# Joyce Durst

> Joyce Durst is the Austin-based CEO and co-founder of Growth Acceleration Partners, founded in 2007. A Texas A&M computer science graduate whose career includes IBM, BMC Software, and Pinion Software, she combines software consulting and engineering leadership with mentoring women CEOs and first-time entrepreneurs.

- **Role:** CEO and Co-founder at Growth Acceleration Partners
- **Organizations:** Growth Acceleration Partners, IBM, BMC Software, Pinion Software, Women Presidents’ Organization, Austin Chamber of Commerce, Special Olympics Texas, Austin Women in Technology
- **Education:** B.S. in Computer Science, Texas A&M University
- **Known for:** Co-founded Growth Acceleration Partners in 2007 and led its customer-funded growth., Raised more than $21 million at Pinion Software over six years., Austin Chamber Executive Leadership Award, 2018.

## Career timeline

- **—** — Earned a B.S. in computer science at Texas A&M as a first-generation college student, then began her career at IBM.
- **—** — Spent 12 years at BMC Software, becoming vice president and general manager of a products division with more than $200 million in sales.
- **Early 2000s** — Led Pinion Software as CEO; raised more than $21 million over six years and ultimately exited through a sale.
- **2007** — Co-founded Growth Acceleration Partners.
- **2018** — Received the Austin Chamber of Commerce Executive Leadership Award.
- **2023** — Named an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Gulf South Award winner.
- **2024** — Inducted into the Austin Tech Hall of Fame.
- **2026** — Discussed a bootstrapped $50M+ GAP business and a $100M growth mindset in a May podcast.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Growth Acceleration Partners in 2007 and led its customer-funded growth.
- Raised more than $21 million at Pinion Software over six years.
- Austin Chamber Executive Leadership Award, 2018.
- EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Gulf South Award winner.
- Austin Tech Hall of Fame inductee, 2024.
- Mentors women CEOs and first-time entrepreneurs.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — GAP announced Dwayne Stoltz as vice president of AI on October 14; Durst emphasized connecting AI advice with technical execution and client capability.
- **2026-05** — Appeared with Meg Poag on It’s Not You… But Sometimes It Is! to discuss leadership, bootstrapped growth, and revising revenue ambitions.
- **2026-02** — Listed as moderator of an Austin Chamber discussion on teams, capital, and leadership transitions on February 18.

## Links

- Website: https://www.growthaccelerationpartners.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycedurst

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/joyce-durst
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21