For 30 years, Lori Hawkins served as the Austin American-Statesman’s premier chronicler of technological and urban transformation. Her work blended investigative rigor with deep community connections, making her essential reading for anyone navigating Central Texas’ innovation ecosystem.
“She asked the questions that kept us honest while celebrating our wins.” - Whurley, Strangeworks CEO
We've followed Lori Hawkins' three-decade career as she meticulously documented Austin's transformation from a sleepy college town to a global tech hub. Her work at the Austin American-Statesman became essential reading for entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers shaping Central Texas' economy.
Hawkins’ final investigative piece examined how DeJoria’s venture uses machine learning to optimize retail returns. The 2,800-word analysis combined patent filings with exclusive interviews, revealing how Vendidit’s algorithms could reduce retail waste by 37%. Her methodology included comparative analysis of SEC filings from competing platforms, establishing Vendidit’s unique position in secondary markets.
This longitudinal study tracked 15 years of property records and business licenses to map Austin’s cultural/commercial shifts. Hawkins paired quantitative data with poignant profiles of multi-generational business owners, creating a blueprint for urban development reporters nationwide. The piece influenced city council debates on historic preservation tax credits.
Her 2023 profile of Strangeworks CEO Whurley demystified quantum computing through accessible analogies while scrutinizing $200M in state funding allocations. Hawkins’ ability to explain qubit entanglement alongside ROI expectations made this a landmark in science communication.
Hawkins prioritized startups demonstrating measurable community impact, like her 2022 coverage of OJO Labs’ housing affordability AI. Successful pitches should quantify local job creation or neighborhood revitalization metrics.
Her recurring "Homegrown Innovators" series profiled entrepreneurs like Naturally Curly’s Michelle Breyer. Emphasize multi-generational Texas connections or unique local partnerships in pitch narratives.
While celebratory of Austin’s growth, Hawkins’ 2021 investigation into venture capital diversity gaps showed her commitment to tough questions. Pitch stories examining underreported challenges in tech ecosystems.
Her award-winning "Code & Concrete" series analyzed how proptech startups influenced urban planning. Look for stories bridging tech with real estate, healthcare, or cultural sectors.
Hawkins often contextualized new developments against Austin’s 1990s tech history. Pitches comparing current trends to dot-com era lessons gained particular traction.
“Lori’s reporting didn’t just document our growth – it shaped our ethical compass.” - John Berkowitz, OJO Labs Founder
Billionaire John Paul DeJoria’s AI-powered startup Vendidit aims to transform retail returns
Read articleAt PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Tech, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
