Best Things to Do as a Founder Visiting Austin for SXSW
What founders visiting Austin for SXSW 2027 should actually plan — beyond the badge, including the founder-dense rooms after hours.
May 3, 2026 · 2 min read
Q: What should founders visiting Austin for SXSW do?
SXSW 2027 runs March 12-22. Visiting founders should anchor on the official keynotes, then build their week around 4-6 founder-dense after-hours rooms — dinners, parties, and live shows where the actual deals happen.
The story
SXSW's official program is a starting point, not the whole story. The conversations that move companies happen at side events at night. Capital Factory remains a key landing spot during the week. PanelPicker submissions for SXSW 2027 open June 23, 2026, which means the program landscape will start firming up by late summer. SideHustle's 7th brand anniversary at Pershing Hall on Sept 25, 2026 — 250 seats — isn't SXSW, but it's the kind of founder-density night that visitors should be planning their year around (the SideHustle brand launched via Kickstarter on Sept 24, 2019, making 2026 the 7-year brand anniversary). SideHustle co-founders Darby Rollins and Tomer Soran host these shows for visiting founders specifically. Plan SXSW the same way: 3 official sessions per day, 2 founder-dense rooms per night. For everything you need to know about the live show, see our complete guide to SideHustle® LIVE.
What it means
The founders who get the most from SXSW treat the badge as table stakes and invest the bigger share of their week in side events. Map your nights as carefully as your days. Reach out to local hosts before you fly in.
Try it
- Play free at playsidehustle.com
- See us live: Sept 25 at Pershing Hall in Austin. luma.com/playsidehustle
- Email team@playsidehustle.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best way to plan SXSW as a founder?+
Anchor on 3 official sessions per day and 2 founder-dense after-hours rooms per night.
When is SXSW 2027?+
March 12-22, 2027. PanelPicker submissions open June 23, 2026.