SXSW Accelerator has put together a listing of the top Frequently Asked Questions to help you better understand the application process.

1. What does it cost to apply to SXSW Accelerator?

A non-refundable $175 entry fee is required from all applicants who would like to be considered for participation in the event. All Accelerator entrants will be given the chance to register to attend SXSW Interactive at the lowest early bird rate, if they are not chosen as an Accelerator finalist.

2. We are bootstrapping our company. Can we apply to have this application fee reduced?

Please email Chris Valentine to discuss further. You must contact Chris Valentine prior to applying since we are unable to provide refunds after conference badge purchase.

3. May I get a refund?

No refund will be given to any application that has been submitted. If you have any concerns regarding our fees and/or the application process please contact chris@sxsw.com prior to submitting an application.

4. What type of payment is accepted for participation?

Application fees are accepted online by credit card through the SXSW Shopping Cart. To request payment by check or money order, contact chris@sxsw.com.

5. What if I am not selected as an Accelerator finalist, but I would still like to attend the SXSW Interactive Festival?

If your SXSW Accelerator event entry is NOT accepted, you will receive a special coupon allowing you to register to attend SXSW Interactive at the early-bird rate. Also, if securing a hotel room in the immediate vicinity of the Austin Convention Center is an absolute priority (and you definitely plan on attending the 2012 event), then you might consider registering now. Do NOT register if you are not sure that you will be attending the event as SXSW does NOT grant refunds.

6. How many products / services can I submit to Accelerator?

Each company will be allowed to submit only one product / services at this year’s event. Company who submit more than one product / services will not be eligible to participate in the SXSW Accelerator event.

7. Will I receive a registration to the SXSW Interactive Conference if I am selected?

Yes, participating companies will receive two (2) complimentary registrations for the 2012 SXSW Interactive Festival. These complimentary registrations must be assigned to specific individuals presenting at the conference.

8. When is the application deadline?

The application deadline is Friday, November 18, at 11:59pm (CT)

SELECTION


9. How are the products / services screened?

A committee of technology experts will screen each application to make sure that they meet all requirements, and review each entry to decide which products or services are the most innovative.

10. How will I know if I have been selected to participate?

All applicants will receive an email notification from SXSW upon the selection of your application.

11. When will I receive this notification?

Finalists will be notified no later than Friday, January 20, 2012.

PRESENTATION FORMAT


12. How long will my presentation be at SXSW Accelerator?

If accepted, each product or service will receive up to two minutes for round one and five minutes for round two (if you are asked to move on to this round), to present their idea to a jury panel of venture capitalist or technology industry experts. Each company will have a microphone and may use a slide presentation (with no additional A/V).

13. During the presentation to the judges, how many people can be onstage presenting?

Each participating organization will have only one company representative presenting to the judges and one additional person can be off stage controlling the slide presentation. SXSW will not provide staff to support you with your stage presentation, so each company must have a second company representative to assist with the presentation.

JUDGING


14. Who are the SXSW Accelerator Interactive judges?

Each judge is an industry expert in venture capitalism or technology market space and will not be the same individual who is involved in the screening process. There will be a minimum of three panelists judging each showcase.

15. How much time will the participant be judged at SXSW Accelerator?

After the participating organizations presentation, each product / service will be evaluated by the judges for 10 minutes. During this time, the judges may ask the participant questions to help them better understand your product / service and address any additional thoughts they may have.

APPLICATION

16. What are the key judging criteria when reviewing companies in the pre-event online application process?

The elevating of each companies application will be based on many factors but the four criteria below are the main elements.
Creativity (Originality of Idea)
Potential (Longevity, Actualization and Profitability of idea)
Functionality (Usability of interface for idea)
Team / People (Who is your team and how will they make your company a success?)

17. Should my company create a video about our product or service for the online application process?

If you have a video that you can included within the online application process via a direct link to a site that will be helpful in the judging of your company.

18. Are there any examples of past presentations of companies who have participated in the SXSW Accelerator event?

We have listed the vast majority of past competing company’s presentations in either a SlideRocket presentation and/or a live on-stage video recording presentation.

AWARDS

19. How many winners will there be?

The winner of each of the technology category will be presented his/her award during the event ceremonies.

20. What will the winners receive?

The winning companies will receive premium prize packages containing valuable tech-related goodies. They will also be given photo and interview opportunities with the attending technology and venture press, placing them in the spotlight as leaders in the future of technology. The winning prizes include two (2) Interactive badges for the 2013 SXSW Interactive event, various SXSW Accelerator sponsor gifts and, most importantly, the opportunity to receive exposure to the SXSW audience looking out for the latest in cutting-edge technology. Additional prizes will be announced as the event date approaches.

ATTENDEES

21. Who can attend the SXSW Accelerator finalist demo sessions?

SXSW Accelerator event is open to anyone with a SXSW Interactive, Music, Gold and Platinum registrants.

22. 2012 Category Description for Interactive Accelerator:

For the SXSW Accelerator during the Interactive Conference, companies must fall within this description:

Innovative Web Technologies: This category pertains to applications and technologies that have the ambition to change the Web as we know it. Right now we’re seeing lots of innovation in real-time search, augmented reality, the World Wide Web, artificial intelligence and the Semantic Web, recommendations technologies, personalization technologies, and “big data”.

Social Media and Social Networking Technologies: This category pertains to technologies that help people connect. With this category we’re looking for new and interesting uses, cases, as well as technologies that push the boundaries of how we find, follow and share information with others.

Entertainment Technologies: This category pertains to applications and technologies for film, television, digital storytelling and gaming, as well as new and hybrid forms of entertainment that are reinventing the ways in which we relax, unwind, and have fun.

Mobile Technologies: This category pertains to applications and those technologies related to that which allow users to connect by portable devices such as tablets, phones, and other connected devices.

Health Technologies: This category is about patient-centric health applications and technologies that connect patients, families, physicians, pharmacists, care providers (hospitals, clinics) and benefit providers - aka the care team - to share timely, relevant health data and drive better outcomes at affordable and sustainable cost levels.

News - Related Technologies: This category pertains to applications and technologies to support the dissemination of news and information for communities, both on the content side or on the underlying business model side (for example advertising). This could include technologies related to data, text, documents, mapping, engagement, among other areas.

PLEASE NOTE: SXSW reserves the right to place company applicants in the most relevant category at SXSW's sole discretion. This includes changing an applicant's category based on response to the event and/or the applicant organization choosing a non-relevant category.

ELIGIBILITY

23. Eligibility Requirements for Companies Applying:

A company’s product / service must have launched no earlier than March, 13, 2011.

A company’s product / service must not be launched after June 13, 2012.

Companies will be allowed to submit only one product / services to the SXSW Accelerator event. Companies who submit more than one product / services will not be eligible to participate in the SXSW Accelerator event.

Founders of the applying startup must retain some portion of ownership in the company to be eligible to participate.

Must not have raised over five million in funds from combined funding sources.

Product or service must fall within one of the following categories below.