All startup teams must be digital media ventures — in keeping with the SXSW Interactive focus. These include startups in Web and Online Capabilities, Social Media, Digital Entertainment (film and music), Gaming, Software, Mobile Apps, News and Information Technologies, Health Informatics, and Innovative e-Commerce. All startup teams must be at least 30% owned by current college students, with a college advisor listed.
Every year, the admission period is open August through November, and tournament competition begins with the announcement of the official SSM field of 64 startup teams. The first two rounds of the tournament are conducted online. The field is then narrowed to 32 semi-finalists and the “Entrepreneurial Eight” finalists are announced in late January.