We put the
Midwest on
the world's
stage.
For over a decade, Midwest House has been connecting founders, creatives, investors, and civic leaders — at SXSW, at the Summit, and everywhere in between.
A 24' Penske truck,
1,300 miles, and a backyard in Austin.
Midwest House was born in an East Austin backyard at SXSW 2015. A small collective of friends teamed up with twelve organizations to create a home-away-from-home for Midwesterners at the festival.
We filled that truck with Midwest-made goods and drove it all the way to Texas. For four days, we turned that backyard into a celebration of everything the Midwest could be. 17 bands. Hundreds of guests. Two visits from Austin PD. It was pure magic — and we had absolutely no idea how much it was about to change our lives.
What started as a backyard party has become something much bigger. But the spirit — the relationships, the creativity, the stubborn belief that the Midwest deserves a global stage — has been there from day one.
From backyard party
to regional platform
After eleven years and multiple iterations, Midwest House has become something different. Something more defined, intentional, and polished.
It's become a platform for innovative companies, a launch pad for artists and ideas, and a storytelling tool for the region itself. We've activated in 15+ cities, produced 175+ events, and connected founders with the capital and community they need to build something great.
We're at SXSW every year. We run the Summit. We produce StartMidwest. We're building the House Pass — a year-round membership for the people shaping what's next. And we're just getting started.
Built by believers
Midwest House is powered by a small, scrappy team and a growing community of partners, collaborators, and believers across the region. We're always looking for organizations who want to build with us.
Ready to be part of it year-round?
Midwest House isn't just SXSW and the Summit. The House Pass is a year-round membership for the founders, operators, and investors shaping what's next in the region.
Founding member rate
per month · or $400/year
Founding member pricing is locked for life — join now before it goes up.