Where do startup tech occupiers lease office space in Austin?

Most cluster in Domain. Rent runs ~60 USD/sqft ($60 USD) for trophy and prime stock.

What fit-out spec do startup tech occupiers run in Austin?

Typically mid at $120–175/sqft.

How much office space per seat should a startup tech occupier plan in Austin?

Plan ~130 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 13,000 sqft.

What NAICS codes describe the startup tech vertical?

Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 541511, 541512, 518210.

What is the talent index in Austin?

84/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Startup tech occupiers in Austin typically cluster in Domain, plan ~130 sqft per seat at mid fit-out ($120–175/sqft), and pay around 60 USD/sqft ($60 USD) on Class A.

Preferred submarket: Domain.
Typical fit-out spec: Mid ($120–175/sqft).
Plan ~130 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
Class A rent context: 60 USD/sqft ($60 USD).
Typical lease: 10 years with 18 months rent-free.
Talent depth in Austin: 84/100.

Startup tech office space in Austin

Startup tech occupiers in Austin typically cluster in Domain, plan ~130 sqft per seat at mid fit-out">fit-out ($120–175/sqft), and pay around 60 USD/sqft ($60 USD) on Class A.

TL;DR

Preferred submarket: Domain.
Typical fit-out spec: Mid ($120–175/sqft).
Plan ~130 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
Class A rent context: 60 USD/sqft ($60 USD).
Typical lease: 10 years with 18 months rent-free.
Talent depth in Austin: 84/100.

Where they cluster

Startup tech occupiers in Austin typically anchor in Domain. Tech (Apple, Indeed, Facebook), professional services, healthcare.

What they pay

Class A rent in Austin runs 60 USD/sqft ($60 USD) on a 10-year lease with 18 months free. Prime submarkets sit at or modestly above the city index.

Spec and fit-out

Typical startup tech fit-out targets mid specification at $120–175/sqft. Functional Cat-B with branded reception and standard meeting-room mix is standard.

Headcount sizing

Plan around 130 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount startups office in Austin typically targets 13,000 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Series B–D scale-ups prioritize flexibility and signature loft stock to attract engineering talent away from incumbents. Deep tech engineering talent base anchored by UT Austin and a decade of in-migration. Strong concentrations in semiconductors (Tesla, Samsung, NXP), software, and gaming.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 22.5%. Modified-gross structures with opex pass-throughs. 7-10 year terms common; trophy can push to 12-15. Free rent of 14-22 months and TI of $100-$150/sqft typical.

Key facts

city	Austin
industry	Startup tech
naics	541511, 541512, 518210
preferredSubmarket	Domain
preferredFitoutSpec	Mid
fitoutBand	$120–175/sqft
sqftPerSeat	130
classARentLocal	60 USD/sqft/yr
classARentUsd	$60/sqft/yr
vacancyPct	27.8%
typicalLeaseYears	10
typicalRentFreeMonths	18
talentIndex	84
corporateTaxPct	22.5%

Frequently asked questions

Where do startup tech occupiers lease office space in Austin?: Most cluster in Domain. Rent runs ~60 USD/sqft ($60 USD) for trophy and prime stock.
What fit-out spec do startup tech occupiers run in Austin?: Typically mid at $120–175/sqft.
How much office space per seat should a startup tech occupier plan in Austin?: Plan ~130 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 13,000 sqft.
What NAICS codes describe the startup tech vertical?: Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 541511, 541512, 518210.
What is the talent index in Austin?: 84/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Miriam Hollander — Lead market analyst. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.

Primary sources for this page

CBRE Marketview reports — CBRE
JLL Office Insight — JLL
Cushman & Wakefield Marketbeat — Cushman & Wakefield
Savills World Research — Savills
Colliers Global Office Outlook — Colliers

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