Austin Chamber
City of Austin Economic Development

City of Austin Start a Business

Free Travis, Regional Verified 2026-06-04
planningpermitscoachingcompliance ideastartup

Overview

Austin startup guide with BizAid Orientation, business structure, tax agency, DBA/entity, and permitting links.

Eligibility and fit

  • Austin-area entrepreneurs and small businesses.

How to use this resource

  1. Review eligibility and geography with the source organization.
  2. Prepare your business stage, county, and cost expectations before outreach.
  3. Use the Chamber record as a starting point, then verify current details directly.

Where it fits in the founder roadmap

3compliance

Check permits before lease, renovation, or launch

Review state license guides and Austin Development Services permit routing before committing to a location, renovation, event, regulated service, or food/beverage use.

2funding

Use local advising before paying for generic packages

Start with BizAid, SCORE, SBDC, EGBI, SBA Local Assistance, and Chamber programming for support that can help founders choose the right next step.

1startup

Draft the business plan and operating assumptions

Start with the Texas.gov checklist, City of Austin startup guide, and library research tools. Capture customer, pricing, startup costs, funding need, entity choice, location, and permit assumptions.