Robert Metcalfe is an engineer, technology executive and venture capitalist best known for inventing Ethernet," according to Biography.com. But in Austin, most people know Metcalfe as one of the champions of the city's technology startup ecosystem. His goal is to make Austin into a better Silicon Valley. A few years ago, Metcalfe joined the University of Texas at Austin as professor of innovation, Murchison Fellow of Free Enterprise in the Cockrell School of Engineering. In that role, Metcalfe has advocated for university professors and students to launch tech companies. He launched One Semester Startup, now known as Longhorn Startup Lab, along with Joshua Baer, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Capital Factory. That program has graduated four startup classes and helped dozens of undergraduate students launch companies. This summer Metcalfe was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame for all his contributions to the technology world. And earlier this year, he held a two day Ethernet Innovation Summit at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, Calif. on the 40th anniversary of the invention of Ethernet. But the thing that is probably the most amazing about Metcalfe is his ability to continually change and reinvent himself. He has been an inventor, a tech company founder, a venture capitalist, a writer and publisher with InfoWorld Magazine and a mentor and teacher to countless entrepreneurs. He also completed his first triathlon last year. And he's known for his wearing his trademark tennis shoes with fancy suits. He's a man on the go. He is married to Robyn Metcalfe, Phd, director of The Food Lab at The University of Texas at Austin and they have two grown children, Max and Julia. The event was held September 24, 2013. For more information visit http://StartupGrind.com or follow us on twitter @StartupGrind. ***Startup Grind is an event series and website designed to help educate, inspire, and connect local entrepreneurs. Each month we welcome an amazing speaker who shares their story with our community and tells us what worked, what didn't, and what they'll do differently next time. It's an amazing opportunity to learn from the best, network with other members of the startup community, and improve your chances of entrepreneurial success.

• published: 12 Nov 2013
• views: 12