His Chief of Staff Has No Hands
Tesla's steering-wheel-free Cybercabs started taking riders in Austin today, and this week's fictional founder has already promoted one to chief of staff. It does not own a lanyard.
5 min read
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Startups
Browse Old Austin Grouch posts about startups, Austin nostalgia, and the city habits locals still argue about.
Use this topic hub to explore satire, memories, and cultural commentary about startups in Austin, Texas.
5 posts · Newest first
Slide Nine Is Just a Picture of a Croissant
Two studies say Austin-to-San Antonio rail means a huge bill or a fight with freight railroads. This week's fictional founder has a third option, and it involves a membership tier.
5 min read
The Sign at 12th and Airport Still Has Oil Stains Underneath
The old Martinez Auto at 12th and Airport did $29 oil changes and let you drink a Lone Star while waiting; now Velocity Workspace charges $549/month for a standing desk where the lift was and calls the grease pit legacy infrastructure.
6 min read
The Laundromat That Now Requires a Pitch Deck for a Dryer
Brendan Holt stood in the former parking lot of Al's Washateria at East 12th and Chicon last week explaining his $4.2M seed round while the dryer I fed three quarters into in 1998 sat behind him like a museum piece; what once took two dollars, a plastic basket, and zero logins now demands an app, a credit check, and a monthly "Clean Club" membership if you don't want surge pricing on Saturdays.
6 min read
Tech Bro of the Week: The AI-Powered Queso Disruptor
His algorithm has tasted ten thousand quesos. It has learned nothing.
4 min read