XSW 2026 is back, and it’s building on its legacy as a tech industry catalyst. For its 40th anniversary from March 12-18, the festival has announced a powerhouse lineup of over 250 sessions, featuring heavy hitters from Anthropic, Microsoft, Ubisoft, and the PGA Tour.
The Innovation Conference will dive deep into the next frontier of tech, with must-see sessions including “How We Could Lose Control: Runaway AI” with ethicist Tristan Harris and “The AI-Powered Bionic Revolution Has Already Begun” by pioneer Aadeel Akhtar. In a signal of tech’s cultural crossover, the agenda also features “The Anime Advantage,” examining the platform’s growing influence on global branding with execs from Crunchyroll and Twitch.
Beyond the panels, SXSW is launching new features for 2026, including themed Clubhouses in downtown Austin and a refreshed badge system for flexible scheduling. For tech founders, the SXSW Pitch competition remains a prime launchpad. The numbers speak volumes: past participants have collectively raised over $22 billion in venture capital and exits, with a staggering 22% acquisition rate by industry leaders.
“This isn’t just about the technology; it’s about the human potential it unlocks,” said Greg Rosenbaum, SXSW’s Senior Vice President of Programming.
Applications for SXSW Pitch close on November 7th. The full schedule is now live at sxsw.com.
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