![Michael Dell SXSW 24 Patrick Moorhead and Michael Dell on stage at SXSW 2024](https://shalomaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Michael-Dell-SXSW-24.jpg)
Michael Dell Shares Insights on Business, Life and the Magic of Austin at SXSW 2024
Patrick Moorhead and Michael Dell on stage at SXSW 2024. Credit: Wendy Goodman
By Wendy Goodman
Renowned Jewish entrepreneur, founder of Dell Technologies and generous contributor to the Jewish community in Austin, Michael Dell, captivated the audience at SXSW 2024 with his featured session entitled “Business, Life, and the Magic of Austin.” Delving into the intersections of entrepreneurship, personal growth, and the unique spirit of Austin, Dell’s conversation, moderated by Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights & Strategy, offered valuable insights for aspiring business leaders and enthusiasts alike.
Dell, a visionary in the tech industry, drew from his own journey of building Dell Technologies at age 19 in his freshman dorm at the University of Texas, into a global powerhouse, emphasizing the importance of resilience, innovation, and his learnings early on.
“I learned the importance of a team and developing a team. I learned you’ve got to surround yourself with great people, stay curious and always be learning. I had a sense, but I really learned that integrity and reputation are really the most valuable things.
“I learned that you can learn a ton from customers, staying close to customers, understand what their challenges, problems and opportunities and unmet needs are. That’s the wellspring of success,” said Dell.
Dell also shared personal anecdotes and lessons learned from his decades-long career, underscoring the significance of perseverance and risk-taking in achieving success. He emphasized the need for entrepreneurs to embrace failure as a learning opportunity and to continually challenge themselves to think outside the box.
Attendees at the SXSW session were treated to Dell’s reflections on the vibrant culture of Austin, a city renowned for its eclectic blend of creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship. As a proud resident and advocate for the city, Dell highlighted Austin’s role as a hub for innovation and collaboration, citing its diverse talent pool and supportive ecosystem for startups.
“The Austin area has roughly doubled in size every decade for the last four decades. But I think it’s been an incredible attractor of people with talent. My optimism is not just about technology. Technology has played a role in all the great things that have happened in the world and certainly here in Central Texas…And in Central Texas you have this great combination of innovative businesses, a great university, 1.6 million college students in Texas.
“I believe that entrepreneurs go where their ideas can flourish and are welcome. Talent goes where there’s opportunity. Capital goes where it’s treated well. And it turns out Texas is a great place for that. Austin has been a hub of innovation. It’s attracted the best and brightest minds, new ideas, new companies, and new opportunities for organization of all sizes. It’s been fun playing a part in that,” said Dell.
Also known for his philanthropic endeavors, namely the Dell Jewish Community Campus, Dell Jewish Community Center and many others, when asked about his charitable giving and legacy, Dell explained, “If you look at our Foundation [Michael & Susan Dell Foundation], we have focused on children and families, and urban poverty generally. That’s how it’s focused on education, healthcare, family, and economic stability. Because we live in Austin, we’ve had a special focus in Austin so we’ve done some things in Austin that we wouldn’t do in other cities. Fortunately, Austin has been in this emergent stage where it has needed a lot of new things. We’ve been able to, along with others, help create those and catalyze those.”
As the session concluded, attendees left inspired and empowered by Dell’s words, equipped with newfound wisdom to navigate the complexities of business and life. Dell’s keynote served as a testament to the enduring legacy of innovation and entrepreneurship, epitomizing the spirit of SXSW as a platform for creativity, collaboration, and collective growth.
Latest Posts
![Austin’s Jewish Community Has Pride](https://shalomaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Austin-Pride-Picture-1.jpg)
Austin’s Jewish Community Has Pride
![Praying for a Peaceful New Year](https://shalomaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Rabbi-Daniel-Septimus-Headshot-2019.jpg)
Praying for a Peaceful New Year
Since I will be on sabbatical, I am writing this column in June shortly before my leave begins. Summer camp is well underway at Shalom Austin and both of our Texas overnight camps, Camp Young Judaea Texas and URJ Greene Family Camp, began their first session only a...
![Home Away From Home: Austin Welcomes New ShinShinim for Second Year](https://shalomaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/CoverOpt2.jpg)
Home Away From Home: Austin Welcomes New ShinShinim for Second Year
Austin's ShinShinim Eyal Yehonatan Butbul and Ariella Goldstein. Courtesy: Michal Ilali As a part of Shalom Austin’s Israel initiative, a Zeff family grant and generous local donors, for the second year in a row, two ShinShinim are coming to Austin. ShinShinim are...
![](https://shalomaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Federation-WEB__300-x-136.jpg)
![](https://shalomaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JCC-WEB__300-x-136.jpg)
![](https://shalomaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JFS-WEB__300-x-136.jpg)
![](https://shalomaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Foundation-WEB__300-x-136.jpg)
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Fitness
Swimming
Tennis & Pickleball
More Sports
EDUCATION
Jewish Culture & Education
Early Childhood Program Preschool
After School & Childcare
Camps
ARTS & CULTURE
Literary Arts
Visual Arts
Theatre & Film
Dance
COUNSELING & SUPPORT
Jewish Family Service
Counseling & Groups
Case Management
References & Resources
Copyright Shalom Austin 2023. Privacy Policy.