SXSW Sydney announces shortlist for inaugural Sydney Pitch

What is SXSW Sydney?

The world-renowned South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festivals is venturing outside the United States for the first time in its history, coming down-under with the inaugural SXSW Sydney event running from October 15-22.

Founded over 35 years ago and originating in Austin, Texas, SXSW has gained a reputation for being a hub of innovation, and a place where technology, music, film, and interactive media converge. SXSW Sydney brings this spirit of innovation to Australia, making it an ideal platform for disruptors and creators within the region.

SXSW has always enticed high profile speakers, including Space X & Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Meta CEO Mark Zukerberg and US President Barak Obama to name a few. For SXSW Sydney there's no exception, with Grammy Award-winning artist Chance the Rapper and Coachella CEO Phill Tollett headlining the all-star schedule of tech entrepreneurs’, artists, futurists and innovators, all converging in Sydney at one time.

Coming from the recording industry and knowing that SXSW began as an event to promote, nurture and assist the growth of talent from grassroots through to established artists, it is a privilege and honour for acta to be appearing at an event which shares the same ethos that we truly believe in. - Harris Meitanis (Founder & CEO, acta)

Included in the event is a startup pitch competition where entrepreneurs, high, and creators get the chance to present their ideas and projects to a panel of judges, including industry experts and investors. Beyond pitching, SXSW Sydney offers a diverse range of panels, workshops, and networking opportunities, making it a must-attend event for anyone looking to grow their business, make meaningful connections, and gain exposure on a global scale.

Significance for acta

After having attended SXSW in the US many times over the last 20 years as a talent manager and record label owner, acta Founder & CEO Harris Meitanis can’t wait for the opportunity to share acta's vision at the festival.

I personally know how difficult it is to break through, particularly given the costs associated with building a successful career in entertainment. Because of this, we're especially proud that acta provides all its tools free of charge to talent. It’s something we know will resonate with artists and talent representatives alike and we can’t wait to have the opportunity to spread our message at the festival. - Harris Meitanis (Founder & CEO, acta)

acta's presence at SXSW

Drawing from more than 100 applicants across six categories, SXSW Sydney has announced acta as one of the 20 finalists for the inaugural live pitch event. acta will be pitching in the ‘Game On, Let’s Play’ category, highlighting groundbreaking ideas across the entertainment industry.

The finals begin at 4.30pm on Wednesday, October 18th in Room C3.3 – ICC Sydney.

Learn more about each Pitch Finalist at SXSW Sydney.

You will also be able to find the team at the SXSW Startup Village expo amongst a collection of the most exciting and forward-thinking businesses from across the APAC region.

So, if you’re at the festival and would like to come and watch the pitch competition or come over to the exhibitor hall and say hi, we’d love to see you!

For more information on where and when to find us at SXSW Sydney visit: SXSW Sydney Schedule