Pitch Your Startup at the 2023 Launch Startup Competition

Do you have a startup that is innovating the future of teaching and learning? Submit an application for your startup to the SXSW EDU 2023 Launch Startup Competition, presented by the Walton Family Foundation, where you could be selected to pitch in front of a panel of industry experts, educators, and an audience. Applications are now open through October 28, 2022.

The Launch Startup Competition seeks to celebrate emerging startups in the education space by providing a platform to help elevate their ideas and create new connections that will support them as they make a difference for students, educators, and schools.

Competition Eligibility Requirements

• The SXSW EDU Launch competition 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 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 at one of the SXSW startup events (SXSW Pitch or SXSW EDU Launch). If you apply and are selected as a finalist for both, you must choose which competition you’d like to present.

Over the years, more than 100 startups have taken the Launch Startup Competition stage, ranging in focus from early learning to higher education and beyond. These companies include Kahoot!, Clever, CodeMonkey, and more have continued to grow beyond SXSW EDU and make a difference in all levels of the education space.

In March 2023, selected finalists will take the stage and pitch their education startups before participating in a Q&A with the panel of judges. Additionally, a cohort of runners-up will be selected to attend SXSW EDU. Though they will not present on stage, they’ll have the opportunity to showcase their startup through other opportunities. All applications will be reviewed by the thought leaders on the SXSW EDU 2023 Launch Advisory Board.

Finalists and runners-up will gain the following by participating in the competition:

Finalists

• Receive two (2) complimentary credentials to SXSW EDU 2023
• Pitch live to an audience of educators, investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators on the Next Stage in the SXSW EDU Expo
• Have access to coaching sessions with savvy entrepreneurs selected by SXSW EDU to help participants refine and perfect their pitch
• Have the opportunity to win one out of several awards
• Participate in our Startup Spotlight, a cocktail-style reception where teams can connect one-on-one with attendees, demo products and receive valuable, real-time feedback
• Attend an invite-only networking event for startups and investors in attendance

Runners-Up

• Receive two (2) complimentary credentials to SXSW EDU 2023
• Participate in our Startup Spotlight, a cocktail-style reception where teams can connect one-on-one with attendees, demo products and receive valuable, real-time feedback
• Attend an invite-only networking event for startups and investors in attendance

Apply Now

Don’t miss your chance to pitch your startup and showcase how you are making a difference in the future of education! Enter your application before the deadline on October 28, 2022 at 11:59pm PT.

Apply Now

Join Your Community in March

Join us for SXSW EDU 2023 from March 6-9 in Austin, Texas. Don’t forget to register and book your hotel early, and subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know of any event information leading up to the event.

Check out what’s new for SXSW EDU 2023 and learn about all the ways that you can get involved.

Photo provided by Holly Jee