Written by: Alexa Orban, Director of Marketing Communications
If there was a word that described the city of Austin during SXSW, it would be innovation. Every corner of the city is bustling with people from around the world excited to see the latest technology, attend expert panels, and connect with over 300,000 attendees. The Cephable team packed our bags ready to dive into the 2024 Pitch Competition and Innovation Awards.
In just 72 hours, we had multiple opportunities to showcase our platform between the Pitch Competition and Innovation Award events. There were also a few minutes to enjoy the city, listen to live music and explore the historic Rainey St. District in between.
SXSW Pitch 2024
Our weekend kicked off at the SXSW Pitch Competition. Over 800 applicants applied for the competition, and 45 finalists were chosen from 9 categories. This year’s participating companies represented a diverse array of technologies, underscoring the global reach and influence of SXSW Pitch.
The Innovative World category showcased the latest tech that is changing the way we interact digitally. CEO Alex Dunn presented Cephable’s 3-minute pitch, followed by a 5-minute Q&A from a panel of experts.
That evening, the Pitch awards commenced honoring incredible new tech in each respective category. Alex and I waited for our category’s moment as each winner was read. Surrounded by the competition that had become a cohort, the room had a drumroll moment.
The MC opened up the envelope and announced Cephable as the winner of the 2024 Pitch Competition for Innovative World! All the work we put into the competition came down to this moment. It was a testament to our work, but more importantly, the people supporting us in creating a more accessible digital world.
Hear Alex’s discussion on the Winner Showcase Panel at 47:54 to learn more!
Spilling the AccessibiliTEA
While our journey started with SXSW Pitch, we also had opportunities to spend time with leaders in the accessibility space. We connected with our partner Able Gamers, who also had a panel on Designing Accessible Games for All to Play, members of the Remarkable Tech Accelerator, and made new connections with champions of accessibility.
Here’s where we got to spill the tea. Walmart hosted an Accessibilitea afternoon networking event for emerging leaders and change-makers in accessibility. It’s not every day that you get to be in the same room with people who are all working toward a common goal, no matter the mission or background. In a roundtable moment, everyone had a chance to tell their story that connected them back to their motivation for making change for people with disabilities. Creating connections while hearing people’s stories was an amazing opportunity. We’re thankful to Walmart for making space and time for us to connect.
Showcasing Innovation
Our final recognition at SXSW was the Innovation Awards in the AI category. The Innovation Awards recognize the most exciting creative developments in the connected world, celebrating a variety of technological advancements, achievements, and discoveries- Cephable was honored as a finalist.
Over the course of the evening, 4 different assistive technology and inclusive tech companies were honored. From Kulture City to Dot Pad winning their categories, the judges validated the need for digital inclusivity.
Charting a Course for the Future
As we reflect on our journey at SXSW 2024, we are energized by the possibilities that lie ahead. Our commitment to innovation and inclusivity drives us to push the boundaries of what’s possible and create a future where technology truly serves everyone.
Get In Touch
Our team can help you learn more about integrating with Cephable.
Enabling people to move beyond keyboard and mouse with the capabilities they have.
Cephable turns any input into any output.
