Innovation Awards

The SXSW Innovation Awards recognize the most dynamic developments in the connected world, celebrating the ever-widening variety of technological advancements, achievements and discoveries.

Five Finalists in each category will be chosen to exhibit their projects at the seventh annual Innovation Awards Finalist Showcase during SXSW 2026, where the Finalist Judges will determine the winners as well as Best of Show. SXSW audiences attending the Finalist Showcase will also vote to determine the winner of the People’s Choice award. Participation in the Finalist Showcase is required for consideration in all award categories.

Winners will be announced and presented their awards at the 27th annual SXSW Innovation Awards Ceremony on the evening of Monday, March 16, 2026.

Entry Deadlines

• Early Entry: Tuesday, June 24, 2025 to Sunday, September 14, 2025 at 11:59pm PT
• Regular Entry: Monday, September 15, 2025 to Friday, November 7, 2025 at 11:59pm PT

Late entries will not be accepted.

Eligibility

A project or product entered into the Awards must have launched or been completely redesigned in calendar year 2025 (between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025).

For Awards eligibility, “launched” may mean any of the following things:

1. When a discovery is made, when a scientific paper is published, or when a patent is approved;
2. When a physical device is made tangible, (i.e., a prototype);
3. When the applicable regulatory body (FDA, FCC, etc.) approves a product or procedure for use;
4. When the product is made commercially available; or
5. When a project is publicly released.

More Information

For details and more info about the Innovation Awards categories, eligibility and Finalist Showcase, please visit the Innovation Awards page.