Fayette County Pitch Contest Names 2025 Winners

The 2025 Fayette County Pitch Contest brought a full auditorium to its feet Tuesday night as five local entrepreneurs competed live on stage at Starr’s Mill High School Auditorium. Hosted by StartUp Fayette, the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, Launch Fayette, and Jason Hunter Design, this year’s event delivered an inspiring showcase of innovation and local talent.

Finalists Brandon McCarden (Fit Locker), Matthew C. James (Travel Ready Pets, Inc.), Bridgitt Robertson (Beyond the Page), Ashleigh Pearson (Avec Noelle LLC), and Tameka O’Neal (From Scratch Commissary Kitchen) each delivered a 5-minute pitch, followed by 6 minutes of Q&A from judges Chelle Adams, Barry Falcon, and C-A Washington.

Using custom Startup Fayette Dollars as part of the event format, the judges cast their votes and selected the top three winners:

🥇 First Place:

Tameka O’Neal – From Scratch Commissary Kitchen
A licensed commissary kitchen helping food entrepreneurs launch, grow, and scale their culinary businesses.

🥈 Second Place:

Ashleigh Pearson – Avec Noelle LLC
A luxury confectionery brand offering rare, hand-crafted, fine-dining-quality treats—giving customers the chance to share exclusive, indulgent food experiences typically found only in high-end culinary destinations

🥉 Third Place:

Brandon McCarden – Fit Locker
A mobile, eco-friendly wellness pod built from a repurposed shipping container, bringing fitness, mental-health tools, and community-driven wellness experiences directly to parks, neighborhoods, and public spaces across Fayette County.

The evening opened with acoustic guitar music by Shane Cammell and a lively expo where attendees mingled with finalists, preliminary-round participants, past winners, and event sponsors. