With the return of typical damp and gloomy Portland weather, I wouldn’t be surprised if your thoughts were turning to more sunny and warm climes. Well, buck up. You’ve got the chance to get out of here in March and head down to Austin. Where it won’t be any drier, but it will be warmer. That’s right. It’s time to apply to the SXSW Accelerator for 2015.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with the SXSW Accelerator crew for five years or so, and the event gets better and better every year. But it’s always been the best way of getting your startup in front of a crowd at SXSW Interactive.
How does the competition unfold? On Saturday, March 14, a total of 48 Interactive technology companies will dazzle a live audience, a panel of judges and our emcees with ideas, innovations, products and / or services during Round One of the event. These 48 companies are selected by the SXSW Screening Committee from the hundreds of startups from across the United States and around the world who apply for SXSW Accelerator before the Friday, November 7, 2014 deadline.
On Sunday, March 15, the field of 48 will be narrowed down to the top 18 companies – and these 18 startups will return to present to a new set of co-emcees and judges. At the end of the day on Sunday, these judges will select the grand prize winners for each category. The winners will go on to be honored at the SXSW Accelerator Awards on Sunday evening.
I’d love to see a bunch of Portland companies on stage at this event. So if it sounds interesting, please submit your applications before the deadline.
[Full disclosure: I am an advisor and judge for the SXSW Accelerator.]
