SXSW Pitch is a premier startup showcase spotlighting the most ambitious entrepreneurs and disruptive technologies from around the world. Now in its 18th year, this dynamic event invites startups to apply through an open call process for a chance to be featured as a finalist.

Join us next March, as startup innovation takes center stage in downtown Austin. Over two high-energy days, a live audience and a panel of expert investor judges will explore the forefront of emerging technology sectors.

Past Participants Research

Since 2009, 732 companies have participated in SXSW Pitch. More than 80% have secured funding, collectively raising over $22 billion in venture capital and exits. Of these 647 funded companies, 22% have been acquired by leading global firms such as Google, Apple, Meta, British Telecom, Huffington Post, Live Nation, OpenTable, Michelin, Constant Contact, and Harmon. Notable alumni include Klout, ICON, Hipmunk, Wildfire, Tubemogul, Siri, Foodspotting, and Tango. (Research data provided by PitchBook)

Start planning your Pitch Schedule

After receiving more than 600 applications, the SXSW Pitch Advisory Board carefully reviewed and scored each submission to identify the most promising companies. The finalists and alternates listed below represent the top emerging innovations selected through this highly competitive process. These companies will be in Austin to pitch live in front of you—the audience, showcasing bold ideas, breakthrough technologies, and the future of their industries. Join us as they take the stage and compete at SXSW Pitch 2026.

2026 Pitch Finalists and Alternates

The success of SXSW Pitch is driven by the insight and expertise of our hand-picked judges. These judges play a critical role in evaluating the viability of existing companies, drawing on their deep experience in business, investment, and innovation.

2026 SXSW Pitch Judges

The individuals listed below were instrumental to the success of the 2026 SXSW Pitch. Their hard work, diligence, and support in bringing together the technology industry’s future to our event is greatly appreciated.

2026 Advisory Board

The SXSW Pitch Qualifying Committee plays a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity and operational excellence of the SXSW Pitch competition. This committee is responsible for managing the intake and preliminary evaluation of all submitted business plans. Its primary functions include verifying the accuracy, completeness, and authenticity of each application, as well as ensuring the proper categorization of submissions within the competition framework. Through meticulous review and validation, the committee upholds the credibility and fairness of the selection process, contributing significantly to the event’s overall quality and reputation.

2026 Coaches and Qualifiers

SXSW Pitch proudly applauds our alumni and the millions of funding along the way. Over the years, we launched our startup platform for finalists with great ideas with the goal of matching them with top investors both nationally and internationally.

Since 2009, 732 companies have participated in SXSW Pitch. More than 80% have secured funding, collectively raising over $22 billion in venture capital and exits. Of these 647 funded companies, 22% have been acquired by leading global firms such as Google, Apple, Meta, British Telecom, Huffington Post, Live Nation, OpenTable, Michelin, Constant Contact, and Harmon. Notable alumni include Klout, ICON, Hipmunk, Wildfire, Tubemogul, Siri, Foodspotting, and Tango. (Research data provided by PitchBook)

Browse Archive

Emerging & Frontier Technologies

Breakthrough technologies grounded in scientific or engineering advancement that enable entirely new capabilities or markets. This category includes advanced robotics, AI hardware, sensing technologies, next-generation computing systems, semiconductors, photonics, and space technologies. It further encompasses foundational innovations in machine intelligence, autonomous systems, human-machine interaction, advanced materials, and next-generation intelligent systems. Companies must demonstrate meaningful technical differentiation, defensible intellectual property, or research-driven innovation. Additional areas include quantum computing, neuromorphic computing, advanced semiconductors, AI chips, next-generation connectivity, edge intelligence, synthetic biology platforms, nanotechnology, advanced sensing systems, energy systems, and scientific instrumentation.

Entertainment, Media, Sports & Digital Platforms

Technologies reinventing how audiences connect, create, consume, and participate across entertainment, media, sports, gaming, and digital communities. This category includes tools for content creation, distribution, streaming, esports, sports analytics, and audience engagement. The category also spans consumer-facing digital environments, social and community networks, immersive experiences such as AR and VR, and interactive media formats that enhance participation and engagement. Examples include gaming platforms, creator economy tools, influencer marketing systems, fan engagement platforms, live streaming technologies, virtual production, digital collectibles, avatars, metaverse environments, social commerce, broadcast technology, and sports performance analytics. Solutions may incorporate generative media, recommendation systems, and immersive storytelling technologies.

