15 Powerhouse Speakers Fuel Fast Company Grill’s SXSW Return

Lean Thomas

The Fast Company Grill returns to SXSW in Austin
CREDITS: Wikimedia CC BY-SA 3.0

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The Fast Company Grill returns to SXSW in Austin

Iconic Voices Lead the Charge (Image Credits: Images.fastcompany.com)

Austin, Texas – Fast Company Grill marks its 13th year at South by Southwest with a dynamic blend of innovation talks, live entertainment, and networking from March 13 to 16.

Iconic Voices Lead the Charge

Ben Cohen, cofounder of Ben & Jerry’s, headlines a roster that draws leaders from tech, entertainment, and social impact.

The lineup features RJ Scaringe, founder and CEO of Rivian; Anthony Wood, CEO of Roku; and Prashanth Chandrasekar, CEO of Stack Overflow. Actors like John Stamos, chief innovation officer at Zeam, and Lana Condor alongside Maddie Ziegler from “Pretty Lethal” add star appeal. Other notables include Jen Zeszut, cofounder and CEO of Goodles; Elyse Cohen, chief impact officer at Rare Beauty; Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, cofounders of Phia; Andy Pearson, VP of creative at Liquid Death; Stef Strack, founder and CEO of Voice in Sport; David Lafitte, president and CEO of Tecovas; and Amy Webb, CEO of Future Today Strategy Group.

This diverse group promises conversations on business innovation, sustainability, and cultural shifts.

Music and Mingling Take Center Stage

Happy hours at the Cedar Door Patio Bar & Grill will feature emerging talents such as Aiden Ross, winner of The Voice Season 28, and Maurice the Music, a former American Idol contestant.

Latin R&B artist Henao and Josh Abbott of the Texas band Josh Abbott Band round out the performances. Attendees can enjoy food, drinks, activations, raffles, and exclusive parties amid the downtown Austin vibe. The setup fosters connections in a relaxed yet electric atmosphere.

Fresh Partnership Spotlights Impact

For the first time, Fast Company teams up with Texas A&M University for “In Good Company” on March 16.

The day honors businesses driving major change in their fields. Across the street at Fareground Austin’s parking lot, Secret Walls enables an interactive art project. Participants collaborate with a muralist on a design for a mobile clinic operated by BUILD, a Texas A&M student group aiding underserved communities.

Premium Access Unlocks VIP Experiences

Fast Company premium subscribers gain fast-tracked entry, specialty cocktails, and raffle chances for prizes from Dagne Dover, SharkNinja, Homecourt, and Tecovas.

On March 15, they can attend a Tecovas afterparty at the brand’s South Congress store. The event offers cocktails, live music by country singer Cory Cross, custom iron branding, hat shaping, and in-store discounts. Spots fill quickly, so early sign-up is essential via the event page.

General registration opens at the Fast Company Grill site. Premium subscriptions also provide entry perks; details appear at fastcompany.com/subscribe.

Key Takeaways:

  • 13th annual event packs speakers, music, and networking into four days.
  • New Texas A&M tie-in celebrates impactful companies and community art.
  • Premium perks include raffles, fast access, and a branded afterparty.

The Fast Company Grill stands out at SXSW by merging high-profile insights with hands-on fun, drawing crowds eager for inspiration. What excites you most about the lineup? Share in the comments.

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