Provides awareness, resources, and cash award to early stage startups

AUSTIN, Texas, — The Austin Young Chamber, in partnership with the City of Austin’s Economic Development Department, will hold the virtual Austin Fast Start pitch competition for Creative Businesses on Monday, August 16th from 5:30 – 7:00pm.

The Austin Fast Start pitch competition fosters the spirit of innovation within Austin by highlighting early stage startups in various economic development priorities.

Arts, culture, and creativity are essential elements to Austin’s unique and distinctive identity – and creative businesses have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic. Creative businesses include those that are turning their creative talents into successful and sustainable business ventures. This topic encompasses a broad range of creatives in the Austin ecosystem, such as musicians, artists, photographers, and artisans.

The Austin Fast Start Creatives Finalists include:

• Rough Cut Comedy is the premiere production company for events all over Austin, comedy and non-comedy alike. Rough Cut puts on high quality shows and works with venues all across Austin supporting the local arts scene.
• Uni Streaming is a streaming platform that showcases only local independent musicians in every region. They will create community & engagement that will build careers around our independent musicians.
• Unravl Hair saves individuals time and money by automating the braid takedown process – a safer, cheaper, and more convenient option.
• WorkWear WorkShop repairs, upcycles, and sells clothing that would otherwise go to waste. Their product line focuses on high quality, durable and fashionable items: denim, workwear, and outerwear.

“Austin Fast Start is a unique opportunity to help businesses gain awareness, resources, and funding to support their innovative business ideas, “ said Alyssia Palacios-Woods, President & CEO of the Austin Young Chamber. “This cycle we are excited to showcase Austin’s early stage creative businesses who are leading the way to new growth in Austin.”

To schedule a media interview, please contact Alyssia Palacios-Woods, Austin Young Chamber President and CEO, at (512) 810-8005 or alyssia@austinyoungchamber.org.

Previous 2021 Austin Fast Start Pitch Winners:
Social Impact Winner: Clusiv
Clusiv is the world’s first and only e-learning platform made for and by the blind and visually impaired. Clusiv is also the first user experience ever designed for screen reader users and the full spectrum of visual impairments.

Health & Wellness Winner: Gardenio
Gardenio is on a mission to empower a generation of lifelong food growers with a new kind of garden club membership. They send you everything you need to grow your own organic food at home – including live plants – with an app and community to help you as you grow. They’re reconnecting people to their food, their neighbors, and themselves.

About the Austin Young Chamber
The Austin Young Chamber supports the Central Texas business community through initiatives and efforts designed to build and strengthen a diverse young professional workforce. Connect with the Austin Young Chamber on Facebook, Instagram,  LinkedIn, or Twitter or check out upcoming programs at austinyc.org.

About the City of Austin Economic Development Department
The City of Austin Economic Development Department supports business growth, creative industries, and local communities. These programs build an equitable, sustainable economy to improve the lives of all Austin residents. To learn more about helpful resources, visit www.austintexas.gov/edd and follow @AustinEconDev on Twitter.