FEATURE STORY research , these have never coexisted before in a single institution ):
1 ) THE POWER OF OPEN
Our members are driven to openness and sharing , whether they are just aspiring student inventors or established and even profitable small businesses .
2 ) THE POWER OF MENTORSHIP
Part of the membership contract is that each participant commit to giving back one hour per month to collaborate with and provide guidance to other members .
3 ) THE POWER OF COMMUNITY
We are all about building technologists and entrepreneurs through the lens of collaboration . Nobody who comes here works as an island .
4 ) THE POWER OF MISSION
We aim to be a force for good , working toward advances in human and community progress and not just toward financial goals .
5 ) THE POWER OF HEART-SET
The fabric of Geekdom is more than a mind-set . It ’ s a “ heart-set ” that grants members permission to take risks and to fail . We believe that all entrepreneurs must work through problems to arrive at the right solutions .
Now , the organization draws over 1,600 members who are spread throughout a 50,000-square foot facility over eight floors , working collaborative with Geekdom ’ s 150 supporting mentors . Members engage in events like content clinics , mixer nights , “ Fermented Fridays ” beer bashes , and even the occasional yoga class . There are also more intensive special events that take place , like Geekdom Mentor Week , Start-Up Weekend , and a Students + Start-Ups college internship program . Start-
Up Weekend is a 54-hour event held in collaboration with Techstars , which brings together designers , entrepreneurs , and other experts to grow and nurture their ideas .
Interestingly , the Weston Centre , which first housed Geekdom , has a long and illustrious history . First , as Rackspace ’ s original home , and later as the birthplace of a small company you may have heard of called YouTube , which famously called one night during our early days , asking for overnight installation of ten new servers for its fledgling business .
I also participate in organized philanthropy through my other area of focus : the 80 / 20 Foundation , which is helping our city develop into the type of livable city that most young entrepreneurs tend to gravitate toward . The foundation name draws from the Pareto Principle — or 80 / 20 rule — wherein we try to identify and invest in the 20 percent of nonprofits that will drive 80 percent of San Antonio ’ s transformation into the next hub of entrepreneurship . The tools we use to drive toward our goal are mentoring , support services , networking , and financial and human capital .
My purpose here is not to boast of my accomplishments but to pave the way for other successful entrepreneurs to build structures that will allow us , as a nation , to grow the next generation of leaders that can help us solve problems and move technology forward . By giving back in such a direct and meaningful way , not only have I found self-fulfillment but I have also enjoyed immersing myself in an ultracreative environment day-in and day-out . Whether you are a budding entrepreneur , seasoned leader , or just a creative thinker , take stock of how you can contribute to today ’ s sharing economy and join the party . +
MEET GRAHAM WESTON
Graham Weston is a prominent figure in San Antonio business and real estate circles . He is owner of Weston Properties , with its flagship Weston Centre the premier office space in San Antonio since 1992 .
He also cofounded Weston Urban , which is focused on redevelopment of commercial properties in downtown San Antonio , and committed to forging a downtown district dedicated to residential living and entrepreneurial activity in the downtown area . Weston Urban has acquired the Rand Building on Houston Street , which now houses Geekdom , and several other historic downtown buildings , including the landmark Milam Building on Travis Street , which will be converted to an apartment tower with ground level office and retail tenants .
He is perhaps best known for his role providing seed capital and later management expertise to the startup tech company , Rackspace , where he was chief executive officer until 2006 , when he became chairman . As a managed hosting company , it grew rapidly in the early 2000s , and under his guidance , went public in 2008 , trading on the New York Stock Exchange before going private in 2016 , when Apollo Global Management purchased the company .
Rackspace ’ s success brought with it a number of initiatives designed to attract more technology investment and job opportunities in San Antonio . Graham Weston established Geekdom in 2011 to accelerate the tech startup community in San Antonio and provided much needed workspace and a collaborative environment for young entrepreneurs . Today it has 1,500 members .
Graham Weston has been broadly recognized for his contributions to the business community in San Antonio as well as for his role in city planning endeavors as a tri-chair on Mayor Castro ’ s SA2020 committee . He was inducted into the San Antonio Business Hall of Fame in 2011 and has been recognized several times as a distinguished entrepreneur by various organizations .
GRAHAMWESTON . COM
19
FEATURE STORY
research, these have never coexisted
before in a single institution):
1) THE POWER OF OPEN
Our members are driven to openness
and sharing, whether they are
just aspiring student inventors or
established and even profitable small
businesses.
