PropTech Startup Showdown at SXSW Terms and Conditions

Thank you for your interest in the PropTech Startup Showdown at SXSW organized by the National Association of REALTORS® (“NAR”) and Realtor.com (“RDC”) (NAR together with RDC “Organizers”). Organizers will select a limited number of companies to compete live as Startup Showdown contestants in front of the PropTech Startup Showdown at SXSW attendees (agents, brokers, VCs, tech gurus, and more) and Startup Showdown judges for the Startup Showdown which will take place at the) Realtor.com office in Austin, TX March 13, 2026. One (1) contestant will be selected as the Startup Showdown winner.

BY APPLYING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STARTUP SHOWDOWN, PARTICIPATING OR ATTEMPTING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STARTUP SHOWDOWN AND/OR USING THE STARTUP SHOWDOWN AND/OR STARTUP SHOWDOWN SITE (“Site”), YOU (“You” or “contestant”) AGREE TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS ARE A LEGALLY BINDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU AND the Organizers WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPTECH STARTUP SHOWDOWN AT SXSW AND THE SITE. The Organizers have the right to modify these Terms and Conditions at any time, which modification will be effective immediately upon posting. Accordingly, the Organizers recommend that You check this page periodically. To make Your periodic review more convenient, Organizers will post the last effective date for these Terms and Conditions at the bottom of this page.

What is the PropTech Startup Showdown?

The premise is simple: each Startup Showdown contestant makes a pitch on how the contestant’s tech product or service can improve the real estate industry; residential or commercial. Contestants will be given four (4) minutes to make their pitch and will then answer questions from the Startup Showdown judges. Once each contestant has gone through this process, the Startup Showdown judges will select one (1) winner from all the contestants.

Dates and Times of the Startup Showdown

The PropTech Startup Showdown event begins Friday, March 13, 2026 , at 1:00 PM through 3:00 PM Central Time. However, please note that certain Startup Showdown activities must take place only during certain times as indicated in the schedule. The schedule (“Schedule”) below is incorporated into these Terms and Conditions and can be found below (but is subject to adjustment by the Organizers). Contestants must complete any required deadlines in order to be eligible to participate in the Startup Showdown.

Friday, January 23, 2026: Deadline to submit applications to participate in the Startup Showdown.

Friday, February 27, 2026: Deadline to complete a 30-minute coaching session, coordinated by NAR.

Friday, March 6, 2026: Deadline to complete a Finalist Draft Pitch via zoom with NAR.

Thursday, March 12, 2026, TBD (afternoon/evening) Local Time: Startup Showdown rehearsal onsite and walk the stage/setup (“Startup Showdown Prep”).

Friday, March 13, 2:00-3:30 PM, 2026, Local Time: Live Presentation of PropTech Startup Showdown, onsite at the Realtor.com® Office, 901 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702.

Friday, March 13, 2026, 3:30-4:30 pm: Networking and winner announced, onsite at the Realtor.com® Office (“Award Ceremony”).

Location of the Startup Showdown

The Startup Showdown will be a part of the SXSW Experience and held at the Realtor.com office at 901 E. 6th St. Austin, TX 78702. The Presenter from the contestant, as listed on the Application, must be physically present and able to participate in-person during the Startup Showdown Prep, Live Presentation, and Award Ceremony in order for the contestant to be eligible to win. Contestants and Presenters will not be able to participate virtually in the Startup Showdown.

Registration

If selected to be a Startup Showdown contestant, You will receive one (1) complimentary pass to attend the Startup Showdown for use by your representative/Presenter.

Travel, lodging and refreshments

If selected to be a Startup Showdown contestant, You are responsible for your own travel, transportation, and accommodation arrangements and for covering all associated costs and expenses in connection with the contestant’s and its presenter’s participation in the Startup Showdown and attendance of SXSW.

Hardware and Software

Contestants must only use the equipment provided by the Organizers for the Live Presentation.

Who is eligible to participate?

The presenter or representative for each contestant (“Presenter”) must:

be an adult at least 18 years old who is legally able to enter into a contract; and

be a lawful resident of the United States (for clarity, lawful resident does not mean You have to be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident in the United States—e.g., being in the U.S. and participating in the Startup Showdown subject to an appropriate visa is acceptable).

