Steve Adler, Austin Mayor (2015 to 2023), helped establish Austin as a tech startup and innovation capital. Currently an Operating Partner for the NYC based VC firm, Commonweal Ventures, investing early stage at intersection of technology and government; Special Advisor to US Mayoral Roundtable, business development and technology strategy platform; advisor to many early stage startups; pre-IPO Reddit investor; LP at Factorial Capital, a VC fund focused on early stage, engineering-led teams building AI-native companies. As mayor, Adler focused on equity, infrastructure, public safety, preserving Austin’s magical quality of life. Adler helped initiate $25 Billion in transportation/mobility projects. He led the city thru many natural disasters; had a COVID mortality rate less than half that of the US; Austin was 1st in US News & World Report city rankings; led US in new housing. A safest big city, Austin reimagined public safety, changed systems to achieve equity and justice; helped lead the United States Conference of Mayors and the Democratic Mayors Ass’n.