Portland-based 3D-printed shoe company Hilos won Best In Show and the Innovative World Technologies award at the South by Southwest Pitch event this weekend in Austin, Texas.
“We're so excited to have gotten to represent the Portland startup scene at this year's South by Southwest. We were part of an incredible cohort of startups and are beyond honored to have been awarded the category winner and Best in Show. We couldn't have done it without our incredible team and partners,” CEO and co-founder Elias Stahl said.
Hilos is a sustainable footwear company headquartered in Old Town. Its shoes consist of 80% recycled materials that are 100% recyclable, and designed in three separately printed parts that fit together and can also be taken apart and repurposed, according to Stahl.
Each SXSW Pitch category winner received $4,000, two badges for next year's conference, a trophy and exposure to event attendees and potential investors. To date, 572 companies have participated in the event, with over 82% receiving funding and acquisitions reaching almost $14.5 billion.
"Now in our 14th year, Pitch continues to showcase the best technology from around the globe, with the highest tier of presenting companies in event history featured this weekend," said event producer Chris Valentine. "This year in particular, we have seen a significant increase in gender diversity in the tech sector, with close to 50% of the participating startups having at least one female founder. We can't wait to see what these game-changing companies accomplish in the future."
According to the event website, the Innovative World Technologies category is for any creative and innovative application, product, or service that does not fit in another SXSW Pitch category, such as immersive technology and health, wearables and well-being. This could include payments and financial technologies, blockchain, cannabis, sustainability, energy and more.
This was the first SXSW in-person event held since 2019.