While companies who are past or current members of the NAR REACH program are eligible to participate in the Startup Showdown, their participation in the NAR REACH program will not be considered in the selection of the Startup Showdown contestants, in the judging of the contestant’s pitch or in the selection of the Startup Showdown winner.

How to Apply

To be eligible to compete in the Startup Showdown, a contestant must complete the application (“Application”) which can be found on the NAR Tech & Innovation website at:

https://tech.realtor/nar-tech-innovation-at-sxsw/

and indicate You agree to these Terms and Conditions. Applications are limited and are on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the Organizers have the right to end registration or limit the number of registrants or contestants at any time in the Organizers’ sole discretion.

Collection/Use of Contestant’s Information

As described in more detail below in these Terms and Conditions, the Organizers may require each contestant to provide additional information to confirm that the contestant is in compliance with these Terms and Conditions and/or (if applicable) are eligible to receive prizes. Contestant’s failure to provide such information within the requested timeframe may render a contestant to be ineligible. Please see the Organizer’s privacy policies for information about how each collect, use, and disclose information You provide:

NAR’s Privacy Policy (“NAR Privacy Policy”)
RDC’s Privacy Policy (“RDC Privacy Policy”)

The terms of the NAR Privacy Policy and RDC Privacy Policy are each incorporated by reference into these Terms and Conditions. The Organizers offer no guarantee of confidentiality, either explicitly or implicitly, in connection with any data, materials or information submitted, presented, discussed or pitched by an applicant and/or contestant. The Organizers, the Startup Showdown judges and SXSW attendees will not sign non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements in connection with your Application or participation in the Startup Showdown. You should not participate if you require a non-disclosure agreement.

You should confirm with Your appropriate advisors and/or legal counsel that any intellectual property described in Your application or in Your Startup Showdown pitch is legally held or licensed by You, is non-infringing and appropriately protected. You should be prepared to provide reasonable back-up documentation for appropriate documentation if requested by the Organizers.

By registering and applying to participate in the Startup Showdown, You agree to grant a license to NAR and RDC and the Startup Showdown judges to use Your data, materials, and information without restriction to conduct any reasonable due diligence for purposes of evaluating Your application, product and carrying out the Startup Showdown as described herein.

In addition, the Organizers will have the right to publicly post certain information about the selected Startup Showdown contestants, their pitches, their products and their Applications, including but not limited to Your name, category of business, and trademarks and logo, in the public areas such as on each of the Organizer’s websites, publications and other media.

How do You become eligible to win prizes?

In order to be eligible to compete for the Startup Showdown prizes, You must have completed an Application, be a selected contestant, participate in and attend all Startup Showdown related events set forth in the Schedule above. As described in more detail below in these Terms and Conditions, the Startup Showdown winner will be required to provide any requested proof of eligibility and to sign additional paperwork in order to be formally declared winners and to claim prizes.

Determination of Startup Showdown Winner

A panel of judges, selected by the Organizers, will judge and choose the winner based on the following criteria:

Definition of the Problem or Opportunity
Impact of Solution/Idea
Feasibility of Marketing and Implementing the Solution/Idea
Financial Analysis
Presentation Style

This criteria is subject to change, in the Organizers’ sole discretion.

Prizes

The Startup Showdown prizes are subject to and incorporated into these Terms and Conditions and can be found below. The prize listings may be supplemented or modified from time to time in NAR RDC’s sole discretion.

$5,000 (US Dollars);

An article feature about the Startup Showdown winner in REALTOR® Magazine Media digital publication(s);

An article feature about the Startup Showdown winner publicized on NAR and Tech & Innovation social media channels;

Opportunity to present the Startup Showdown prize check during the presentation ceremony to the winner of the PropTech Startup Showdown, at the discretion of the National Association of REALTORS®;

Opportunity to meet with an executive team member from Second Century Ventures/REACH; and

Opportunity to meet with an executive team member from Realtor.com; and

A Startup Showdown Trophy

Other rules and terms for the Proptech Startup Showdown

Contestants understand that their selection and participation in the Startup Showdown do not represent any approval, promotion or endorsement by NAR and/or RDC of contestants, their organization, products, services, statements or ideas. Contestants must not imply, suggest or make any representation of any approval or endorsement by NAR and/or RDC or association with NAR and/or RDC without its prior written consent.

