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
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