Milwaukee City Wire

Summerfest Tech to Partner at the South by Southwest Conference in Austin, TX

For the first time in its history, Summerfest Tech is excited to be partnering with the Midwest House, an official South by Southwest® (SXSW) venue, during the annual March conference in Austin, Texas. This partnership provides the opportunity to showcase Summerfest Tech, Summerfest, and Milwaukee, during one of the world’s largest gatherings of innovation leaders.  

Summerfest Tech began in 2018 with the goal of leveraging the Summerfest brand to showcase technology and provide a forum for attendees from the tech and business community to network, educate, and celebrate the evolution of technology. The Summerfest Tech sponsorship at the Midwest House during SXSW March 10-15, 2023, includes programming from Generac, Molson Coors, and Wipfli. This partnership creates a unique opportunity to “pitch” Milwaukee to SXSW attendees.

On March 10, Mayor Cavalier Johnson, with support from the Milwaukee 7 Partnership for Economic Development, MMAC, VC414, and gener8tor, will address national and global dignitaries, executives, startups, investors, and more, and showcase the innovation that Milwaukee is creating for its companies and the city, in the world of technology.

“Milwaukee has a remarkable story to tell.  We have both a foundation and a future that is built upon innovation, and I want the world to know about the great possibilities in my city,” Mayor Johnson said. “Talented people and savvy investors should know Milwaukee welcomes them.”

“As Summerfest Tech continues to grow as a national tech event, it’s imperative to have representation at one of the country’s largest events, converging technology and music, giving Summerfest, Summerfest Tech, Milwaukee, and its partners a global stage for recognition,” said Don Smiley, CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.

The Midwest House will be home to the “Summerfest Midwest House Launch Party,” on March 10, where Mayor Johnson, Sarah Pancheri, President of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., and representatives from Summerfest, Generac, Molson Coors and Wipfli will welcome SXSW attendees and provide a Milwaukee experience at the venue through networking, activations, and music. Additionally, five bands performing at the Midwest House throughout the entirety of SXSW will be invited to perform during the 55th anniversary of Summerfest.

Additional programming from Summerfest Tech and its partners during SXSW include a panel at the Midwest House on March 13 with Marcie Bomberg, Partner, and Mike Morris, Principal, from Wipfli, on why the Midwest is still “all in” on Web3. Immediately following, Norm Taffe, Generac’s President of Energy Technology, will be represented on a panel titled “Greening the Midwest”, along with other panelists from Foresight Management, ONE, and MEDC.

Molson Coors is taking the lead on supporting Midwest entrepreneurs and startups at SXSW, which will feature two previous Summerfest Tech Pitch Competition winners - Debtle and Kwema – through the Midwest House Startup Challenge, sponsored by Molson Coors. On March 11, Jonah Turner, Head of Emerging Technology, will be a judge at the Midwest House Madness Pitch competition, where Midwest Tech startups will participate in a head-to-head bracket-style pitch competition.

Other Midwest cities participating in the city pitch opportunity and sponsoring the Midwest House during the SXSW conference include Chicago, St. Louis, Columbus, Detroit, and more.

About Summerfest Tech

Summerfest Tech began in 2018 with the goal of leveraging the Summerfest brand to showcase technology and provide a forum for attendees from the tech and business community to network, educate, and celebrate the evolution of technology. Summerfest Tech continues to champion the regional business community, while shining the spotlight on Wisconsin’s growing reputation as a tech hub, highlighting the growth and opportunity in the region. Programming from local, regional, and national speakers, as well as a cash-prize pitch competition, connects the tech community around relevant topics. Summerfest Tech will be held June 27-29, 2023, free of charge, in-person and available virtually. For more details, visit Summerfest-tech.com.

Original source can be found here.