Austin, TX (PRWEB) September 24, 2014
SXSW Eco, a conference connecting the urgency of global sustainability challenges with the opportunity for breakthrough solutions, today detailed its 2014 Startup Central programming. SXSW Eco is produced in conjunction with Austin Energy and the Austin Technology Incubator (ATI), part of the IC2 Institute at The University of Texas at Austin (UT). The conference, running from October 6-8 in Austin TX, will feature the Startup Showcase pitch competition for 32 companies in cleanweb, greentech and social impact. It will also include the Startup Springboard exhibition of very early stage companies, and Connect which brings together startups and investors, curated by the Austin Chamber.
Startup Central is a robust track within SXSW Eco dedicated to entrepreneurship and investment in cleanweb, greentech and social impact. Programming features a variety of panels, a startup and investor “speed-dating” style event, an intensive boot camp and an array of formal and informal networking events. SXSW Eco serves as a launching pad for these companies and a place of discovery for investors and corporations from across the country.
The Startup Showcase, now in its third year, is a rapid-fire pitch competition spotlighting
innovative early stage companies in the areas of cleanweb, greentech and social
impact. Finalists in these categories were selected out of a pool of hundreds of
applicants from around the world and will compete in front of a live audience and panel
of judges from companies the likes of Target, Shell Technology Ventures, the Whole
Planet Foundation, New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and Sprint. In the past two years,
participating companies have gone on to raise over $27M in funding.
Each of the 32 companies will present a 4-minute pitch and then engage in a 4-minute Q&A session with the Judges, who ultimately determine the winner. This year, the third category, Social Impact, is divided into two, for profit and not for profit. The third annual entrepreneurial pitch finalists include:
Cleanweb (8): Comm-N-Sense Corp, CrowdComfort, Curb, Gridmates, Lagoon, Measurabi, Valor Water Analytics, Wanderu
Greentech (8), presented by Hewlett Packard: HEVO Power, PAX Pure, Inc., Photon8, Inc., PicaSolar, SiNode, Skyven Technologies, Watershed Materials, LLC, Wetzel Blade
Social Impact - For-profit (8), presented by United Nations Foundation: Do Amore, Drinkwell, Elequa, Emergence BioEnergy Inc., Harbor Biometrics, Spend Consciously, Underground Network, LLC, Wilding and Co
Social Impact - Not-for-profit (8), presented by United Nations Foundation: Accountability Lab, Ecosia, Kula, Open Water Foundation, ORGANIZE, pAge Drinking Paper, Pollinate Energy, Urban Death Project
SXSW Eco Startup Central also includes Springboard and Connect.
Startup Springboard, presented by framergy, is a pitch event and exhibition spotlighting early stage projects in clean technology and social impact. The event offers exposure to potential investors, strategic partners and media outlets that can propel concepts from idea to commercialization. The 16 2014 Springboard official selections include: Black Pine Engineering, Blue Impact, Everywhere Energy, H2dios, JUST, Lucelo Technologies, lumenomics, Nu Promethean Technologies, Renooble, Resilient Modular Systems [RMS], SE Rising, Share, Silexta, Totus Power, Wheely's Café and WiseWater.
Startup Connect presented by The Austin Chamber of Commerce introduces cleantech and impact startups to the investors and customers who can take these businesses to the next level via curated one-on-ones.
Scheduling for all Startup programming can be found at http://schedule.sxsweco.com/
Now in its third year produced in partnership by SXSW Eco, Austin Energy and ATI, the Startup Showcase combines the strengths of SXSW Interactive’s Accelerator pitch competition with ATI and Austin Energy’s Clean Energy Venture Summit (CEVS). CEVS was a highlight of ATI’s Clean Energy Incubator which was founded in 2001 and is one of the industry’s longest established energy and clean technology incubators. The best of CEVS is now realized in the SXSW Eco Startup Showcase.
“Each year, Eco gets better and better, said Mitch Jacobson, co-director, ATI Clean Energy Incubator. “Last year, we grew the pool of Showcase companies to 25 and this year, we were hard pressed to select only 32.”
The SXSW Eco Exhibition occurs October 6-7, 2014 and will feature compelling
exhibitors, demonstrations, startup events, and other opportunities to interact, learn and
make meaningful connections. To register go to http://sxsweco.com/attend.
Press interested in attending all or part of SXSW Eco should contact laurabeckcahoon@gmail.com.
About SXSW Eco:
Now in its fourth year, SXSW Eco attracts a global community to explore, engage and
co-create solutions for a sustainable world. A uniquely inclusive platform for
professionals, SXSW Eco examines the critical challenges of our times through a
kaleidoscopic lens of design innovation, policy tipping points, technological
breakthroughs, conservation practice, entrepreneurial spirit and a culture of creativity to
transform inspiration into action.
About the Austin Technology Incubator:
The Austin Technology Incubator (ATI) is the startup incubator of the IC2 Institute of The University of Texas at Austin. ATI works with seed and pre-seed-stage companies, helping prepare these businesses for commercial success, with a particular focus on helping startups compete in the capital markets. The Incubator has operated since 1989 with a dual mission: create jobs and wealth in Central Texas through technology entrepreneurship, and provide distinctive teaching and research opportunities to the UT-Austin community. Over the past 10 years, ATI companies have created more than 5,500 jobs, nearly $1 billion in economic impact, and over $20 million in tax revenues in Central Texas.
About Austin Energy:
Austin Energy is the nation’s 10th largest community-owned electric utility. Austin Energy powers the capital city of Texas through a diverse generation mix including nuclear, coal, natural gas and renewable energy sources. Located in Austin, TX, Austin Energy created the top performing renewable energy program in the nation and is committed to helping Austin become the Clean Energy Capital of the World. The company owns the nation’s first and largest green building program and is home to one of the nation’s most comprehensive residential and commercial energy efficiency programs. For further information visit: AustinEnergy.com.
