Once again I am humbled to be a SXSW Accelerator advisor.
What is that? It’s the chance to showcase your startup in front of industry leaders.
From the organizers:
Take advantage of the opportunity to showcase your emerging technology product or service in front of industry leaders by participating in the 2016 SXSW Accelerator. This event takes place on March 12th and 13th as a part of the SXSW Interactive Festival, during which you can improve your product launch, attract venture capitalists, polish your elevator pitch, receive media exposure, build brand awareness, network, socialize and experience all that SXSW Interactive has to offer. The deadline to register is Friday, November 6, a few months away, so visit http://sxsw.com/interactive/accelerator/entry-info today.
Past Participant’s Research
Of the 305 companies who participated in SXSW Accelerator between 2009 and 2015, over 63% received funding, with combined funding in excess of almost $2.613 billion (does not include undisclosed grants, angel and seed funding). Of these 305 companies, 13% have been acquired by the likes of Google, British Telecom, Huffington Post, Apple, Live Nation, OpenTable, Constant Contact, and Harmon. For more information on past alum please visit http://sxsw.com/interactive/accelerator-alums
Applicants must be within one of the six categories:
Enterprise and Smart Data Technologies
The Enterprise and Smart Data Technologies category encompasses technologies that facilitate the comprehension and application of information and information workflows. These startups seek to improve productivity for businesses and/or individuals. Big data, cognitive computing, analytics, AI, data security, and related aspects of data collection, management, analysis, presentation, interpretation, and augmentation are examples of the technologies appropriate for this category.
Entertainment and Content Technologies
The Entertainment and Content Technologies category highlights applications and technologies for gaming, music, film, television, video, news and publishing, streaming and digital storytelling, as well as new and hybrid forms of entertainment. These are reinventing the ways in which we learn, relax and enjoy our time. This category also contains technologies that focus on the entertainment components of various cultural sectors such as sports, travel, and dining.
Health and Wearable Technologies
The Health and Wearable Technologies category focuses on human-centric health applications and technologies that connect the “health optimizer” and those with illnesses, their care teams, primary and specialist clinicians, inpatient and outpatient facilities, benefit providers, and corporate wellness programs to share timely, relevant health data and drive better outcomes at affordable and sustainable cost levels.
Innovative World Technologies
Any creative and innovative technology that does not fit in another category is encouraged to apply here. We are currently seeing lots of innovation in the Internet of Things, privacy, transportation such as autonomous vehicles, energy, space, natural resources, agriculture, and robotics. If your business / service / application applies to one of these fields (or something not on this list that is even more ground-breaking), then this is your category.
Payment and FinTech Technologies
Technologies that deliver new consumer or business payment methods, including new forms of currency; that deal with the extension of credit and other lending processes; equities trading; transaction processing; asset management, insurance and any other functions traditionally provided by banks and investment banks are welcome in this category. Major banks are themselves beginning to create “iBanks” – evidence that there is considerable entrepreneurial opportunity for disruption in this category.
Virtual Reality Technologies
Companies with concepts using VR and other novel visualization technologies, including applications for Cardboard, Oculus Rift, and other emerging offerings from industry giants, are encouraged to apply in this category. The foundation technologies are rapidly becoming available; who has an idea to capitalize on this fast emerging trend? Applications may address such uses as gaming, entertainment, data visualization, education, medical care, warfare, transportation, and more. If your concept makes novel use of VR, choose this category over any of the market categories about. This will be your show.
We SXSW announce the Judges and Emcee before the event?
Yes, the Judges and Emcees who are industry experts and/or investors from the financial community will be announced later this year on theSXSW website. Here is an example of past Judges and Emcees – Tim Draper of DFJ, John Sculley of Apple/Pepsi, Tim O’Reilly of O’Reilly Media, Paul Graham of Y Combinator, Naval Ravikant of AngelList, Guy Kawasaki of Alltop, Chris Sacca of Lowercase Capital, Chris Hughes of New Republic/Facebook, Mark Suster of Upfront Ventures, Albert Wenger of Union Square Venture, Scott Weiss of Andreessen Horowitz, and Bob Metcalfe of Ethernet/3Com.
Where can I get more information:
Visit the Accelerator website at sxsw.com/interactive/accelerator