Cs Freeland
Organizer at Texas Venture Gala & Forum
Austin, Texas
Overview
Work Experience
Fellow
2025 - Current
I was selected as one of the 34 Fellows (out of 4x as many applicants) to partake in learning, sharing notes, and meeting with others from across the country for this program, with kickoff in Washington, DC at the US Chamber of Commerce.
Member
2024
This will be my second year as a member. Also served as a judge for the trade industry awards. I more recently participated in the Artificial Intelligence Political Archive where my submissions and others can be used by academics, journalists, political consultants and policy makers to understand the use of generative AI in elections. In total, nine of my work submissions either have won gold or silver Pollie's (the industry awards / gala for political consultants), and/or are up for recognition across a variety of different categories. I have focused on mayoral and state legislative efforts, and all in Texas.
Founding Organizer
2024
2025: Current speaker highlights are: Presidential Cabinet Member / US SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler; Office of the Governor Greg Abbott Executive Director, Adriana Cruz; Deep Eddy Vodka / Sweet Leaf Tea / Waterloo Sparkling Water Founder & Asto Consumer Partners Cofounder, Clayton Christopher; Former Mayor of Austin & Commonweal Ventures Senior Advisor Steve Adler, Texas Association of Business (the state chamber of commerce) CEO, Glenn Hamer, with more added soon. 2024: Office of the Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Executive Director, Adriana Cruz, kicked off the Texas Venture Gala & Forum Breakfast Keynote, followed by a variety of 50+ investors on breakout sessions throughout the day including: venture capitalists, LPs, corporates, heads of angel networks from across the state, family offices, emerging managers, incubators, accelerators, city chambers & economic development corporation startup funds, and more. Additional influential contributors to Texas' statewide innovation featured are the CEOs of the Texas Higher Education Commission, Texas Economic Development Corporation, and the Texas State Chamber of Commerce, along with top leaders from the Texas State Legislature. The Gala dinner keynote was longest tenured NASA CEO, Dan Goldin who served under three presidential administrations. This is a sister signature event to the Texas Venture Fest, the statewide and simultaneous experience cohosted in 13 cities, 19 venues, and 3,000 Texans to amplify the ecosystem of startup support. www.texasventuregala.com
Chief Wrangler
2022
"The Lone Star State shouldn’t have lone star founders." The Texas Venture Fest features the ecosystem of startup support across the state. I created this unique statewide event that is simultaneously co-hosted with 13 cities, 19 venues, and 3,000 Texans. It's a record-breaking event and Texas-sized proud moment for the state. From our small towns to the some nation's biggest metropoles, Texas Venture Fest started in downtown Austin, hosted and sponsored by 10 VC firms, had 3 venture shuttle stops, and attracted 1,300 attendees. This is a sister signature event to the Texas Venture Gala & Forum where we convene all the Texas Venture Fest cohosts under one roof.
Executive Director & Texas Venture Newsletter Editor
2022
Texas Venture Alliance is the state’s largest network featuring the ecosystem of startup support working with 120+ organizations annually via speakers, sponsors, and co-hosts of events. I started this to work with Texans everywhere to help amplify venture stories across the state and at the Texas State Capitol. With Texas Association of Business (the state chamber of commerce) President & CEO Glenn Hamer as our Chairman, we co-create and co-organize the state’s signature experiences and resources that boost Texas innovation. The two signature events are the Texas Venture Fest with 3,000 Texans across the state, and the Texas Venture Gala & Forum that brings the top 300 investors and startup CEOs together for a high-end and high-powered dinner and awards recognizing Texas excellence. I’m also the editor and publisher of the Texas Venture Newsletter, a 2x per month statewide newsletter featuring venture activities and resources that reaches 10,000+ readers. Sign up and share this resource for entrepreneurs and startup investors via the “Featured” section on my profile.
Founding Executive Director
2021 - 2022
I was a founder of the Austin Venture Association and led as the Executive Director. Managed a 14 person board membership, planned events hosting 700+ people in total, created and published a monthly newsletter, managed multiple social media channels, and secured 10+ media hits. First video of me talking about a local startup investors' club, calling it Venture Austin Club (a concept I launched a few months beforehand): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R07gvEOtLnI I left the Austin Venture Association to start a statewide effort, most importantly to connect Texas' greater venture community and to add an advocacy component for what is now Texas Venture Alliance.
Austin Venture Association is an organization that focuses on the venture community, education, and professional development.
Founder
2020 - 2021
At the onset of pandemic, I came up with an idea for short term stay and a curated experience catering to the startup and venture community. I partnered with 3 luxury hotels in downtown Austin to offer a total of 20 startup and business leaders short term stay— it was a blast and I’ve always wanted to live in nice hotels!
Alumni Board of Directors
2018 - 2021
Served on the endowment, finance, and bobcats awards committees, and promoted and attended fundraisers.
Snacks Dictator
2020 - 2021
This was an immediate pandemic response where I launched a business as quick reaction to the onset of the pandemic by first purchasing thousands of dollars of shelf-stable goods from local entrepreneurs. My cofounder and I boxed up products and shipped them across the country. My cofounder and I ended up working with over 60 Austin SMBs to help them stay afloat. I'm a picky eater so this was also a great selection of local snacks!
Member
2019 - 2020
Powered by the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers, Shaper Impact has a global network and is an impact investor newsletter connecting thousands of social enterprises and impact startups with thousands of impact investors and angels. I helped scout and diligence impact startups to our cause and newsletter. I also helped keep the website up-to-date.
Shaper Impact Capital is an impact investor newsletter, a grassroots, and a decentralized network.