SXSW Pitch-Student Pitch

{
  "id": "PP1148599",
  "track": "Startups",
  "focus_area": null,
  "category": "Pitch Event",
  "event_id": "PP1148599",
  "event_type": "panel",
  "format": "Pitch Event",
  "genre": null,
  "subgenre": null,
  "name": "SXSW Pitch-Student Pitch",
  "presented_by": null,
  "publish_at": "2025-12-01T16:02:00.000-06:00",
  "reservable": false,
  "reservable_id": null,
  "reserved": false,
  "date": "2026-03-13",
  "end_time": "2026-03-13T18:30:00.000-05:00",
  "start_time": "2026-03-13T17:30:00.000-05:00",
  "message": null,
  "image": null,
  "credentials": [
    {
      "name": "Platinum Badge",
      "type": "platinum"
    },
    {
      "name": "Innovation Badge",
      "type": "innovation"
    }
  ],
  "contributors": [
    {
      "id": 92203,
      "company": "Alumni Ventures",
      "credential_types": [
        "innovation"
      ],
      "entity_id": 2254908,
      "name": "Bryan Liu",
      "speaker_types": [],
      "title": "Principal",
      "image": {
        "alt_text": "Bryan Liu",
        "credit": null,
        "url": "https://images.sxsw.com/vN2iCyrF3Yb4gdN0X93UixgMlmg=/148x109:2777x2738/600x600/images.sxsw.com/48/4954f6fd-ceab-435c-9be1-f9bbe4faa577/pcid-1640406"
      },
      "speaker_type": "Speaker",
      "details": "Bryan is a Principal at Alumni Ventures with over 10 years experience in venture investing, M&A, and corporate strategy to identify the next generation of industry-defining companies. Bryan excels at identifying high-potential startups precisely before they scale. His current investment thesis is focused on the frontier of technological disruption, specifically the “Future of Media” driven by AI video; the rise of full-stack AI capable of building fully autonomous one-person-multi-billion-dollar companies; and breakthrough decentralized technologies and blockchain innovations that are redefining the infrastructure of the modern economy.\n\nPrior to joining Alumni Ventures, Bryan led M&A and Venture deals at PayPal, where he managed and led seven major acquisitions totaling over $7 billion and a wide range of venture investments. Previously at Deloitte, Bryan advised global giants including Google, Disney, and Sony Pictures. He supported Disney through the acquisition of 21st Century Fox and the high-profile launch of Disney+, providing him with a unique vantage point on large-scale digital transformation.\n\nBryan led Alumni Ventures’ investment in Higgsfield, the “Canva for AI video” empowering millions of content creators and filmmakers globally. Higgsfield achieved a historic milestone, reaching $200M ARR in just nine months, the fastest growth trajectory in history outpacing OpenAI, Cursor, and Lovable. Bryan holds a BS from the University of Southern California and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Outside of the office, he is an active marathon runner and a former heavy metal vocalist.",
      "links": {},
      "type": "person"
    },
    {
      "id": 50383,
      "company": "PodiumVC",
      "credential_types": [
        "innovation"
      ],
      "entity_id": 2207064,
      "name": "Akif Malik",
      "speaker_types": [],
      "title": "Managing Partner",
      "image": {
        "alt_text": "Akif Malik",
        "credit": null,
        "url": "https://images.sxsw.com/RBoBGAMVpAh5HF3WmVgS4IyFpVs=/0x0:773x773/600x600/images.sxsw.com/48/e96b91cd-4a21-4e8b-8bf5-2d2c59d8b631/pcid-1133640"
      },
      "speaker_type": "Speaker",
      "details": null,
      "links": {},
      "type": "person"
    },
    {
      "id": 80568,
      "company": "Ensante & UC Berkeley",
      "credential_types": [
        "innovation"
      ],
      "entity_id": 2242090,
      "name": "Gail Christine\t Gannon\t",
      "speaker_types": [],
      "title": "CEO & Founding Director, Neurotech Collider Lab",
      "image": {
        "alt_text": "Gail Gannon",
        "credit": "",
        "url": "https://images.sxsw.com/ZdhcAWADWO5flG--OqF5sNeH8a4=/328x28:1903x1603/600x600/images.sxsw.com/48/01502da8-91d9-4a46-ad1e-d09e80c8a903/pcid-1630813"
      },
      "speaker_type": "Speaker",
