SXSW EDU launched in 2011 and has since evolved into a leading convergence event for the future of learning, focusing on the exploration of innovative ideas, advancements, and dialogue surrounding education and learning.
For more than 15 years, SXSW EDU has been evolving alongside the education sector and growing its relevancy in the hearts and minds of parents, educators, policymakers, and more. The organization was founded on the belief that education has the power to inspire, elevate, and change the future. By building on the same values of its parent organization, South by Southwest®, SXSW EDU has brought together the learner, the practitioner, the entrepreneur, and the visionary to share their groundbreaking stories, tackle complex issues, and build reimagined paths forward.
Over its history, SXSW EDU has created a place for our community to explore, connect, and dream. From its inaugural event in March 2011 in collaboration with the Texas Education Agency in support of Project Share, a statewide learning environment, to its expansion into one of the most relevant learning festivals in the world, SXSW EDU has always been forward-looking in nature and community-built.
In 2012, the national education dialogue shifted to a focused effort on digital learning and edtech became a more common term and burgeoning industry. Given its alignment to innovation, SXSW EDU saw an increase in attendees, with numbers reaching more than 2,000 and representation from across the country. The organization also saw an opportunity to showcase the amazing technology that was being created to support education and launched the inaugural SXSW EDU Launch program (formerly LAUNCHedu), an education entrepreneurs’ competition to provide a vibrant forum for early-stage startups.
Since then, SXSW EDU has continued to expand its audience, topic areas, and programming content, evolving into the moniker of SXSW EDU Conference & Festival. With its expanded program, which included the SXSW EDU Film program, performances, and networking, SXSW EDU has furthered its reach to include attendees from all over the world and all parts of the education sector. In addition, SXSW EDU has created more opportunities to learn in a more collaborative and hands-on way – from mentor programs to case studies, and student showcases. SXSW EDU continues to bring diverse voices together to underscore the importance of education as the heart of our society.
In it’s 16 years, SXSW EDU has grown from a regional event into one of the largest and most relevant learning festivals in the world. The organization continues to support the community’s desire to connect, collaborate, and impact the future of education. It is this unfettered, inspired, and passionate community that will collectively create a new tomorrow for learners everywhere and drive impact.
Unexpected discoveries and meaningful connections await at the SXSW EDU Conference & Festival from March 13-16, 2027 in Austin, Texas!
2010
SXSW Announces New Event: SXSWedu
SXSW announced the inaugural SXSWedu conference for March 8-10, 2011 at the ATT Conference Center. The first year was held in partnership with the Texas Education Agency.
2011
Inaugural SXSW EDU Conference | SXSW EDU 2011 Keynote: Anita Givens
15 Panels, Workshops & Sessions | Notable Speakers: Jody Denberg, Jim Dickinson, Kevin Wommack, Joe Nick Patoski, Kim Buie, Mark Josephson, Ernie Gammage, Jeff Whittington, Robert Scott, Evan Smith, David Anthony, Howell Wright, James Henry Russell
2012
LAUNCHedu Entrepreneur Competition Announced for SXSWedu 2012
The LAUNCHedu competition (which would later be rebranded to Launch Startup Competition) was announced to take place at SXSWedu as a new event to showcase the best new educational startups, business concepts, and products from innovative entrepreneurs. BloomBoard and LearningJar would go on to win top honor for 2012.
2012
SXSWedu More than Doubled to 2,000 Attendees
Year two of SXSWedu saw significant growth with more than 2,000 attendees from across the country, forging it’s place as a national education event. | Keynote & Featured Speakers: LeVar Burton, Marjorie Scardino, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, S. Craig Watkins, Steven Farr, Catherine Casserly, Mark David Milliron, Ken Kay, Anita Givens, Karen Cator, Geoff Fletcher, Mike Feinberg, Russell Quaglia, Jane McGonigal
2013
SXSWedu Launches Film Program
The eduFILM (which would later be rebranded to the SXSW EDU Film program) was announced to take place at the 2013 event as a way to highlight poignant narratives and documentaries focusing on all aspects of education.
2013
SXSW EDU 2013 Keynote Speaker: Bill Gates
Keynote & Featured Speakers: Anant Agarwal, Laura Pappano, Andrew Ng, Nikhil Goyal, Rebecca Mieliwocki, Michael L. Williams, Asenath Andrews, Alan November, Meria Carstarphen, Dale Dougherty, Davin Robinson, Neeru Khosla, Alan Gershenfeld, Connie Yowell, Darline Robles, Sara DeWitt, Jaime Casap, Jim Shelton
2014
SXSW EDU 2014 Featured Speakers: Charlie Firestone, John Baily, & Rosario Dawson
Keynote & Featured Speakers: Diane Ravitch, Jessica Rosenworcel, Catherine Casserly, Jack Andraka, Wendy Kopp, David Coleman, Robert Caro, Geneviève DeBose, Jeff Johnson, Maro Diaz, James Bernard, Wendy Davis, Rod Paige, Evan Smith, Timothy Shriver, John Wilson, Marie Cini, Mark Milliron, Richard Rhodes, Nolan Bushnell, Vivienne & Norma Ming, Jeff Charbonneau, Francisco Cigarroa, Alberto Carvalho, David Yeager, Meria Carstarphen, Rosalind Wiseman
2015
SXSW EDU Launches Student Startup Competition
The Student Startup Competition was announced to take place at SXSW EDU as a new event to showcase high school student entrepreneurs and their startups. YoursMineAndHours! would go on to win the competition.
