FAQ

A non-refundable $150 entry fee is required from all applicants who would like to be considered for participation in the event. All Accelerator entrants will be given the chance to register to attend SXSW Music at the lowest earlybird rate, if they are not chosen as an Accelerator finalist.


Please email Chris Valentine to discuss further.

No refund will be given to any application that has been submitted. If you have any concerns regarding our fees and/or the application process please contact chris@sxsw.com prior to submitting an application.

Application fees are accepted online by credit card through the SXSW Shopping Cart. To request payment by check or money order, contact chris@sxsw.com.

If your SXSW Accelerator event entry is NOT accepted, you will receive a special coupon allowing you to register to attend SXSW Music at the early-bird rate. Also, to be clear, there are still lots of great hotel rooms available for the 2011 event - waiting to register until you learn the status of your SXSW Accelerator will not drastically impact this inventory. That said, if securing a hotel room in the immediate vicinity of the Austin Convention Center is an absolute priority (and you definitely plan on attending the 2011 event), then you might consider registering now. Do NOT register if you are not sure that you will be attending the event as SXSW does NOT grant refunds. Deadline to redeem the early bird rate is February 19, 2011.

Each company will be allowed to present up to three products / services at this year’s event. Each submission will require the $150 non-refundable entry fee. SXSW will not waive fees for companies who are submitting more than one application.



Yes, participating companies will receive two complimentary registrations for the 2011 SXSW Music Conference. These complimentary registrations must be assigned to specific individuals. Each registration is valued at $750.



The application deadline is Friday, December 10, 2010 at 11:59pm (CT).

A committee of music technology experts will screen each application to make sure that they meet all requirements, and review each entry to decide which products or services are the most innovative.

All applicants will receive an email notification from SXSW upon the selection of your application.

Finalists will be notified by Friday, January 18, 2011.

If accepted, each product or service will receive up to two minutes, subject to change, to present their idea to a jury panel of venture capitalist or music technology industry experts. Each company will have a microphone and may use a slide presentation (with no additional A/V).

Each participating organization will have only one company representative presenting to the judges and one additional person can be off stage controlling the slide presentation. SXSW will not provide staff to support you with your stage presentation, so each company must have a second company representative to assist with the presentation.

Each judge is an industry expert in venture capitalism or technology market space and will not be the same individual who is involved in the screening process. There will be a minimum of three panelists judging each showcase.

After the participating organizations two-minute presentation (subject to change), each product / service will be evaluated by the judges for 10 minutes. During this time, the judges may ask the participant questions to help them better understand your product / service and address any additional thoughts they may have.

The winner of this music-related technology category will be presented his/her award during the event ceremonies.

The winning company will receive premium prize packages containing valuable tech-related goodies. They will also be given photo and interview opportunities with the attending technology and venture press, placing them in the spotlight as leaders in the future of technology. The winning prize also includes two Music badges for the 2012 SXSW Music conference, a write-up in the April issue of SXSWorld magazine and, most importantly, the opportunity to receive exposure to the SXSW audience looking out for the latest in cutting-edge technology. Additional prizes will be announced as the event date approaches.

This event is open to anyone with a SXSW Music or Platinum badge. Register to attend here.