2026 LaunchCon Biz Pitch Competition to Offer $5,000 Relocation Grant

According to today's report for the Ledger-Enquirer by Jordyn Paul-Slater, Startup Columbus is turning its annual pitch competition into an economic development tool. Starting this year, the LaunchCon pitch competition will offer a relocation incentive for entrepreneurs outside the Columbus area, pairing cash with mentorship, investor connections and local business resources in hopes of convincing founders to build their companies and create jobs in Columbus. Applications for the competition opened this month and will close August 7. As in prior years, finalists will compete in a “Shark Tank”-style competition on November 13 at the Cunningham Center for a share of $40,000 in prize money. This year, however, if an entrepreneur from outside the Columbus region reaches the finals, Startup Columbus will offer a relocation package that includes $5,000 to relocate, introductions to investors, guaranteed one-on-one mentoring sessions, access to local service providers, and support during the company’s first year in Columbus. According to Paul-Slater, this new program is being developed alongside Make My Move, though Ben MacMinn, Executive Director of StartUP Columbus, said the focus differs from the national remote-worker initiative. “We hope to attract businesses to Columbus to start their business here, to grow their business here and to relocate their business here,” MacMinn said. “It’s a piece of economic development for the community. Make My Move targets remote workers,” he said. “We’re looking at creating businesses and growing jobs.” The new incentive also fits into a broader strategy unfolding across Columbus. Startup Columbus serves as one of several implementation partners behind the Columbus Ahead, the community’s five-year economic development strategy. While Columbus Ahead identifies entrepreneurship as a priority, Startup Columbus is responsible for carrying out much of that work. LaunchCon is open to entrepreneurs across Georgia and within a 150-mile radius of Columbus. Applicants advance through four rounds of judging before four finalists compete live before judges and an audience of roughly 250 people. Unlike traditional startup competitions, Startup Columbus does not take equity in winning companies. Interested entrepreneurs can apply to pitch in the competition on StartUP Columbus’s website.