Joshua Baer, the entrepreneur credited with helping transform Austin into one of America’s leading technology hubs, has died after a private jet crashed on a highway in Texas. He was 50.Baer was best known as the founder and CEO of Capital Factory, a startup accelerator and venture capital firm that played a major role in nurturing hundreds of technology companies and connecting entrepreneurs with investors, government agencies and major corporations.The crash happened on Tuesday near Laredo, Texas, as a small jet carrying six people attempted to return to the airport following reported mechanical problems. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the aircraft was travelling from San José del Cabo, Mexico, to Austin, Texas and was operated by private aviation company NetJets.The flight crew contacted air traffic controllers requesting an emergency landing. According to the Associated Press, Laredo International Airport Director Gilberto Sanchez said the pilot reported low fuel and a power outage before the aircraft went down on a busy highway and burst into flames.Motorists rushed to the wreckage to help rescue survivors. Baer was the only person killed. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.For many in Texas’ technology industry, Baer’s death marks the loss of one of the state’s most influential business figures.Baer was a self-described “Austinpreneur”. He spent nearly three decades helping founders launch and grow businesses. He founded Capital Factory in 2009, initially as a small accelerator programme supporting a handful of startups each year. Under his leadership, it grew into one of the most active early-stage investment firms in Texas.Today, Capital Factory is considered a cornerstone of Austin’s startup ecosystem. Its headquarters is located in downtown Austin alongside offices of major technology companies including Google, while its network spans hundreds of businesses working in AI, robotics, defence technology and software development.Baer’s influence stretched beyond investment. He became known for introducing founders to investors, customers and government officials who could help turn ideas into successful companies.Bryan Chambers, co-founder and president of Capital Factory, described his longtime business partner as a “true super connector.”His impact was significant in AI and defence technology. Capital Factory helped connect startups with organisations such as the US army’s innovation programmes, Amazon Web Services and IBM. The firm’s public portfolio includes dozens of companies working in AI, robotics, autonomous systems and intelligent infrastructure.Even in recent months, Baer remained focused on emerging technologies. Earlier this year, he published an “Agents First” framework, saying that businesses should prepare for a future in which AI agents increasingly influence purchasing and operational decisions.Baer graduated from Carnegie Mellon University and created an email marketing business before moving to Austin in 1996 to work as a software developer at Trilogy Inc. He often mentored aspiring entrepreneurs and served as entrepreneur in residence at the University of Texas. In 2023, Austin’s mayor awarded him a key to the city in recognition of his contributions to the local economy and technology sector.Baer’s personal philosophy was simple: “Plant lots of seeds. Water everyone’s. Repeat.”Speaking to the Austin American-Statesman in 2012, he summed up his passion for startups by saying: “My hobby is startups. I don’t watch sports or anything like that. So this is what I do. … I want to be an investor in every great tech company that comes out of Austin. That’s probably unrealistic, but I’m going to try anyway.”Baer is survived by his wife, Amy, and their three children.