SXSW is wild. The main conference is great, but the real gold is usually in the side events and random meetups around town. Smaller rooms. Real conversations.

It's in all the unofficial talks, parties, and meetups that pop up around Austin. These smaller gatherings usually mean you get to talk straight with people, and the conversations are way more focused than the big-stage stuff. The trick is finding them.

This guide cuts through the noise. We'll show you where to look and give you a solid list of tech events worth checking out during SXSW 2026.

Where to Find Unofficial Events

The official SXSW program is only part of the story. Loads of good tech and startup events happen all over town. Here’s where to start looking:

Eventbrite: This is a main spot for side events. Lots of organizers use it to get people signed up and spread the word.
Luma: Getting bigger for tech meetups, workshops, and pop-up houses.
Meetup: Austin's local tech groups often throw special events during SXSW.
Official SXSW Side Event Lists: Sometimes the official SXSW site or their partners will list events they're okay with, or even promote.
Startup Grind: Check their local chapter for relevant events and pitch contests.
Social Media: Follow key investors, accelerators, and tech influencers on platforms like X (Twitter) for real-time announcements.
Hotel Lobbies & Local Coffee Shops: Keep an eye out for flyers and impromptu get-togethers.

Why Prioritize Side Events?

These unofficial events aren't just for fun. They just plain work better for a few reasons.

Specific Crowds: They bring in people with specific interests, so you meet the right folks.
Direct Chats: You can talk straight with founders, investors, and experts. No big lines or massive crowds.
Easier to Get In: Many are free or cheap. Good bang for your buck without needing a full badge.

Featured Tech Events at SXSW 2026

Below is a chronological list of prominent tech and startup events we've identified. Use this as a starting point for your schedule. Times are listed in Central Daylight Time (CDT).

