Presented by W.C. Bradley Co.

Mark your calendars for Friday, November 13th as StartUP Columbus brings you a bold new era of entrepreneurship in the Chattahoochee Valley area. Experience the 2nd annual LaunchCon Columbus, a live pitch competition presented by FinSync awarding $40,000 in prizes. The pitch competition is FREE and open to the public.

Created by StartUP Columbus, LaunchCon is the next evolution of the city’s acclaimed BizPitch event, now reimagined to spotlight innovation, funding, and founder-focused programming.

Event Details

Date: November 13, 2026
Pitch Competition (free): 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: The Cunningham Center at Columbus State University

Attire: Business Casual

RSVP Here

Launchcon PITCH Competition presented by finsync

$40,000 in prizes. Four finalists. One shot to launch their dream.

Come watch our four finalists pitch, shark-tank style, in front of five judges for a chance to win. This event is FREE and open to the public.

July 1 | Applications open
July 31 | Applications close
August 4 | Round 2 advance (Top 25 notified)
August 21 | Round 2 virtual pitches due
September 1 | Round 3 advance (Top 8 notified)
September 25 | Round 3 pitching (Top 8 pitch in-person to a panel with no Q&A)
September 28 | Round 4 advance (Top 4 notified)
November 13 | Round 4 live pitches at LaunchCon Columbus (Think: Shark Tank)

Important Pitch
Competition Dates

Congratulations to our previous competition winners!

Post-Revenue Category Winner
Garrett Stigall of Pool Protection Technologies

Meet Garrett Stigal, a recent graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in engineering. He brings over a decade of hands-on experience in the pool industry, having started at age 11. A Georgia native, Stigall’s Pool Protection Technologies offers sustainable, practical solutions to common pool maintenance challenges, exemplifying his deep industry knowledge and commitment to innovation.

Visit Pool Protection Technologies

Pre-Revenue Category Winner:
Thomas Lester of The Earlybird Co.

Meet Thomas Lester, a Senior at Auburn University studying Industrial & Systems Engineering with a minor in Business Engineering Technology, founded The Earlybird Co. LLC and Heatstream Solutions. His ventures focus on self-heating technology, reflecting his innovative spirit and technical expertise. Outside of his entrepreneurial pursuits, Lester is a Thomas Walter Fellow, a Phi Gamma Delta Brother, and an avid golfer who enjoys cooking and family time.