OPEN PITCH

100+

STARTUPS

1

WINNER

$125,000

PRIZE

A STARTUP PITCH COMPETITION

OPEN TO ENTREPRENEURS EVERYWHERE...

AUGUST 24, 2025
1:15 P.M. ET

ATLANTA, GA

Open Pitch is a high-energy startup competition built to discover and support the most promising early-stage tech companies. With hundreds of applicants, five finalists, and one ultimate winner, Open Pitch is where breakout startups get their first shot at funding and national exposure. Throughout the competition, top startups pitch live to business leaders and a venture firm with a track record of backing category-defining companies—spotlighting bold ideas, breakthrough technologies, and the founders building what’s next. Technology is rewriting the rules across every industry—from finance to healthcare, logistics to education. As technology reshapes how we live, work, and connect, the next generation of great companies will lead this transformation. Artificial intelligence is unlocking new possibilities across every industry. Open Pitch is where the builders of that future step into the spotlight.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

THURSDAY, JULY 10TH, 11:59 PM EST

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

THE COMPETITION

With hundreds of startups, 5 finalists, and 1 winner, Open Pitch is the tech startup pitch competition built for entrepreneurs and founders.

The startup pitch competition built for founders.

Open Pitch is where bold ideas meet real opportunity. With hundreds of applicants, 5 finalists, and 1 ultimate winner, it’s the tech pitch competition for anyone ready to build, grow, and win.

Technology is reshaping industries.

Technology is rewriting the rules across every industry—from finance to healthcare, logistics to education. As technology reshapes how we live, work, and connect, the next generation of great companies will lead this transformation. Artificial intelligence is unlocking new possibilities across every industry. Open Pitch is where the builders of that future step into the spotlight.

Finalists pitch live on stage at Invest Fest.

The top five startups will take the Invest Fest stage to pitch in front of guest investor judges—earning real-time feedback, strategic connections, and the chance to take home a $125,000 investment to supercharge their growth. Finalists get more than just exposure—they present directly to active venture capital investors and influential business leaders who know what it takes to build category-defining companies.

Winner receives $125,000 investment prize.

This year, Open Opportunity Fund is partnering with Earn Your Leisure to bring Open Pitch to Invest Fest, taking place August 22-24, 2025, in Atlanta. Applications open now!

GUEST HOST

Kendra G.

Kendra G. is a social media innovator, CEO, and media personality with over 20 years of radio and TV experience in markets like Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. She pivoted her skills during the pandemic to help people find love on social media, amassing over two million followers. In 2024, she launched her own dating app, “KENDRA G SINGLES” cementing her role as a Black woman entrepreneur in the tech space.

GUEST INVESTOR JUDGES

2 Chainz

Grammy Award-winning Rapper, Entrepreneur, and Investor

2 Chainz, born Tauheed Epps, is a Grammy Award-winning rapper, entrepreneur, and investor from College Park, Georgia. After getting his start with the duo PlayazCircle, he catapulted to superstardom as a solo artist, earning multiple platinum albums and delivering hits like “Birthday Song” and “No Lie.” Beyond music, 2 Chainz has built a diverse business empire across hospitality, sports, media, and fashion. He’salso a part-owner of the NBA G League’s College Park Skyhawks, reinforcing his deep ties to his hometown and commitment to community-driven ventures.

Jaylen Brown

NBA Champion

Jaylen Brown, 2024 NBA Finals MVP, led the Boston Celtics to victory while making history with a $304M supermax contract—the richest in NBA history. A top high school recruit, he chose UC Berkeley over basketball powerhouses, where he excelled academically and athletically. Drafted third overall in 2016, he’s now a two-time NBA All-Star and Vice President of the NBPA, where he helped launch THINK450 to empower players’ branding rights. Off the court, Brown champions education and equity through his 7uice Foundation’s Bridge Program with MIT, and was named a Director’s Fellow at the MIT Media Lab. In 2024, he launched 741, his self-funded sneaker brand, aiming to revolutionize athlete-driven business and creative control.

Angela Simmons

Multifaceted entrepreneur, TV producer, and TV personality

Angela Simmons is a multifaceted entrepreneur, TV producer, and TV personality. She is best known for her star role in Growing Up Hip Hop and the iconic Run's House. As a teen Angela alongside her sister Vanessa created popular shoe and apparel line Pastry Shoes which valued at $65 million. Beyond her TV career, Angela has built an impressive business portfolio. She launched Angela’s Cakes in 2023, a vegan-friendly pancake, waffle and pastry mix. Currently the brand is available online, Slutty Vegan restaurants, Sugar Factory Restaurants, Amazon and Dashmart on DoorDash with plans to expand to select retailers. Angela is also the founder of Angela's Angels, a non-profit organization that leads programs for women and girls focused on career development, financial literacy, housing and self-esteem for those from underrepresented communities.

Dr. Paul Judge

Managing Partner, Open Opportunity Fund

Paul Judge is a technology investor and entrepreneur. Judge is managing partner of Open Opportunity Fund, a technology venture capital firm focused on investing in software companies founded by outstanding diverse founders. Judge is cofounder and chairman of Pindrop, provider of voice security for some of the world’s largest enterprises. He previously co-led Panoramic Ventures and TechSquare Labs. He has co-founded three companies that were acquired. He cofounded Purewire which was acquired by Barracuda Networks in 2008. Prior to this, he was the chief technology officer at CipherTrust, which was acquired by Secure Computing in 2006. Paul earned a B.S. from Morehouse College and M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from Georgia Tech.