Top 10 Reasons To Enter Accelerator

Are you thinking Microsoft BizSpark Accelerator at SXSW might be a good fit for your company? Below are the top 10 reasons to showcase your product or service at Accelerator at SXSW in 2010.

Expand Your Audience
Thousands of individuals from around the world flock to SXSW each year looking for the next big thing, and Accelerator is a major part of the excitement. Showcasing your idea at Accelerator attracts the attention of the more than 2,500 Accelerator attendees to your innovative product or service. It’s an incredible opportunity to get in front of individuals who can help take your concept to the next level.

Refine Your Product
No matter how strong your pitch, to attract investors you need a strong product. Presenting your idea to an experienced panel of industry experts, and discussing your product with other entrepreneurs can help you to take it to the next level.

Polish Your Elevator Pitch
Pitching is the single-most important skill you need to rise above the competition. That pitch should be rock solid. At Accelerator, you get to pitch your nascent technologies to scores of innovators, content producers, media experts, and venture capitalists. Their feedback and expertise can help you sharpen that all-important pitch.

Learn About Funding Options
Discover the latest funding strategies adopted by startups, including seed combinators, angel investing, coworking, local investors, and more. The company of experts in the industry will prove a valuable source of ideas to finance your product.

Broad & Diverse Categories
We're looking for bright ideas. That’s why we’ve created categories for the event broad enough to encompass many areas of innovation. Choose from Entertainment Technologies, Green / Non-Profit, Innovative Web Technologies, or Social Media / Social Networking Technologies.

Take Advantage of Media Exposure
SXSW attracts a lot of media attention, and Microsoft BizSpark Accelerator at SXSW is particularly interesting to press outlets looking to break the next exciting technology story. Accelerator presenters can leverage that attention to place their company in the spotlight with ample press opportunities.

Network and Socialize
One of the greatest values of SXSW Interactive is the amazing mix of industry leaders, technology innovators, big-name companies, fresh startups, online authors, cutting-edge developers, and independent talent attracted to the event. The ample socializing opportunities at Accelerator at SXSW make it easy for participants to meet, greet, and establish a network of professionals to work with on future projects.

Register at the Lowest Rate
Entering your product or service in Microsoft BizSpark Accelerator at SXSW guarantees you the lowest early registration rate of $395 for the SXSW Interactive Festival - that's $150 off the walk-up rate.

Experience All that SXSW Interactive Has to Offer
SXSW Interactive offers a wealth of exciting opportunities and events, including panel programming, parties and lounges, the 13th Annual SXSW Web Awards, ScreenBurn at SXSW, the Film and Interactive Trade Show and Exhibition, and, of course, the inspirational experience that only SXSW can deliver. Be a part of the experience and enter your innovative product or service to Microsoft BizSpark Accelerator today.

Welcome to Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas has long been a hub for freethinking technology movers and shakers. The Central Texas Hill Country has earned the nickname "Silicon Hills" because of the technology industry giants with major operations here and the scores of trailblazing startups and indie tech companies that call Central Texas home. The ever-changing nature of technology and the inclusiveness of its reach make Austin an ideal place to reach out to the larger social web. Did I mention the BBQ?

2009 Microsoft BizSpark Accelerator at SXSW photo courtesy of Erin Hanson.