PitchFest is Greenville's most electric startup pitch competition—part

investor showcase, part festival...all fire.

Come ready to pitch, and leave with more than you came with.

LOCATION

GREENVILLE, SC

VENUE

FLYWHEEL

DATE

OCTOBER 9

TIME

9A - 6P

ABOUT>>>

Not Your Average Pitch Competition.

PitchFest is a one-day startup pitch competition unlike anything you've seen. We took the best parts of a pitch event—real investors, real feedback, real prizes—and wrapped them in the energy of a music festival.

A main stage in front of investors, economic growth agents, start-ups and more. Food trucks on standby. A DJ-powered after-party. And 30 founders who showed up ready to swing for the fences.

This is what it looks like when South Carolina bets on its builders.

30

FOUNDERS ON DECK

150

IN THE CROWD

1

INCREDIBLE KEYNOTE

1

UNFORGETTABLE EVENT

APPLY TO PITCH >>>

If You're Building Something BIG, You Belong Here.

PitchFest is open to pre-seed and seed-stage founders across all industries. We're not looking for one type of startup, we're looking for founders who are hungry, scrappy, and ready to show the world what they've got.

You're a great fit if:

→ You're pre-seed or seed stage
→ You have a product, an idea, or early traction
→ You're based in the Southeast (or want to be on our radar)
→ You're ready to get on a stage and own it

Not sure if you qualify? Apply anyway. The worst we can say is not yet.

THIS PANEL WAS BUILT

Built for practitioners, not pundits. Founders who've raised it, investors who've written the check, and builders who know what it actually takes in the Southeast.

DAN ROSELLI

Co-Founder, RevTech Labs
Co-Founder, Packard Place

JIM ROBERTS

Founder, Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington

JENNIFER BARROWS

Chief Strategy Officer, Barrows Development

TAYLOR MCLEMORE

Founder, Rookery Ventures

BLAKE BLAKEBOROUGH

Sherpa, Launchpad Tech Ventures

Why Attend?

Pitch Perfect

Pitch directly in front of active investors and corporate partners who are paying attention to what's being built in the Upstate.

Eyes on the Prize

This isn't just about practice—the perfect pitch could mean cash prizes, marketing packages, or awards for those who bring their A-game.

Community Built

PitchFest is part of the Tailwind Tech series — a full year of events built to support founders at every stage. This is your on-ramp.

When Work is Fun

Food trucks for lunch. A DJ-powered after-party. A room full of people who get it. We built PitchFest to feel like a celebration because it is one.

Ready to get started?

FAQ >>>

WHAT TO KNOW

How much does it cost to pitch?

Nothing. Zilch. Zero. If you're selected to pitch, your spot is free.

How much are attendee tickets?

$27. That gets you full access to the main stage all day, and the after-party when we wrap.

Do I have to be based in South Carolina?

Nope. We welcome founders from anywhere. But if you're building in South Carolina, this is absolutely a room you should be in.

What stage does my startup need to be at?

This event is designed for pre-seed and seed funding. If you're earlier than that, apply anyway and tell us your story. If you're beyond seed, stay tuned for future Tailwind Tech events.

What industry do you focus on?

All of them. We're industry-agnostic. If you're building something real, we want to hear it.

What happens at the after-party?

DJ. Networking. Drinks. Celebrating the people bold enough to get on a stage and share their ideas. You're going to want to stay for this part, no matter what side of the table you're sitting on.

When is the application deadline?

Deadline to apply is August 15. Selected founders will be notified by September 1, with final presentation decks due September 25.

HOSTS>>>

TAILWIND IS PRESENTED BY:

Tailwind is a product made possible by organizations that believe South Carolina's best days are ahead—and are willing to put their brands on the line for it.

Launchpad Tech Ventures is an exclusive, tech-focused launchpad built for startups that are serious about scaling — fast. Specializing in pre-seed and pre-MVP companies, they meet founders where they are, no traction required. With direct access to early-stage capital, and a deep VC investor network, Launchpad Tech Ventures is where South Carolina's next great companies take shape.

Elysium Creative Collective is a boutique, full-stack marketing firm built specifically for founders and small businesses who are serious about building. They don't just run campaigns — they build the systems underneath them. With a reputation for moving the needle, Elysium brings the strategic firepower most early-stage companies can't afford to hire in-house.

SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION >>>

YOUR BRAND BELONGS HERE.

Pitchfest sponsors get direct access to South Carolina's most active founders and investors—not just through a logo on a banner, but through curated visibility, speaking opportunities, and on-the-ground activation. Sponsorship packages are limited and fill fast, so if you want to be seen as a builder in this ecosystem, this is how you show up.

THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME >>>

Your Move, SOUTH CAROLINA.

PitchFest only happens once this year. The stage is set, the judges are coming, and 30 founders are about to get the opportunity of a lifetime. Will you be in the room?