Innovation Awards Application

By entering this application to SXSW, LLC (“SXSW”) for the Innovation Awards (the “Awards”), I (referred to as “I”, “you”, “me”, “my” or “applicant”) acknowledge and agree to the following Terms and Conditions:

1. I have read and agree to the SXSW Terms of Use, SXSW Privacy Policy and SXSW Code of Conduct.
2. I reviewed the terms of this application, which application terms, including, without limitation, the eligibility criteria and entry deadlines, are incorporated into these Terms and Conditions, and I agree to those application terms.
3. Entering this application does not guarantee my selection to participate in SXSW 2024. SXSW will only review and consider completed applications for inclusion in SXSW 2024. SXSW’s selection decisions are based on the criteria set forth in the application and these Terms and Conditions, and its decisions are made in SXSW’s sole, unreviewable discretion. SXSW is under no obligation to provide feedback to applicants.
4. A project or product entered into the Awards must have launched or have been completely redesigned in calendar year 2023 (between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023).
5. For Awards eligibility, “launched” may mean any of the following things:
   • When a discovery is made, when a scientific paper is published, or when a patent is approved;
   • When a physical device is made tangible, (i.e., a prototype);
   • When the applicable regulatory body (FDA, FCC, etc.) approves a product or procedure for use;
   • When the product is made commercially available; or
   • When a project is publicly released.
6. A project or product may be entered in multiple Awards categories. There will be an additional application fee for each category in which the project or product is entered.
7. All information must be entered via this application and only this application. URL links to additional information and resources are permitted and encouraged on this application. No additional information or edits to the application will be accepted after the application is entered. No exceptions will be made.
8. If you would like a copy of your application, please copy and save the text you have entered before you apply. SXSW cannot provide a copy of your application once it has been entered.
9. The application fee is for SXSW receiving, handling, reviewing, and processing my application, and is not refundable for any reason, including, without limitation, if my application is not accepted or if I am no longer able to participate in SXSW 2024 for any reason. If I am accepted to participate in SXSW, and the activity I am accepted for does not take place as part of SXSW 2024 for any reason, I may request an application fee waiver to apply to the next scheduled SXSW event. SXSW can be contacted with questions about fees at interawards@sxsw.com prior to entering this application.
10. SXSW reserves the right to place Applicants’ entries in the most relevant category at SXSW's sole discretion. This includes changing an Applicant entry’s category based on feedback from judges reviewing the application, and/or the Applicant choosing a non-relevant category.
11. Five finalists in each of the categories will be announced no later than January 10, 2024.
12. Finalists in the Awards are provided with two (2) complimentary SXSW 2024 Platinum badges necessary to attend and participate in the Awards. SXSW will not provide a refund if you secure a SXSW registration before the Awards application process/selection is completed and you are notified.
13. Finalists selected to participate in SXSW 2024, acknowledge and agree to be bound by the Participation and Credentials Terms and Conditions. Applicant shall be referred to interchangeably as Participant throughout.
14. Finalists in each of the 10 categories will be given demo space during the Innovation Awards Finalist Showcase (“Finalist Showcase”) tentatively scheduled for Saturday, March 11, 2024. The Finalist Showcase is an opportunity for Awards finalists to exhibit their work to the community of SXSW registrants and is open to all badgeholders who determine the winner of the People’s Choice Award. A finalist’s participation in the Finalist Showcase is required to be eligible to win the award in their respective category, as the final round of official judging to determine winners will take place at the Finalist Showcase.
15. All category and special awards will be presented at the Innovation Awards Ceremony tentatively scheduled for Monday evening, March 13, 2024. Winners will be presented with their trophies onstage at the ceremony.
16. Finalists are required to supply a high-resolution photo representative of their project, and a 30-second video introducing their entry for the Innovation Awards Awards ceremony. These materials must be supplied to SXSW no later than Friday, February 3, 2024.
