Ed Curtis

What we talked about

Connecting a state that is bigger than one market

Ed Curtis built YTexas around a problem he knew personally: arriving in Texas without a network. In this Making Names conversation with Aidan Evans, he describes how an organization initially focused on companies relocating to Dallas expanded its purpose. Established Texas businesses needed connections across regions, too. An introduction in Austin might lead to an opportunity in Houston, on the border or in West Texas. For Curtis, the state's scale makes those relationships valuable, but also means they cannot be left entirely to chance.

What banking taught him about being useful

Before founding YTexas, Curtis spent much of his career in banking. Underwriting business loans gave him a close view of how owners approached risk, capital and growth. He came to believe that the strongest banker was not simply the person who could sell a loan. A business might need financing the bank did not offer, or advice outside its product range. Knowing who could help made him a trusted resource. That distinction still shapes his networking advice: understand the problem first, then work out whether your own service belongs in the solution.

A network grows through shared experience

Curtis is clear that useful relationships take time. Staying connected through difficult periods can teach people more about one another than a quick introduction ever could. A founder who has worked through a setback may later help someone facing a similar challenge. Curtis also cautions that being a connector does not mean knowing every answer. Sometimes it means asking several people, comparing their perspectives and figuring out how their expertise fits together. His advice for someone starting out is to identify where their skills can genuinely help another person.

How YTexas opened its doors

The pandemic changed the way Curtis thought about the organization. Its earlier events were often private gatherings at corporate headquarters, designed around the needs of incoming companies. When in-person meetings stopped, online conversations brought together people trying to navigate uncertainty across different Texas markets. Curtis describes that period as a turning point toward a more accessible network. As events returned, the aim became helping a wider group participate, learn about the state and make connections, rather than limiting the conversation to a closed circle.

Technology can support the human connection

Looking ahead, Curtis sees opportunities in energy, power and manufacturing, while emphasizing how industries and regions increasingly depend on one another. Those are his business observations, not a forecast for any individual project. He also describes a more personal event experience: understanding why someone attends, suggesting relevant sessions and helping them meet useful contacts. AI may support that preparation, but he does not see it replacing human relationships. The measure of a successful gathering is not simply how many people enter the room. It is whether people leave with a better understanding of where to go and whom to call.