Artificial Intelligence, Voice, & Robotics
Technologies related to machine-simulated intelligence, consciousness, empathy, or speech. These technologies may also cover Internet of Things and smart devices, or a machine's ability to perform, anticipate, and streamline tasks without human assistance. These startups seek to address a wide variety of issues and may include Super Apps, generative AI, AI chips, and more.
Enterprise & Smart Data
Technologies that increase productivity for businesses and/or individuals by simplifying informational data through new workflows and analytics. These startups may have applications in data collection, management, organization, big data simulation, analysis, presentation, interpretation, security, and augmentation across industries such as business, finance, advertising, and more.
Entertainment, Media & Content
Technologies and applications that are re-inventing the experience of leisure, information and entertainment. Industries these technologies address may include gaming, music, film, television, video, arts, news and publishing, streaming, and digital storytelling.
Extended Reality and Web3
Technologies that enhance the way people connect, communicate, and share unique life experiences with those around them in a digital ecosystem. Startups within this category aim to better immerse consumers within their digital experiences through Web 3.0 applications, wearables, blockchain technology, multi-sensory incorporation, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and other visualization technologies. These startups may have applications in dating and friendship, professional networking, gaming, data visualization, warfare, content creation, NFT/blockchain, social media, instant messaging, extended reality, mass media, and more.
Food, Nutrition, & Health
Technologies focused on human-centric applications that advance nutrition and connect individuals with health systems and facilities, care teams, providers, insurance, corporate and personal wellness services, and public health & social services. These startups may also include applications in food and CPG, agriculture and farming, aging and geriatrics, vaccines, mRNA technology, general wellness, assistive technology, diagnosis, treatment, fertility, genetics, exercise, home fitness, nutrition, sleep, sports, cannabis, and medical wearable technologies.
Future of Work
Technologies that enable, empower, change, and expand capabilities in the future of work and the working experience. These technologies may find applications in the gig economy, remote working and connectivity, business communications, project management, workforce incentives and benefits, payments, manufacturing, human resources, employee education and skills training, recruiting, and others.
Innovative World Technologies
This category is for any creative and innovative application, product, or service that does not fit in another SXSW Pitch category, as well as technologies that act as the infrastructure that new technologies are built on. Examples that might fit into this category include (but are not limited to) societal good, social networking, supply chain, payment and fintech, Aerospace and flight technology, biotechnology and nanotechnology, pet tech, drones, home refinancing, defense and security measures, quantum computing and computer chip technology, and others.
Smart Cities, Transportation & Sustainability
Technologies that create and advance smart cities by providing services and products for local environments, which includes buildings, neighborhoods, communities, and public spaces. These innovations may find applications in sustainability, climate change, renewable power sources, real estate development, transportation, tourism, logistics, product delivery, autonomous vehicles, ridesharing, infrastructure, utilities, public works, security, population data, government and civic services, and more.
Student Startup
Student startup that is showcasing innovative technology with a focus on Artificial Intelligence, Voice & Robotics; Enterprise & Smart Data; Entertainment, Media & Content; Extended Reality and Web3 Future of Work; Food, Nutrition & Health; Innovative World Technologies; Smart Cities, and/or Transportation & Sustainability. A student from the startup management team will need to present at SXSW Pitch if selected as a Finalist or Alternate, as well as must be enrolled at a College or University during the SXSW Pitch March 2024 event.
