SXSW 2025: A Mirror of Our Repertoire and Our State of Expansion

By Andrea Bisker
Specialist in Consumer Sciences, Founder and CEO of Spark:Off, and Angel Investor

“My SXSW 2025” has come to an end, but in reality, the festival never truly ends. It continues to echo, opening new possibilities and leaving questions unanswered. SXSW is not just an event about innovation and trends; it serves as a mirror of our repertoire and our state of expansion. Each person experiences SXSW in a unique way, bringing their own background, concerns, and interests. But above all, it is a trigger for reflecting on what we want for our personal and professional lives. It reflects both our internal moment and the need for companies to broaden their vision of the future.

This year, SXSW started for me with an inward look—toward our relationships and the importance of belonging. The opening keynote, with Kasley Killam, addressed social health—a powerful and often overlooked concept. This theme resonated deeply with me and made me reflect on the power of my role as a Social Alchemist. I deeply believe in the power of connections. This year, I had the honor of bringing together a group of women leaders, Aladas, in partnership with the Experience Club. Together, we embarked on this journey of learning and exchange, exploring how communities and connections can shape the future—social alchemy in its essence.

I followed two main tracks throughout the event. The first was social health and communities, a theme that is at the core of my perspective on the world. The second was longevity, a topic that has become even more relevant given scientific advancements and their impact on industries.

In the field of longevity, the event featured profound discussions with Dr. David Sinclair and neuroscientist Jeffrey Lieberman, exploring new scientific advances in extending life. We also saw a collaboration between WGSN and Grupo Boticário, bringing insights on beauty and longevity. Additionally, Melanie Golden and Adiv Johnson from Tally Health participated in a talk on the myths and truths of longevity, further enriching the discussion. Many other talks addressed this topic, which we will delve into further in our downloads.

SXSW does not provide ready-made answers, but it opens paths and sparks new questions. One of the most striking talks for me was by Maggie Jackson, who presented a new perspective on uncertainty. We usually see uncertainty as something uncomfortable, a source of fear and anxiety. But what if uncertainty, instead of being a problem, is actually a doorway to new possibilities? This thought has been resonating with me.

The world is more uncertain than ever—and that can be scary. But it can also be liberating. If we don’t know exactly what comes next, it means we still have the power to shape our path.

So, my SXSW has come to an end, but in truth, it never really ends. Here’s to the next one!

_____________________________

Andrea Bisker is a future thinker, specialist in Consumer Sciences, Founder and CEO of Spark:Off, and an angel investor in several startups.