John Austin
Startup Mentor and Coach
- Role
- Entrepreneur in Residence at Nc Idea
- Location
- Durham, NC, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About John Austin
I mentor and coach early-stage startup founders in North Carolina. I have a particular interest in customer discovery and helping founders figure out if they have an idea worth pursuing.I retired from NC IDEA in February 2022 after 10 years directing programs and coaching founders. Prior to NC IDEA, I was on the leadership team of two technology startups.When I\'m not working with founders (which is now most of the time!), you\'ll find me chasing our grandkids, eating North Carolina Barbecue, playing table tennis or golf, rooting for the Tar Heels and Hurricanes, tending a small but prolific vegetable garden, listening to bluegrass, learning to play the banjo, or working on a crossword puzzle.
Experience
Entrepreneur in Residence
May 2025 — Present · Durham, NC, US
I mentor and coach current and past NC IDEA grant winners.
Education
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
M.S., Computer Science
1981 — 1984
Valparaiso University
B.S., Electrical Engineering
1973 — 1977
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