Events

Entries for the SXSW Sydney Pitch competition have opened

- May 27, 2024 2 MIN READ
Lisa Milani
NanoCube Health's Lisa Milani pitching at SXSW in Austin, Texas after winning the Sydney pitch
South by Southwest Sydney has opened submissions for SXSW Sydney Pitch 2024 in October.

The theme for SXSW Sydney Pitch 2024 is ‘What’s Next’.

Last year’s inaugural SXSW Sydney Pitch winner was Melbourne-based medical robotics startup NanoCube Health, which is developing technology to enable accurate, minimally-invasive early detection, diagnosis and targeted treatment of cancers, starting with pancreatic cancer.

Founder Lisa Milani was given the chance to take the global stage at SXSW Austin’s Pitch Award ceremony last month.

“The inaugural SXSW Sydney was incredible. I’m still pinching myself that NanoCube Health won the pitch event,” she said.

“It provided an opportunity to bring our humble, early-stage startup to a global stage and to start building relationships with key players in the US ecosystem, which will be critical for our future global expansion plans. I’d strongly recommend other startups to apply for the 2024 pitch event. You won’t regret it!”

This year’s SXSW Sydney Pitch grand final winner will receive two Platinum Badges for SXSW Austin 2025 and two economy return airfares to Austin, Texas, a special slot to present a speed pitch during the 2025 awards ceremony; and a tailored mentorship package. There will be additional prizes to be announced closer to the event.

Applications to the Sydney pitch are open to startups and founders across the following seven categories.

  • Climate Tech and Sustainability | Technologies addressing environmental and sustainability challenges including renewable and clean energy, circular economy, sustainable solutions, waste management, decarbonisation, carbon footprint reduction, agtech, sustainable cities and proptech solutions.
  • Health, Biotech and Medtech | Technologies focused on health, medical technologies, nutrition, wellness, fitness, disease and illness prevention, identification and treatment, pharma technology and better connection of individuals with health facilities/providers/services.
  • Entertainment, Games & Media | Technologies enhancing the entertainment experience including those across screen, games, music and sport, tools that automate, streamline and optimise marketing and media affecting how we experience information including social media and content.
  • Future of Work and Education | Technologies that enhance the work that we do, the workforce and the workplace, how we develop skills, personal development, the learning and teaching environment and innovations in the HR and recruitment industries.
  • Hardware, Manufacturing and Physical Solutions | Technologies of a physical nature including robotics, advanced manufacturing and materials, sensors, internet of things, connected devices, data storage, innovative hardware or products, 3d printing, audio & visual devices and space tech.
  • Innovation in Retail and Commerce  | Technologies enhancing the way we consume and pay for goods and services inclusive of innovative platforms, advertising, marketplaces, sales, financial products, payment technologies, circular economy, returns, supply chain and retail technology.
  • Enterprise, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence | Technologies that increase productivity for businesses and individuals by using new workflows to simplify informational data, advanced data analytics, B2B SaaS technology, cyber security, protection of data, digital ID, generative AI and automation to enhance and optimise  human outputs and decision making, computer vision, voice and natural language processing.

Submissions close on Monday, July 22. There’s an information webinar on Wednesday, June 12.

For more details, see sxswsydney.com/participate/pitch.

Expressions of interest for the Startup Village, presented by VentureCrowd, within the Expo at SXSW Sydney also open today, Monday 27 May. Aapply with this form.

SXSW Sydney 2024 will take place on 14-20 October