• Semi-finalists include start-ups who have developed the world’s first dexterous robot
  designed to conduct brain surgery, dissolvable breast implants, and sustainable selfhealing concrete.
• The semi-finalists will pitch their business to judges live on the SXSW London stage for
  the chance to win up to £100,000 and bespoke support for their business
• Also announced is a Start Up Village at SXSW London which will serve as the home for
  early-stage businesses and entrepreneurs with partners including Tech Stars, Hot Bed
  Ventures, the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme and Start Global

London, 13 May 2025: South by Southwest®
(SXSW®) London today announces the semi-finalists for its international Venture Spotlight competition for early-stage startups across life science, biotech, deep tech and creative tech.
The shortlist includes start-ups who have developed game-changing innovations including self healing concrete to improve the lifespan and cut carbon emissions of infrastructure, dissolvable breast implants that allow natural tissue regeneration after a mastectomy, and the world’s first dexterous robot designed for minimally invasive neurosurgery.
The announcement comes as SXSW London reveals it will be hosting a Start Up Village during the European debut taking place between 2nd– 7th June 2025, which will serve as the home for early-stage businesses and entrepreneurs. Partners will include Tech Stars, Hot Bed Ventures, the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme and Start Global.
These announcements reflect the inspiration for the inaugural SXSW London, and its core commitments to celebrating and uncovering future-facing innovations across Europe. These 20 successful start-ups from across Europe will come together and compete head-to head at the SXSW London debut on 3rd and 4th June at the Truman Brewery stage, presenting a three-minute pitch on their business to an audience of angels, investors and media.
The five successful finalists will go on to pitch on 5th June on the main stage, for a chance to win
prizes of up to £100,000 along with support for their business. Early stage companies will be judged by SXSW London’s diverse range of advisors, consisting of world-leading investors, entrepreneurs and industry experts across life sciences, deep tech and creative tech. Judges include leading tech investors and investment managers from Google Deepmind, Johnson & Johnson Ventures, General Catalyst and Antler. Anouska D’Abo, Head of Strategic Projects, SXSW London said: “SXSW London centres on celebrating and inspiring future facing innovation and creativity, which is the core of the SXSW ethos. Launching the Start Up Village and Venture Spotlight Competition in London, a beacon for innovation and entrepreneurship, exemplifies this ethos, highlighting the unique innovations driven by startups across Europe and helping the best ideas get the recognition they deserve.”
The competition is aimed at businesses that are affiliated with a university, are founded in 2020
or later, and that have raised £350,000.