The SXSW Innovation Awards recognize the most exciting creative developments in the connected world, celebrating a variety of technological advancements, achievements, and discoveries.

SXSW Innovation Awards 2024 applications are now open through November 12, 2023. Learn more about important application information including deadlines, eligibility criteria, and more.

Explore the 2024 Categories where five finalists from each category will be chosen to exhibit their projects at the seventh annual Innovation Awards Finalist Showcase during SXSW 2024. Finalist Judges will determine the winner in each category and the Best of Show. SXSW audiences attending the Finalist Showcase will also vote to determine the winner of the People’s Choice award. Participation in the Finalist Showcase is required for consideration in all award categories.

Winners will be announced and presented their awards at the 26th annual SXSW Innovation Awards Ceremony on the evening of Monday, March 11 at the Austin Convention Center.

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See You in 2024

Get ready to experience more opportunities for discovery, networking, learning, and career-enhancing connections than ever before at SXSW 2024 from March 8-16.

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Artificial Intelligence

The Artificial Intelligence category showcases projects that leverage the groundbreaking power of machine learning, LLMs and generative AI.

Audio Experience

The Audio Experience category serves as the landing spot for music and sound-related projects, as well as projects that stretch the boundaries of audio-based platforms.

Climate Change

The Climate Change category focuses on projects big and small that positively address the crisis of global warming.

Community Empowerment

The Community Empowerment category spotlights projects that help empower underserved groups and people around the world.

Interface Design

The Interface Design category recognizes the best new ideas for human interaction with software and machines.

Health & Biotech

The Health & Biotech category uncovers the best new projects serving wellness and medicine.

Product Design

The Product Design category highlights the world's best new hardware, including products, devices, gadgets and appliances.

Social Media

The Social Media category recognizes new projects and platforms that create more healthy channels for communication.

Student Innovation

Honoring exceptional student projects and startups that focus on interactive technology for the future

Urban Design

The Urban Design category gathers ahead-of-the-curve solutions to create a better and more equitable city experience.

WTF

The WTF (What the Future) category collects futuristic projects that don’t fit elsewhere. From quantum physics to nanotech to bio-engineering moonshots, this category pulls together all the amazing endeavors that make us excited about tomorrow.

The Innovation Awards has an open call for startups to apply for the chance to participate at SXSW each March. Explore 2024 deadlines, criteria, and categories before you submit your application.

2024 Application Deadlines

Early Bird Entry | Application Fee: $75 | June 27–September 10, 2023
Regular Entry | Application Fee: $175 | September 11–November 12, 2023

All deadlines end at 11:59pm PT. Late entries will not be accepted.

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Eligibility

A project or product entered into the Awards must have launched or been completely redesigned in calendar year 2023 (between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023).

For Awards eligibility, “launched” may mean any of the following things:

• When a discovery is made, when a scientific paper is published, or when a patent is approved;
• When a physical device is made tangible, (i.e., a prototype);
• When the applicable regulatory body (FDA, FCC, etc.) approves a product or procedure for use;
• When the product is made commercially available; or
• When a project is publicly released.

Explore the SXSW Innovation Awards FAQs for more application and event information.

Final entry deadline: Sunday, November 12, 2023 at 11:59pm PT.

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