Interact ATX Will Bring Young Entrepreneurs to SXSW

Kira M. Newman Dec 4, 2012 Tweet

With SXSWi tickets at $895, Interact ATX is organizing events for young entrepreneurs during SXSW and helping reduce the cost of attendance.

The organization, started by University of Texas at Austin senior Maran Nelson, is looking for 100 young entrepreneurs to join them in Austin on March 7-11. The lucky applicants will be hosted by other UT Austin students, a low-budget but social form of housing. Interact ATX is negotiating reduced-price tickets to SXSW for attendees, and they are looking for VCs and sponsors to help defray costs even more.

Besides attending SXSW, Interact ATX participants will be invited to a variety of special parties, breakfasts, and other events, including a demo day. Demo day would give current entrepreneurs a chance to highlight their projects, but Interact ATX is also open to students who are just curious about startups.

“Our biggest goal is diversity,” explains Kylie Poppen (marketing). “We’re looking for people who are really passionate about what they do.”

While connecting young entrepreneurs from around the country, Interact ATX also hopes to make connections with the broader community. Much of the program is still in the works, but they would like to set up “office hours” where regular SXSW attendees can meet with participants.

Applications are due December 30; apply here.