By LAURA LOREK
Publisher of Silicon Hills News

South by Southwest is a place where startups launch and get major traction. That’s why it’s also home to many pitch events. Here’s the top seven for your consideration.

Release It Sessions 1 & 2
Release It at SXSW Interactive Festival is a place for startups to launch a product or service and a panel of judges picks the winner.
WHEN: Friday, March 9: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Hilton Austin Downtown, Salon D

SXSW Accelerator & Demo Day
The 2018 SXSW Accelerator Pitch Event features 50 startups from the U.S. and worldwide. They compete in 10 categories from March 9th to March 11th in the Hilton Salon AB. All 50 will be at the Demo Day on Monday, March 12.
WHEN: Monday, March 12: 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Hilton Austin Downtown, Salon C

Sound Ventures Presents: PerfectPitch
Sound Ventures, founded by Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary, is hosting PerfectPitch featuring five startups competing for $100,000. Judges include Matthew McConaughey, Marc Benioff, Melody McCloskey & Gary Vaynerchuk
WHEN: Saturday, March 10: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Hotel Van Zandt, 605 Davis St.

Hatch Pitch Competition
Four finalists will pitch at the Hatch Pitch event before a panel of community, corporate, angel and VC judges.
WHERE: Capital Factory
WHEN: Monday, March 12 at 9:30 a.m.

Food+City Pitch Competition: Food Systems Innovations, Sessions 1-3
The fourth annual Food+City Challenge Prize is an international competition among early-stage business startups encouraging innovation in the urban food system. Finalists addressing issues such a storage, distribution, packaging, waste, and more will compete for up to $50,000 in prizes.
WHEN: Tuesday, March 13: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Hilton Austin Downtown, Salon C

PitchTexas: Graduate Startup Pitch Competition
Student-led startups from across the United States will compete for cash prizes in front of a panel of judges.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 14: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Hilton Austin Downtown, Salon A

SXSW Gaming Pitch Competition Finals:
The pitch event features guest judges David Eddings (Rooster Teeth), Elizabeth Howard (Aspyr), Nigel Lowrie (Devolver Digital), and Jared Epicpower (Muxy). It will spotlight some of the most innovative ideas in gaming.
WHEN: Friday, March 16: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Austin Convention Center, Gaming Expo, Discovery Stage, Exhibit Hall 2