It is that time of year again when folks start thinking about SXSW. Well…. I suppose that is all year round.

In any case: I’m doing my part once again as an advisor to the Fifth Annual SXSW Accelerator and spreading the word about your chance not only to get free SXSW tickets – but a chance to pitch your media related startup to known industry leaders and even some VC’s/Angels. There is value gained in every pitch. The more “real” the pitch – the more one gains in experience, feedback and opportunities. Well – it doesn’t get much more real than this.

2013 SXSW Accelerator: (more info here)

This event takes place on March 11 and 12 as a part of SXSW Interactive, 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 9, less than a few months away.

You may be asking yourself: “David, am I eligible to apply?”

Excellent question! To be eligible:

• A company’s product / service must have launched no earlier than March, 15, 2012.
• A company’s product / service must not be launched after June 15, 2013.
• Companies will be allowed to submit only one product / services.
• 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.

• Yes, a non-refundable $200 entry fee will be required from all applicants who would like to be considered for participation in the event. If this is an earth shattering problem – contact the folks at the Accelerator.
• You can apply under six different categories. I’m obviously reaching out to the folks interested in news technologies – but if you see another category you are interested in – go for it!

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

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

3.       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 “Web Wide World”, artificial intelligence and the Semantic Web, recommendations technologies, personalization technologies, and “big data”. But that’s just the beginning

4.      Social Technologies – This category pertains to applications and 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

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

6.       News 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.