WVEE Leadership Named to National SXSW Pitch Advisory Board
The West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem’s leadership invites startups from across West Virginia and the broader region to apply for the 2027 Competition
MORGANTOWN, WV –Amber Ravenscroft, Director of the West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (WVEE), and Tara St. Clair, WVEE Entrepreneur Support Organization Co-Chair and Director of the WVU Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, have both been named to the Advisory Board for SXSW Pitch, the flagship startup competition of South by Southwest (SXSW). In the role, Ravenscroft and St. Clair will help identify and evaluate the emerging companies competing for a spot on one of the nation’s most visible stages for entrepreneurs, as well as nominate investors as judges.
The dual appointment reflects the ecosystem’s growing role in connecting West Virginia and Appalachian entrepreneurs to national opportunities. With both leaders now serving on the board, Ravenscroft and St. Clair are jointly inviting entrepreneurs from West Virginia and the broader Appalachian Region to apply for the 2027 SXSW Pitch Competition, which will take place March 15-21, 2027, in Austin, Texas.
“Representing West Virginia when SXSW Pitch selects its next class of startups is a huge win for our state’s entrepreneurship ecosystem,” said Ravenscroft. “We are proud to represent WVEE on this board together, and we know firsthand the caliber of innovation coming out of West Virginia and broader Appalachia. We want to make sure those founders see this as a real, reachable opportunity.”
SXSW Pitch has served as a launchpad for breakout companies for nearly two decades - Siri appeared on the SXSW Pitch stage before it lived on every iPhone in the world. The competition accepts entries across eight categories:
🚀 Emerging & Frontier Technologies
🎬 Entertainment, Media, Sports & Digital Platforms
🧬 Life Sciences, Healthcare & Assistive Tech
⚙️ Mobility, Manufacturing & Industrial Systems
💻 SaaS, Enterprise & Developer Platforms
🔐 Smart Data, Security & FinTech
👩🎓 Student Startups
🌱 Sustainability, Energy & AgTech
🚀 Emerging & Frontier Technologies 🎬 Entertainment, Media, Sports & Digital Platforms 🧬 Life Sciences, Healthcare & Assistive Tech ⚙️ Mobility, Manufacturing & Industrial Systems 💻 SaaS, Enterprise & Developer Platforms 🔐 Smart Data, Security & FinTech 👩🎓 Student Startups 🌱 Sustainability, Energy & AgTech
“West Virginia has no shortage of bold ideas,” St. Clair said. “This is a chance to make sure our state’s innovators get seen on a national stage.”
To be eligible, companies must have launched their product or service before January 1, 2024, must not have raised more than $10 million in combined funding, and founders must retain an ownership stake in the company. Early Bird applications are open through September 13, 2026 ($105 entry fee), with Regular Entry accepted September 14-November 13 ($225 entry fee). Interested startups can learn more and apply at sxsw.com/pitch.
The WVEE will continue to promote the opportunity through its monthly ecosystem meetings, newsletter, and partner network, and encourages support organizations, accelerators, and university programs across the state to share the opportunity with their portfolio companies and students.
Startups, support organizations, or media who would like to learn more, request a fee waiver, or connect directly with Ravenscroft and St. Clair, can reach the WVEE at connect@wveshipecosystem.org.