Photo by Alexa RamirezV2Venture is accepting applications through Friday, May 31. You have two more weeks to apply to be a part of this exciting new pitch event patterned off of the hugely successful SXSW Interactive Accelerator event that happens in Austin every March at SXSW. With V2Venture, participants will have the advantage of a full day of mentoring, coaching, preparation and rehearsal before the competition begins.

Photo Courtesy of Arthur Van Rooy If you are in the San Francisco area this coming Monday, May 20, SXSW V2V would like to buy you a drink. Come on out to Mighty (119 Utah Street) between 6:00pm and 8:00pm to mix with your fellow entrepreneurs, digital creatives and tech professionals, and to learn a little more about what SXSW V2V has in store for its inaugural event in Las Vegas this August. One lucky party goer will win a FREE badge to attend SXSW V2V! Let us know you are coming, RSVP!

Photo Courtesy of Steve Case

Steve Case, one of America’s best-known and most accomplished entrepreneurs and philanthropists, and a pioneer in making the Internet part of everyday life, will deliver the Tuesday, August 13 Keynote for SXSW V2V.

Recently called "one of the nation's greatest entrepreneurs" by CNBC, Steve Case is Chairman and CEO of Revolution, Co-Founder of America Online and Chairman of The Case Foundation.

Steve co-founded America Online (AOL) in 1985, when the Internet was in its infancy. Under Steve’s leadership, AOL became the world’s largest and most valuable Internet company, and helped drive the worldwide adoption of a medium that has transformed business and society. AOL’s early focus on ease of use and social media set the stage for its rapid growth, and at its peak nearly half of Internet users in the United States used AOL. In 1992, AOL became the first Internet company to go public, and was the best performing stock of the 1990s, with a 11,616% return. Steve then negotiated what remains the largest merger in business history, bringing together AOL and Time Warner in a transaction that gave AOL shareholders a majority stake in the combined company. To facilitate the merger, Steve agreed to step down as CEO when the merger closed.

Not to give too much away, but we are gearing up for our next big programming announcement tomorrow. Stay tuned right here to be the first to find out what we're so excited about. In case you are wondering, you might want to take note of this key piece of news.

Don't forget that you can save if you register by Friday, May 31.

Photo Courtesy of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Did you know that SXSW V2V Housing has rooms held for our registrants at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas? We have secured several room type options, all at the lowest publicly-available rates. These fabulous rooms and rates are available to you as soon as you register for the inaugural SXSW V2V in August.

The Cosmopolitan features amenities not found in your typical Las Vegas hotel room - from Japanese soaking tubs to microwaves to suites with a private terrace. Staying at the headquarters for SXSW V2V means being only an elevator ride away from all the activities, conference events and networking opportunities that await you. Don’t walk for blocks in the Las Vegas summer heat when you can get a great rate on a state-of-the-art luxury hotel like The Cosmopolitan. Remember, when you book through SXSW V2V Housing, your room includes complimentary Wi-Fi internet as well as valet parking.