Working at a tech startup may seem to the outside world like a stress-free existence full of ping pong matches and jargon-filled conversations with venture capitalists who happen to be hanging around, ready to throw money at anything that moves. In reality, it's often a very different story, with endless presentations, a constant sense of urgency and plenty of sleepless nights. So, we've taken a look into several Austin tech startups to see what perks they offer employees to take the edge off and make those long hours more enjoyable.
Wellness made easy
Studies overwhelmingly agree that healthy employees are efficient employees who take fewer sick days, enjoy higher levels of energy and focus, and tend to be more productive on the job. So it's no complicated equation when a company emphasizes workplace wellness. IT software development company SolarWinds, for one, offers an in-office gym to help its people stay in shape. Alternately, Spiceworks may not have its own office gym, but it offers gym membership discounts and scheduled workouts in the office.
The team that sweats together, stays together. Pictured: SolarWinds employees
Free food & drinks
To help everyone wind down at the end of each week, web design and marketing company ScriptiLabs boasts popcorn and beer on Friday afternoons. Shipping solution provider ShipStation caters lunch once a week and offers free snacks and beverages (including beer) to employees as well, while event software developer CrowdTorch keeps the snacks flowing constantly. And while Spiceworks offers help when it comes to keeping its employees fit, it's a fitting yin to the yang of its near-daily catered lunches and made-to-order beverages at its onsite coffee cart.
In theory, it makes sense from a productivity and morale standpoint: giving employees the opportunity to take a full lunch break or work through their midday meals keeps the office from becoming a ghost town from noon to 1 pm each day and saves employees considerable cash over time. And hey, who doesn't love a free latte?
Dog-friendly offices
Dogfriendly.com recently named Austin the third most dog-friendly city in the nation, and startups like storage space finder SpareFoot embody the city's pup-friendly vibe. In fact, not only do they allow pups on the premises, but they've even featured some of their employees' pooches on their company blog, offering tips for bringing furry, four-legged apprentices to work. 
pictured: Nolte, one of SpareFoot's furry friends
Endless vacation (well, technically)
Some would argue the best vacation policy is no vacation policy — as in, an environment in which employees can use their own judgment to determine how much time to take off and when. What began in the silicon valley became popular via a few high-profile adoptions like that of Netflix and Virgin Inc., and a few Austin startups are giving the idea a go as well, including Sparefoot and "data omnipotence" brand Umbel.
Flexible work hours
Probably the greatest difference in work style between millenials and the generations that came before them is the desire to telecommute and enjoy flexible hours. Lots of tech startups in Austin offer such perks, like Civitas Learning, Square Root and Mutual Mobile. And with the abundance of coffee shops, coworking spaces and wifi-friendly hangout spots around town, many of which are open late or all the time, mobile offices have quickly become the new normal, allowing cubicle-averse professionals to sigh with relief, working whenever and wherever they please.
Regardless of how many beer carts, office gyms and sandwich platters pepper the startup scene, though, many locals would argue that the biggest perk of working at an emerging Austin brand is the sheer fact of living in Austin to begin with. With its ethos of open-mindedness, its emphasis on eco-friendly innovation, its never-ending lineup of live music events and great food, and its general air of friendliness, the city is a stress-buster, a creativity incubator and a quality of life enhancer in and of itself.