17. I understand and agree that SXSW cannot protect or advise me on any intellectual property rights or securities regulations, and SXSW cannot and does not take any responsibility for doing so. I am aware that SXSW does not require non-disclosure agreements or other confidentiality obligations from anyone involved in the SXSW Innovation Awards process. As the Applicant, I am solely responsible for protecting any intellectual property rights (including, without limitation, patents, trademarks, copyright, trade secrets, etc.) in my application, participation, product, service and/or idea, and consulting legal counsel about securities regulations, including, without limitation, the JOBS Act, before participating in the Innovation Awards and Finalist Showcase events.
18. This application does not grant me the rights to use the SXSW trademarks or other proprietary intellectual property. I agree to comply with the SXSW Trademark Guidelines.
19. I consent to SXSW collecting, processing and using the personal data I supplied in this application in order to review my materials and communicate with me about the application.
20. I agree and consent that SXSW may perpetually use, publish, distribute, reproduce and publicly perform content embodying my name, voice, likeness, image, biographical information, statements, and other identifying materials, only if such content is provided by me, or, if I’m selected to participate in SXSW 2024, in recordings captured during my participation in SXSW 2024 (collectively, “My Likeness”) in connection with SXSW’s products and services, and materials and activities that promote SXSW’s products or services in any medium now known or hereinafter devised ts (collectively, the “SXSW Materials”). I understand and agree that (a) there will be no financial or other monetary compensation to me for such use of My Likeness in the SXSW Materials, (b) SXSW shall have the right to edit, rearrange, vary, change, alter, modify, and delete My Likeness in the SXSW Materials without changing the substance or meaning, (c) no promotions or other material incorporating My Likeness need be submitted to me for any further approval and SXSW shall be without liability to me for any use of My Likeness, and (d) SXSW shall be the exclusive owner of all right, title and interest, including copyright, in the SXSW Materials.
21. I represent and warrant that the information I provided in this application is accurate, I have the necessary rights to enter this application, all aspects of the product, project, service and/or idea underlying this application are my own and do not infringe on the rights of any third-party or otherwise violate any law, my application and presentation of my product, project, service, and/or idea does not violate any agreement or understanding by which I’m bound nor would my participation in SXSW violate any such agreement(s) and I will not hereafter enter into any agreements or understandings with any person or entity that might conflict with my warranties and representations made in these Terms and Conditions.
22. I hereby indemnify, defend, and hold harmless SXSW, its parents, subsidiaries, owners, and affiliates, and each of their respective officers, directors, agents, and employees from any and all responsibility or liability arising out of or in connection with: (a) any breach of my representations or warranties contained herein; and (b) my violation of these Terms and Conditions and/or any guidelines, policies and terms provided by SXSW.
23. If I am accepted as a finalist for the Awards, I agree to refrain from announcing my acceptance to the general public, whether on social media, company websites, or otherwise, until SXSW officially announces the Awards Finalists. SXSW reserves the right to disqualify your company from the Awards, and your invitation will be rescinded if SXSW becomes aware of any reference by you to your acceptance before SXSW approves of such announcement.
24. I acknowledge and agree that in order to improve the SXSW experience or due to causes outside of the control of SXSW, SXSW reserves the right to: (a) modify the dates, locations or method of participating in SXSW 2024; and/or (b) cancel, modify or suspend applications for SXSW 2024, whether accepted or not. I agree that SXSW may notify me of any of these modifications by posting a notice on its website. I agree that I will have no remedy against SXSW, at law or in equity or otherwise, if (x) the dates, locations or methods of participating in SXSW 2024 change; or (y) my application is denied, cancelled, or suspended, regardless of the reason.
25. These Terms and Conditions will be interpreted by, and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas regardless of applicable choice of law rules. I agree that the exclusive venue for any dispute between me and SXSW related to my application will be in a court of competent jurisdiction in Travis County, Texas.

If you have any questions about the Innovation Awards, please email interawards@sxsw.com.

Applicant acknowledges and agrees that Applicant has read and understands the Terms and Conditions and intends to be legally bound by its terms. Applicant acknowledges that the information contained in this application is accurate, that they have the rights necessary to share the materials contained herein and that the application will not violate any third-party rights or laws of any kind. By clicking the box below or by using any other electronic mechanism presented to signify acceptance of these Terms and Conditions, Applicant agrees to and accepts these Terms and Conditions.