SXSW 2025: Where Tech, Culture, and Innovation Converge
Written by Krista Siefert, MIBA Director of Operations
This March, I had the opportunity to attend SXSW (South by Southwest) in Austin, Texas. Founded in 1987 as a music and media conference, SXSW has grown into a global event that celebrates the convergence of technology, film, TV, and music. Now the second-largest tech festival in the US, behind CES, it attracts over 200,000 attendees and transforms downtown Austin each year.
More than just a forward-looking tech event, SXSW is a dynamic hub where innovation, creativity, and culture collide. Here are my top five highlights from my first experience at this iconic gathering:
1. The Pitch Event: A Front-Row Seat to Disruptive Startups
As a member of the Pitch Advisory Board, I had the opportunity to see many of the 45 early-stage startups, selected by the International Board from over 500 applicants, pitch on a global stage. Notably, 75% of the contenders were from the US, 4% from Michigan, and 3% from Israel.
Over the course of the three day Pitch event, panels of judges chose nine of these startups as winners. With 93% of past winners securing funding or acquisitions totaling $23 billion, this competition has a proven track record of launching game-changing innovations.
The top five themes among the 2025 SXSW Pitch finalists and alternates, spanning across the nine featured categories, include:
- AI Integration Across Industries:
- AI for automation, efficiency, and innovation was prevalent in solutions ranging from financial data governance (Safebooks AI, Polygraf AI), creative tools (Springboards, Wonder.Space), healthcare (Vocxi Health, Glidance), and even robotics (Contoro, Wubble.ai).
- Sustainability and Environmental Solutions:
- A significant focus was placed on addressing climate change and environmental issues through technologies like waste conversion (Entomal Biotech, Carbon Negative Solutions), pollution remediation (Capture Tech, Xatoms), and sustainable energy solutions (Helix Earth, RevcoEnergy).
- Agtech solutions focused on more sustainable agricultural practices.
- Healthcare and Accessibility:
- Many finalists showcased technologies to improve healthcare outcomes, including disease detection (Vocxi Health), surgical procedures (NerView Surgical), and mobility assistance (Glidance).
- Accessibility solutions for individuals with disabilities were also prominent (We Hear You, Audiom, CODA).
- Financial Technology (FinTech) and the Future of Work:
- Innovations in financial data management (Safebooks AI), tax filing (MasRefund), and financial inclusion (Trez, Viva Benefits) were highlighted.
- The future of work was represented by AI interview platforms (The Dev Difference) and platforms that help with job transitions.
- Robotics and Advanced Technologies:
- Robotics solutions for industrial automation (Contoro), airport maintenance (Airtrek Robotics), and other applications (MUSE) were showcased.
- Emerging tech trends such as Web3, voice technology, and extended reality underscored the evolving landscape of digital experiences, communication, and business innovation.
One of my favorite innovations came from Glidance, winner of the HealthTech Accessibility category, for its remarkable technology that combines navigational robotics and AI to offer an intuitive guide for individuals with visual impairments. This revolutionary innovation has already helped many people regain their independence and has even been used to assist IDF soldiers who’ve lost their sight in service.
2. Thought Leadership: Wisdom from Industry Leaders
SXSW isn’t just about technology—it’s a platform for inspiring ideas and meaningful conversations. Some of my favorite sessions included Brené Brown, Ben Stiller, and The Chief Suite, where senior women executives from global organizations shared their leadership journeys and philosophies.
A recurring theme was leading through uncertainty, with key takeaways including:
- The power of a growth mindset
- The role of curiosity in staying engaged in your work and adaptable
- The importance of servant leadership
These sessions were also a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of mentorship.
3. Midwest House: Michigan’s Moment in the Spotlight
SXSW also shines a spotlight on regional innovation, featuring hubs like the UK House, Ireland House, Tennessee House, and Midwest House.
This year marked the 10th anniversary of Midwest House, where Michigan took center stage. The day featured a pitch event and panels featuring leaders from the state’s innovation ecosystem, including Michigan’s first tech unicorn, Dug Song. The University Research Corridor panel showcased how Michigan is on its way to becoming the ‘scale-up state,’ with its four R1 universities driving talent and innovation. Michigan Day wrapped up with a well-deserved nod to its musical roots, featuring a performance by Detroit native JMSN.
4. Networking: The Intersection of Ideas and Collaboration
Beyond the sessions and pitches, SXSW is all about the people. The ideas shared, conversations I had, and connections I made reinforced that innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about collaboration and vision. The energy from creatives and forward thinkers made this event an unforgettable experience.
5. An Unexpected Encounter: What Sesame Street Reminds Us About Innovation
One of my most unexpected moments at SXSW came when I bumped into the creators of Sesame Street! As the beloved characters interviewed festival-goers about the responsible use of social media and cell phones, it reminded me that innovation isn’t just about new tech—it’s about making a real impact. Their work revolutionized children’s education, and decades later, the lessons they imparted continue to resonate.
The takeaway from SXSW? The best innovations shape culture, change lives, and leave a legacy.
Overall, SXSW was a 10/10 experience! I’m already looking forward to returning next year to discover the new trends shaping the future.