Date, Time	Event Name	Venue (Partial)	Source	Notes
Mar 8, 07:30PM	EDU Conference Welcome Social Networking	Happy Chicks	Eventbrite	Kick-off social networking event for SXSW EDU conference attendees to connect in a relaxed setting.
Mar 9, 07:30PM	SXSW Social Networking Hour	BBG'S	Eventbrite	Laid-back in-person evening to mix, mingle, and expand network during SXSW.
Mar 10, 03:30PM	SXSW Physical AI Showcase	UT Austin Campus	Meetup
Mar 10, 07:00PM	Eden Cocktail Room SXSW Networking Event	Eden Cocktail Room	Eventbrite	Speakeasy-style mixer with craft cocktails and networking opportunities during SXSW.
Mar 11, 08:30AM	Startup Mania 2026	Austin Scottish Rite Theater	Startupgrind
Mar 11, 09:00AM	SXSW EDU 2026 Expo Community Day	Austin Marriott Downtown	Eventbrite	A free community day of the SXSW EDU Expo featuring interactive exhibits, networking, and startup showcases in education technology.
Mar 11, 11:00AM	AI and 3D Build & Design Tech Lunch and Learn!	MSI Austin Showroom	Eventbrite	Private seminar on leveraging AI, 3D, and Houzz Pro tools for builders, remodelers, and designers, including lunch and a raffle.
Mar 11, 03:00PM	Porchella 2026 — Unofficial SXSW Porch Party	E 41st St & Barrow Ave	Eventbrite	Annual Hyde Park front-lawn porch party with live music, BYOB picnic style, and community vibes during SXSW.
Mar 12, 02:00PM	AI PROFIT MACHINE HOUSE @ 2026	Bungalow	Eventbrite	AI Profit Machine House @ 2026 - Live music with Chingy, Noah Hunton & DJ CRG + AI panels + networking for entrepreneurs, founders, creators, and business operators.
Mar 12, 05:00PM	Austin Video Consortium Hub Launch	Radio Rosewood	Eventbrite	Happy hour celebrating the launch of the Video Consortium’s Austin hub and networking with non-fiction filmmakers.
Mar 12, 07:00PM	Startup German Night	Speakeasy	Eventbrite	After-hours event during SXSW for founders, investors, and ecosystem builders from Germany and Austin to connect in a relaxed atmosphere.
Mar 13, 09:00AM	SXSW Pitch 2026	Austin Convention Center	Other
Mar 13, 09:00AM	Texas AI House	Antler VC	Luma
Mar 13, 09:00AM	Texas AI House	Antler VC	Luma	Full day of AI insights, panels, and networking with leading AI researchers and builders during SXSW.
Mar 13, 10:00AM	TikTok House - SXSW Austin	TikTok Austin	Eventbrite	TikTok House - SXSW Austin - AI Startup, Angel, Early Stage Investor, & Creator Networking. Program details TBD.
Mar 13, 10:30AM	German Startup Showcase: Technology for a Better Life: Health & Empowerment	Speakeasy	Eventbrite	Showcase of German startups redefining health tech and empowerment with AI-driven therapies and inclusive digital solutions.
Mar 13, 12:00PM	THE LIGHT HOUSE 2026: Love is our LLM	The Belmont	Eventbrite	Day-long SXSW event featuring lightning talks and discussions on building a responsible AI ecosystem.
Mar 13, 02:30PM	SXSW Physical AI and Robotics Showcase	UT Austin	Meetup	Workshop and startup showcase for Physical AI, PropTech, manufacturing, and supply chain innovations during SXSW.
Mar 13, 03:30PM	Physical AI Showcase: Robots, Agents, Superhuman, and Manufacturing	The University of Texas at Austin	Eventbrite	Afternoon showcase of embodied AI, robotics, and industrial transformation with keynotes, lightning pitches, demos, and networking at UT Austin.
Mar 13, 05:00PM	SXSW Unofficial: Open Austin presents @ EFF-Austin Interactive	The VORTEX	Eventbrite	A homage to SXSW Interactive (RIP): A positive spin around taking ownership over technology and for personal empowerment.
Mar 13, 07:00PM	SXSW Conference Speed Friending	The Pub - Triangle	Eventbrite	Low-pressure speed-friending for SXSW participants to form meaningful connections beyond panels and pitches.
Mar 14, 10:00AM	Space House @ SXSW 2026	201 E 5th St	Eventbrite	Fireside Chats, roundtables, talks, networking opportunities, speed dating, evening mixers, and more with industry leaders redefining what’s possible beyond Earth.
Mar 14, 12:00PM	SXSW Conference Speed Friending Pt. 2	The Pub - Triangle	Eventbrite	Guided speed-friending rounds for SXSW attendees in tech, creative, and startup communities, followed by open mingling.
Mar 14, 03:00PM	German Startup Showcase: MediaTech, Entertainment & Mobility	Speakeasy	Eventbrite	Showcase of German innovation in media tech, entertainment, and mobility with immersive formats and automotive tech.
Mar 14, 06:30PM	Flourish 2026	Etter-Harbin Alumni Center	Eventbrite	Benefitting the Future Women+ Leaders Fund: a fundraising gala and awards evening featuring dinner, networking, raffles, live auction, and dancing in support of scholarships for graduating seniors.
Mar 15, 03:00PM	Texas Real Estate Showcase @ SXSW	Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Texas Realty	Meetup	Networking and showcase for real estate, PropTech, and ConTech startups with investor pitches during SXSW.
Mar 16, 08:30AM	The Non-Obvious House @SXSW 2026	Secret Location near ACC	Eventbrite	An exclusive SXSW house event hosted by the Non-Obvious Company featuring VIP access, books, and networking at a secret downtown location.
Mar 16, 03:00PM	SXSW Real Estate Forum: PropTech, Construction, AI Showcase	Austin, TX	Eventbrite
Mar 16, 05:30PM	AI for Operations and Cybersecurity (Class 4)	BCL of Texas Austin HQ	Eventbrite	In-person class on AI applications for operations and cybersecurity as part of a free business technology training program.
Mar 17, 12:00PM	2026 Asia x Austin Summit	The Long Center for the Performing Arts	Eventbrite	Full-day SXSW event exploring bilateral business and tech opportunities between Asia and Central Texas with panels, pitches, and networking.
Mar 17, 12:00PM	SOUND PATTERNS Art Exhibition: SXSW Edition	506 Congress Avenue	Eventbrite	Pop-up art exhibition featuring Austin-area artists exploring hip hop, jazz, and martial arts themes with evening receptions.
Mar 18, 06:00PM	March AI x Edu Meetup	Capital Factory	Meetup	An AI and education networking meetup at Capital Factory for educators, practitioners, investors, and entrepreneurs.
Mar 18, 07:00PM	AI & Technology Pitch Night Austin	Higbie's	Eventbrite	A focused pitch night with live startup pitches, direct investor feedback, and time to meet relevant founders and peers.
Mar 18, 07:00PM	Startup & Tech Networking: Austin	Higbie's	Eventbrite	Pitch night with live startup pitches, direct investor feedback, and networking in a focused, intimate setting.
Mar 18, 07:00PM	Startups and Operators Pitch Night Austin	Higbie's Cocktail Bar	Eventbrite
Mar 18, 07:00PM	Founders & Investors Pitch Night Austin	Higbie's	Eventbrite	A focused pitch night with live startup pitches, direct investor feedback, and time to meet relevant founders and peers.

Maximize Your Networking

Going to these events is smart. But how you follow up? That's how you turn chats into real deals. Don't just collect business cards.

After each conversation, jot down notes. What did you talk about? What did you promise to do? This personal touch helps your follow-ups actually land. Tools like intrstn can make it easy to turn quick chats into solid connections.

Go to events that actually matter for your business. Be direct, offer value, and follow up fast. Your SXSW win depends on how you use every interaction.