SXSW (South-by-Southwest) Interactive 2012 will open this year with "A Celebration of American Startups," an event celebrating past startup pioneers and the dynamic future of entrepreneurship in America. Hosted by the Austin Chamber of Commerce with the Startup America Partnership, the event will take place on Friday, March 9th from 6:30 p.m. to midnight at the iconic ACL Live at The Moody Theatre. The event will also spotlight Startup America Partnership's regional affiliates, who are working to provide state-level support and resources for new and upcoming startups. Green River Ordinance, Larry g(EE) and headliner Ghostland Observatory will cap off the evening with live performances.
The event will feature The Startup America Partnership's leadership team, including CEO Scott Case as emcee; and founder and Chairman Steve Case. They will be joined onstage by some of the nation's leading entrepreneurs, including:
-- Reid Hoffman, Co-founder, LinkedIn
-- Scott Cook, Founder and Chairman, Intuit
-- Amos Winbush III, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, CyberSynchs
-- Ingrid Vanderveldt, CEO, Green Girl Energy Inc. and the creator of the
GLASS FORUM (Global Leadership & Sustainable Success)
-- Brian Sharples, President and CEO, HomeAway
-- Brett Hurt, Founder, Chief Executive Officer and President, Bazaarvoice
-- Steve Blank, Entrepreneur and Professor of Entrepreneurship at U.C.
Berkeley, Stanford University and Columbia University
The event will feature "fireside chats" with guests, who will offer their perspectives, success and advice for future leaders, a video tribute to America's legendary startups and entrepreneurs, including Steve Jobs.
"A Celebration of American Startups" has been made possible through the support of headline sponsor .CO Internet and local sponsors Chaotic Moon, Insperity, Convio and Calavista.
The event is open to all SXSW badge holders. For more information on this and other major events, please visit SXSW, Austin Chamber or Startup America Partnership.