2015
SXSW EDU 2015 Keynote Speaker: Goldie Hawn
Keynote & Featured Speakers included: Guy Kawasaki, Charles Best, Elizabeth Green, David Epstein, Emily Pilloton, Bob Sanelli, Mimi Ito, Sal Khan
2016
The Rather Prize Launches at SXSW EDU 2016
Notable speakers include: Dan Rather, Martin Rather, Temple Grandin, Lizzie Velasquez, Ayah Bdeir, Jane McGonigal, Alexandra Bernadotte, Heather Emerson, Renuka Kher, Todd Penner, Christine Ortiz, Jessica Berlinksi, Jeremy Richman, Joan Duffell, Joseph Erardi, Scott Ellis, Bernadette Gray-Little, Mark Becker, Michael Crow, Paul Fain, Saku Ruominen, Pasi Sahlberg, Max Ventilla, Jim Deters, Sakena Yacoobi, James Miles, Brian Mooney, Audra the Rapper, John Robinson, Rim King, Barbara Jenkins, Damon Williams, David Coleman, Sal Khan, Steve Mesler, Ari Horie, Paul Reville, Todd Rose, Russlynn Ali, Connie Yowell
2017
SXSW EDU Launches Performance Program
The Performance program launches as a way to offer attendees an experience that is both entertaining and educational.
2017
SXSW EDU Launches Learn by Design Competition
The Learn by Design competition was a novel approach to understanding the design of learning environments with the potential to impact learning outcomes.
2017
SXSW EDU 2017 Keynote Speaker: Christopher Emdin
Notable speakers: Brene Brown, Tim Ferriss, Christopher Emdin, Juan Cabrera, Molly McMahon, Elliott Witney, Ross Szabo, William McRaven, Sara Goldrick-Rab, Leila Toplic, Jane Meseck, Melissa Ingber, Jodi Nelson, Jahana Hayes, Andrew Smith Lewis, Natalia Mora, Sonia Marta Mora Escalante, Amanda Wahlstedt, Andrew Brennen, Ben Gurewitz, Zaakir Tameez, Jane Werner, Illah Nourbakhish, Gregg Behr, Zainab Adisa, Charles Best, Carmen Farina, Ursulina Ramirez, Laura Weidman Powers, Kathleen McCartney, Sean Decatur, Daniel Porterfield, Z Michael Wang, Jessica O Matthews, Joseph W Polisi, Michael Shinn, Rachel Goslins, Katheryn Mayo-Hudson, John Maeda
2018
SXSW EDU 2018 Keynote Speakers: Micaela Blei, Chris De La Cruz, Crystal Duckert, Tim Manley
Keynote & Featured speakers: Alaa Murabit, Stephen K Klasko, José Luis Vilson, Karen Cator, Michael Sorrell, Charles Best, Dawn Carlton, Jackie McPherson, Tana Nestler, JP Connolly, Manoush Zomorodi, Juan Pablo Romero Fuentes, Liz Dozier, dana boyd, Caroline Howard, Evin Robinson, Logan Cohen, Anant Agarwal, Mark Cousino, RC Haldi, Hakim Bellamy, Mario Rossero, Jeffrey Rosen, Julie Wollman, Jim Shelton, Jessica Lahey
2019
SXSW EDU 2019 Keynote Speakers: Henry Louis Gates Jr., Paula Kerger, Eric Deggans
Keynote & Featured speakers: LeVar Burton, Darius Baxter, David Brooks, Lisa Fitzpatrick, Dan Porterfield, Clayton Anderson, Lee Ann Womack, Barry Zito, Marley Dias, Alison Griffin, Celia Simms, James Kvall, Julie Peller, Erika Guerrero, Tajha Ilerant, Jamaal Charles, Timothy Shriver, Mitchell Baker, Yoav Schlessinger, Patrick Awuah Jr, Ron Suskind, Leland Melvin, David Hogg, David Rather, Jack Lynch, Maria Konnikova, Jennifer Gonzalez, Jean Chatzky, Andrea Delbanco, Drew Willis, Priscilla Chan, Betsy Corcoran, Bror Saxberg, K. Brooke Stafford-Brizard
2021
SXSW EDU 2021 Online | Keynote Speakers: Oprah Winfrey & Dr. Bruce Perry
Keynote & Featured Speakers include: Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Bryce Dallas Howard, Kimberly Bryant, Reshma Saujani, Jackie Cooper, Ted Dintersmith, Anthony Dunn, Kate Robinson, Mary Hawkins, Michael Sorrell, Paul LeBlanc, Jill Biden, Chris Evans, Mark Kassen, Mia Charity, Sheinelle Jones, Joe Kiani, Brittany Hogan, Nic Stone, Nia Farrell, Rachel Friedman, Carlos Moreno, Elisa Villabueva Beard, Connie Britton, Miguel Cardona, Tinisha Parker
