. FoxTranslateFractional Marketing Executive2010 — 2012
  38. PAC LabsMarketing & Community Development (@ GILD)2011 — 2012
  39. IP CommerceMarketing & Community Development2011 — 2012
  40. Steiner Ranch Neighborhood AssociationFounder2011 — 2012

Skills & more

Economic Policy1Public Policy1Policy AnalysisGovernmental AffairsAssociation ManagementPublic-private PartnershipsUniversity Relations3Public Affairs6Legislative Affairs3Government Relations3Digital Media2Strategic Communications2
+12 moreBuilding CoalitionsEconomic DevelopmentVenture CapitalInternational Public AffairsLegislative RelationsWritingPublic SpeakingEntrepreneurship DevelopmentStartup EnvironmentsInnovation DevelopmentCreativityStrategy

From Paul's professional profile.

Colleagues at Founder Institute

Adeo Ressi
Partner at Founder Capital
Ali Mnif
Chief Investment Officer at Digital Africa
Benjamin Chong
Partner at Right Click Capital
Dianthe Harris Skurko
Venture Partner at Forma Prime
Dr. Chettipally
Venture Advisor at Think+ Ventures Management, Llc
Jason Jacobsohn
Managing Partner at Propellant Ventures
Javier Hasbun
Managing Partner at Orange Digital Ventures
Kevin Brockland
Managing Partner at Indelible Ventures

Frequently asked questions

Who is Paul O'Brien?
Paul O'Brien is Managing Director, Publisher, and Economist at STARTUP ECONOMIST, where he advises governments, advocacy groups, and private sector leaders on policy and legislative strategy related to entrepreneurship and innovation. He previously founded MediaTech Ventures, an early-stage incubator, and held roles as Venture Partner at Meaningful Ventures and Director of Founder Institute Texas. His experience encompasses economic development, venture capital, public policy, founder support, and cross-sector coalition building, with a focus on removing systemic barriers to startup formation and capital formation.
Where does Paul O'Brien work?
Paul O'Brien is Head of Public Affairs at Founder Institute.
What check size does Paul O'Brien write?
Paul O'Brien typically writes checks of $10K – $1M.
Where did Paul O'Brien go to school?
Paul O'Brien studied at Arizona State University (B.S., Business Management); W. P. Carey School of Business – Arizona State University (Bachelor of Science (BS), Business); Portage Northern.

Same school

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