The Evolution of SXSW from Music Festival to Interactive Launch Pad

ROCK OF AGES: The Evolution Of SXSW From Music Festival To Interactive Launch Pad HISTORY 1987 First SXSW (a music festival only). 150 attendees were expected, but over 700 show up 1994 SWXS added a film and interactive component called "SXSW Film and Multimedia Conference" The SXSW Film and Multimedia Conference was split into two separate events, "SXSW Film" and "SXSW Multimedia." 1995 First "SXSW Web Awards," later renamed the "SXSW Interactive Awards," featuring categories such as Mobile, Social Media, Technical Achievement, and Breakout Digital Trend. 1997 1999 SXSW Multimedia was renamed "SXSW Interactive" Interactive keynote speakers include founders from two of the Internet's most disruptive websites: Craig Newmark of Craigslist and Jimmy Wales of Wikipedia 2006 An international organization for those NOT attending was founded, called NotAtSXSW. Coordinating online, events were held in London, New York, Wisconsin, Portland, Oregon and Miami. 2009 2009 SXSW Interactive saw the launch of Foursquare, a breakout mobile app. First SXSW Accelerator, a competition for new social media, mobile application, web entertainment, and similar companies. 41% of the companies that have participated in the first two Accelerator competitions received funding after the event. [1] 2009 2010 Gowalla beats out Foursquare in Mobile category of SXSW Web Awards. The Interactive festival draws 14,251 attendees, music 13,022, film 9,055. First time interactive surpasses music. [2] 2010 2011 Interactive festival was by far the largest it had ever been. with 19,364 attendees. SXSW 2011 DEMOGRAPHICS: [3] AGES: |Under 20: 1% INCOME: Under $18,000: 4% S18-35,000: 7% 51+ 9% $150,000+: 26% $35-55.000:13% 21-30: 31% 41-50: 19% $55-85,000:19% 31-40: 40% $85-150,000:31% TOP 10 TYPES OF BUSINESS OF INTERACTIVE REGISTRANTS: Educator Marketing Social Media Software Non-Profit Development Media Electronic E-Commerce Finance/Venture Capital 0-0 Web Consultant Developer 19,364 935 2,508 Interactive Conference Interactive Conference Approximate # of Participants Sessions Interactive Media in Attendance GEOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWN BY PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL INTERACTIVE REGISTRANTS: Southwest: 24% West: 23% 24% 10% Northeast: 24% 23% Southeast: 9% 24% 9% Midwest: 10% International: 10% SUCCESSFUL SXSW STARTUP LAUNCHES: [I] 00 GameSalad Twitter (2007) GameSalad (2009) Twitter actually launched 9 months before SXSW, but SXSW is what made k popular. "Contrary to common belief, we didn't actually launch Twitter at SXSW - SXSW just chose to blow it up." wrote Twitter co-founder Evan Willams, 4 secured first investment check within one hour of presenting at Accelerator compecition attributed $I milion in investment over next 5 months to Accelerator. Foursquare (2009) launched at SXSW, received first round of funding six months after Food PhoneBooth Free (2010) Foodspotting (2010) RECENT SXSW WEB AWARDS / INTERACTIVE AWARDS WINNERS atrbub groupme 2009: 2010: 2011: Gigotron wins in Mobile, Gowalla wins in Mobile. Successful startup GroupMe name breakout digital trend. Airbnb won in Mobile REASONS SO MANY COMPANIES CHOOSE TO LAUNCH AT SXSW: [5] iso Wide array of tech disciplines, unlike many other conferences. Attendees are "wired to the teeth" and ready to broadcast/publicize their opinions. Strategic people; attendees who are Great intersection for film, music, and technology - which aren't always that far apart. "thinkers. THE ACCELERATOR: 2010: About 500 startups applied to the Accelerator in various categories, narrowed down to 40 who were invited to present. [6] 2012: Over 670 applied; 48 companies will be invited to present. 2011: 400 applied and 32 finalists presented. [7] SOURCES Created by: ROCKSAUCE 1. http://mashable.com/2011/03/05/sxsw-launches 2. http://www.myfoxmatin.com/dpp/news/local/32310-SXSW.Releases-Attendance-Numbers 3. http://sxsw.com'pressiresources nd_downloads/demographics 4. http://www.quoracom/What-is-the-process-involved-in-launching-a-start-up-at-SXSW 5. http://www.statesman.com/businessitechnology/sxsw-has-become-launching-pad-for-tech- www.RocksauceStudios.com debuts-356164.html) 6. http://graemethickins.typepad.com/graeme_blogs_here/201/10 sxsw-adding-great-new-wrinide- for-2012-startup-vilage.html 7. http:/bitly/aKPNHT %24