2022
SXSW EDU 2022 Featured Speaker: Angela Duckworth
Keynote & Featured Speakers: Laura Schifter, John King, Maya Green, Randi Weingarten, Chris Quintana, David Thomas, Mary Schmidt Campbell, Michael Sorrell, Emily Oster, Kumar Garg, Mark Schneider, Mary Murphy, Max Klymenko, Kevin Michael Foster, Tequilla Bronie, Freeman Gobah, Kailee Scales, Leslie Engle Young, Anthony Abraham Jack, Janel Goerge, Joel Bervell, Jonah Martinez Goldstein, Bob Lord, Chelsea Clinton, Chimka Munkhbayar, Trey Buck, Barryl “DMC” McDaniels, Zaila Avant-Garde, J. Michael Durnil, B. Monét, Crystal Harrell, Rosemonde Pierre-Louis, Cydney Tucker, Chiquita Jackson, Deja Foxx, Jocelyn Yow, Nadya Okamoto, Alan Gershenfeld, Alex McDowell, Mona Hamdy, Pooja Agarwal, Antonia Hlton, Carolyn Foote, George M. Johnson, Mike Hixenbaugh, Dana Brown, Miguel Cardona, Priya Parker, Baratunde Thurston
2023
SXSW EDU 2023 Keynote Speaker: Ruth Simmons & Adam Harris
Keynote & Featured Speakers: Luma Mufleh, Doreen Gehry Nelson, Frank Gehry, Liz Willen, Ruth J. Simmons, Adam Harris, Sewell Chan, Kimberly Mata-Rubio, Odis Johnson Jr, Aila Malik, Arik Armstead, Kristi Yamaguchi, Alison Mann, Mike Uwandi, Nicole Hendrix, Phillip Boutte Jr, Joanna Cannon, Kumar Garg, Pamela Cantor, Roberto J. Rodriguez, Cameron Wilson, Terah Lyons, John Bailey, Joy Harjo, Michaela Goade, Mandy Smoker Broaddus, Kurt Russell, Rodney Robinson, Sarah Brown Wessling, Danielle Bainbridge, Hank Green, Katie Kurtz, Maria Anguiano, Angel Jones, Christopher Emdin, Dena Simmons, Napoleon Wells, Mambu Sherman, Mark Brown, Suzanne Walsh, Emily Tate Sullivan, Mia Pritts, Michelle Kang, Natalie Renew, Adrienne Battle, Denise Forte, Melanie Kay-Wyatt, Stephanie S. Elizalde , Beatrice Thomas, Jonathan Hamilt, Lil Miss Hot Mess, Hadiya Masieh, Maeve Park, Secretary Miguel Cardona, Javaid Siddiqi, Michael Sorrell
2024
SXSW EDU Launches Student Impact Challenge
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.
2024
SXSW EDU 2024 Keynote Speakers: Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw & Dr. Jonathan Cox
Keynote & Featured Speakers: Yung Pueblo, Spencer Russell, Sarah Rose Siskind, Geoffrey Canada, Christian Rhodes, Mary Murphy, Carol Dweck, Beth Rudden, Rapsody, DJ Reborn, Bill Carbone, Imani Wilson, Rebecka Peterson, Jennifer Gonzalez, Josh Wyner, Pascale Charlot, Russell Lowery-Hart, Terry Lickona, Elizabeth Hulse, Benjamin Kramer, Jackie Venson, Akoto Ofori-Atta, Erin Gieger Smith, Shaniqua McClendon, Carlos Moreno, Sharhonda Bossier, Bettina Love, Jacqueline Woodson, Dan Rawson, Shelly Mazzanoble, Kade Wells, Dan Ackerman, Nicole Mirra, Antero Garcia, Yiying Lu, Julieanna Richardson, Danielle N. Gray-Singh, Jana Duckett, Meg Raby Klinghoffer, Dr. Michele Kong, Chris Jackson, Uma Srivastava
2025
SXSW EDU 2025 Keynote Speaker: Shamil Idriss
Keynote & Featured Speakers: Anne-Laure Le Cunff, Emily Calandrelli, Jasmin Rubero, Simran Jeet Singh, Vanessa Van Edwards, Sinead Bovell, Natalie Monbiot, Danny Rader, Franklin Willis, Jessica Basile, Robert Deaton, Elisa Villanueva Beard, Dan Porterfield, Ana Homayoun, Jennifer Breheny Wallace, Jean-Claude Brizard, Lisa Whittick, Sarah DeWitt, Tim Frost, Zachariah O’Hora, Allison Matthews, Jose Antonio Tijerino, Susanna Pollack, Kara Bobroff, Manu Kapur, Sharon McMahon, Shaniqua McClendon, Bonnie Barczykowski, Christine Crawford, Dylan George, Isis Martinez, Ryann Liebenthal, Annabelle Chang, Alexandra Brown Chang, Raegan Revord, Nadim Matta, Rafael Parente, Rebecca Winthrop, Urvashi Sahni, Mychal Threets