SmartTab Shines a Light on Novel Drug Delivery at SXSW Pitch 2022

SmartTab was selected as a finalist in the Health, Wearables & Wellbeing category for the 14th annual SXSW Pitch.

Group photo of all the 2022 finalists during the award ceremony.

The team arrived in Austin on March 11th, kicking off with rehearsals for the big pitch that took place the following day. Robert Niichel, Founder and CEO of SmartTab presented to a live audience of investors, strategic partners and conference attendees. Sacha Francois Heppell, Chief Marketing Officer of SmartTab controlled the slides while Robert took the stage and charismatically shared about the InjectTab™ oral biologic delivery capsule. The presentation was three minutes and included a six-minute Q+A interaction with the judges. 

The judges included industry moguls like Stacy Feld (Johnson & Johnson), Lance Armstrong (Next Ventures), and more. Each judge had an opportunity to ask questions during the Q+A. This year’s event featured 45 of the most innovative and cutting-edge technology companies competing in nine categories before panels of industry experts, high-profile media professionals, and representatives from the Venture Capitalist and Angel communities.

SmartTab team getting ready to pitch at SXSW 2022.

The global conference and festivals celebrate the convergence of tech, film, music, education, and culture. SXSW Pitch is the marquee event of South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference & Festivals Startups Track, where leading startups from around the world showcase some of the most impressive technology innovations.

Out of the 655 companies that applied to present at SXSW Pitch 2022, SmartTab was selected among the 45 finalists.

Recap video of SmartTab at SXSW 2022.

“We were thrilled to be present at SXSW and honored to be the only Colorado startup selected for the Pitch. This is a win for people with chronic health conditions and the future of patient-centered drug delivery systems.”

—Robert Niichel, Founder & CEO, SmartTab

Robert Niichel, CEO of SmartTab at the Inc. Founders lounge.

Following the SXSW Pitch, Robert Niichel headed to the Inc. Magazine Founders lounge to meet and network with the editors of the magazine and fellow founders. Robert is a successful founder who often shares advice to other founders on fundraising, leadership, and business growth. The Inc. Founders house included educational sessions and networking events for founders only. 

Interview on Founders Suite "Teddy Talks" about fundraising. 

Robert Niichel, CEO of SmartTab was interviewed during the event for a founders-focused tv series sharing fundraising advice. Robert was interviewed for the famous "Teddy" Talks that travel the world interviewing founders sharing their best advice. The interview took place on the rooftop with the downtown Austin skyline in the backdrop. 

Following the interview, it was now time for the awards ceremony, which was hosted by Mandela Schumacher-Hodge Dixon, Founder and CEO of Founder Gym, and Clyde Hutchinson, General Partner of Team ABC, a global venture capital firm. Sonavi Labs was the winner of the Health, Wellbeing & Wearables category, the company uses AI to create a telehealth system to improve patient outcomes by diagnosing and remotely managing respiratory diseases. SmartTab was proud to be a finalist in this years' competition, congratulations to all the winners, participants, and judges from the SXSW Pitch.

According to SXSW, previous pitch finalists from 2009 to 2021 have proven to be successful in the global startup ecosystem:

• 82% received funding
• Some received in excess of almost $14.5 billion in funding
• 17% were acquired by companies such as Google, British Telecom, Huffington Post, Apple, Live Nation, OpenTable, Constant Contact, and Harmon

Meet the finalists demo day, Robert Niichel, CEO of SmartTab showcases InjectTab™ prototype.  

The following day was the "Meet the Finalists Demo Day." This was an opportunity to meet one-on-one with the 45 finalists. For SXSW attendees, tech investors, influencers and media, this event was the perfect time to discover what innovative companies are creating in new technology that will change the world. SmartTab showcased prototypes and made excellent connections during the day.

Ultimately, the SXSW Pitch and Conference was a great opportunity to meet new strategic partners and spread the word about the novel drug delivery technology SmartTab is pioneering. As InjectTab™ moves further down the road to commercialization more and more people are taking note of this technology and the difference it can make in patients' lives. 

“SmartTab has taken what some may call a distant dream to a reality. We are giving everyone an opportunity to invest and hold a stake in this transformation.”

—Robert Niichel, Chief Executive Officer, SmartTab

Learn more about SmartTab's StartEngine Equity Crowdfunding Campaign.