Top Reasons to Enter the SXSW Accelerator Pitch Event – Deadline Extended Through November 12
The tenth annual SXSW Accelerator Pitch Event returns to showcase some of the most exciting tech innovations – could your project or startup be one? Enter before the final deadline on Sunday, November 12 at 11:59pm PT for a chance to put your startup before a live audience and panel of expert judges, and on the front line of product demonstrations and funding opportunities.
The SXSW Accelerator Pitch Event is proud to be the catalyst of many dreams and successes. From 2009 to 2017, 70% of all 403 finalists received over $4.63 billion in funding, and 16% were acquired by Fortune 500 companies. Join the ranks of our prestigious alums including Siri, Klout, Hipmunk, Tango, and more.
"We are very excited to celebrate our tenth year of SXSW Accelerator," said Chris Valentine, Event Producer. "I'm particularly thrilled about the diverse innovation we are seeing from all over the world – it’s the globalization of the startup ecosystem, and Accelerator is right at the heart of it. If you have a startup that is creating innovative technology that will make an impact on the globe we would be very excited for you to participate in this incredible event and hope that you apply before the Friday, November 10 application deadline."
The 2018 Advisory Board, comprised of 140+ industry experts from global technology startups, will evaluate hundreds of applications and help determine the companies that will present in March.
Read on to discover top reasons to apply from SXSW Accelerator’s Chris Valentine as well as what items staff and advisors look for in a successful application.
Top 5 Reasons to Enter
Product validation – Don't miss your opportunity to showcase your project and startup on a global stage with the goal of matching each startup with top investors both nationally and internationally.
Work on your Startup Elevator Pitch via pre-event coaching. SXSW Accelerator Coaches work closely with the finalists to assist them in their onstage presentations.
Over $4k in prize money awarded to the winners of each SXSW Accelerator Pitch Event category.
Marketing of startup finalists on SXSW media channels and global media channels that attend the event.
Access to the highest level of influencers from investors, media, and thought leaders.
Tips for Entry Success
Meet the minimum – Review the SXSW Accelerator Eligibility Criteria and apply before the final deadline.
Showcase an innovative and disruptive startup – present your most exciting and cutting-edge technology.
Share a video – There’s no better way to convey a thorough sense of your project than through a demo video.
What makes you different – showcase how your startup stands out in the market (i.e. What is your market differentiator? What is unique about your project? Why should people be excited about it?).
Highlight key members from you team and/or those supporting your startup (Staff, Advisory Board, Board Members, Mentors, Funders, Accelerator and/or Incubator involvement, etc).
Pitchbook Report
PitchBook, a financial data and software company, has compiled a decade’s worth of data into a report for the SXSW Accelerator Pitch Event. Download the SXSW Accelerator Pitch Event Report from Pitchbook to explore the 2018 industry categories and data on standout, past participants from the most VC capital raised to most active investors in SXSW companies and much, much more.
Enter the 2018 SXSW Accelerator Pitch Event
Taking place during Startup and Tech Sectors at the Hilton Austin Downtown on Saturday, March 10 and Sunday, March 11, this event provides an outlet for companies to present their product to a panel of industry experts, early adopters, and representatives from the angel/VC community.
Products or services must fall within one of the SXSW Accelerator Pitch Event’s 10 different categories and follow launch date eligibility requirements. Read the SXSW Accelerator FAQ for further information.
Watch the spotlight video on the SXSW Accelerator Pitch Event above, and stay tuned to SXSW News throughout the season for more announcements. Enter your project before the final deadline on Sunday, November 12 at 11:59pm PT.
2017 SXSW Accelerator Pitch Event – Photo by Alexa Gonzalez Wagner
11/10/2017