Another Year of #SXSW Is in the Books!
This year, Cutline had a whopping FIVE clients at the conference and festival that takes over Austin, Texas every March. Some led presentations or spoke on panels, while others hosted their own parties and events with food, drink, music, and even puppies! Curious? Read on to find out how Cutline clients shared their love of all things tech with the SXSW crowd.
Mayfield Robotics
Mayfield Robotics is the maker of the adorable home robot, Kuri. The company’s CTO, Kaijen Hsiao, led a presentation called “You, Me and a Robot Makes Three.” While most of us have likely adopted some form of robotic technology in our offices or our cars, Kaijen discussed how robots are being accepted into homes.
She also spoke on a Trailblazer's panel hosted by Walter Isaacson that focused on the future of robotics and where the industry is headed.
And to sweeten things up for the Austin crowd, Mayfield Robotics held an event at Voodoo Doughnut where locals and SXSW attendees could meet Kuri in-person and get Kuri-shaped donuts. Mmmm.
Whistle
Whistle makes the Whistle 3, an all-in-one GPS tracker and activity monitor for pets. It weighs less than an ounce, is durable and waterproof, and the battery lasts up to a week. With 10 million pets going missing every year, Whistle gives pet owners peace of mind.
At SXSW, Whistle and its parent company, Mars Petcare, hosted The Leap Longue - an invite-only event with music, breakfast tacos, giveaways and adoptable puppies. Mars Petcare also announced the Leap Venture Studio - the first dedicated accelerator program designed for founders and startups developing pet products/services to partner with industry leaders to shape the future of pet care. Additionally, Mars Petcare announced the Companion Fund, which includes $100 million to support pet care products, tech, and services. The Fund will be led by Whistle CEO and co-founder Ben Jacobs.
Present Company
Present is a women’s-only networking app that allows women to make friends and connect with peers around certain social causes.
Present loved attending SXSW and meeting incredible new women from of all walks life. The company co-founder, Janete Perez, also spoke about women in tech at The Women in Digital SXSW Official Rally on March 12.
Millions of people around the world use Pinterest every day to discover new ideas to try. This year, Pinterest had quite a busy SXSW! It turned Austin’s famous Container Bar into the Pinterest House and included the Taste Tuner - an exclusive experience that breaks down how Pinterest helps people discover new ideas, and how brands can reach them when it matters most. With food, drinks, and music, let’s just say the house was packed.
Pinterest also lined up six talks with industry experts, addressing how technology is changing the way people discover new ideas and what marketers can do to keep up.
RYOT Studio
RYOT Studio is the creative studio under Oath, a Verizon company, that develops, produces and distributes creative and innovative campaigns in partnership with global brands.
Jessica Lauretti, Global Head of RYOT Studio, was at SXSW and spoke on a panel called “VR in Journalism: The Next Wave.” She discussed journalism’s expansion into virtual reality, from breaking news to documentaries, what works and what doesn’t with VR, and what the future has in store for the medium.