South by Southwest (SXSW) celebrates the intersection of music, film, and technology. The BIGfish team’s favorite event to follow is the Pitch Competition, which celebrated its 15th year of awarding the top emerging innovation and creativity of startups. 

These winners share a commitment to sustainability, equity, and advancing machine learning. These values align with those of BIGfish and our focus on purpose-driven brands and working with companies that place an importance on social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and innovation; these startups are no exception.

Reality Defender‘s deepfake detection platform and General Prognostics GPx‘s (a fellow Boston-based company) Bloodless Blood Tests are just two examples of how technology is being used for the greater good. These startups are using machine learning to address critical issues in cybersecurity and healthcare.

Climatiq and SXD Ai are both working to reduce carbon emissions. By providing carbon intelligence at scale and creating zero-waste clothing designs, respectively, these startups are making sustainable fashion and data more accessible for our shared future.

PentoPix, REACH Pathways, and urban machine are all using AI to advance storytelling, education, and construction. By creating these tools, these startups are helping to level the playing field and create more equitable opportunities for all.

Numbers Protocol is using blockchain technology to create a more secure and transparent data platform. This has the potential to transform the way businesses and consumers share sensitive information, making it more trustworthy and reliable.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 SXSW Pitch Competition, you are all proof that technology can be a force for good. By prioritizing sustainability, equity, and machine learning, these startups are creating a more just and equitable world.