What are the entry categories for SXSW Pitch 2023? – SXSW Support

To apply to SXSW Pitch, entrants must fit into one or more of the following categories:

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.

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, 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.

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, aging and geriatrics, general wellness, 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, 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, payment and fintech, space and Aerospace, biotechnology and nanotechnology, agriculture and natural resources, pet tech, drones, home refinancing, quantum computing and computer chip technology, energy, and others.

Metaverse & Web3

Technologies that enhance the way people connect, communicate, and share unique life experiences with those around them in a digital ecosystem, including but not limited to the Metaverse and Web3 integration. Startups within this category aim to better immerse consumers within their digital experiences through augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), multi-sensory incorporation, wearables, Web 3.0 applications, and blockchain technology. These startups may have applications in dating and friendship, professional networking, content creation, NFT/blockchain, social media, instant messaging, extended reality, mass media, and more.

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, real estate development, transportation, logistics, product delivery, autonomous vehicles, ridesharing, infrastructure, utilities, public works, security, population data, government and civic services, and more.