Contestants may not: use, or incorporate into their Pitch any inappropriate or unlawful content; take any action in violation of applicable laws or regulations; provide information or materials about another person without appropriate authority or permission; interfere with, remove or modify any terms and conditions, content or other materials posted on the Site; attempt to collect or solicit information about other contestants, SXSW registrants or third parties without their consent; or send unsolicited mail, advertisements, or other similar promotional material using the Site.

Contestant understands and agrees that photos, videos and/or other recordings may be taken during the Startup Showdown , and related events. Contestant including its presenter hereby grants each NAR and RDC the perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable, transferable right to copy, use, display and publish the photos, any videotaped, photographed, and/or recorded materials in which contestant or its presenter appear in any online, electronic and/or print format (including but not limited any social media sites or platforms) for any educational and/or promotional purposes of NAR, RDC and/or its vendors, contractors, content partners and/or sponsors.

All information submitted by contestant to register for the Startup Showdown must be true and correct. Contestant is responsible for keeping such information up to date.

The Organizers may use certain third-party service providers (“Third Party Providers”) to support portions of the Startup Showdown (including but not limited to registration services). Such Third-Party Providers may include, but are not necessarily limited to, Google Forms. By registering for the Startup Showdown through a Third-Party Provider, the contestant agrees that it is responsible for reviewing the applicable terms and privacy policies of those Third-Party Providers and that Organizers are not responsible for interactions between contestant and those Third-Party Providers.

At any time, in the sole and absolute discretion of the Organizers, the Organizers will be entitled to disqualify a contestant and/or presenter in the event of a failure to meet any requirement of the eligibility criteria or any other violation or suspected violation of these Terms and Conditions.

The Organizers will determine participation eligibility, declare the Startup Showdown winner (including but not limited to in the event of a tie), and award prizes in its sole and absolute discretion. Contestant agrees that such decisions are final and are not subject to review or reconsideration.

Startup Showdown prizes awarded are non-transferable, and any non-cash prizes are not exchangeable for cash. The ability to offer and provide, and for any contestant to receive, any prize(s) are subject to applicable laws and regulations and to availability (including but not limited to any and all individual or entity donors or prospective donors having provided the relevant prizes and/or prize funding to the Organizers as anticipated). To the extent permitted under applicable laws and regulations, Organizers may, in their discretion, arrange for certain prizes to be provided to the Startup Showdown winner directly by third party prize donors rather than by NAR and/or RDC.

The Organizers reserve the right to verify the identity and eligibility of all applicants, contestants and its presenters at any time. Without limiting the general nature of the prior sentence, prior to (and as a condition of) awarding any prizes, the Organizers in their sole and absolute discretion may require additional paperwork to be executed by the relevant contestants and their presenters following the end of the Startup Showdown. Such paperwork is expected to include, among other things, an affidavit and release and will request any necessary information needed for tax reporting purposes. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERAL NATURE OF THE PRIOR SENTENCE, AWARDS OF PRIZES TO THE Startup Showdown WINNER ARE SUBJECT TO THE EXPRESS REQUIREMENT THAT THEY SUBMIT TO NAR ALL DOCUMENTATION REQUESTED BY IT TO PERMIT IT TO COMPLY WITH ALL APPLICABLE STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL TAX REPORTING. ALL PRIZES WILL BE NET OF ANY TAXES REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE WITHHELD BY NAR. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ALL TAXES IMPOSED ON PRIZES ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE Startup Showdown WINNER(S). The Organizers reserve the right to declare any winners until after the Organizers have received and verified the signed paperwork from the prospective winners. If the prospective winner does not complete, sign and return the required paperwork within seven (7) days of request (unless the Organizers in their discretion approve in writing to a longer time) or comply with such laws, the Organizers may, in their sole discretion, declare that your prizes have been forfeited and/or select an alternate potential winner.

