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SXSW EDU Student Impact Pitch Challenge

  • Organization: SXSW EDU
  • Type: Competition
  • Location: Global
  • Deadline: October 25, 2026
  • Funding: Partially Funded

SXSW EDU's Student Impact Challenge, presented by The Allstate Foundation, is a free pitch competition for high school students already running a project that tackles a social, economic or environmental problem in their community. Six finalist teams pitch live to a panel of judges and an audience of educators, investors and changemakers at SXSW EDU 2027 in Austin, Texas, and the winner takes the Student Impact Award. Students in the US and internationally can apply, solo or as a team. **What you get:** - Complimentary SXSW EDU 2027 credentials for your student presenters (the contest terms value each at about $795; the programme page says six per finalist team, covering two presenters plus chaperones and teammates) - One-on-one pitch coaching and group webinars with innovators and social impact business strategists chosen by SXSW EDU - A five-minute live pitch, plus five minutes of judges' questions, on stage at SXSW EDU in Austin - A shot at the Student Impact Award, with first and second runner-up teams also recognised; SXSW EDU says winners typically receive a cash prize, with the 2027 prize package still to be announced - Two semifinalist teams also get credentials, coaching and a showcase slot on stage after the finalist pitches **What you'll do:** - Submit an online application describing your problem, your project, its impact so far and your goals, with a 1 to 2 minute pitch video - If selected, work with coaches on your pitch over the winter - Travel to Austin, Texas, for SXSW EDU on March 13 to 16, 2027 and pitch live during the competitions on March 14 and 15 **Key dates:** - Applications opened August 5, 2026 - Applications close October 25, 2026 at 11:59 pm Central Time - Finalists privately notified by December 31, 2026, and publicly announced in January 2027 - SXSW EDU 2027 runs March 13 to 16, 2027 in Austin, Texas, with the competitions on March 14 and 15 **More information:** - Full FAQ on the SXSW support site: https://support.sxsw.com/hc/en-us/sections/18235584083853-SXSW-EDU-Student-Impact-Challenge - Past finalists and winners on the Competition History page: https://sxswedu.com/competitions/history/ - Questions go to programming@sxswedu.com

Apply for SXSW EDU Student Impact Pitch Challenge

SXSW EDUCompetition

SXSW EDU Student Impact Pitch Challenge

Oct 25, 2026 23:59:00 CT
Opportunity type
Competition
Funding
Partially Funded
Location
Global
Deadline
Oct 25, 2026 23:59:00 CT

About this opportunity

SXSW EDU's Student Impact Challenge, presented by The Allstate Foundation, is a free pitch competition for high school students already running a project that tackles a social, economic or environmental problem in their community. Six finalist teams pitch live to a panel of judges and an audience of educators, investors and changemakers at SXSW EDU 2027 in Austin, Texas, and the winner takes the Student Impact Award. Students in the US and internationally can apply, solo or as a team.

What you get:

  • Complimentary SXSW EDU 2027 credentials for your student presenters (the contest terms value each at about $795; the programme page says six per finalist team, covering two presenters plus chaperones and teammates)
  • One-on-one pitch coaching and group webinars with innovators and social impact business strategists chosen by SXSW EDU
  • A five-minute live pitch, plus five minutes of judges' questions, on stage at SXSW EDU in Austin
  • A shot at the Student Impact Award, with first and second runner-up teams also recognised; SXSW EDU says winners typically receive a cash prize, with the 2027 prize package still to be announced
  • Two semifinalist teams also get credentials, coaching and a showcase slot on stage after the finalist pitches

What you'll do:

  • Submit an online application describing your problem, your project, its impact so far and your goals, with a 1 to 2 minute pitch video
  • If selected, work with coaches on your pitch over the winter
  • Travel to Austin, Texas, for SXSW EDU on March 13 to 16, 2027 and pitch live during the competitions on March 14 and 15

Key dates:

  • Applications opened August 5, 2026
  • Applications close October 25, 2026 at 11:59 pm Central Time
  • Finalists privately notified by December 31, 2026, and publicly announced in January 2027
  • SXSW EDU 2027 runs March 13 to 16, 2027 in Austin, Texas, with the competitions on March 14 and 15

More information:

  • Full FAQ on the SXSW support site: https://support.sxsw.com/hc/en-us/sections/18235584083853-SXSW-EDU-Student-Impact-Challenge
  • Past finalists and winners on the Competition History page: https://sxswedu.com/competitions/history/
  • Questions go to programming@sxswedu.com

Who can apply

  • Currently enrolled high school student
  • Aged 13 or older, and still enrolled in school as of March 13, 2027
  • Open to US and international applicants
  • Solo applicants and teams both qualify, with up to two student presenters at the live pitch
  • The project must be past the ideation stage and in active development
  • The project must make a direct impact on a social, economic or environmental problem, at any scale from local to international
  • An adult sponsor must be named on the application
  • One entry per project
  • No application fee

AI Verification

✓ AI Verified

Our AI read the official sources and cross-checked the key facts. Here is what held up, and what it could not confirm.

We could not fully verify this organization or all of its details. Check it independently on the official website before you apply, and never share sensitive personal or financial information until you are sure a request is genuine.

84
LOT Verification ScoreSolid

Cross-checked 11 of 13 key facts

Confirmed Our best read Not stated

Good to know

  • +Free to enter, for high school students anywhere in the world, solo or as a team
  • +Finalists get free SXSW EDU 2027 passes, pitch coaching and a live stage in Austin in front of educators and investors
  • +Presented by The Allstate Foundation, and past finalists and winners are published

Worth checking yourself

  • !Closes 25 October 2026 at 11:59pm Central Time
  • !Your project must already be running, not just an idea, and you need an adult sponsor
  • !Nothing says travel or hotels are covered, so finalists appear to pay their own way to Austin for 13 to 16 March 2027, plus flights and a US visa if you are abroad
  • !The 2027 prize has not been announced; SXSW EDU only says winners typically receive cash

Sources checked

SXsxswedu.comApplySXsxswedu.comApplySXsxswedu.comApplySXsxswedu.comApplySUsupport.sxsw.comOfficialAIairtable.comOfficial

LOT finds and checks opportunities from public sources. Always confirm details on the organiser’s own page before applying.

SXSW EDU Student Impact Pitch Challenge
Oct 25, 2026 23:59:00 CT