Texas startups mount fight against abortion ban-without big tech

Protesters march down Congress Avenue at a protest outside the Texas state capitol in Austin, Texas. The state's anti-abortion law has driven tech startups to take a stand, though big tech was notably silent. — GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP)

Technology leaders across Texas have been privately meeting for weeks, discussing how to best combat the state’s new abortion law and challenge a cultural shift they believe will make it difficult to attract top talent. Absent from the discussion: Big Tech.

Apple, Amazon, Google, Facebook, Tesla and Microsoft have shifted tens of thousands of high-paying jobs to Texas in recent years amid a statewide economic boom. Oracle and Hewlett Packard Enterprise moved their headquarters to the state during the pandemic. And Tesla is expanding operations just outside of Austin.