SXSW Accelerator - we won!

Absolutely thrilled to share this news today: Alice and Jo rounded out their trip to SXSW by delivering the winning pitch in the 2013 SXSW Accelerator‘s Entertainment & Gaming category!

We’re beyond pleased, and so grateful to all the awesome folks at SXSW. A massive THANK YOU too to everyone who cheered us on there or watched the live stream and tweeted happy messages. You guys are so great, and your support means everything to us. <3

We’re added a few pics from the awards ceremony into our SXSW set on flickr.

Roll on press release:

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For immediate release

MakieLab honoured at SXSW 5th Annual Accelerator
Competition
London-based 3D printed toy company takes top prize in the Entertainment and Gaming Technologies category

LONDON – 13 MARCH 2013 – MakieLab, producer of Makies™, the world’s first customisable and poseable 3D-printed doll, was awarded first prize in the Entertainment and Gaming category at the 5th annual SXSW Accelerator competition final, held last night in Austin, TX.

Following a live pitch by MakieLab’s CEO, Alice Taylor, the Shoreditch-based start-up joined the winners’ circle from what judges agreed was an extremely strong field in this year’s competition, which highlights companies with fresh ideas, strong creative vision and exceptional business potential. Over 500 total submissions were received for the 2013 SXSW Accelerator, culminating in awards for seven of the web’s most exciting new innovations across Web, Mobile, Social, Entertainment/Gaming, News, Health and Music categories.

“We are delighted, humbled and grateful to the wonderful people of SXSW for this award,” said Taylor. “We’ve had the most amazing five days here, and this finale is the icing on the cake. It seems to be the year of 3D printing: Bre Pettis keynoting, Bruce Sterling wearing a 3D-printed Bruce Sterling around his neck… it’s fantastic, and we’re very much enjoying being part of this movement!”

Over 20,000 unique digital Makies have been created at www.makie.me. In February, Makies became the world’s first 3D-printed toy to earn the CE mark, certifying them as safe for kids aged 3 and up. Makies Doll Factory, MakieLab’s free build-a-doll app for iPad, was released earlier this month and is available now in the App Store.

A complete list of SXSW Interactive Accelerator finalists and winners can be found at http://sxsw.com/interactive/startupvillage/accelerator. To learn more about MakieLab and Makies, please visit www.makie.me or www.makielab.com.

About MakieLab

MakieLab is a London-based company making internet-connected customisable playthings. Formed in 2011, MakieLab has created technology to create physical toys from digital game objects, starting with avatars. Its first product, Makies™, is a world-first: a customisable 3D-printed action figure, CE-marked and EU-certified safe for kids aged 3+.

Future products include a full mobile game, tracking for early summer, and further expansion of Makies toys, customisation options, and accessories throughout the year. MakieLab’s second toy-game product, targeted at the boys 8+ market, is currently in development with partners.

Martha Lane Fox is the Chair of MakieLab.

www.makielab.com
@makielab

About SXSW Interactive
The 20th annual SXSW Interactive Festival takes place March 8-12, 2013 in Austin, Texas. An incubator of cutting-edge technologies and digital creativity, the event features five days of compelling presentations from the brightest minds in emerging technology, scores of exciting networking events hosted by industry leaders and an unbeatable line-up of special programs showcasing the best new websites, video games and startup ideas the community has to offer.  From hands-on training to big-picture analysis of the future, SXSW Interactive has become the place to experience a preview of what is unfolding in the world of technology.

SXSW Interactive 2013 is sponsored by Miller Lite, Monster Energy, Esurance, IFC, Yahoo!, American Express, PepsiCo, Pepsi, Freecreditscore.com, Chevrolet, American Airlines, Oreo, AT&T and The Austin Chronicle.

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