      "details": null,
      "links": {},
      "type": "person"
    },
    {
      "id": 79482,
      "company": "Innovation Partnerships at the University of Michigan",
      "credential_types": [
        "filmtv",
        "innovation",
        "music"
      ],
      "entity_id": 2240602,
      "name": "Michael Psarouthakis",
      "speaker_types": [],
      "title": "Executive Director of Impact Investments & Strategic Alliances",
      "image": {
        "alt_text": "Michael Psarouthakis",
        "credit": null,
        "url": "https://images.sxsw.com/Yl6-UI0mTxvKcbZalzpzYrccfYs=/600x600/images.sxsw.com/48/6bea9881-7fe0-6963-7fd5-6f1b0335e838/pcid-722759"
      },
      "speaker_type": "Speaker",
      "details": "As Executive Director of Impact Investments & Strategic Alliances at Innovation Partnerships, Mike leads U-M’s investment programs, including the Accelerate Blue Fund and the Michigan University Innovation Capital Fund. He also develops new initiatives to attract outside investment in U-M startups and expand regional and national venture engagement to strengthen Michigan’s startup and investment ecosystem. Mike oversees the Technology Transfer Talent Network (T3N) and the Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) programs for Life Sciences and Advanced Transportation, which support research commercialization at Michigan’s public universities, as well as U-M’s participation in the Mobility Accelerator Innovation Network under the Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM) initiative.\n\nPreviously, Mike served as Director of Ventures and the first Managing Director of the Accelerate Blue Fund. Before joining U-M, he was Vice President of Business Acceleration at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, managing a $250 million portfolio of investments in more than 150 early-stage technology companies. Earlier in his career, he was Assistant Vice President at Forest Health Services, where he managed a $50 million corporate venture fund and served as President of Sequoia Captive Insurance.\n\nMike has led several successful exits (GameZone, Online Technologies, EIP) and founded four companies. He has served on numerous boards, including eBay, PayPal, Compendia Biosciences, and the College for Creative Studies. He is Chair of the Ann Arbor Local Development Finance Authority and serves on the Ann Arbor SPARK Business Development Committee and the U-M Roundtable on Innovation and Entrepreneurship.\n\nMike holds an MBA (corporate strategy and marketing) and M.S. in natural resource management from the University of Michigan, and a B.S. in history and political science from Eastern Michigan University.",
      "links": {},
      "type": "person"
    },
    {
      "id": 79475,
      "company": "UC Berkeley & Critical Venture Partners",
      "credential_types": [
        "innovation"
      ],
      "entity_id": 2240595,
      "name": "Justine Juillard",
      "speaker_types": [],
      "title": "VC Investment Partner & Scout",
      "image": {
        "alt_text": "Justine Juillard",
        "credit": null,
        "url": "https://images.sxsw.com/I4JwNw2AKgUdRMKP2V6dk7fSlT0=/0x103:1094x1197/600x600/images.sxsw.com/48/aca5af8a-c9ba-488a-bbac-0ac361aba553/pcid-1624072"
      },
      "speaker_type": "Speaker",
      "details": null,
      "links": {},
      "type": "person"
    }
  ],
  "venue": {
    "accessible": false,
    "age_policy": null,
    "floor": null,
    "id": "V0573",
    "indoor_outdoor": "INDOOR",
    "name": "Salon FGH",
    "parent_id": "V0403",
    "parent_venue_name": "JW Marriott",
    "venue_entry_info": null,
    "formats": null,
    "location": {
      "address": "110 E 2nd St.",
      "lat_lon": [
        30.2645713,
        -97.743198
      ],
      "city": "Austin",
      "postal_code": "78701",
      "state": "TX",
      "name": "JW Marriott"
    },
    "root": {
      "accessible": null,
      "age_policy": null,
      "floor": null,
      "id": "V0403",
      "indoor_outdoor": null,
      "name": "JW Marriott",
      "parent_id": null,
      "parent_venue_name": null,
