SXSW Startup Accelerator "News" category

[Dharmishta Rood]

Hello Copress Citizens :) 

I wanted to let all of you know about the new "news" category in the SXSW Startup Accelerator. It's sponsored by the Knight Foundation. I know that many of you here have projects, companies and ideas in various degrees of formation. 

You don't need to have a formal "company" to apply, as non-profits, and projects are fine. <grin> 

Cheers, 

_Dharmishta

Do you know any startups, yours or otherwise, who might be interested in entering this year's SXSW Startup Accelerator? 

Companies/projects that enter have a pretty good track record of getting funded, and finding great mentors. You have to pay to apply, but if you're selected your company gets two complimentary passes to SXSWi. Also, the fee can be waived. Categories are: online Entertainment products, Social Media and Social Networking technologies, Mobile technologies, News related technologies, Music related technologies, Health technologies, or Innovative web-based technology services. 

Am I eligible?

Startups are eligible if they have launched (or launched the product they would be pitching) after last year's SXSW. Or will be launching by June 2012. Non-profits, and non-incorporated neat projects are welcome! 

How it works:

Fill out the short application by November 18th. If selected, you present your new digital products and services to a panel of industry experts, early adopters, and representatives from the Angel/Venture Capitalist community. A few startups "win" the accelerator, but over half get funding and/or new mentors out of the process. Past judges have been Tim Draper of DFJ, Chris Hughes of Facebook and Jumo, Paul Graham of Y Combinator, Craig Newmark of Craiglist, Robert Scoble of Rackspace and Scobleizer, Jeff Pulver of 140 Conference, Chris Shipley of Demo and Guidewire, and Tom Conrad of Pandora. 

Reasons to apply?

Make connections. Get funded. Receive media attention. Acquire mentors. Build brand awareness. Experience SXSW. 

More info here: http://sxsw.com/interactive/accelerator/enter or ask me (d...@rmishta.com) anything about it. 

The deadline is November 18th.