Austin tech leader Joshua Baer killed in Laredo plane crash

 Joshua Baer, founder and CEO of Capital Factory and a prominent leader in Austin’s technology sector, died Tuesday night when a business jet crashed onto a Laredo highway, authorities said. He was 50.The Federal Aviation Administration said the Cessna 680A business jet, operated by NetJets, was carrying six people when it went down around 10 p.m. on Loop 20 and caught fire.

Baer was the only fatality. The other five passengers were transported to local hospitals with no serious injuries, and most were released shortly after, according to Jose Baeza.

The aircraft also struck a vehicle on the roadway. The occupants of that vehicle were hospitalized with “no critical injuries,” Baeza said. Five responding police officers were treated for smoke inhalation and later cleared.

According to investigators, the flight departed from San José del Cabo, Mexico, and was en route to Austin. At approximately 9:55 p.m., one of the pilots contacted air traffic officials in Laredo to report “mechanical issues” and requested an emergency landing.

Within minutes, authorities began receiving 911 calls reporting a crash along the highway.

The cause of the mechanical issues remains under investigation.

Footage from the scene showed motorists stopping to assist survivors. Some bystanders used tools, including a sledgehammer and shovel, to break into the cockpit area, helping occupants escape. Officials said most passengers were able to exit the aircraft on their own.

Capital Factory confirmed Baer’s death Wednesday, describing him as a “visionary force, mentor, and champion” for Texas startups.

“Josh was a fearless leader, a brilliant partner, and a dear friend,” said Capital Factory President Bryan Chambers in a statement.

Baer founded Capital Factory and helped build it into a major startup accelerator and venture platform supporting emerging technology companies in Texas. He was widely known for promoting entrepreneurship in Austin, often referring to himself as an "Austinpreneur".

He also served on the board of The Texas Tribune from 2015 to 2017.

Authorities said the investigation into the crash is ongoing.

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