BERLIN GOES AUSTIN

15. March 2023  – From 10 to 15 March, Berlin Partner brought some of the most creative companies from Berlin to Austin - to the world's largest festival for the international digital and creative industries, South by Southwest (SXSW).

Thus, after three years, the capital was back at SXSW. As part of the "Innovation Bridge Europe House" organized by german:innovation the business development agency presented eleven innovative Berlin tech companies to connect them in the US, create B2B meetings and networking opportunities, and promote the exchange of information. During the six days in the USA, the focus was on meeting international investors, potential customers, stakeholders and ecosystem experts, and other delegations worldwide.

The participating start-ups come from the fields of XR, gaming, artificial intelligence, fintech and fashion tech:

On 13 March, Berlin Partner hosted a live talk with Stefan Franzke, CEO of Berlin Partner, Dennis Lisk, CEO of The District VR, and Lukas Breitenbach, press officer of Berlin Partner, from Austin. Journalists and the wider Berlin community were able to ask their questions, get an interim summary of SXSW, the Berlin delegation as well as a preview of the big Berlin Day.

The centerpiece of Berlin's activities took place on 14 March at one of SXSW's most exciting locations: The BERLIN LEVEL in Downtown Austin. Under the motto “Berlin Takeover” the delegation’s start-ups presented their innovations in an immersive exhibition. The Berlin artists Xi De Sign created a mural on the outside facade of the location. In an immersive space, Berlin artists Marlene Bart, Lukas Gecevicius, Nadine Kolodziey, Dagmar Schürrer and SHEEN AI presented their art in 3D. In the evening, there was a big closing party with live music acts from the capital.

South by Southwest is the world's largest festival for the international digital and creative industries, making it the ideal place to present Berlin as Europe's leading start-up metropolis. It will take place from 10 to 19 March with festivals, conferences and exhibitions in Austin, Texas.