Competition History
SXSW EDU has a rich history of celebrating pioneers in the field of education. Competitions that take place during the Conference & Festival have supported startup founders, designers, educators, and students, all of whom are bringing forth new ideas to advance teaching and learning.
Learn more about past SXSW EDU competitions and past participants below.
Student Impact Challenge Ice Cream Social - SXSW EDU 2025 - Photo by Shannon Johnston
LAUNCH HISTORY
Since its debut at SXSW EDU 2012, the Launch Startup Competition has attracted significant energy and support as a catalyst for discovering what’s next and new in learning. With tremendous energy at the intersection of education, technology, and entrepreneurialism, startups on the bleeding edge of innovation are exploring everything from learning strategies to edtech solutions for districts and universities.
Past Launch Winners
Bili (2025) (Community Choice Award)
Bloom Board (2012)
College Contact (2025) (Launch Award)
Clever (2013)
Edmit (2019)
ELSA (2016)
Inspirit (2021)
Koalluh (2023) (Community Choice Award)
Learning Jar (2012)
Making Space (2025) (Impact Award)
Maro (2024) (Launch Award)
NaTakallam (2024) (Impact Award)
Our Worlds, Inc. (2022)
Quottly, Inc. (2018)
RobotsLAB (2014)
Speaking Pal (2013)
Struggly (2024) (Community Choice Award)
The Whether powered by Better Weekdays (2017)
Tilli (2023) (Launch Award, Impact Award)
Zaption (2015)
Past Launch Finalists
Actively Learn (2013)
Adjunct Professor Link (2017)
Admit.me (2016)
Admittedly (2014)
Affectifi Inc. (2022)
Alchemie (2016)
ALEX, Anyone’s Learning Experience (2017)
Ambessa (2025)
Amira Learning (2019)
ASD Reading (2017)
Binder (2015)
Books That Grow (2014)
Caribu (2019)
Composer (2021)
Cell-Ed (2017)
Chalk.com (2015)
Choosito (2018)
Chromatik (2012)
Classroom, Inc. (2013)
ClassroomIQ (2014)
CodeMonkey (2015)
Cognitive ToyBox (2020)
CollegeSnapps (2013)
CollegeSolved (2012)
Common Curriculum (2013)
Cuentologia (2024)
Culture Crate (2024)
DigitWhiz (2013)
disruptED (2018)
Doceri (2012)
Duckie Deck (2013)
EduOpenings (2023)
eduvee (2014)
Einztein (2012)
Epigrammar (2018)
Epixego (2022)
Equmenopolis, Inc. (2023)
Everydae (2021)
examPAL (2018)
Expii, Inc. (2016)
FabuLingua (2021)
Flinja (2013)
Fluencia (2014)
Genius Academy (2025)
Giide (2019)
GYLO (GetYa Learn On) (2012)
Ideas Box (2015)
IEP & Me (2022)
instaGrok (2013)
Kahoot! (2013)
Keenious (2024)
Kide Science (2023)
KinderTown (2012)
Kiri (2020)
Language Zen (2015)
Lea(R)n (2015)
Learnabi (2020)
LearnBoost (2012)
LearnSprout (2013)
Listen Current (2016)
LRNGO (2013)
M-Shule (2018)
MapStory (2013)
Matchbox, Inc. (2013)
Mathos AI (2025)
Matygo (Learndot) (2012)
MediaCore (2013)
More Than Money Careers (2013)
NBA Math Hoops (2014)
Nimble (2018)
Paragon One (2016)
PAIRIN (2018)
Parachute Teachers (2016)
Pear Deck (2015)
Pie for Providers (2019)
Polymath University (2025)
PolyUp (2021)
Presentr (2020)
Proctorio Remote Proctor (2014)
Promineo Tech (2023)
Qlovi (2014)
Quizling – the Knowledge Game! (2017)
Quottly, Inc. (2018)
Raise.me (2015)
Reading Kingdom (2012)
Readlee (2022)
Robotical (2023)
RobotsLab (2014)
ROYBI (2019)
Smart Coos (2016)
School Day Wellbeing (2020)
Schoolytics (2022)
School Yourself (2013)
scrible (2013)
Shinebright (2015)
Shoelace Learning (2024)
Slate Science (2013)
Solfeg.io (2018)
SoroTouch (2019)
Sown to Grow (2017)
Sterio.me (2015)
Success Highways (2012)
Teaching Channel (2013)
Teachers Connect (2017)
Territorium (2016)
The Graide Network (2017)
ThinkCERCA (2013)
The Whether powered by Better Weekdays (2017)
UnlockYourBrain (2014)
Upkey (2019)
USEED (2013)
WealthyLife (2018)
Words Liive (2016)
Zaption (2015)
zondle (2013)
Student Impact Challenge History
The Student Impact Challenge celebrates student achievement and agency in solving the most pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges by providing a platform for high school students to showcase their innovative ideas.
