The future of SXSW Pitch

What

SXSW Pitch is a competition showcasing new technologies, solutions, and ideas to industry experts, members of the media, VCs, and angel investors. SXSW Pitch will be hosted for the 16th time on March 9th and 10th. According to Pitchbook, SXSW Pitch finalists have raised more than $23B since 2009. 

The highly selective event chooses, out of 700 early-stage applicant startups, five finalists for each of nine categories: Artificial Intelligence, Voice, & Robotics; Enterprise & Smart Data; Entertainment, Media & Content; Extended Reality and Web3; Future of Work; Food, Nutrition, & Health; Innovative World Technologies; Smart Cities, Transportation & Sustainability; and Student Startup.

Why

According to Chris Valentine, who produces SXSW Pitch, the event offers a crucial niche within the larger SXSW ecosystem, which includes convening attendees from across the globe to learn from leaders sharing their thoughts on burning topics in the form of more than 1,500 panels (as well as hundreds of bands and other forms of entertainment and celebrations of culture). 

The reopening of large gatherings since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic—as well as their attendance numbers—proved that “people really did miss the opportunity to connect,” Valentine said. 

This year, SXSW uniquely provides an opportunity to learn about the sector-specific implications of AI through its promising finalists, Valentine continued. “AI is the biggest trend, I think we all know that, but I would challenge people to look at AI in terms of how it’s going to impact the industry you’re in,” he said. 

How

SXSW Pitch functions as a competition as well as an incubator. It works with founders to improve their pitching and public speaking skills with the aim of wooing investors as well as potential clients. The program also partners finalists with mentors, with the goal of fostering long-term relationships between burgeoning startups and established experts. 

Although the event is a competition, finalists develop a cohort mentality over the course of the days spent together, Valentine suggested. In that sense, SXSW Pitch further offers a network of peers at similar fundraising and growth stages. 

For fintechs attending SXSW interested in participating in SXSW Pitch in the future, attending this year’s Pitch programming can help applicants for next year’s event gauge the priorities and interests of applicant reviewers. Applications open by August on the SXSW Pitch website.