Paul O'Brien
InvestorManaging Director at MediaTech Ventures · Venture Partner at Meaningful Ventures
Austin, Texas
Writes $10K – $1M checks · typically $250K
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
- STARTUP ECONOMISTManaging Director, Publisher, and Economistcurrent2005 — present
- Founder InstituteHead of Public Affairscurrent2025 — present
- Founder InstituteDirectorcurrent2017 — presentAustin, Texas Area
- Space Force AssociationPublic Affairs and Marketingcurrent2026 — presentAustin, Texas Metropolitan Area
- Startup Champions NetworkPolicy Committee Membercurrent2026 — present
- GenerationalManaging Directorcurrent2024 — present
- American YouthWorksBoard Membercurrent2023 — presentAustin, Texas Metropolitan Area
- DivIncMentor2016 — 2026Austin, Texas Area
- Accelerate TexasFounder2014 — 2026Austin, Texas Area
- Funded HouseFounder and Director2018 — 2025
- Collective | MediaTech Media IncubatorFounder2017 — 2025Austin, Texas Area
- MediaTech VenturesChief Executive Officer2016 — 2024Austin, Texas Area
- FUND ConferenceAdvisor2018 — 2024Greater Chicago Area
- VenturePointBoard Member2015 — 2024San Antonio, Texas Area
- Texas Venture Growth Forum - TXVGFSteering Committee Member2015 — 2024Austin, Texas Area
- O'Brien Clan FoundationBoard Member2012 — 2024
- Cleantech OpenMentor2014 — 2020Austin, Texas Area
- Meaningful VenturesVenture Partner2018 — 2020Austin, Texas Area
- International AcceleratorAdvisor2014 — 2019Austin, Texas Area
- SprinklrMarketing Advisor / Consultant2014 — 2017Austin, Texas Area
Education
- Arizona State UniversityB.S., Business Management1994 — 1998
- W. P. Carey School of Business – Arizona State UniversityBachelor of Science (BS), Business1996 — 1999
- Portage Northern1990 — 1994
Skills & more
+12 more
Building CoalitionsEconomic DevelopmentVenture CapitalInternational Public AffairsLegislative RelationsWritingPublic SpeakingEntrepreneurship DevelopmentStartup EnvironmentsInnovation DevelopmentCreativityStrategyFrom Paul's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does Paul O'Brien work?
- Paul O'Brien is Managing Director at MediaTech Ventures.
- What check size does Paul O'Brien write?
- Paul O'Brien typically writes checks of $10K – $1M.
Same school
Also attended Arizona State University101
+ 95 more
Also attended W. P. Carey School of Business – Arizona State University26
+ 20 more
