The digital version of the SXSW Interactive Program Guide is now available. Packed full of information, this guide is a must-read before leaving home and on the plane, as well as a great resource on the ground. Download today!
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/468457
FRIDAY, MARCH 13 11:00 AM Hilton: Salon B ReleaseIt at SXSW: Round 1 Ready to be dazzled? ReleaseIt at SXSW is a platform for companies to launch their new and innovative product or service in Startup Village. A panel of technology indus- try experts and venture capitalists will hear pitches from five stellar companies and select the product or service most likely to succeed in the marketplace. Evan Burfield, Marc Nager, Susan Amat, Trey Bowles Pitch Event // Intermediate // #releaseit 11:00 AM Hilton: Salon H SXSW Global Connections Kickoff Attending SXSW Interactive from outside the US? Then come to the Global Connec- tions Kick Off to learn more about how you can maximize your time in Austin to take your career to the next level. This session will feature a number of short, micro-talks from leaders of the Central Texas startup ecosystem. Even if you are not from out of the country, you will want to be part of this special session. To Be Announced Panel // Beginner // #startup 12:30 PM Hilton: Salon B ReleaseIt at SXSW: Round 2 Ready to be dazzled? ReleaseIt at SXSW is a platform for companies to launch their new and innovative product or service in Startup Village. A panel of technology indus- try experts and venture capitalists will hear pitches from five stellar companies and select the product or service most likely to succeed in the marketplace. Evan Burfield, Marc Nager, Susan Amat, Trey Bowles Pitch Event // Intermediate // #startup 12:30 PM Hilton: Salon H Austin: The New Gateway for International Startups In this session, you'll hear from actual foreign entrepreneurs who have chosen Austin as their startup launchpad, built their companies and achieved funding. Listen to their stories, challenges, and extraordinary outcomes and realize how small a world it re- ally is. There has never been a better time for foreign-born entrepreneurs to consider launching a startup in the US, especially in Austin. Eleftherios Ntouanoglou, George Koutitas, Jean Belanger, Thomas Bebis Panel // Advanced // #startup 2:00 PM Hilton: Salon A Social Health Startup Bootcamp: Investing in Health Join us for the fourth consecutive year of the Social Health Startup Bootcamp as we discuss the state of digital health funding in 2014, the factors that drove investments, deals, most active investors/markets/categories, and where future opportunities may lie. Presented by Digitas Health LifeBrands. Shwen Gwee, To Be Announced Panel // Beginner // #startup 2:00 PM Hilton: Salon B Venture Investing in Universities Join a panel of venture capitalists, university investors, and technology entrepreneurs based out of Yale University for a panel discussion of strategies for investing in univer- sity-based startups, both from the labs and student body. This session covers how to target opportunities, what stages of venture are ripe for investment, and the unique challenges and opportunities within the university. Donald Fischer, Erika Smith, Gregory Ho, Sean Mackay Panel // Advanced // #startup 2:00 PM Hilton: Salon D McDonald's Startup Sessions 1 The intersection of convenience, fun and value is an integral part of the McDonald's DNA. The company is transforming how it leverages these pillars for the wave of growth made possible by innovative technologies. This session will give disruptive startups an opportunity to pitch their innovations, particularly those related to custom- er experience, to one of the world's most frequented businesses. To Be Announced Pitch Event // Intermediate // #mcdonalds 2:00 PM Hilton: Salon G Capital Factory A-List Pitch Capital Factory brings you our A-List of Austin's early-stage startups raising Series A funding in a series of five-minute pitches. Come get a taste of Texas at this special SXSW pitch event! Kick off SXSW with some fresh new ideas – you might want to use their products, apply for a job, or make an investment. To Be Announced Pitch Event // Advanced // #cfdemoday 3:30 PM Hilton: Room 412 The South and Midwest Matter More Than NY and SF? You don't have to focus your growth on the East and West coasts. Focusing on less ob- vious markets means less competition, lower rents, and more engaged communities. StyleSeat CEO Melody McCloskey and Ligaya Tichy, who has worked at Yelp and Airb- nb, will share data and insights from their experiences building leading marketplaces that have seen rapid growth in unexpected places. Ligaya Tichy, Melody McCloskey Dual // Advanced // #WutAboutTX 3:30 PM Hilton: Salon A Barracuda Bowl: Digital Health Startup Pitch In 2014, over $4.1B was invested in Digital Health startups (which is more than 2011— 2013 combined) in over 295 deals. Join us for the fourth year of the Social Health Startup Bootcamp as we discuss the state of digital health funding, the factors that drove investments, most active investors/markets/categories, and where future op- portunities may lie. Presented by Digitas Health LifeBrands. To Be Announced Pitch Event // Beginner // #startup 3:30 PM Hilton: Salon B Launched From a Dorm Room Join three successful Yale entrepreneurs who launched their startups while still in school – and graduating – as they discuss the pros and cons of being a student while founding a tech company. What tactics did they use as student founders that may not have been available to their graduated counterparts? What lessons did they learn? And, would they do it again? Alena Gribskov, David Luan, Jessica Cole, Victor Wong Panel // Intermediate // #startup 3:30 PM Hilton: Salon D McDonald's Startup Sessions 2 The intersection of convenience, fun and value is an integral part of the McDonald's DNA. The company is transforming how it leverages these pillars for the wave of growth made possible by innovative technologies. This session will give disruptive startups an opportunity to pitch their innovations, particularly those related to custom- er experience, to one of the world's most frequented businesses. To Be Announced Pitch Event // Intermediate // #mcdonalds 3:30 PM Hilton: Salon E Battle Cry of the Sensible Startup Are stress, hype and ego mandatory for startups? Can startups be sensible and suc- cessful at the same time? Silicon Valley icons and investors have famously scoffed at work/life balance. In this panel, three CEOs discuss the trade-offs, risks and rewards to a more sane approach to the classic entrepreneurial model. Jeff Tangney, Lara Aldag, Scott Abel Panel // Advanced // #BeSensible 3:30 PM Hilton: Salon G Capital Factory Fast Pitch Capital Factory brings you five of Austin's up-and-coming tech startups in a rapid-fire succession of three-minute pitches. Come get a taste of Texas at this special pitch event. Kick off SXSW with some fresh new ideas. These Austin technology companies are seed stage startups and have raised less than one million in funding. Most have some initial revenue but some are pre-revenue. To Be Announced Pitch Event // Advanced // #cfdemoday STARTUP VILLAGE & BUSINESS HILTON AUSTIN DOWNTOWN: 500 EAST 4 TH STREET; AUSTIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 535 EAST 5 TH STREET 202 SXSW 2015 Interactive Festival FESTIVAL SESSIONS