Technologies within agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture that improve yield, increase efficiency and/or reduce environmental impact. Examples include food sustainability, farm data, soil microbe data, crop protection, biofertilizers, supply chain transparency, agri-food testing, alternative proteins, animal health, aquaculture, farm management software, hydroponics, vertical farming, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), and precision agriculture.
Technologies that increase productivity for businesses and/or individuals by simplifying informational data through automation and/or new workflows and analytics. These startups may have applications in the future of work, data collection, management, organization, big data simulation, analysis, data visualization and presentation, interpretation, privacy and security, predictive analytics, payments, cryptocurrencies, money sharing platforms, fraud protection, open banking, Machine Learning Operations, cognitive computing, APIs, personalization, supply chain, business communications, project management, payments, human resources, cloud computing, and augmentation across industries such as business, finance, advertising, and more.
Technologies and applications that are re-inventing the experience of leisure, information, sports, and entertainment. Industries these technologies service may include gaming, music, film, television, video, arts, news and publishing, e-sports, sports analytics, streaming, podcasting and audio content, social media, user-generated content platforms, digital storytelling, and more.
Technologies that enhance the way people connect, communicate, and share unique life experiences with those around them in a digital ecosystem. These technologies may be related to machine-simulated intelligence, consciousness, ease, speech, the 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 Web 3.0 applications, wearables, blockchain technology, multi-sensory incorporation, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), Super Apps, generative AI, AI chips, autonomous systems, human-robot interaction, Robotic Process Automation, Natural Language Processing, and more.
Technologies focused on human-centric applications that advance medicine and wellness and connect individuals with health systems and facilities, medical technologies and devices, care teams, providers, insurance, corporate and personal wellness services, and public health and social services. These startups may include applications in aging and geriatrics, vaccines, mRNA technology, general wellness, assistive technology, diagnosis, treatment, fertility, genetics, sports and exercise, home fitness, cannabis, sleep, and medical wearable 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, biotechnology and nanotechnology, pet tech, drones, home refinancing, quantum computing and computer chip technology, and others.
Technology in this category improves the ability of first responders & other public safety personnel to serve their communities. This category leverages technology from six major areas: artificial intelligence/machine learning, autonomy, cyber, energy, human systems, and space. Autonomous systems can be further subcategorized into awareness & security, unmanned aerial systems, and maritime autonomy. Space can be further subcategorized into launch services, domain & situational awareness, transport & navigation, satellites & connectivity, manufacturing and hypersonic.
Technologies that create and advance smart cities and/or enhance sustainable practices 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, urban planning and design, waste management and recycling, water management and conservation, green building, air quality monitoring and pollution control, disaster resilience and emergency management, and more.
Student startups that are showcasing innovative technology with a focus on Agtech & Food; Security, GovTech & Space; Enterprise, Smart Data, FinTech, & Future of Work; Entertainment, Media, Sports, & Content; Robotics, Web3, Voice & Extended Reality; Healthcare, MedTech, AssistiveTech & BioTech; Innovative World Tech; Smart Cities, Transportation, & Sustainability.
