The SXSW EDU Launch Startup Competition provides a platform for entrepreneurs seeking feedback, investment, strategic partnerships, and exposure, to present their early-stage company before a panel of industry experts, early adopters, investors, and educators as well as the live SXSW EDU audience.

2025 Finalists:
Ambessa // New York, New York
Bili // Houston, Texas
College Contact // Austin, Texas
Genius Academy // Los Angeles, California
Making Space // Los Angeles, California
Mathos AI  // San Francisco, California
Polymath University // Chicago, Illinois

The emcee for the live competition will be Alix Guerrier, CEO of DonorsChoose. The judging panel, including Amelia Kelly, CTO of SoapBox Labs; John Gamba, Entrepreneur in Residence at University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education; Katie Fang, CEO of SchooLinks; and Missy Testerman, 2024 National Teacher of the Year, will select the winners of the three awards. Opening remarks will be offered by Michele Leardo, Program Officer at the Walton Family Foundation.

Winners of the competition will be announced at the Launch Spotlight.