Berlin goes Austin: SXSW 2025
Berlin, March 10th 2025 – When creative minds, artists, digital experts, tech pioneers, start-ups, companies and innovators come together in Austin, Texas, it can only mean one thing: South by Southwest (SXSW) 2025 is opening its doors again. More than 75,000 participants are expected in the American metropolis from 7 to 15 March. It goes without saying that a Berlin delegation will not miss out on the colourful, varied and promising conference programme and will represent Berlin as one of the leading European startup metropolises. The international audience can expect more than 1,000 keynotes, workshops, panel discussions and meet-ups in a total of 24 subject areas, including Music & Tech, Artificial Intelligence, Health & MedTech, Games and Climate Change.
SXSW is not just another conference. What’s more, every year it inspires anew with a mixture of entertainment, knowledge transfer and numerous networking opportunities. Originally founded in 1987 as a music festival focussing on roots rock and alternative country, today SXSW offers the fields of music, film and interactive media a joint stage with ease, charm and a visionary spirit of innovation. This year’s event will feature industry giants such as American entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, singer Tom Morello, Metallica co-founder Lars Ulrich, politician Ayanna Pressley and paediatrician and wife of Mark Zuckerberg Priscilla Chan, as well as actor Ben Stiller, Eddy Cue, Senior Vice President at Apple, and many other influential stakeholders from various industries. Before, during and after the event, festivals, award ceremonies and exhibitions offer the opportunity for exchange and networking.
German delegations and interested parties can also find this in the newly designed “German House”. From 8 to 12 March, visitors to the Speakeasy, 412 Congress Avenue, will experience a diverse programme modelled on SXSW itself, with panels, music acts and networking events. On 9 March, the Berlin delegation takes over the “German House”. Under the motto “BERLIN LEVEL @ GERMAN HAUS” there will be exciting panels on the topics “AI in music”, “XR in films” and “Berlin’s vibrant nightlife”, opportunities for exchange with leading Berlin startups in the creative tech scene, art exhibitions, discussions and a pitch competition. Creative tech start-ups from the fields of games, music, fashion, media and food, among others, will present themselves with short “elevator pitches”. On 10 March, Berlin DJs such as Niklas Dee, Cloudy June, Martin Eyerer and many others will finally bring Berlin’s nightlife to Austin in the Music Lounge of the “German House” and invite their guests to an exclusive musical insight into the infamous Berlin night scene.
Berlin and Austin are separated by a flight distance of over 8,000 kilometres. Thanks to their Berlin-inspired programme, the Berlin delegation will still feel at home on site – and at the same time bring valuable new ideas, experiences and contacts back to the Spree.