Aga Manhao MBA (Finance)’s Post

SXSW 2024: My Final Thoughts As the annual convergence of tech titans, luminous creatives, and entrepreneurial visionaries, SXSW is a truly singular experience. While panels were ablaze with heated AI debates and major players like ICON made groundbreaking future-defining announcements, my own SXSW odyssey was a beautiful cacophony occupying the sweet spot between ambition and Austin's unshakeable charm. From the moment I landed in the Lone Star state, I was swept up in a whirlwind of unexpected adventures and serendipitous connections. SXSW is a choose-your-own-adventure playground, where one minute you're sipping free-flowing Tanglin gin cocktails with investors at an exclusive rooftop mixer, and the next you're getting gloriously derailed by a happenstance tip about an electrifying UT basketball game. The hustle was constant, and the highs were plentiful. Nothing quite compared to the adrenaline of pitching on SXSW's biggest stage in front of a mammoth audience. Taming those harsh lights to deliver a tight 2.5 minute world-rocking pitch was one of the most terrifying yet empowering experiences of my entrepreneurial career. Fueled by countless tanks of top-tier Flat Whites from local heroes like Revolución Coffee, I pinballed between mind-expanding panels, star-studded networking bashes, and those iconic "you had to be there" moments that exemplify SXSW at its core. One minute I was bonding over shots of tequila with a big-time record label rep haunting Austin for new talent, and the next I was cackling with strangers-turned-amigos over early breakfast tacos from a legendary food truck. SXSW is the ultimate collision of creativity and commerce. Beneath the buzzy product launches and AI feuding lies an infectious energy that draws in movie buffs, musicians, investors, tech giants and craft beer enthusiasts alike. It's where Facebook and Twittercement their meteoric rises, but it's also where you stumble upon a quirky DJ-taco truck-pickleball mashup event that leaves you questioning reality in the most delightful way possible. While panel discussions raged about AI's implications, my own SXSW experience restored my faith in the soul of innovation. Yes, this iconic Austin festival launchpads bold new ideas capable of reshaping humanity. But it's also an electrifying celebration of ambition, spontaneity, and human connectivity amidst the intoxicating Austin atmosphere. I arrived in Austin with a startup dream and audacious goals, and after a week of immersion in SXSW's unrelenting hustle, I departed with tangible business prospects and individual memories richer than any panel could provide. SXSW reignited my entrepreneurial passion with a dose of much-needed chaos and camaraderie. The magic may have momentarily dimmed, but this tribe of creatives, techies, and craft beer aficionados will reconvene soon enough to spark the next round of industry-shaking innovation underscored by distinctive Austin flair. #sxsw2024 #austin

All good things must some to an end. What a phenomenal way to bring the curtain down on this wild SXSW ride! After a week of absolute hustle and immersion in Austin's entrepreneurial madness, Enterprise Singapore and ACE treated us to a true Singaporean showcase. The Singapore Demo Day brought our delegation into the spotlight with an intimate, swanky soiree designed to pamper the pitchers. Sipping on Singapore's signature Tanglin Gin while rubbing elbows with potential investors, partners and new amigos? Now this is my kind of networking! The vibe was equal parts laidback and electric, allowing everyone to take a well-deserved exhale after our respective SXSW marathons. Was it the boozy Tanglin courage or just that contagious end-of-festival glow? Either way, the atmosphere crackled with opportunistic energy. Perhaps it was the smaller setting, or maybe it was being the undisputed guest of honor, but this felt like the most engaged and meaningful networking of the entire week. Suddenly, everyone wanted a slice of the Singapore startup magic! I was swapping cards and dishing out elevator pitches between gin tops ups like a giddy kid uncovering the shiny new tech scene in their own backyard.  Multiple interested parties and Austin locals expressed keen interest in collaborating, sharing invaluable insights on launching our businesses stateside. You could practically smell the deal-making happening in real-time over plates of delectable Singaporean bites. Talk about ending SXSW on a high note! While the past 7 days offered no shortage of standout moments, this event will forever shine as the brightest memory. Enterprise Singapore and ACE masterfully packaged and presented our delegation to the SXSW world, generating tangible buzz and opportunities sure to reap dividends in Austin and beyond. As I sipped the last few drops of my Tanglin cocktail, surrounded by new friends and potential partners, I knew this wasn't just the closing bell for SXSW. This entire nacho-fueled, craft beer-soaked, pitch-frenzied experience was simply the opening salvo in our mission to conquer the US market. The real adventure is just getting started...and I can't wait! #sxsw2024 #austintx #newchapter

