Everyone wants a fair chance at the American dream. And if you have a big idea, the opportunity to create your destiny should be available to you. Fortunately, the Kauffman Foundation is dedicated to breaking down barriers, empowering the doers, and opening doors of opportunity to people regardless of race, age or where they come from to achieve uncommon things.
As part of building an inclusive society of startup ecosystems, TechCo and Startup of the Year have partnered with the Kauffman Foundation to create The American Cities House featuring a day of events, bringing together entrepreneurial ecosystem builders from cities like Kansas City, MO, Arlington, VA, Memphis, TN, Miami, FL, Minneapolis, MN, Fargo, ND, Albuquerque, NM, Lincoln, NE, Madison, WI and Dallas, TX. Organizations like digitalundivided, Black Tech Week, Global Entrepreneurship Week, and more will be on hand to showcase their entrepreneurial activity within their communities.
Doors will open around 11:00 AM, welcoming SXSW attendees to learn about these regions. You’ll have the chance to enjoy a startup lunch on the rooftop, panels, mentor sessions, VC sessions, a special Startup Pitch Jam, and finally, the big party and “must attend” event known as Startup Night SXSW 2018.
“The Kauffman Foundation believes that everyone everywhere has a fundamental right to become an entrepreneur, regardless of who they are or where they come from. We know that this belief has fueled TechCo’s work to support startup communities across the United States through their media channels and their decade long series of events at SXSW, CES and beyond,” said Andy Stoll, Senior Program Officer of The Kauffman Foundation.
“We are thrilled to partner with TechCo to support the American Cities House at SXSW to help provide a platform for the entrepreneurial community leaders and the entrepreneurs they support a place to come together, connect and celebrate the many rising entrepreneurial ecosystems across the United States.”
As the founders of TechCo spin out a new organization specifically focused on Startup of the Year and other programs for startups and corporate innovation, the partnership with Kauffman parallels the team’s ongoing commitment to create opportunities for startups around the world to find the tools, network and resources they need to succeed. They also focus on empowering women in tech and advancing diversity inclusion in the entrepreneurial sphere.
“We are excited to partner with the Kauffman Foundation for The American Cities House and celebrate inclusivity and the hard-working, startup ecosystem builders from around the country. For a decade our startup programs have attracted some of the top startups in the tech industry as well as some of the most diverse founders to the stage and we do that by working with communities everywhere,” said Jen Consalvo, cofounder of TechCo and Startup of the Year.
“Our mission nurtures inclusion and helps startups get noticed by the right people to grow their business. I’m proud to say that our Startup of the Year program is one of the most inclusive startup competitions out there.”
Join Us!
Hey startups and tech enthusiasts! Startup Night SXSW 2018 is one of the “must attend” parties at SXSW. Come check out 25 top startups showcasing their latest innovations while sipping on cocktails and networking with a crowd filled with investors, members of the media, creatives, peers and leaders in the industry.
