Trade mission to 2025 SXSW conference

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is inviting businesses to apply to the UK@SXSW2025 Trade Mission

If your company is ready to expand its international footprint, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) invites you to apply to their UK@SXSW2025 Trade Mission.

The DBT UK@SXSW2025 Trade Mission will showcase the most innovative companies from the UK Creative Industries across advertising, immersive, live experience, gaming, music tech, design, and other emerging creative technologies.

South by Southwest (SXSW) is a high-impact annual celebration of innovation and creativity that draws 300,000 people to Austin, Texas each year.

Participants will receive:

• Bespoke DBT support: including one-to-one meetings to understand your company’s unique market offering and US goals.
• Invitation to UK networking event with DBT and fellow trade mission participants prior to SXSW, including veteran SXSW trade mission veterans who can share their experiences and advice (date, location TBC).
• UK@SXSW2025 Bootcamp held virtually from January-April 2025 (five in total). This programme will help participants develop their pitch for the US audience, provide insider tips on how to maximise SXSW business outcomes, and help companies develop deeper understanding of US market requirements including funding, strategy, legal, and intellectual property. Your feedback during a post-event follow-up session will help the DBT team improve their program in future years.
• Visibility for your company in the lead-up to and during SXSW: DBT promotion of your company’s participation in our trade mission across multiple communication channels, including print, digital, OOH, and social media.
• Austin events for UK@SXSW2025 will include VIP event with target buyers, invitation only networking evening, space to meet with clients and demonstrate your work, and other dedicated support that will connect your company with UK and US commercial contacts.

Apply

The DBT UK@SXSW2025 programme will last six months, culminating in the four-day SXSW Interactive Festival which will be held from Saturday, 8 March through Tuesday, 11 March 2025.

Apply to take part in the UK@SXSW2025 Trade Mission.

Information session

To learn more about this program and ask questions, please join the following virtual info sessions:

• Date: Tuesday 17 September
• Time: 4 - 5pm
• Location: online
• Register

First published 16 September 2024