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Digital Media Watch a video to see prominent members of Austin's digital media industry talking about why their businesses thrive in Austin. For more information about our capabilities or to confidentially request information or a site search in our region, contact Tony Schum, Director, Economic Development, at 512.322.5681 or tschum@austinchamber.com. Tony will be at several industry conferences around the country during 2008. See our Calendars page for more information.

A digital media revolution is underway. It affects everything from gaming to film to music and countless other ways we interact and experience the world. And Austin is at the center of it all.tin.

Austin is home to creative professionals and high-tech engineering power. It is a region defined by stunning growth, lower business and living costs than most major metro areas and a young, well-educated population. It’s a great place to live as well. Austin was ranked as the top location in the country for “the creative class,” according to author and leading economist Richard Florida, based on what he calls the “three T’s”: technology, talent and tolerance.

Austin hosts a number of prestigious and progressive conferences and events:

• Home to the prestigious SXSW music, film and interactive conference
• Austin Game Developers Conference
• Austin City Limits PBS concert series and Music Festival
• Austin Film Festival
• Quentin Tarantino Film Festival

Austin’s attractiveness as a place to live and work is a huge draw for digital media companies. Our technological infrastructure, business climate, talent pool, natural beauty and active nightlife make Austin a place where companies can create and innovate. Home to diverse companies like IBM, AMD, Freescale, NCSoft and Blizzard Entertainment to name a few.

Technology is a significant part of our economy. More than 3,400 tech companies employ over 100,000 workers. The tech industry accounts for 18% of the workforce and 34% of payrolls in the private sector.

• The State of Texas recently established the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive designed to attract TV, film, animation and gaming companies.
• Two of the biggest game development studios in the industry recently announced their presence in Austin: Electronic Arts acquired Bioware and Disney Interactive Studios acquired Junction Point Studios.
• Austin was ranked as the top spot in the country to live and make movies by MovieMaker magazine based on the quality and quantity of local talent, production facilities, film festivals, community enthusiasm and innovation. Austin has ranked in the top three for the past eight years.
• IBM’s cell chip, the heart of the Sony PlayStation III, was largely designed in Austin. The IBM Austin facility consistently ranks first of all IBM locations in number of patents generated.

I think Austin is one of the pre-eminent hightech art cities. But Austin has always been an art city. And I think a computer game is the quintessential high-tech art. I really believe strongly that the fact that we came here to Austin has been pivotal to my personal and business success.
—Richard Garriot, Executive Producer, NCSoft Austin

Connect to the Top Talent Pool
Our talent pool may be the most energetic, innovative and educated in the world. Over 38% have attained a college degree or higher, compared to the national average of under 28%. Here, the best and brightest lead many diverse tech companies. And you’ll find like minds coming every day to join them – whether it’s from outside our area or through one of the largest talent pipelines in the country – The University of Texas at Austin.

Employment in High Tech Industries, 2007

Respected worldwide, the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) heads the list of area universities and colleges with a combined enrollment of more than 122,000 students. Within 100 miles of Austin, 39 colleges and universities enroll over 330,000 students, and at 200 miles the student population approaches 900,000, adding to one of the world’s strongest talent pools.

Austin Community College (ACC) offers instruction to over 65,000 people annually in a service area that includes all or parts of eight counties. ACC partners with local business, industry, and government sectors to respond to current and emerging workforce needs. ACC's Video Game Development program was created in response to demand from the local gaming industry looking to fill a need for skilled workers for a burgeoning sector.

In addition, highly rated elementary and secondary schools contribute to both quality of life and the beginnings of exceptional labor pools to come. Austin area households enjoy diverse options in education, including 29 public school districts, 16 charter schools and 69 private schools

In 2007, more than 2,100 patents were assigned to inventors in Austin. Central Texas patent activity consistently outpaces the national rate and clearly shows Austin’s competitiveness as a location for research and innovation. In 2006, the Wall Street Journal named Austin the third Most Inventive City in the country due to patent activity.

The region is one of the top targets for venture capital investment in the country, with a demonstrated capacity for generating new ideas and innovation. Austin is home to an active nd sophisticated venture capital and angel investor community which includes the Central Texas Angel Network. These groups have extensive experience with high-tech startups and early stage companies.

Austin is strategically located between the east and west coasts and centrally located relative to the major Texas metros of San Antonio, Dallas and Houston. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is a modern international airport served by 12 major airlines with 300 daily arrivals and departures including direct flights to more than 80 domestic destinations and 3 foreign cities.

Non-stop Jet Destinations 2008

A dynamic business destination. A dynamic business asset.
From a low cost of doing business to affordable home prices, to a lower overall cost of living compared with most of the country, the Austin region makes financial sense.

Our tax structure is fair, user friendly, competitive and designed to make companies feel welcome.

Compared to other major tech centers, Austin is well known for affordable living. Coldwell Banker’s home price comparison index shows Austin’s middle management housing is 40% below the national average for 2008 ($241,325 vs. $403,738).

The highest quality of life. As so many “best of” lists will attest.
The Best Place for Business and Careers. The Best City for Singles. The Best City for Relocating Families. The Live Music Capital of the World. We have it all – highly rated p ublic school districts and entertainment venues tailor made for the outdoor type or the art lover. Home to rock climbers, Tour de France Champions, rock and rollers, movie stars, theater lovers and the top of the creative class. No matter where you come from, we’re sure once you’ve experienced Austin, you’ll want to call it home.