Showtime, baby! Day 6 After days of schmoozing, boozing, and barely snoozing, it was finally time to get down to the real million-dollar business pitch at SXSW. The morning kicked off with some insightful meetings about plugging into Austin's booming startup ecosystem and who's who in supporting new ventures. Absorbing all those helpful resources was critical brain fuel before the main event - pitching in front of a whopping 400 people, including investors, entrepreneurs and assorted Austin tech scenesters. Yes, you read that right. Little ol' me was about to take the SXSW main stage to rep my startup alongside founders from Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand in a rapid-fire pitchapalooza. With only 2.5 minutes and no time for questions, the pressure was cranked up to an 11! I'd been manically rehearsing and fine-tuning that deck for days, scrambling to implement all the seasoned pitchmasters' feedback. Breathing exercises, power poses, the whole nine yards. But when you're staring down a vegas-sized audience in the beating heart of SXSW, even the best prep work doesn't fully brace you for those harsh stage lights. In a flash, my moment arrived. Striding up to that mega-watt podium, I could feel my clammy palms and hear my heart jackhammering in my ears. The crowd's murmurs faded to silence as I locked eyes with the front row...and then I was off to the races, words tumbling out with all the frenetic energy and bravado I could muster. Those 2.5 minutes were equal parts terrifying and electrifying. At one point, I'm pretty sure I started channeling a demonic football coach with how intensely I was projecting and pacing that stage. But you know what? I FREAKING DID IT! Pitched my little heart out on one of the biggest stages SXSW has to offer. As I rejoined the normies, gulping down water and cooling off my flop sweat, it hit me: I can now legitimately slap "SXSW Speaker" onto my resume and bio. A modest achievement, sure, but one that felt monumental in that buzzy moment. For any founders reading this with a chance to pitch SXSW, I can't recommend the experience enough. If you can tame those big lights, you can pretty much pitch anywhere! As for what's next? Well, I may have celebrated a bit too hard at the afterparty and woken up in Utah still wearing my pitching outfit...but hey, no risk no reward, am I right? On to the next SXSW escapade! #pitchingatSXSW #asiaxaustin #sharktank

Rubbing eyes and yawning. What a luxuriously slow start to day 5 here at SXSW! After that late night at Inn Cahoots, siestas were an absolute necessity. The SXSW vibe fully embraces going with the flow, so I decided to lean into it. A little extra beauty sleep never hurt anyone trying to marathon through this wild festival. Eventually, I rolled out of bed and straight into an informative meeting with some Austin lawyers about setting up shop in the Lone Star State. Definitely some solid tips, but admittedly my mind started drifting to visions of breakfast tacos after a few too many legalese terms were thrown around. The afternoon was spent finessing our billion-dollar pitch ideas with some other founders. Trying to condense world-changing innovations into snappy soundbites is one entrepreneurial struggle I won't miss! Though I suppose if any group can spin startup magic, it's the motley crew here at SXSW. Finally, the day took a turn for the exponentially better when we scored an invite to a swanky rooftop Korean mixer across town at the Fairmont Hotel. This view and vibe were absolutely amazing. I even managed to randomly met a record label rep searching for the next big act, some additional tequila drinks flowed and more networking than the Telecommunications panel. A few rounds of drinking and sharing stories led to a borderline spiritual tequila bonding experience with our new international friends. We shuttered the rooftop down proper with hysterical laughter, bad singing, and exchanging ALLLLLL the Instagram follows before moving back to another night's extravaganza at Inn Cahoots for...you guessed it, another epic mixer night! New pals, old pals, losing track of conversational threads - just a typical SXSW evening around here. It seems that with all the excitement I forgot to eat, I knew the only cure would be finding that taco truck from day 1...because nothing quite hits like a late-night breakfast tacos with strangers-turned-amigos in the heart of Austin! #sxsw2024 #inncahoots #austin

