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Welcome to this bite-size issue of The Austin Business Review, with a quick rundown of the best business events coming up this week.

I started this Monday edition because cool stuff always pops up over the weekend, and today’s email is a perfect example – whether it’s this Gen AI cruise on the lake, this discussion on making America healthy again, or this panel on tariff uncertainty – there’s a bunch of cool stuff going on this week.

Take a look, and I’ll be back Thursday with more of the best from the ATX business community.

-Ethan

Events This Week…

Running a business is tough. Here are a few great places to meet cool people going through the same sh*t you are.

🗓️ TONIGHT: Artificial Integrity (online): Author Hamilton Mann is joining the Austin Forum to discuss his latest book, on strategies to align AI with human values

🗓️ TONIGHT: Negotiation Tips & Tricks (Online): Austin Women in Tech is hosting Amber Gunst, founder of FundLyst and former CEO of the Austin Tech Council

🗓️ Apr. 29: Coffee Tasting & Founder Story: Richard Pennock, co-founder of IndigoFire Coffee, is hosting a tasting down at Red Fridge Society, and sharing his story

🗓️ Apr. 29: CTAN Funding Info Session (Online): If you’re fundraising soon, check out this info session from Central Texas Angel Network. Cycle 3 funding closes May 5

🗓️ Apr. 29: Turbulent Times DTC Brand Panel: Featuring author Taylor Pearson, and kick-ass DTC founders Jake Chambers of Pupsentials, and Shaz Rajashekar of SHAZ & KIKS

🗓️ Apr. 29: AHA Kickoff: What’s it really going to take to make America healthy again? Dr. Aseem Malhotra will lead this panel with Brian Sanders, host of the Peak Nutrition pod, and other leaders in the space

🗓️ Apr. 30: Navigating Tariff Uncertainty: SKU is hosting this talk with Kelly Spillane, deal lead at Whole Foods Market, and other founders in DTC/CPG

🗓️ Apr. 30: Entrepreneur Game Happy Hour: My buddy Tomer Soran developed this card game for founders, and it adds a fun layer to happy hour down at High Noon

🗓️ Apr. 30: Black Mirror Reality Check: Watch two episodes live, then listen in on this panel discussion with Numa Dhamani and other AI founders and developers

🗓️ May 1: Elevated Interactions: Investor Cody Todd is gathering people at Cosmic Pickle for laid back drinks. Fun fact: He’s an investor in Cosmic too 🍻 Ask him about it

🗓️ May 1: The Happiest Hour: Swing by the Antler office downtown for drinks with Allie Mullen, Nick Tippman, and other investors around town.

🗓️ May 1: Hardware Happy Hour: The name says it all – if you’ve got a hardware startup, and wanna meet other founders, head to Aristocrat Lounge on Burnet

🗓️ May 2: Friday Writing Club: Run by my friend, Kirtana Reddy, this is one of the most popular writing groups in the city, and a great place to meet interesting people

🗓️ May 2: Founder Fridays: Hosted every month by founder Georges Colbert in partnership with LAUNCH, the VC firm founded by Jason Calacanis

🗓️ May 3: Sourdough Starter Party: Texas Women in Business is hosting this event as a fun way to make connections, learn new skills, and support their philanthropy fund

🗓️ May 3: Conquering Crisis: Admiral William H. McRaven, No. 1 NYT bestselling author of Make Your Bed is coming to Book People to discuss his latest release

🗓️ May 3: TEDx South Congress: Led by Dr. Ronke Komolafe, this year’s theme is, “Innovative Pulse: What Does the Future Hold?” See the full lineup of speakers, and snag tickets here.

One For The Weekend

A little something to look forward to…

If you love documentaries, here’s your heads up that the Austin Film Society’s Doc Days documentary film festival is May 1-4. With ten award-winning screenings, spread Thursday-Sunday, plus interviews and fireside chats with creators.

What I like about it – screenings start in the evenings on Thursday and Friday, so you can put in a full day of work, grab dinner, and still head over in time to see the movie. We need more late-start stuff in this town.

Check out the full lineup and snag tickets here.

PS. The AFS is also screening Secret Mall Apartment this week, about the group of Rhode Islanders who secretly built a 750 sq ft apartment in the Providence mall, and kept it active for four years. Take me back to the early 2000’s.

That’s all for this issue!

Email me here if you want to share any feedback, or let me know about an event you’re hosting.

See you Thursday,

-Ethan