The Launch Place
IdeaFest 2026
Agnostic
- Deadline
- Mar 8, 2026
- Applications
- Closed
- Location
- Danville
- Duration
- single-day event; Apr 8, 2026
Applications are closed
The application window closed Mar 8, 2026. This page stays here for the record.
About this program
IdeaFest 2026 is a startup business pitch competition where 20 finalists pitch their startup idea to a panel of judges and a live audience. Each team gets 3 minutes to pitch, with $10,000 total cash prizes awarded to the top three winners.
Prizes
- 1st Place: $5,000
- 2nd Place: $3,000
- 3rd Place: $2,000
Eligibility
- Early-stage ideas and concepts in initial development stages
- Funding to date must be no more than $1,000,000 (stated in eligibility description)
- Applicants must be able to attend the pitch competition in-person on April 8, 2026 (asked as a
required application question)
Note: The application form also contains a required question referencing a $500,000 funding-to-date threshold, which appears inconsistent with the eligibility description above.
Program Structure
- Application opens: January 9, 2026
- Finalist format: 20 competitors pitch to judges + live audience
- Pitch format: 3 minutes to pitch
- Application includes business-model questions (idea, product/service, value prop, target market, competition, revenue model, traction) and pitch deck upload
Dates & Timeline
- Application open date: January 9, 2026
- “Connect by” date: March 8, 2026
- Event date: Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Location
2 Witches Winery and Brewing Company
3545 209 Trade St, Danville, VA 24541 (Danville, Virginia, USA)