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SXSW: No 'Hot Apps' Anymore But Still a Launchpad For Some Startups (axios.com)

Posted by msmash on from the change-in-roles dept.

South by Southwest is no longer the preferred launchpad for social apps, but it may be for others like Blue Duck, a San Antonio-based transportation company debuting its scooter service this weekend. From a report: Between Twitter's big breakout moment in 2007 and Meerkat's in 2015, SXSW has served as a great marketing opportunity for social apps. But that's ended as consumer trends have shifted and Hollywood and other consumer companies have taken over the festival. Standing outside the Austin Convention Center, co-founder Eric Bell tells me that he came up with the idea out of frustration with his local public transit, and he designed the scooters. For now, the company is self-funded, but he expects to soon raise outside funding.

3 of 28 comments (clear)

  1. As Hollywood has taken over? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    It used to be a music festival. Someone *else* took over first.

    1. Re: As Hollywood has taken over? by PopeRatzo · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Your generation has ruined enough..

      I agree entirely. Considering a bunch of high school kids in Florida have been able to accomplish in a few weeks something the four generations before them have not been able to, I'd say that anyone over 19 needs to get out the fucking way. The kids are all right.

      http://www.orlandosentinel.com...

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
  2. There is a reason by spoot · · Score: 2

    Why the locals here in Austin call it South By So What.