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Pitch competition · Austin, Texas, United States

SXSW EDU Launch Startup Competition

The education startup pitch competition at SXSW EDU in Austin. Selected early-stage edtech startups pitch on stage to judges and an audience for three awards, and get festival credentials, coaching and a startup bootcamp.

Open · closes 1 Nov 2026 Run by SXSW EDU

Apply on the programme's site Programme website

Verified 19 October 2026 · From the programme's own pages

Terms

Funding
not published
Instrument
No investment
Equity taken
not published
Programme fee
US$100 Application fee of US$60 for the early deadline (23 June to 11 September 2026) and US$100 for the final deadline (12 September to 1 November 2026)
Duration
not published
Cohort size
not published
Cohorts
not published
Delivery
In person
Stages
not published
Sectors
Edtech
Open to founders from
not published
Perks
  • Two SXSW EDU 2027 credentials for finalists and semifinalists
  • SXSW EDU startup bootcamp and workshops (subject to capacity)
  • Coaching and mentorship sessions with startup advisers
  • Finalists also get two SXSW Platinum credentials

Finalists compete for the Launch Award, the Impact Award and the Community Choice Award; the page does not publish a cash prize.

Application dates

Open · closes 1 Nov 2026SXSW EDU 2027

Who can apply

  • Early-stage startup in the education market with a management team and a public website
  • Able to show a sustainable business model and user traction, engagement and adoption metrics
  • No more than US$8M raised from all funding sources at the time of applying
  • Past Launch finalists and semifinalists cannot apply; a startup selected for both SXSW Pitch and Launch presents in only one

What founders should check

  1. The programme does not publish how much equity it takes. Ask before you accept a place.
  2. There is a fee: Application fee of US$60 for the early deadline (23 June to 11 September 2026) and US$100 for the final deadline (12 September to 1 November 2026).
  3. It runs in person in Austin. Plan to be there for the length of the programme.
  4. Applications are open until 1 November 2026. That is less than a month away, so start the form now.

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