Early-stage education startups are encouraged to complete the online application process to be considered as a finalist for the Launch Startup Competition.

Tuesday, June 24 | Application Opens
Sunday, September 7 | Early Entry Deadline
Sunday, November 2 | Final Entry Deadline

Eligibility Requirements

• Launch is open to early-stage startup companies in the education market.
• Companies must be established with a management team and public-facing website, able to convey a sustainable business model and able to demonstrate user traction, engagement, and adoption metrics.
• Companies that have raised over $8 million in funds from combined funding sources at the time of application are ineligible.
• Each applicant is only eligible to present in one of the SXSW startup events (SXSW Pitch or SXSW EDU Launch). If you apply and are selected as a finalist for both, you will need to choose in which competition you’d like to present.
• Past SXSW EDU Launch Startup Competition finalists and semifinalists are not eligible to apply.

Finalists

• Receive 2 complimentary credentials to SXSW EDU 2026.
• Gain access to the SXSW EDU Bootcamp for startups (subject to capacity) and other exclusive workshops and opportunities for startups at SXSW EDU
• Pitch live to an audience of educators, investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators on the Next Stage in the SXSW EDU Expo
• Have access to coaching and mentorship sessions with savvy entrepreneurs selected by SXSW EDU to help participants refine their business concept and perfect their pitch
• Have the opportunity to win one out of three awards
• Participate in our Launch Spotlight, a cocktail-style reception where teams can connect one-on-one with attendees, demo products and receive valuable, real-time feedback
• Receive the opportunity to participate in the SXSW Pitch Showcase

Semifinalists

• Receive 2 complimentary credentials to SXSW EDU 2026.
• Gain access to the SXSW EDU Bootcamp for startups (subject to capacity) and other exclusive workshops and opportunities for startups at SXSW EDU
• Have access to coaching and mentorship sessions with savvy entrepreneurs selected by SXSW EDU to help participants refine their business concept
• Participate in our Launch Spotlight, a cocktail-style reception where teams can connect one-on-one with attendees, demo products and receive valuable, real-time feedback

Launch Award:

This award is given to the Launch Startup Competition’s grand prize winner. The recipient of this award impressed the judges as the top startup with its overall creativity, innovation, ease of use, potential to scale, strength and unique perspective of the team, and potential to improve learning outcomes.

Impact Award:

The recipient of this award has the most potential to impact student learning based on the science of learning, according to the competition judges. This startup has shown a commitment to using research-based interventions to substantially improve student learning and outcomes.

Community Choice Award:

The recipient of this award has received the most votes from the audience during SXSW EDU. This startup has not only captured the attention of the diverse SXSW EDU community, which is comprised of perspectives beyond the startup industry across the education space, but also centers equity, accessibility, and supporting historically marginalized learners.

For frequently asked questions and answers, check out the Launch Startup Competition FAQ.

Learn more about the history of the Launch Startup Competition by browsing a full list of past startup finalists and winners.

High School students are encouraged to complete the online application process to be considered as a finalist or semifinalist for the Student Impact Challenge.

Eligibility Requirements

• You must be a currently enrolled high school student and 13 years or older in order to be considered.
• Both U.S. and international applicants are eligible.
• Solo entrepreneurs and team applicants qualify.
• Proposed solutions must be past the ideation stage and must be in active development.
• Proposed solutions must be seeking to solve social challenges that resonate in communities at a local, regional, national, or international level, regardless of project scale.

Finalists

• Receive 6 complimentary credentials to SXSW EDU 2026 (2 for the student presenters, and the remaining 4 for adult chaperones and additional team members)
• Pitch live to an audience of educators, investors, and changemakers on the Next Stage in the SXSW EDU Expo for the opportunity to win the “Student Impact Award”
• Have access to coaching sessions with savvy innovators selected by SXSW EDU to help participants refine their project idea and perfect their pitch

Semifinalists

• Receive 6 complimentary credentials to SXSW EDU 2026 (2 for the student presenters, and the remaining 4 for adult chaperones and additional team members)
• Have access to coaching sessions with savvy innovators selected by SXSW EDU to help participants refine their project idea and model
• Opportunity to showcase their project or initiative to a live audience of educators, investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators on stage at SXSW EDU

Student Impact Award:

This award is given to the Student Impact Challenge's grand prize winner. The recipient of this award impressed the judges as the top project with its innovative solution to a clear problem, strong execution plan, proof of concept, potential for impact, and unique perspective of the team.

For frequently asked questions and answers, check out the Student Impact Challenge FAQ.

Learn more about the history of the Student Impact Challenge by browsing a full list of past finalists and winners.