DETROIT, MI — January 15, 2026 — Ecosphere Organics, a Detroit-based sustainable materials company, has been announced as an Alternate in the Sustainability, AgTech & Food category for the 18th annual SXSW Pitch.
SXSW Pitch is the marquee event of South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference & Festivals (March 12 – 18, 2026), where leading startups from around the world showcase some of the most impressive technology innovations to a panel of hand-picked judges and a live audience. Out of the 589 companies that applied to present at SXSW Pitch 2026, Ecosphere Organics was selected as one of a small group of alternates, recognized as a top contender in its category.
The two-day event will be held the first weekend of SXSW Conference & Festivals, Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14, at JW Marriott in Austin. The event will then culminate with the 2026 SXSW Pitch Awards Ceremony on Saturday evening, March 14, where winning startups from each category and a Best in Show winner will be announced and honored in rooms F-H on the third floor of the Marriott.
SXSW Pitch will feature finalists across the following nine categories: Enterprise and Future of Work; Entertainment, Media, Sports & Creator Content; Healthcare, AssistiveTech & BioTech; Innovative World Tech; Intelligent Systems, Robotics & Multisensory Technology; Smart Cities, Transportation, Manufacturing & Logistics; Smart Data, Security & FinTech; Student Startups; Sustainability, AgTech & Food.
“SXSW Pitch has been supporting and elevating the global startup community since its inception in 2009.
Over the last 18 years, SXSW Pitch has sought to provide the necessary resources and exposure to help start-ups succeed and thrive as they navigate the early-stage venture ecosystem,” said SXSW Pitch Event Producer Chris Valentine. “The 45 companies selected as 2026 finalists constitute the next wave of innovation across the globe. We look forward to seeing these startups take the stage in March to present their new technologies to our panel of expert judges.”
Ecosphere Organics converts pre-consumer food and agricultural by-products into manufacturing-ready, bio-based materials. Through modular processing systems, the company produces bioplastic sheets, pigments, and material intermediates that help manufacturers reduce material risk, localize supply chains, and advance circular production.
As an SXSW Pitch Alternate, Ecosphere Organics will participate in official Pitch programming, coaching, and events, and will be prepared to present on stage should a finalist slot become available.
“Being selected by SXSW Pitch is a meaningful validation of the work we’re doing to connect discarded organic by-products to manufacturing supply chains,” said Brittanie Dabney, Founder and CEO of Ecosphere Organics. “We’re excited to be part of this amazing community and to represent circular materials innovation.”
For more information about SXSW Pitch and to view the complete list of finalists, visit: https://www.sxsw.com/pitch.
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About Ecosphere Organics
Ecosphere Organics is a Detroit-based sustainable materials company transforming pre-consumer food waste into domestically sourced, manufacturing-ready bio-based materials. Through modular processing systems, the company supplies materials that support resilient, circular supply chains across packaging, textiles, and consumer goods.
Ecosphere Organics collaborates with food producers, processors, restaurants, designers, and manufacturers to validate materials through paid pilots and small-batch production, with pathways to scale. Its approach prioritizes material performance, traceability, and consistency, enabling partners to evaluate and adopt circular materials with confidence.
Founded in 2024, Ecosphere Organics is led by Founder and CEO Brittanie Dabney and is based at Newlab at Michigan Central in Detroit, with active partnerships across the Midwest.
About SXSW
SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is known worldwide for conferences and festivals that celebrate the convergence of technology, film and television, music, education, comedy and culture. The annual event serves global professionals through sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and networking that consistently generates unexpected discoveries when diverse communities come together. SXSW 2026 runs March 12-18 in downtown Austin, preceded by SXSW EDU March 9-12. Learn more at sxsw.com.
SXSW’s expansion into the Asia Pacific region, with SXSW Sydney starting in 2023 and Europe with SXSW London in 2025, provides new possibilities at this iconic experience. These events, each with their own distinct flavor, make South By an indispensable three-stop tour for the global creative community.
SXSW 2026 Driven by Rivian.
Media Contact:
Brittanie Dabney
Founder & CEO, Ecosphere Organics
info@ecosphereorganics.com
**Note: for on-site contact information, please email at the above address