This Site, and the Startup Showdown are based in the United States and intended only for the use of those who may legally access the Site, attend SXSW and participate in the Startup Showdown under relevant U.S. laws and regulations (including but not limited to U.S. export control laws and regulations and/or sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control). Contestant agrees to use the Site, attend SXSW and to participate in the Startup Showdown in compliance with any and all applicable laws and regulations. Contestant may not use the Site, attend or participate in the Startup Showdown for any unlawful purpose or engage in any conduct which restricts others from enjoying the Site, and/or participating in the Startup Showdown. Contestant must comply with any and all applicable rules and restrictions of physical site at which the Startup Showdown is held. The Organizers reserve the right to expel any individual from the premises or to remove the individual from the Startup Showdown if the individual is not authorized to attend SXSW, to participate or be present at the Startup Showdown, violates any rules or restrictions of the premises where the Startup Showdown is being held, violates these Terms and Conditions, and/or is otherwise disruptive or engaging in activities detrimental to the conduct of the Startup Showdown, all as determined by the Organizers in their sole discretion.

This Site and the Startup Showdown are made available on an AS-IS, WHERE IS, and any and all implied warranties or duties are hereby disclaimed. The Organizers can discontinue the Site and/or the Startup Showdown, or suspend or postpone the Startup Showdown, at any time in their sole discretion.

This Site may include links to third-party sites which are not under the control of NAR and/or RDC. NAR and/or RDC are not responsible for the content or operation of such sites, which may have their own terms. The inclusion a link to a third-party site does not imply endorsement, review or approval by NAR and/or RDC.

Content on the Site and linked pages includes materials of the Organizers and/or their content providers. The Organizers and their relevant content providers reserve any and all of their respective rights in such materials. You are authorized to access and use such materials solely with respect to registration for, application and/or participation in the Startup Showdown. You may not use the Site or any materials on it for any unauthorized purpose. All rights not specifically granted are reserved.

The Site, the Startup Showdown, and these Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, without reference to conflicts of laws. Regardless of your location, any disputes that arise under these Terms and Conditions will be litigated before a court in Cook County, Illinois.

To the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, the Organizers, and each of their directors, officers, members, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees, agents, representatives, vendors, contractors, content partners and sponsors (collectively, “Indemnities”) will not be liable for any damages, losses or claims resulting from any person’s attendance, participation (or attempted participation) in or use of the Startup Showdown, the Startup Showdown Pitch Book, and/or this Site. To the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, Indemnities are not responsible for technical problems or technical malfunction or other occurrences which may affect the operation of the Site or the Startup Showdown, including but not limited to: hardware or software errors; faulty computer, telephone, cable, satellite, network, electronic, wireless or Internet connectivity or other online communication problems; failure of any e-mail or website transmissions to be sent to or received; inaccessibility of any third party service being used in connection with the Site or the Startup Showdown (including but not limited to any third party websites or Internet service providers); traffic congestions on the Internet or the Site; and/or inaccessibility or unavailability of an email account, app or other item used or desired to be used in connection with the Startup Showdown or this Site). To the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, all contestants and any other individuals using this Site, using the Startup Showdown Pitch Book, and/or participating in the Startup Showdown hereby release the Indemnities from any and all claims, damages or liabilities arising from or relating to their attendance or attempted participation in the Startup Showdown and/or this Site.

To the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Indemnities from and against all claims, suits, actions, losses, expenses, damages, penalties, and costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees resulting from any actual or alleged violation of these Terms and Conditions by You, Your presenter, use of the Site by You or Your presenter,, use of the Startup Showdown Pitch Book, and/or the participation in the Startup Showdown by You or Your presenter.

If any portion of this these Terms and Conditions is determined by any court or governmental agency of competent jurisdiction to violate applicable law or otherwise not to conform to requirements of law, then the rest of these Terms and Conditions will remain in effect and the parties will substitute a suitable and equitable provision for the invalid/unenforceable provision in order to carry out the original intent and purpose of the original Terms and Conditions.

You may not assign, delegate or transfer Your registration for the Startup Showdown and/or any of Your rights or obligations under these Terms and Conditions. Any attempted assignment, delegation or transfer shall be void.

These Terms and Conditions (which, for clarification, includes the Privacy Policy and all other terms incorporated by reference into these Terms and Conditions), together with any Startup Showdown registration represent Your entire agreement with the Organizers with respect to the Startup Showdown. These terms and conditions cannot be modified or changed by You except with the written agreement of the Organizers.

Privacy Policy

Read the RDC’s Privacy Policy   and NAR’s Privacy Policy.

Please direct your questions or comments regarding this Privacy Policy to et@nar.realtor.

Version Date: December 9, 2025