      "venue_entry_info": null,
      "formats": null
    },
    "events": "[omitted 5 venue events]"
  },
  "description": "The SXSW Pitch provides a platform for early-stage technology startups to present their groundbreaking products and services to a panel of distinguished industry experts, influential media professionals, and leading venture capitalists and angel investors.\n\nOn Friday, March 13, five innovative companies will take the stage in Salon FGH at the JW Marriott, showcasing their ideas, innovations, and entrepreneurial vision before a live audience and judging panel. Come be inspired by the next generation of tech innovators shaping the future.\n\nStudent startups that are showcasing innovative technology with a focus on Enterprise and Future of Work; Entertainment, Media, Sports & Creator Content; Healthcare, AssistiveTech & BioTech; Innovative World Tech; Intelligent Systems, Robotics, & Multisensory Technology; Smart Cities, Transportation, Manufacturing & Logistics; Smart Data, Security, and FinTech; Student Startups; and Sustainability, AgTech & Food. A student from the startup management team will need to present at SXSW Pitch.\n\nWinner of the Student Pitch will be announced at the Award Ceremony, Saturday, March 14th at 6:30pm.",
  "experience_level": null,
  "accessibility": [
    "Closed captioned"
  ],
  "accessible_venue": false,
  "add_bcl_url": false,
  "add_slido": false,
  "age_policy": null,
  "american_sign_language": false,
  "apple_url": null,
  "audio_description": false,
  "caption_url": null,
  "closed_captioned": true,
  "cpe_credit": false,
  "has_subtitles": false,
  "hash_tags": [],
  "high_sensory_experience": false,
  "live": false,
  "long_description": "The SXSW Pitch provides a platform for early-stage technology startups to present their groundbreaking products and services to a panel of distinguished industry experts, influential media professionals, and leading venture capitalists and angel investors.\n\nOn Friday, March 13, five innovative companies will take the stage in Salon FGH at the JW Marriott, showcasing their ideas, innovations, and entrepreneurial vision before a live audience and judging panel. Come be inspired by the next generation of tech innovators shaping the future.\n\nStudent startups that are showcasing innovative technology with a focus on Enterprise and Future of Work; Entertainment, Media, Sports & Creator Content; Healthcare, AssistiveTech & BioTech; Innovative World Tech; Intelligent Systems, Robotics, & Multisensory Technology; Smart Cities, Transportation, Manufacturing & Logistics; Smart Data, Security, and FinTech; Student Startups; and Sustainability, AgTech & Food. A student from the startup management team will need to present at SXSW Pitch.\n\nWinner of the Student Pitch will be announced at the Award Ceremony, Saturday, March 14th at 6:30pm.",
  "meeting_url": null,
  "meeting_url_live": false,
  "mentorly_url": null,
  "mobile_audio_url": null,
  "open_captioned": false,
  "playlist_tag": null,
  "rebroadcast": false,
  "recommended_ids": [],
  "search_conversions": null,
  "short_program": false,
  "slido_url": null,
  "sort": "SXSW PITCH-STUDENT PITCH",
  "source": "Official",
  "squad_up_url": null,
  "stream_embed": null,
  "stream_id": null,
  "stream_url": null,
  "strobe_warning": false,
  "subdiscipline": null,
  "summit": null,
  "summit_display_name": null,
  "tags": [
    {
      "id": 1343,
      "name": "Technology",
      "created_at": "2017-10-11T17:42:23.253-05:00",
      "updated_at": "2024-09-13T07:02:24.613-05:00",
      "sort": "TECHNOLOGY",
      "alpha": "T"
    },
    {
      "id": 954,
      "name": "Entrepreneurship",
      "created_at": "2016-11-04T11:44:27.960-05:00",
      "updated_at": "2025-01-21T12:10:03.602-06:00",
      "sort": "ENTREPRENEURSHIP",
      "alpha": "E"
    }
  ],
  "talent_attending": null,
  "title_only": false,
  "track_display_name": "Startups",
  "trailer_id": null,
  "trailer_url": null,
  "video_on_demand": null,
  "vimeo_id": null,
  "vod": false,
  "xr_project_type": null,
  "youtube_id": null,
  "related_sales_client": null
}