Joshua Baer, founder of Capital Factory, dies in Laredo plane crash

Joshua Baer, founder of Capital Factory, died in a plane crash near Laredo, Texas, on Tuesday night. The crash involved a NetJets-operated Cessna Citation Latitude twin jet traveling from Los Cabos International, Mexico, to Austin, with the aircraft going down on a highway near Laredo and catching fire. The incident prompted a rapid rescue response as witnesses pulled people from the burning wreckage. Baer, 50, was identified as the deceased, while information about other passengers and survivors emerged slowly through subsequent reports and statements from officials. The crash drew reactions from Texas lawmakers and tech community members who highlighted Baer’s role in Austin’s startup ecosystem.