The Whether powered by Better Weekdays Win 2017 Launch Competition

The Whether powered by Better Weekdays was announced winner of the 2017 Launch startup competition at SXSW EDU. Following two days of pitches from this year’s ten finalists, the announcement closed out the competition at the Launch party, hosted by the Walton Family Foundation, in Austin.

Based in Saint Louis, The Whether powered by Better Weekdays, helps employers more easily attract, engage and hire college graduates by keeping relevant internships and jobs on a student's radar. The Whether app provides the ideal conditions for students to interact with career services and brands in a whole new way.

The SXSW EDU Launch startup competition showcases early-stage companies from around the world that are dedicated to supporting teaching and learning. Over the past five years, SXSW EDU’s popular Launch competition has featured startups that have gone on to receive millions in funding and impact learning across the country.

The sixth annual startup competition featured ten finalists working across early, K12 and higher education on initiatives including gaming, workforce skills, special needs, 3D and AR/VR. The finalists were selected by the Launch Advisory Board to compete onsite at SXSW EDU 2017. For a full list of 2017 Launch finalists, please visit: sxswedu.com/competitions/history.

The competition drew upon the insight and expertise of this year's judges, all of who serve as leaders in investment, entrepreneurialism, schools and classrooms. The 2017 Launch judges were Darryl Adams (Consulting and Edutainment Services), Eileen Murphy Buckley (ThinkCERCA), Jess Gartner (Allovue), Carolina Huaranca (Kapor Capital), Mark Rogers (Meridian World School), Aaron Walker (Camelback Ventures), Corinne Weisgerber (St. Edward's University) and Mark Williams (Austin Community College). The 2017 SXSW EDU Launch competition was emceed by Rafranz Davis (Lufkin ISD) and Richard Culatta (State of Rhode Island Office of Innovation).

SXSW EDU 2018 Launch Winner, The Whether powered by Better Weekdays. Photo by Diego Donamaria.