Plenty has been said about 2020. And much of it is not fit for print.
But if you zoom into Austin's startup scene, it looks a lot more like a campfire than a dumpster fire. While dozens of startups struggled as the pandemic set in, including a few that laid off employees or shut down, Austin Inno readers seemed most interested in reading about promising new startups, imaginative office designs and emerging founders.
Here's a closer look at our 10 most-read stories of 2020.
1.) The 20 Austin Startups to Watch in 2020
Each year, Inno touches base with venture capitalists and accelerator leaders to help identify local startups that are expected to have a big year ahead. And Inno readers dove into the 2020 version, which featured companies including Literati, Fetch Package and Chipper, making it our most-read story of the year.
In January, we'll be sharing our 2021 list, as well as chatting with a few founders during a virtual event. So stay tuned...
2.) Austin's new unicorn: At-home health testing startup Everlywell raises $175M in funding
No surprise here. The biggest funding of the year also became one of the most-read stories of the year. Everlywell had a remarkable run in 2020, opening a new office and raising a round early in the year, before launching its Covid-19 at-home test kits and, of course, landing a $175 million round in early December.
The company, founded by CEO Julia Cheek in 2015, was also an Inno on Fire Blazer winner this year in the healthtech category.
3.) Office Envy: SpyCloud Takes Over Former Adult Theater Turned Tech HQ
We've learned time and time again that readers love to check out interesting startup office spaces. And SpyCloud's new digs on South Congress are among the most interesting to emerge in 2020.
The cybersecurity startup's new office, in the former Austin Theater that opened in 1939, took on a decidedly different vibe than it had during its renditions as both a family theater and, later, as an adult theater that closed in 1998. The space, developed by in-house team members and professional designers, spreads across 10,000 square feet and features 13 conference rooms decked out with Austin murals.
4.) Game On: Welcome to Austin Inno's 2020 Tech Madness Bracket
Just before the pandemic took over our lives last year, Austin Inno launched its annual Tech Madness competition. The community-wide contest is designed to drive awareness for the region’s startup ecosystem. It's a startup bracket challenge where readers vote for companies they'd most want to invest in based on their own personal metrics.
Inno has a ton of fun with this each year. But, unfortunately, it was purely an online endeavor this year. About a month after we launched the bracket, readers narrowed it down to a championship match between Rocket Dollar and MeBeBot. Rocket Dollar ran away with the big win.
5.) On the rise: Meet Austin Inno's 25 Under 25
Some of us seem to find our stride earlier in life than others. And that's what Austin Inno's 25 Under 25 list is all about — highlighting the young innovators who have accomplished an exceptional amount in their 25 or fewer years. This is one of our top posts every year. Why? Because everyone is interested in learning more about the leaders of tomorrow and up-and-coming startup stars.
6.) Indeed won't require employees to return to offices until July 2021
With rapid growth and big real estate investments, Indeed has become a prominent part of Austin's skyline -- both downtown and at the Domain. So news that it won't require employees to be in the office until July 2021 drew a ton of eyes. And, remember, this news broke way back in July, when many people still had hopes that we could tamp the Covid-19 pandemic down enough to gather in offices in large numbers.
7.) 2020 Austin Inno on Fire
Everybody knows Austin's startup scene is hot. But this contest looks to turn up the heat and identify the local startups that had the most impressive past year. So, you won't be surprised to find Everlywell on this list alongside exciting startups like ICON, Tankee and OJO Labs. After this initial list was released, we had a team of local VCs and startup leaders vote to pick Blazer winners in each category and we held a web-based panel conversation with three founders.
8.) Born to ride: Volcon's CEO is revved up to bring off-road electric vehicles to Liberty Hill
Austin's electric vehicle ecosystem is growing rapidly. But it's not just Tesla. Volcon is also an emerging player, just on a slightly different field. The startup makes the two-wheeled dirt bike called The Grunt, as well as UTVs. Our profile focused on CEO Andrew Leisner, whose entire career seems to involve motorcycles on one level or another. We also reported on the company's forthcoming Liberty Hill factory, where it plans to build its vehicles and provide customers with trail-riding and other activities.
9.) Austin Tech Unicorn RigUp Sheds 100-Plus Jobs
Last year, RigUp became one of the city's most talked-about startup after it raised a massive $300 million round of funding. That's why many people were shocked when we broke the story of the promising oil and gas software startup laying off 100-plus employees.
10.) Austin startup Good Air Team to pitch K9 Mask for dogs on 'Shark Tank' this Friday
Everyone loves a "Shark Tank" story, and this one was particularly interesting because it featured an Austin company that sells masks for dogs. They didn't develop the product for Covid-19 -- it was designed to keep out air pollution from wildfires and human activity. But the timing of it certainly brought additional attention. In the end, Daymond John made an offer. After a brief negotiation, co-founders Kirby Holmes and Evan Daugherty agreed to a $200,000 deal with John taking a 40% equity stake in the company.
