The IC² Institute and the Center for European Studies at The University of Texas at Austin have partnered to bring innovative European companies to Austin’s SXSW Interactive Festival and help these young companies make the most of the networking and pitching opportunities that the festival offers.
With financial assistance from the EU’s Getting to Know Europe Grant and the U.S. Department of Education, the two UT Austin units have collaborated to build a program – now in its second year – that utilizes proven IC² Institute business-development methods, European relationships, and the platform of one of the world’s most prominent business gatherings to demonstrate how the innovation-rich climate of Austin can accelerate the progress of internationally driven startups. This project is funded in part by the European Union.
Working with the Arctic Business Incubator of Sweden and other business-support organizations in Europe, CES and IC² selected thirteen promising companies for awards that include training, mentoring, and travel expenses for a week in Austin. Company representatives will receive mentoring from Austin-based business leaders and practice in pitching with experts at IC² Institute. They will also join the IC² Institute business network at events designed to help entrepreneurs make important connections.
Selected companies will present their pitches on Saturday, March 9, from 12:15-3:15 PM at the EU House in the Palm Door, 508 E. 6th St. No SXSW badge required – RSVP here.
European companies awarded funding for SXSW Interactive 2019 include:
- Crowdaa, France
- Cyberty AB, Sweden
- Evado AB, Sweden
- The Fit AB, Sweden
- Listen!, France
- Mindforce Game Lab AB, Sweden
- Online Marina AB, Sweden
- PASQ AB, Sweden
- Phonexia, Czech Republic
- Pixadome, Sweden
- Samuraj AB, Sweden
- Spotin AB, Sweden
- TriLAB Group, Czech Republic
The IC² Institute conducts research and programs to validate the impact of technological innovation on regional economic development with collaboration among the university, government, and private sectors. IC² is extending its research focus from urban ecosystems supporting entrepreneurship to exploring the shape and action of innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems in rural and isolated-city regions of the world in order to support economic growth.
The Center for European Studies (CES) promotes the study of Europe in the form of: language study; providing courses on European culture, history, economics, business, and politics; creating opportunities for study abroad and internships abroad; and assisting students in pursuing work opportunities connected to Europe. CES also serves civic, nonprofit, and business associations with activities in Europe; academic leaders and institutions from Europe with collaborative agreements with UT; governmental and multilateral agencies dedicated to social and economic betterment in Europe; and the general public in Texas and the U.S. whose world outlook includes Europe.