![Hanging with the legend Guy Kawasaki at the German Haus @ SXSW 2016](https://i0.wp.com/blog.vidarandersen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/12834524_10156663993620444_1533766689_n.jpg?resize=696%2C522&ssl=1)
Hanging with the legend Guy Kawasaki at the German Haus @ SXSW 2016
I was honored and delighted to be invited back as an official startup ambassador to the state of NRW and join the German delegation to SXSW in Austin, Texas.
Last year, I couldn’t make it as I was teaching in Iran – but this year it fortunately fit my schedule. And what a blast we had showcasing the best our region has to offer of early stage startups!
And what does such an ambassador do, you may ask? For one, I help the delegation pick and persuade the best and most representable regional startups to go over there with us – and the kind of startups that also would have a strategic benefit other than vanity in gaining exposure in the US. Once on the ground, I help to make sure our startups connect with the people of their interest and help drag notable international startup people to the German events (kicking and screaming). I also serve as a door opener and “private events” radar, making sure our startups gets into the interesting spontaneous private events during SXSW.
![10583873_10156662788870444_906927208866997784_n](https://i0.wp.com/blog.vidarandersen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/10583873_10156662788870444_906927208866997784_n.jpg?resize=696%2C522&ssl=1)
The German Haus venue was again the epic Lucille’s down on Rainey
![And Cologne's own Wotch - The smart strap, won the local version of Shark Tank!](https://i0.wp.com/blog.vidarandersen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/1966784_10156673254470444_5437712742340665916_n.jpg?resize=696%2C696&ssl=1)
And Cologne’s own Wotch – The smart strap, won the local version of Shark Tank!
![Hanging with Ash Maurya who's got a new book coming](https://i0.wp.com/blog.vidarandersen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/12675063_10156652394955444_635776600_o.jpg?resize=696%2C522&ssl=1)
Hanging with Ash Maurya who’s got a new book coming
![The best thing about SXSW is catching up with your favourite kind of people that you only get to see once or twice a year - Here with Martin Weigert](https://i0.wp.com/blog.vidarandersen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/12837276_10156678392660444_1089565205_o.jpg?resize=696%2C522&ssl=1)
The best thing about SXSW is catching up with your favourite kind of people that you only get to see once or twice a year – Here with Martin Weigert
![And Robin Wouters of tech.eu and TNW fame came over to hang out](https://i0.wp.com/blog.vidarandersen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/12212110_10156672746930444_478569651_n.jpg?resize=696%2C696&ssl=1)
And Robin Wouters of tech.eu and TNW fame came over to hang out
![Jon Bradford, ex TechStars London and founder of the infamous f6s](https://i0.wp.com/blog.vidarandersen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/12141620_10156675061225444_5139761692600397245_n.jpg?resize=696%2C928&ssl=1)
Jon Bradford, ex TechStars London and founder of the infamous f6s
![The awesome Dave Mathews, the guy behind the CueCat and NewAer](https://i0.wp.com/blog.vidarandersen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/12821433_10156653159490444_4014858741993711516_n.jpg?resize=696%2C696&ssl=1)
The amazing Dave Mathews, the guy behind the CueCat and NewAer
And course there were epic moments like these…
![Hanging with Jeremiah Owyang, Loïc Le Meur, Robin Wauters & more in a hotel suite... As you do at SXSW...](https://i0.wp.com/blog.vidarandersen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/10170950_10156674623220444_2680957193430408046_n.jpg?resize=696%2C696&ssl=1)
Hanging with Jeremiah Owyang, Loïc Le Meur, Robin Wauters & more in a hotel suite… As you do at SXSW…
![Nice to hang with the awesome Calvin of Mayhem Studios again at Brian Solis' party](https://i0.wp.com/blog.vidarandersen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/1534957_10154058647707049_8454096984075822346_o.jpg?resize=696%2C464&ssl=1)
Nice to hang with the awesome Calvin of Mayhem Studios again at Brian Solis’ party