SXSW rebounds as a top networking, ideas festival for founders and VCs

SXSW marked its 40th anniversary with a shorter, more decentralized festival across downtown Austin.

Organizers introduced Clubhouses that drew about 5,000 people daily and a new track-based badging system.

The festival added a reservation system and priced the all-in-one premium badge at about $2,000 while lowering platinum fees.