Abbott Does SXSW: Governor Makes Pitch to Tech Executives

Embracing his new role as the highest-ranking cheerleader for Texas' business climate, Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday made his pitch to dozens of tech executives gathered at the Governor's Mansion amid Austin's South by Southwest festivities.

Picking up where former Gov. Rick Perry left off, Abbott touted Texas' limited-government environment as one of its key selling points to business owners considering a move to the state.

"Texas is the quintessential entrepreneurial state," Abbott said, addressing a crowd of SXSW attendees including former Mexican President Vicente Fox. "The reason is because the state of Texas understands that we are on your side, not against you, not hostile to you, not putting up obstacles or barriers."

In his brief remarks, Abbott shouted out Michael Dell, who dropped out of the University of Texas at Austin to found his namesake computer company, and George Koutitas, f0under of Gridmates, who moved to Austin from Greece to chase his startup dreams. 

About 300 entrepreneurs and investors, including 70 to 80 CEOs, were invited to the reception. Abbott is planning to hold a similar event for members of the music industry next week at the mansion.