Past Student Impact Challenge Winners
Past Student Impact Challenge Finalists
A Sustainable Future (2024)
Clore (2024)
Faça Parte (Be A Part) (2024)
Girley (2024)
Household Appliances Innovation Powered by Solar (2025)
InSpec (2025)
Organic Fertilizers for Everyone (2025)
STEM IT (2024)
Swype AI (2025)
Unfold4All (2025)
STUDENT STARTUP COMPETITION HISTORY
The Student Startup Competition supported high school students through an elevator pitch competition featuring their startup business idea.
Past Student Startup Winners
AUesome (2022)
Bru (2016)
MatheX (2023)
Stria Labs (2019)
Threading Twine (2018)
Trashbots Inc. (2017)
YoursMineAndHours! (2015)
Past Student Startup Finalists
[tchr] (2018)
Accordia Power, LLC. (2022)
AmityConnections, Academies of Loudoun (2020)
Animal Inspired (2017)
Arodot (2018)
Barronsol, David Crockett High School (2020)
Beaut.e (2016)
CHAP Research (2015)
Clutch (2019)
ConnectMe (2016)
CorteX Wellness (2022)
Fia Technologies, Inc. (2022)
FlexVE (2017)
Friday Night Boards (2015)
GameTime Live (2019)
Go Club (2017)
Guardial (2022)
iEmote (2023)
Lemonerdy University (2023)
Maytik (2023)
MODAP, The Nueva School (2020)
Recharge (2017)
Refocus (2016)
RestEasy (2019)
REZ Parking (2018)
ScreenWise (2019)
Seeing for the Blind, Lexington High School (2020)
Stria Labs (2019)
Solis UVC Purification, Lake Forest High School (2020)
SZN XXI (2019)
The Local Green (2015)
Threading Twine (2018)
Toubans! (2019)
Travel Time (2019)
United World Learning (2018)
WorkBee Holidays (2023)
Wuhu (2016)
LEARN BY DESIGN COMPETITION HISTORY
The Learn by Design competition was a novel approach to understanding the design of learning environments with the potential to impact learning outcomes.
Past Learn by Design Winners
BCPS Mobile Innovation Lab (2017)
Citti Academy: Developing Collective Intelligence (2017)
D&F x Ghata (2018 honorary winner)
Pathfinder Kindergarten Center (2018)
University of Utah, Lassonde Studios (2017)
Waukee Innovation & Learning Center (WILC) (2019)
Past Learn by Design Finalists
49ers Denise DeBartolo York Education Center (2017)
Canyon View High School, DLR Group (2020)
City Neighbors High School: KNOWN. LOVED. INSPIRED. (2017)
Code Next Lab (2019)
Condit Elementary (2017)
Do Space (2018)
Dreamscapes Immersive Art Experience, Utah Arts Alliance (2020)
Dwight-Englewood School Hajjar STEM Center (2017)
Hazel Wolf K-8 (2017)
HEART Board Pyramid (2018)
KM Kindergarten and Nursery (2018)
L+ (2017)
LabVenture (2019)
Libraries of the Future – The Urban Learning Park (2018)
Missouri Innovation Campus (2018)
Museum Lab, Koning Eizenberg Architecture (2020)
NZE K-12 Prototype (2017)
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium Robert B. Daugherty Education Center (2019)
Outdoor Classroom for John Muir Middle School (2018)
Project Lemonaid (2019)
Schools of the future: AR, Gaming & Sustainability (2017)
Seoul Foreign School, New High School (2019)
Spero Academy (2019)
Summit Sierra (2018)
Team Based Learning at the Dell Medical School (2017)
Tec21: Inventing the 21st Century Campus (2017)
The BIG Lab - Build Imagine Grow (2017)
The Cheryl and Philip Milstein Center for Teaching and Learning, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (2020)
The Living Lab, Rob Wellington Quigley Architects (2020)
Watt Family Innovation Center - Clemson University (2017)
West Houston Institute (2018)