San Antonio Tech Event Sparks Excitement Among Students
In San Antonio, an electrifying energy filled the air as Tech Bloc hosted its very first Tech Day event at the Boeing Center at Tech Port. On a bustling Friday, hundreds of area tech enthusiasts gathered to witness a day full of excitement, innovation, and plenty of opportunities for the future!
Giving Back to the Students
A highlight of the day was the heartwarming laptop giveaway that saw around 300 fifth-grade students from KIPP Texas public charter schools receive shiny new laptops. This generous move was co-sponsored by AT&T and was part of Tech Bloc’s ambitious goal to donate a whopping 1,000 laptops throughout the year to help close the digital divide. Ileana González, the CEO of Tech Bloc, chatted with attendees about the inspiration behind the initiative. She emphasized how vital it is to ensure kids have the tools they need to thrive in a tech-driven world.
“You fill the top of the funnel for the tech community of the future,” said Will Conway, the board chair of Tech Bloc and a tech industry veteran. He highlighted that it’s essential to provide access and resources to our youth as early as possible.
A Day Packed with Learning
The Tech Day event was not all about the giveaways! It was also a vibrant hub of educational workshops and informative sessions. With an impressive lineup of 18 panel talks across three tracks, there was something for everyone, whether you were an aspiring tech employee, a seasoned developer, or simply tech-curious!
Local nonprofit DevSA took the reins on hands-on learning sessions that tackled topics like cloud-native applications, artificial intelligence, and everything in between. González noted that interest was particularly high for a session on harnessing generative AI, which attracted over 100 registrants! Now that’s what we call hot topics!
Panel Discussions and Networking
Investment firm MGV Capital also chimed in, leading enlightening discussions on the state of venture capital, corporate growth strategies, and understanding how to navigate the fundraising landscape. The panels allowed for a fantastic exchange of ideas and provided insights into how to harness tech for various industries.
Tech Day also featured a chat from Beto Altamirano, a tech entrepreneur and a candidate for San Antonio Mayor. He spoke passionately about collaboration within the tech community and how necessary it is for the city to develop and grow as Texas’ tech landscape continues to evolve.
Fueling the Future with Innovation
To cap off the exciting day, attendees gathered for the grand finale event, Tech Fuel. Modeled after the popular Shark Tank show, five innovative startups — BobiHealth, Balam, Just in Traps, Axicle, and Wild Forge — took the stage to compete for an impressive $100,000 prize in partnership with the Bexar County Economic Development Innovation Fund. The buzz of competition had everyone on the edge of their seats!
Bridging the Gap for Success
Conway acknowledged the challenges posed by the ongoing search for local talent in the tech industry, especially with nearby giants like Austin and Houston attracting attention. However, he reassured everyone that San Antonio has many hidden gems where exciting developments are taking place.
“We want the community to learn from itself. There’s a lot of phenomenal companies here in San Antonio that are doing amazing things,” he said. From the realms of bioscience to cybersecurity and logistics, tech is truly at play in every corner of the city!
Overall, the Tech Day at the Boeing Center at Tech Port was not just an event, but rather a celebration of community, innovation, and the bright future awaiting San Antonio’s tech scene. Events like these show just how critical it is to equip our youth with valuable resources and skills that will prepare them to thrive in a tomorrow driven by technology.
The future is bright in San Antonio, and with collective effort and enthusiasm, the sky is truly the limit!
