Ashton Kutcher's venture fund held one of the most exclusive and bonkers parties at SXSW, the world's wildest tech conference - take a look inside

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Ashton Kutcher's venture fund held one of the most exclusive and bonkers parties at SXSW, the world's wildest tech conference - take a look inside

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sound ventures party sxsw 2018 5

Joe Scarnici/Getty

Tech billionaires and the Hollywood elite gathered on a rooftop bar in Austin for SXSW 2018.

Marc Benioff, Ashton Kutcher, Elon Musk, and Snoop Dogg walked into a bar.

And the night only got crazier from there.

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Sound Ventures, a tech investment firm founded by actor Kutcher and talent manager Guy Oseary, held one of the most exclusive and lavish parties at the South by Southwest film festival and tech conference on Saturday night. Powerful forces from Hollywood and Silicon Valley came together for the event - dubbed "The Party" - set on a rooftop bar in Austin, Texas.

Business Insider got into the invite-only bash. Here's what happened:

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"The Party" was the event that everyone was clamoring to get into at SXSW this year.

"The Party" was the event that everyone was clamoring to get into at SXSW this year.

Guests had to arrive during certain hours at the hotel to pick up a wristband, as well.

Guests had to arrive during certain hours at the hotel to pick up a wristband, as well.
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When I arrived around 10 p.m., the dance floor was empty. It was still early in "club time."

When I arrived around 10 p.m., the dance floor was empty. It was still early in "club time."

Guests — including investors, entrepreneurs, and tech billionaires — milled around the pool.

Guests — including investors, entrepreneurs, and tech billionaires — milled around the pool.
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The pool cabanas had been transformed into amenities stations, like this photo booth.

The pool cabanas had been transformed into amenities stations, like this photo booth.

But I made a beeline for Sugarfina's booth. Known as a candy boutique for grown-ups, the Los Angeles-based Sugarfina is known for its cocktail-inspired and infused sweet treats.

But I made a beeline for Sugarfina's booth. Known as a candy boutique for grown-ups, the Los Angeles-based Sugarfina is known for its cocktail-inspired and infused sweet treats.
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Made with Dom Pérignon Vintage Champagne, these sophisticated gummy bears came in flavors of brut and rosé. The impossibly cute candies won't get you drunk though.

Made with Dom Pérignon Vintage Champagne, these sophisticated gummy bears came in flavors of brut and rosé. The impossibly cute candies won't get you drunk though.

A hostess put together a sampler cup for me that included dark chocolate cordials filled with Tito's Handmade Vodka and milk chocolate truffles that shimmered with gold.

A hostess put together a sampler cup for me that included dark chocolate cordials filled with Tito's Handmade Vodka and milk chocolate truffles that shimmered with gold.
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I made my way to the open bar and double-fisted my chocolates and a margarita.

I made my way to the open bar and double-fisted my chocolates and a margarita.

Kutcher took the stage, and a crowd swarmed around him. He thanked Sound Ventures' portfolio companies. "They make me so proud to do what I do," said the actor-investor.

Kutcher took the stage, and a crowd swarmed around him. He thanked Sound Ventures' portfolio companies. "They make me so proud to do what I do," said the actor-investor.
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The musician St. Vincent, a Texan whose real name is Annie Clark, performed a solo act.

The musician St. Vincent, a Texan whose real name is Annie Clark, performed a solo act.

She serenaded the crowd with her ethereal blend of indie rock and chamber pop.

She serenaded the crowd with her ethereal blend of indie rock and chamber pop.
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I left the dance floor for a hot second to visit the self-serve s'mores bar.

I left the dance floor for a hot second to visit the self-serve s'mores bar.

The party began to fill with Silicon Valley's celebrities.

The party began to fill with Silicon Valley's celebrities.
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Tesla CEO Elon Musk made his way toward the reserved seating area.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk made his way toward the reserved seating area.

Salesforce's Marc Benioff flashed a peace sign in a photo with his fellow tech idols.

Salesforce's Marc Benioff flashed a peace sign in a photo with his fellow tech idols.
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"The Party" was turned up to 11 when Snoop Dogg took over the turntables for a DJ set.

"The Party" was turned up to 11 when Snoop Dogg took over the turntables for a DJ set.

Snoop played a mix of rap, country, and pop — even Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'."

Snoop played a mix of rap, country, and pop — even Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'."
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The rapper captioned this photo on Instagram, "Boss [fire emoji] [fist bump emoji]."

 

Only at SXSW.

Only at SXSW.
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