Wow, day 4 at SXSW was an absolute whirlwind! Here's a recap of your action-packed experience: It kicked off bright and early with a delightfully quirky networking event called South X Sunday, featuring pickleball, a DJ, and a taco van - how could anyone resist that combo, especially on a Sunday? The movie and music crowd brought a refreshing change of pace from all the tech folk. The vibes were immaculate with great tunes and even better tacos fueling the fun. Then it was off to a ranch event...which unfortunately did not live up to the Yellowstone-level ranch vibe you were hoping for. One of the things I read before attending SXSW was, not all events are created equal and don't be shy in leaving early to catch something that might be better (great advice to any newbie). Lots of VCs and startups networking, but the BBQ factor was seriously lacking. Pro tip: always prioritize the taco stops over ranch visits! Luckily, I had to make a quick exit to volunteer at a massive mixer called the "Secret Garden Party" at Inn Cahoots held by Andrew Yeung with over 1,000 attendees from across the globe. Now THIS was electric! Volunteering allowed me to dive head-first into the international SXSW magic. The energy was unmatched as you connected with incredible people from every corner of the world. Familiar faces from earlier made it even more welcoming. These large-scale mingler events are definitely a SXSW must. They capture the uninhibited excitement and real opportunity to form meaningful connections beyond your usual circles. I left the night still riding that electrifying high! While I sadly missed a breakfast event the next day, I feel I maximized every other minute of this jam-packed day. SXSW requires marathon-level stamina to soak up all the diverse happenings. With magical meetups like these, it's all worth the hustle! On to the next adventure... #sxsw2024 #inncahoots #techmixer

Serendipitous day 3 at SXSW: Day 3 at SXSW was a perfect example of the free-wheeling, serendipitous nature of this event. After a lazy start to the day, I made my way to my usual morning haunt, Revolución Coffee for some fuel. While waiting for my caffeine fix, I overheard two guys chatting about a local basketball game between the University of Texas and Alabama that sounded intriguing. In typical SXSW spontaneity, I didn't even hesitate - I bought a ticket and headed straight to the University of Texas. Oh. My. Goodness. This stadium is legitimately world-class and could easily pass for an NBA arena. It's mind-blowing to think these are just college kids, averaging around 20 years old, who get to play in front of 15,000+ screaming fans every game! As an outsider, it really made me wonder what it must be like for these student-athletes if they don't make it to the big leagues after being surrounded by such elite facilities and fandom for four years. To go from that level of intensity and professional atmosphere to...normal life? Massive adjustment. Anyway, I'm getting sidetracked - the game itself was an absolute thriller! The energy and passion from both teams and their fans was electrifying. And the UT campus? Utterly gorgeous grounds that make me want to re-enroll just to soak up more of that collegiate spirit. This whirlwind experience encapsulates why I love SXSW. You can be going about your day as planned, but then get gloriously derailed by a chance encounter that zips you to the other side of town for a whole new adventure. The calculated chaos and serendipity is what makes this festival a sunny 10/10 experience so far. Buckle up, there's still more spontaneity ahead! #letsgolonghorns #universityoftexas #UT #austin

So first of all, my apologies as this post is of day 2 is a week late. You see, I had no idea of how each day was going to be packed with events, eating BBQ, and meeting new people, and how do you plan for serendipity? So here is my Day 2 (better late than never, they say) Day 2 at SXSW started with the local business community rolling out the red carpet, touting Austin as the place to be for startups and entrepreneurs. Just as I was getting lulled into that entrepreneurial spirit, the true chaos of SXSW descended. A pub crawl clashed with an event for international founders, leaving me dizzy trying to decide which path to take. The overwhelming amount of activities is certainly part of the SXSW experience as a newcomer. However, the clear highlight was scoring an invite to a private party called "Better Together" party hosted by some major VCs, PEs, actors, and musicians. I was blown away to see these power players so passionate about collectively making a positive impact on the world. The younger VCs especially seemed to have a refreshingly different outlook on investing - it's not just about profits but driving meaningful change. Engaging with these brilliant minds giving me renewed hope for the future of business as a force for good. Between the fantastic food, flowing wine, and enlightening conversations, it was a night to remember. I've heard whispers of the legendary SXSW private parties, but to actually experience one first-hand was magical. For newbies, scoring an invite to these exclusive off-shoot events is a must, as they offer a unique glimpse into the core spirit of SXSW that the main attractions can't quite capture. With a few more of these under my belt, I'll have the full SXSW experience unlocked! Bring on the rest of this iconic week in Austin. #makingadifference #sxsw2024 #austintech

Day 1. SXSW Austin Tx So after a grueling 18+ hour flight with layovers that felt longer than the Lord of the Rings trilogy, I've finally made it to Austin for SXSW! But the true accomplishment this morning was finding the local coffee shop Revolución Coffee that serves up liquid gold strong enough to revive even the weariest of road warriors. While the tech talks and networking events are great, we all know the real reason we attend these conferences is to hunt down that perfect caffeinated oasis to fuel our hustle. And let me tell you, this place has baristas that could give Gandalf a run for his money with their wizardry behind the espresso machine.  So for all you fellow coffee connoisseurs out there, let Revolución Coffee be your beacon of hope amidst the SXSW madness. Great coffee exists in Austin, and this nomad has found his port in the storm. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a Flat White calling my name. #sxsw2024 #austintx #techandcoffee