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PITCH. INNOVATE.
LAUNCH.

Fayette County Pitch Contest

Launch Fayette, in partnership with The Fayette Chamber of Commerce, and Jason Hunter Design, presents the 2026 Fayette Pitch Contest — a dynamic, Shark Tank-style event where local entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to a panel of judges for prizes, exposure, and bragging rights.

RSVP TO ATTEND

Event Format

  • Date: November 19th, 2026

  • Time: 4:00 PM–8:00 PM

  • Location: McIntosh High School Auditorium

Each of the 5 finalists will have:

  • 5 minutes to pitch their concept

  • 6 minutes of Q&A (2 minutes per judge)

What is a Pitch Contest?

It’s more than just a pitch — it’s your moment in the spotlight.

The Fayette Pitch Contest gives local entrepreneurs the chance to present their big ideas to a panel of judges in a live, high-energy, Shark Tank-style format. Judges “invest” Startup Fayette Dollars in the ideas they believe have the most potential, awarding real prizes and recognition.

To get there, applicants submit an overview of their business or concept. A preliminary round helps us narrow the field to 5 finalists, who will take the stage on November 19 for the main event.

Judges will receive $10,000 in Startup Fayette Dollars to “invest” in the businesses they believe in most. After all pitches are complete, each judge will also award a $2,000 Wildcard to the entrepreneur they want to give an extra boost.

RSVP Required to Attend

Admission is free, but RSVP is required for entry. Seating is first-come, first-served, and early arrivals will enjoy prime spots for the live pitches.

Incentives

The Pitch Contest provides an opportunity for self-starters to embrace their entrepreneurial spirit and goals. These aspiring entrepreneurs have the opportunity to use their inspiration and business ideas to innovate our business community through economic development.

1st Prize

$23,250+

2nd Prize

$14,250+

3rd Prize

$9,750+

RSVP Required to Attend
01

1st Place

$21,700

Prizes Included

  • Launch Fayette 1-Year Portfolio Membership (Dedicated Desk) $2,400 value
  • Kugarand Capital Holdings Business Plan & Investor Doc Review for Investor Readiness $1,000 value
  • FM Labs FM AI Setup Session (3 hours) $1,500 value
  • Fayette Chamber of Commerce Event Credits $250 value
  • Test Pilot Creative 4-hour Brand Synergy Mapping Session $5,000 value
    • Identify 3 major company attributes and corresponding benefits
    • Create the Brand Promise
    • Create the Brand Platform
  • Sit Right Productions Cozy Elite Package — Social Media Advertisement (approximately 15 seconds) $3,100+ estimated value
    • 1 commercial film shoot
    • Video aspect ratios: 16:9, 9:16, 1:1 and 4:5
    • Meta ad placement for 3 months
  • Cote Media Full Meta + Google Integration Package $7,000 value
  • Leticia Andrade Photography Personal Branding Photo Package $1,450 value
    • 90-minute full branding photography session
    • Custom creative direction and 4 outfit changes
    • Digital gallery of 25 high-resolution images
    • Must be scheduled within 90 days of the event
02

2nd Place

$10,900

Prizes Included

  • Launch Fayette 1-Year Flex Membership $1,800 value
  • Kugarand Capital Holdings Business Plan & Investor Doc Review for Investor Readiness $1,000 value
  • FM Labs FM AI Working Session (1 hour) $500 value
  • Fayette Chamber of Commerce Event Credits $150 value
  • Test Pilot Creative 2-hour Marketing Strategy and Marketing Plan Workshop $1,500 value
    • Workshop to create the company's marketing strategy and marketing plan
  • Sit Right Productions Cozy Elite Package — Social Media Advertisement (approximately 15 seconds) $3,100+ estimated value
    • 1 commercial film shoot
    • Video aspect ratios: 16:9, 9:16, 1:1 and 4:5
    • Meta ad placement for 3 months
  • Cote Media Meta + Google Profile Optimization $2,000 value
  • Leticia Andrade Photography Standard Headshot & Portrait Session $850 value
    • 1-hour photo session ideal for updating professional headshots or social media profile images
    • Includes 12 edited digital photos
    • Valid for 90 days from the contest date
03

3rd Place

$7,850

Prizes Included

  • Launch Fayette 1-Year Flex Membership $1,800 value
  • Kugarand Capital Holdings Business Plan & Investor Doc Review for Investor Readiness $1,000 value
  • FM Labs FM AI Working Session (1 hour) $500 value
  • Fayette Chamber of Commerce Event Credits $75 value
  • Test Pilot Creative 1-hour Brand Audit $500 value
    • Identify where the brand is now
    • Where the competitors are
    • Where current strengths and weaknesses may be
  • Sit Right Productions Cozy Elite Package — Social Media Advertisement (approximately 15 seconds) $3,100+ estimated value
    • 1 commercial film shoot
    • Video aspect ratios: 16:9, 9:16, 1:1 and 4:5
    • Meta ad placement for 3 months
  • Cote Media Basic Meta Business Manager Setup $500 value
  • Leticia Andrade Photography Headshot Session $375 value
    • 30-minute headshot session
    • Includes 2 final shots
    • Valid for 90 days from the contest date

Past Winners

Each year, the Fayette Pitch Contest highlights some of the most creative and impactful startups in our community. Here’s a look at some of the standout winners:

2025 Winners

  •  

    🥇 Tameka O’Neal, From Scratch Commissary Kitchen (and the Audience Choice winner) – A licensed commissary kitchen helping food entrepreneurs launch, grow, and scale their culinary businesses.

  •  

    🥈 Ashleigh Pearson, Avec Noelle LLC – A luxury confectionery brand offering rare, hand-crafted, fine-dining-quality treats—giving customers the chance to share exclusive, indulgent food experiences typically found only in high-end culinary destinations.

  •  

    🥉 Brandon McCarden, Fit Locker – A mobile, eco-friendly wellness pod built from a repurposed shipping container, bringing fitness, mental-health tools, and community-driven wellness experiences directly to parks, neighborhoods, and public spaces across Fayette County.

2024 Winners

  •  

    🥇 Aiden Villacampa, PLAnet – 3D printing services and bioadhesive innovation for sustainable PLA plastic.

  •  

    🥈 Moses Jones & Eboni Nichole, SkeduleUp – Deal-sharing platform connecting small businesses with local consumers.

  •  

    🥉 Sonya Jennings, Te Te Sonya’s Heart – Keepsakes and affirmations to inspire children through personalized gifts.

  •  

    🗳️ Audience Choice: Aadi Vaidya, TremorTech – Wearable tech to reduce tremors and improve motion control.

2023 Winners

  •  

    🥇 Bryttany Hyde, The Little Sober Bar – Mobile non-alcoholic beverage bar for events and social gatherings.

  •  

    🥈 Shanara Sanders, Round The Way Vegan – Fayette’s own plant-based food oasis.

  •  

    🥉 Shakena Day, Taste Hydration – Cold-pressed juices and teas promoting health at the cellular level.

  •  

    🗳️ Audience Choice: Hasha John, The Sanctuary Café – A zen coworking and event space focused on connection and wellness.

2021 Winners

  •  

    Edwin Moyo – Zoovie

  •  

    Octavia Samuels – PlaySpace

  •  

    Sonethia Williams – Dope Cookie Bar

We’re proud to support these trailblazing entrepreneurs and can’t wait to see who steps into the spotlight in 2026!

Business incubator inspiring Fayette County’s students and entrepreneurs to learn and launch innovative ideas, from startup to success.

No person will be excluded from participation in Launch Fayette on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetic information in any of its educational programs, employment practices, or other services and activities.

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