Out-of-State Pitch with CyberBuddy in Austin

I recently went to Austin, Texas to pitch CyberBuddy at the Midwest House x Maximize, which happened during SXSW—and wow, it was hectic. There were people everywhere. The energy in the city was wild, and it definitely added to my nerves.

This was my first time pitching outside my home state, and I won’t lie—it was scary. I didn’t know anyone there, and presenting something I’ve been working so hard on in front of strangers felt really intimidating. But I also knew it was a chance to grow and push myself.

Even though I didn’t win, I’m really glad I went. The judges asked some tough, thoughtful questions—stuff that made me realize where I could’ve been clearer or where I still need to do more research. It showed me what I need to work on and how to explain CyberBuddy better next time.

Honestly, the whole experience helped me learn a lot—not just about pitching, but about myself too. I left feeling more motivated and more confident in what I’m building.