We're in Austin, Texas. Rodeo, rednecks, barbecue. At first glance, these are the things the layperson associates with this conservative US state. Yet, in recent decades, this city of 900,000 people has become home to one of the most important events in internet innovation: South By Southwest, for connoisseurs: SXSW.
After Lady Gaga came Zuckerberg and Co.
The festival, which initially started out as a mecca for spring break partygoers and gradually evolved into a top musical and cinematic event with guests like Lady Gaga and Coldplay, now attracts creative minds from all over the world. And visitor numbers grow rapidly every year. SXSW has earned a reputation as the place where groundbreaking innovations from the internet world first see the light of day. For example, the founding of Twitter was announced here.
The special entrepreneurial spirit that pervades the air of the Texas capital has earned the town the nickname "Silicon Hills," a reference to California's Silicon Valley. Top-class companies from the digital economy, such as Facebook, Google, Apple and eBay, have already settled here.
Bavarian representatives at SXSW
An event as impressive as SXSW, which attracts guests from all over the world, naturally also generates considerable interest in Germany. Especially in Bavaria, because the Free State "is the number one startup region in Germany," says Economics Minister Ilse Aigner, hoping for "a gold rush atmosphere." A visit to South by Southwest, including plenty of networking opportunities with other entrepreneurs, idea generators, and investors, is intended to create this.
A Bavarian delegation of young entrepreneurs aims to gather crucial insights and ideas at SXSW from March 13 to 17 on how to further boost startup momentum in Bavaria in the future. With nearly 33,000 guests from 82 countries in attendance, in the "Interactive" event area alone, all the prerequisites are met.
