Austin start-ups live `American dream'

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Martin Martinez had to look no further than Austin to decide where he wanted to claim his piece of the American dream.

"Austin has, year after year, proven itself to be a paradigm of that dream," said Martinez, of Jellifi , a new startup company in which promote events around the city. "It's inspiring how many people I meet everyday who have the courage to move here and start their own business."

Martinez's views on the local business climate are not unique.

According to Forbes magazine, Austin has seen a 3.3 percent annual job growth rate and currently is ranked No. 3 for adding jobs. The city is ranked ninth on Forbes' list of best places for businesses and careers.

Austin is home to several Fortune 500 companies -- including Google, Dell, Whole Foods and Apple.

According to Forbes, Austin added 32,000 new resident in 2011, bring its population to about 820,000. Add in nearby areas like Round Rock and San Marcos, and the regional population tops 1.2 million.

And more people means more opportunity for business expansion. Austin already is home to about 38,000 private businesses, the city's chamber of commerce said. And more are expected.

"I think Austin is a great place to start a business because of the incredibly diverse and open-minded population." said Blake Moffitt, of Mercury Pizza, which opened up last month in South Austin."Businessmen and hipsters can share a table and enjoy everything Austin has to offer and no one raises an eyebrow."

And that is helping Martinez make his American dream come true.

"As of today, business is growing quite well," he said. "We're hiring more employees, and thanks to the unique well of talent that Austin has, been delighted to talk to a variety of brilliant people, most of which just moved into town."