The Startup Hour(tm) Begins Filming First Week of Pitches On March 14th and 15th At SXSW In Austin, TX

    NEW YORK, NY, March 02, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Startup Hour(tm), the new business-themed reality program that encourages everyday TV viewers to watch entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas -- and then invest in them from the comfort of their living room, will begin their first round of filming at SXSW in Austin, TX on March 14th and 15th. There, savvy and creative startup companies are set to gather at the WeWork Congress building at 600 Congress Avenue between the hours of 10:00 AM -4:00 PM to pitch their ideas and become part of television history.

WeWork Congress in Austin is the first WeWork space to be opened in Texas and is unique because it enables members to lease common area spaces, labs or offices. The company has over 23 locations in six U.S. cities and has a net worth of 5 billion dollars.

After The Startup Hour's initial shoot dates in Austin, the team will travel to seven other states to film interested startups' pitches around the country. Entrepreneurs based in the U.S., and investors worldwide, can sign up at TheStartupHour.com.

Unlike Shark Tank, where the judges decide which companies receive funding, The Startup Hour's viewers interact and become part of the show in dynamic new ways including mobile text investing and voting, crowdfunding campaigns and staying engaged with the companies. The show utilizes new technology that helps both startups and investors navigate the necessary documents and compliances.

Registered and accredited viewers will be able to make equity investments in startups, and all viewers will have access to additional second and third screen content including: projections, Excel spreadsheets, valuations, interviews, press and other information during and after the show on their mobile devices, tablets and PC's.

Executive Producer Jonathan Block adds, "SXSW is a natural fit for us to introduce this new television and mobile technology format to an audience that appreciates new developments in pop culture. I've had and continue to have an incredible ride in the music business, so we're looking forward to launching The Startup Hour(tm) at the festival where so many genre-changing musical trends and ground breaking acts have been born."

The Startup Hour(tm) will visit the following cities to film startup pitches:

March 14-15, South by Southwest Interactive Festival, Austin, TX
March 17, Kansas City, MO
March 19, Boston, MA
March 21, Pittsburgh, PA
March 23-24, New York City, NY
March 26, Orlando, FL
March 28, San Francisco, CA
March 29, Sacramento, CA

ABOUT THE STARTUP HOUR(tm)
The Startup Hour(tm) is making television history by allowing viewers to own a stake in the startup ideas pitched on television. A new patent-pending technology, called Textinvesting(tm) , enables viewers to use their mobile phone to crowdinvest from their couch as they view the pitch on TV, the web or their mobile device. The format introduces an emerging startup culture full of dynamic personalities and drama to a broader public. The reality of entrepreneurship is highlighted, and viewers are entertained and educated as they see the process, jump in and take action. A potential new investor is now a click away. http://www.TheStartupHour.com

Media Contact: Deborah Radel or Jenna Roy at DRPR, (310) 360-3997 [email protected].

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