Welcome to the digital home of Shawn Michael O’Keefe.
Innovation Facilitator. Business & Product Strategist.
Cyclist. Musician. Dad of Ian & Mabel.
I help people build things — turning ideas into successful products and viable businesses. With over two decades of leadership in innovation, I’ve been fortunate to drive creative, customer-focused initiatives for startups and established companies alike. Whether consulting with entrepreneurs, running startup accelerators, or spearheading programs in sectors like HealthTech, AI/ML, Hardware/IoT, GovTech and Impact — I live at the intersection of creativity and getting it done.
Currently, I’m the Head of Innovation at CODE Éxitos, a product studio (and B Corp) dedicated to helping innovators and entrepreneurs launch transformative digital products. I’m also a co-producer of H³ ATX, Austin’s monthly Hardware Happy Hour, and I tinker with my own product ideas via 0112 Design & Machine.
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While I didn’t fully realize it at the time, my professional journey began with my passion for music. I grew up performing and touring with various indie bands (the most well-known of which was American Analog Set, while a more recent endeavor was The Paper South). The process of creating music led me to fall in love with emerging digital technologies and design.
After my tenure as a musician and audio engineer in the ’90s, I finished up my Radio-Television-Film degree at the University of Texas at Austin – focusing on convergent media in the unconventional Advanced Communications Technologies Laboratory (ACTLab) before joining the South by Southwest (SXSW) team in the year 2000. After 14 impactful years at SXSW Interactive in Austin, I expanded my horizons globally, leading New Zealand’s first hardware accelerator, Lightning Lab Manufacturing, and directing groundbreaking initiatives like the R9 Accelerator.
Returning to Texas in 2018, I continued working with transformative organizations, including the Army Applications Laboratory, before joining the executive team at Senseye and ultimately dedicating my expertise to CODE Éxitos. Along the way, I’ve co-founded Litmus Health, created Rock That Font, and contributed to countless other product launches and creative endeavors.
When I’m not helping others bring their ideas to life, you can find me writing and performing music, riding my bicycle in the middle of nowhere, and launching rockets with my two kids.