ENTRY PROCESS

1. What are the eligibility requirements for companies applying to SXSW V2Venture?

• A company's product / service must have launched no earlier than August 13, 2012.

• A company's product / service must not be launched after November 15, 2013.

• Companies will be allowed to submit only one product or service to the SXSW V2Venture.

• Companies who submit more than one product or service will not be eligible to participate in the SXSW V2Venture.

• Founders of the applying startup must retain some portion of ownership in the company to be eligible to participate.

• Must not have raised over five million in funds from combined funding sources.

• Product or service must fall within one of the SXSW V2Venture categories.

• Companies can not have presented in any of the following events: SXSW Accelerator, SXSW ECO Startup Showcase or LAUNCHedu pitch events.

2. What are the entry categories for SXSW V2Venture 2013?

All SXSW V2Venture for 2013 applications must fall within one of the following categories.

Education Technologies The Education Technology category highlights applications and technologies designed to make all forms of education more accessible to a wider range of people, and that bring students and teachers closer together.

Health Technologies The Health Technologies category focuses on patient-centric health applications and technologies that connect patients, families, physicians, pharmacists, care providers (hospitals, clinics) and benefit providers to share timely, relevant health data and drive better outcomes at affordable and sustainable cost levels.

Mobile and Tablet Technologies The Mobile and Tablet Technologies category encompasses mobile applications and technologies which allow users to connect by portable devices such as tablets, phones, and other connected devices.

Culture and Entertainment Technologies The Culture and Entertainment category includes applications and technologies for music, gaming, film, television, and digital storytelling, as well as new and hybrid forms of entertainment that are reinventing the ways in which we relax, unwind, and have fun. This category could also contain technologies that focus on other cultural sectors, such as sports, fashion and food, as they pertain to entertainment.

Innovative World Technologies The Innovative World Technologies category includes applications and technologies that have the ambition to change the world as we know it. Right now we’re seeing lots of innovation in green tech, real-time search, augmented reality, the World Wide Web, artificial intelligence and the Semantic Web, recommendations technologies, personalization technologies, and “big data”.

3. What does it cost to apply to SXSW V2Venture?

A non-refundable $100 entry fee is required from all applicants who would like to be considered for participation in the event. All SXSW V2Venture entrants will be given the chance to register to attend SXSW V2V at the lowest early bird rate, if they are not chosen as an SXSW V2Venture finalist.

4. We are bootstrapping our company. Can we apply to have this application fee reduced?

Please email christine@sxswv2v.com prior to applying to discuss further. SXSW V2V is unable to provide refunds.

5. May I get a refund?

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 christine@sxswv2v.com prior to submitting an application. If you wish to register before being notified by SXSW V2V of your SXSW V2Venture status you will not be eligible for a refund.

6. What type of payment is accepted for participation?

Application fees are accepted online by credit card through the SXSW Shopping Cart. To request payment by check or money order, contact christine@sxswv2v.com.

7. What if I am not selected as an SXSW V2Venture finalist, but I would still like to attend SXSW V2V?

If your SXSW V2Venture event entry is NOT accepted, you will receive a special coupon allowing you to register to attend SXSW V2V at the early-bird rate. Do NOT register if you are not sure that you will be attending the event as SXSW does NOT grant refunds.

8. How many products / services can I submit to SXSW Accelerator?

Each company will be allowed to submit only one product / services at this year’s event. Companies who submit more than one product / services will not be eligible to participate in the SXSW V2Venture.

9. If I have participated in another SXSW pitch event, an I still enter SXSW V2Venture?

Any company that has participated in any SXSW pitch event in previous years will not be considered for the 2013 SXSW V2Venture. Each startup is only eligible to present in one of the SXSW family of pitch events (SXSW V2Venture, SXSW Accelerator, SXSW Eco Startup Showcase, SXSW LAUNCHedu). By contrast, if you have applied for other SXSW-produced events (SXSW Eco Startup Showcase, SXSW LAUNCHedu, SXSW Accelerator) and were not accepted to participate, then please feel free to apply to SXSW V2Venture.

10. Will I receive a registration to SXSW V2V if I am selected?

Yes, participating companies will receive two (2) complimentary registrations for SXSW V2V 2013. These complimentary registrations must be assigned to specific individuals presenting at the conference.

11. When is the application deadline?

The application deadline is Friday, May 31, 2013, at 11:59pm (CT).

12. What about my intellectual property?

You, the applicant, are solely responsible for protecting your intellectual property rights (patents, trademarks, copyright, trade secrets, etc.) in your idea. If you think you have intellectual property rights or you might want to patent your idea someday, it is strongly recommended that you consult an attorney before disclosing this information in your application.

Applicants are expected to submit a compelling presentation without disclosing critical intellectual property. By submitting an application, you acknowledge that applying for V2Venture could result in disclosure of your intellectual property if such information is included in your application.

SXSW wants you to know that there are always certain risks involved in competitions of this nature. Because SXSW is not in a position to protect or advise you on your intellectual property rights, SXSW cannot and does not take any responsibility for doing so. Please be aware that SXSW does not require non-disclosure agreements or other confidentiality obligations from anyone involved in the V2Venture process.

SELECTION

12. How are the products / services screened?

A committee of 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.

13. How will I know if I have been selected to participate?

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

14. When will I receive this notification?

Finalists will be notified no later than Friday, July 3, 2013.

PRESENTATION FORMAT

15. How long will my presentation be at SXSW Accelerator?

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

16. During the presentation to the judges, how many people can be onstage presenting?

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.

JUDGING

17. Who are the SXSW V2Venture judges?

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 on site.

18. What are the key judging criteria when reviewing companies in the pre-event online application process?

During the pre-event online judging process, applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria: creativity (originality of idea), potential (longevity, actualization and profitability of idea), functionality (usability of interface for idea), team/people (who is your team and how will they make your company a success?).

19. Should my company create a video about our product or service for the online application process?

We encourage you to include a direct link to a video that could further illuminate your product or service for the judges.

20. How long does the onsite judging portion at SXSW V2Venture last?

After a two-minute onsite finalist presentation, the evaluation process will last 8 minutes. During this time, the judges may ask questions about the product / service and address any additional thoughts.

AWARDS

21. How many winners will there be?

One winner in each category will be presented his/her award during the awards ceremony at the end of the final competition day.

23. What will the winners receive?

Winning companies 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 prizes include two (2) SXSW V2V badges for 2014, various SXSW V2Venture sponsor gifts 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.