About Us
The startup and venture landscape is currently experiencing a surge of unprecedented growth, opening up a new frontier of opportunities.
About the Austin Venture Association
Austin Venture Association is a organization focused on supporting a community of VCs and organizations servicing early stage and emerging startups in Austin. Since the early 90’s, Austin has had the reputation for a proactive community culture helping professional people and businesses. Austin Venture Association is engaging this unique culture to provide strong business networking and knowledge sharing opportunities for investors, founders, and business professionals in Austin.
Our goal is supporting the Austin venture community in growing and building stronger businesses in Austin. We hope you consider joining Austin Venture Association to share in Austin’s amazing business connections valued by investors, entrepreneurs and businesses alike.
Our Mission
In 2021, we were uniquely founded to respond to the needs of Austinites, both new and existing. We focus on three key areas: amplifying and organizing the local greater venture community, education and professional development, and delivering exceptional emerging business support.
About Austin
In Austin, community and collaboration are at the heart of success. Our city's rich history of supporting one another is evident in the thriving business community. We understand that partnerships are crucial to our members' growth, which is why we are dedicated to connecting them with a diverse range of resources, including service providers, corporations, media outlets, business associations, and venues. Together, we strive to further the goals of our organization and strengthen our community.
Our Team
We aspire to surpass the expectations of our members, partners, and sponsors by putting an emphasis on cooperation, communication, and taking a customer-centric approach in everything that we do.
David Valentino
AVA Managing Director
AVA Position: Management
Umar Brimah
AVA Platform Director
AVA Position: Management
Ari Salafia
AVA Founder, Founder & CEO
TaxTaker
AVA Position: Treasurer/Secretary & Founding Board Member
Monica Driscoll
VP Startup Banking Silicon Valley Bank
AVA Position: Advisory Board
Tim Donahue
Senior Vice President CBRE
AVA Position: Advisory Board
Adam Salvia
Partner Cherry Bekaert
AVA Position: Advisory Board
Carl Grant III
AVA Founder, CEO & Founder
Connexa Solutions LLC
AVA Position: Vice President & Founding Board Member
Chris Montgomery
SVP Business Development Cooley
AVA Position: Advisory Board
Chris Shonk
AVA Founder, General Partner
ATX Venture Partners
AVA Position: President & Chairman of the Board & Founding Board Member
Peggy Scott
CBI Group
AVA Position: Advisory Board
Vi Nugyen
Homads
AVA Position: Partnership Advisory Board
Tien Wong
CEO Opus8, Inc., Managing General Partner Phoenix Fund
AVA Position: Board Member
Austin Venture Association
The Austin Venture Association is a 501 (c)(6) organization focused on the greater venture community supporting Austin’s startup ecosystem.