Mayor Kenney is headed to SXSW along with 14 Philly tech companies (so far)

The latest Philadelphian to jump on the  South by Southwest (SXSW) 2017 bandwagon isn’t a technologist at all. Far from it, actually: it’s Mayor Jim Kenney.
According to a press release from the City, Mayor Kenney will be joining other U.S. mayors for The United States Conference of Mayors track during the opening weekend of the festival, happening March 10-12.
“SXSW is considered to be one of the most influential technology conferences in the world, and I look forward to engaging with the talented individuals who will be there,” Kenney said in a statement published Wednesday. “This is a unique opportunity to learn from some of the brightest minds in a variety of industries, while also highlighting our own thriving startup and tech communities.”
Though the Mayor’s travel details and exact agenda haven’t been finalized yet, there’s one day of overlap (March 12) between the US Conference of Mayors and the SXSW trade show. “We plan on releasing additional details about in involvement as they are confirmed,” said Department of Commerce’s communications manager Lauren Cox.
Philly Startup Leaders’ Yuval Yarden, who is coleading the effort to get Philly tech companies to the Austin expo along with the SXSW effort she helped start called Amplify Philly, welcomed Kenney’s participation in the event.
“It’s really important that he’s there,” Yarden said. “It shows that his commitment to tech is growing.”
Yarden also updated us on the number of tech companies headed to the conference: 14 are confirmed to post up at SXSW so far, seven of which landed $1,700 grants from PSL, namely:

• ROAR for Good
• Social Ladder
• Practice
• StratIS
  
• SafeStamp
• Oncora Medical
  
• Boost Linguistics

Yarden said there are three more grants spots available, thanks to sponsors like Comcast, Independence Blue Cross, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Chariot Solutions and Guru. Here’s how to apply.