AUSTIN, TX – Greek startup firms will participate in the SXSW Interactive, a tech conference within the larger South by Southwest festival, March 13-17 thanks to the support of The Hellenic Initiative (THI).

Thirty-one people representing 22 promising Greek startups will have the opportunity to demonstrate their products and services on an international stage. They will be the largest group of Greek startups to ever participate in an international startup event.
THI’ s donors made it possible to fund a portion of the International Accelerator booth and purchase SXSW badges for the participants. In 2014 THI, in partnership with Libra Group, sponsored 16 companies. Three companies in attendance received more than $6 million in funding.
AngelouEconomics, Pflugerville CDC, International Accelerator, and the local Austin Chapter of AHEPA, worked with THI to help make the endeavor possible.
The Southwest festival, will host more than 30,000 entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, and other technology professionals from around the world. Its “mission is to bring together a varied group of creative professionals and innovative companies to further develop careers and businesses whether it is through music, film or interactive technologies. SXSW Interactive has become a go-to conference for emerging technologies and a key event to jump-start new business relationships and ventures,” according to its website.
Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, Alfa International CEO Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al Saud, United Therapeutics Chairman & CEO Martine Rothblatt, New York Times Op-Ed Columnist David Brooks, and Special Counsel for External Affairs in the Office of FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler Gigi B. Sohn will be among the speakers.
The five-day event also offers panel discussions, networking events, plus more than 800 educational sessions and workshops covering a variety themes, including Branding & Marketing, Design & Development, Entertainment & Immersion, Global Impact & Policy, and Social & Privacy.
Among the topics are How to Remain Relevant in Today’s Digital Age, What It Really Takes to Win in Business, How Innovation Happens, and The Art of Social Media.
The Hellenic Initiative was founded in 2012 by members of the global Greek and philhellene communities in order to respond to the worsening economic crisis and inspired to help shape Greece’s long-term recovery.