2) THE POWER OF MENTORSHIP
Part of the membership contract
is that each participant commit to
giving back one hour per month to
collaborate with and provide guidance
to other members.
3) THE POWER OF COMMUNITY
We are all about building
technologists and entrepreneurs
through the lens of collaboration.
Nobody who comes here works as an
island.
4) THE POWER OF MISSION
We aim to be a force for good, working
toward advances in human and
community progress and not just
toward financial goals.
5) THE POWER OF HEART-SET
The fabric of Geekdom is more than
a mind-set. It’s a “heart-set” that
grants members permission to take
risks and to fail. We believe that all
entrepreneurs must work through
problems to arrive at the right
solutions.
Now, the organization draws over
1,600 members who are spread
throughout a 50,000-square foot
facility over eight f loors, working
collaborative with Geekdom’s 150
supporting mentors. Members engage
in events like content clinics, mixer
nights, “Fermented Fridays” beer
bashes, and even the occasional yoga
class. There are also more intensive
special events that take place, like
Geekdom Mentor Week, Start-Up
Weekend, and a Students + Start-Ups
college internship program. Start-
Up Weekend is a 54-hour event held
in collaboration with Techstars,
which brings together designers,
entrepreneurs, and other experts to
grow and nurture their ideas.
Interestingly, the Weston Centre,
which first housed Geekdom, has a
long and illustrious history. First,
as Rackspace’s original home, and
later as the birthplace of a small
company you may have heard of called
YouTube, which famously called one
night during our early days, asking
for overnight installation of ten new
servers for its f ledgling business.
I also participate in organized
philanthropy through my other area
of focus: the 80/20 Foundation, which
is helping our city develop into the
type of livable city that most young
entrepreneurs tend to gravitate
toward. The foundation name draws
from the Pareto Principle—or 80/20
rule—wherein we try to identify and
invest in the 20 percent of nonprofits
that will drive 80 percent of San
Antonio’s transformation into the
next hub of entrepreneurship. The
tools we use to drive toward our goal
are mentoring, support services,
networking, and financial and human
capital.
My purpose here is not to boast of my
accomplishments but to pave the way
for other successful entrepreneurs
to build structures that will allow
us, as a nation, to grow the next
generation of leaders that can help us
solve problems and move technology
forward. By giving back in such a
direct and meaningful way, not only
have I found self-fulfillment but I have
also enjoyed immersing myself in an
ultracreative environment day-in and
day-out. Whether you are a budding
entrepreneur, seasoned leader, or just
a creative thinker, take stock of how
you can contribute to today’s sharing
economy and join the party. +
MEET GRAHAM WESTON
Graham Weston is a prominent figure in San
Antonio business and real estate circles. He is
owner of Weston Properties, with its flagship
Weston Centre the premier office space in San
Antonio since 1992.
He also cofounded Weston Urban, which
is focused on redevelopment of commercial
properties in downtown San Antonio, and
committed to forging a downtown district
dedicated to residential living and entrepreneurial
activity in the downtown area. Weston Urban
has acquired the Rand Building on Houston
Street, which now houses Geekdom, and several
other historic downtown buildings, including
the landmark Milam Building on Travis Street,
which will be converted to an apartment tower
with ground level office and retail tenants.
He is perhaps best known for his role providing
seed capital and later management expertise
to the startup tech company, Rackspace, where
he was chief executive officer until 2006, when
he became chairman. As a managed hosting
company, it grew rapidly in the early 2000s,
and unde "2wVF6RvVBV&Ɩ2#G&FrFRWr&7F6W6vR&Vf&Pvr&fFR#bvVv&vVVBW&66VBFR6&676^( 27V66W72'&VvBvFBV&W"`FFfW2FW6vVBFGG&7B&RFV6wfW7FVBB"'GVFW26Fw&vW7FW7F&Ɨ6VBvVVF#F66VW&FRFRFV67F'GW6VG6FB&fFVBV6VVFVBv&76PB6&&FfRVf&VBf"VpVG&W&VWW'2FFB2SV&W'2w&vW7F2&VV'&Fǒ&V6v旦V@f"26G&'WF2FFR'W6W726VG6F2vV2f"2&R6GrVFVf'22G&6" 67G&( 24##6֗GFVRRv2GV7FV@FFR6F'W6W72bfP#B2&VV&V6v旦VB6WfW&FW02F7FwV6VBVG&W&VWW"'f&W0&v旦F2u$tU5D4У