Life Sciences, Healthcare & Assistive Tech

Technologies advancing medicine, biological research, clinical care, and accessible healthcare delivery systems. This category includes biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics, digital health platforms, clinical decision support tools, patient engagement systems, and medical wearables. A key focus of this category is assistive technologies that improve quality of life, independence, and accessibility for individuals with disabilities. This includes mobility aids, communication technologies, sensory augmentation tools, accessibility software, and inclusive design systems that enable broader participation in digital and physical environments. It further encompasses healthcare infrastructure such as clinical workflow systems, documentation and billing platforms, care coordination tools, remote monitoring, and population health systems. Companies must demonstrate that improving health outcomes, accessibility, or healthcare operations is central to their mission. Key areas include aging and geriatrics, disability and accessibility technologies, mobility and prosthetics, communication aids, neurotechnology, digital therapeutics, mental health platforms, reproductive health, wearable health devices, and remote care systems.

Mobility, Manufacturing & Industrial Systems

Technologies transforming transportation, logistics, and global mobility, as well as manufacturing and large-scale physical infrastructure. This category includes mobility platforms, autonomous and connected vehicles, aerospace innovation, fleet management, supply chain intelligence, and last-mile delivery. This extends to Industry 4.0 technologies such as industrial IoT, robotics in production environments, predictive maintenance, smart factories, digital twins, and advanced manufacturing. Additional areas include autonomous systems, connected infrastructure, electric vehicles (EV), advanced fleet operations, logistics optimization, warehouse automation, digital supply networks, and intelligent industrial technologies that improve efficiency, resilience, and real-time operations across global infrastructure.

SaaS, Enterprise & Developer Platforms

Technologies and platforms that enable organizations and engineering teams to build, operate, automate, and scale modern software and business systems in an increasingly digital economy. This category includes enterprise SaaS and vertical SaaS solutions supporting core business functions such as operations, HR, finance, legal, compliance, customer success, sales, marketing, and internal collaboration. It also encompasses developer tools and infrastructure that power the development, deployment, integration, and scalability of applications, including APIs, system integration platforms, cloud-native infrastructure, DevOps tools, backend frameworks, and application performance environments. This category spans workflow automation, business intelligence, knowledge management, and performance systems used across organizations, as well as developer-facing technologies such as observability tools, platform engineering systems, and data infrastructure that enable teams to build and manage applications efficiently. Key areas include project management platforms, HCM, CRM, ERP, sales enablement, marketing automation, and customer support tools, alongside backend-as-a-service (BaaS), infrastructure-as-code (IaC), containerization, Kubernetes ecosystems, distributed systems, real-time data pipelines, developer experience (DevEx) platforms, testing frameworks, debugging tools, and version control systems. Companies may also focus on AI infrastructure, MLOps, LLM orchestration, and intelligent automation that enhances both business operations and software development workflows.

Smart Data, Security & FinTech

Technologies that manage, secure, and optimize data, digital infrastructure, and financial systems in a digital-first economy. This category includes cybersecurity solutions, identity and access management, privacy technologies, fraud detection, and secure communications. This category spans data infrastructure and security technologies such as analytics platforms, data governance systems, real-time data processing, interoperability frameworks, and digital identity solutions. It also includes financial technologies such as payments, digital banking, lending, wealth management, embedded finance, and financial infrastructure. Examples include big data platforms, data lakes, data warehouses, predictive modeling, fraud prevention, RegTech, compliance tools, and blockchain-based infrastructure. Financial applications may include digital wallets, cross-border payments, decentralized finance (DeFi), tokenization, stablecoins, and embedded financial services integrated into digital ecosystems.

Student Startups

This category highlights student-led startups showcasing innovative technology across all SXSW Pitch categories, including SaaS & Enterprise Systems; Developer Tools, Infrastructure & Cloud Systems; Smart Data, Security & FinTech; Life Sciences, Healthcare & AssistiveTech; Sustainability, Energy & AgTech; Mobility, Manufacturing & Industrial Systems; Entertainment, Media, Sports & Digital Platforms; and Frontier & Emerging Technologies. To qualify, at least one student member of the founding or executive team must present at SXSW Pitch if selected as a Finalist or Alternate. The presenting founder must be actively enrolled in high school, college, or university at the time of the SXSW Pitch event.

Sustainability, Energy & Ag Tech

Technologies accelerating sustainable systems across energy, agriculture, food production, water, and environmental infrastructure. This category includes renewable energy generation, storage, grid systems, emissions reduction, carbon management, and resource optimization. The category also spans agricultural and food system innovation, including precision agriculture, agri-biotech, farm automation, alternative proteins, supply chain transparency, and food waste reduction, with a focus on improving agricultural productivity and food system resilience. Key areas include climate tech, carbon accounting, carbon capture, renewable infrastructure, water management, circular economy platforms, sustainable supply chains, environmental analytics, green construction, energy efficiency technologies, CPG innovation, and food supply systems. Solutions may also incorporate AI-driven climate modeling, resource optimization, and predictive environmental systems.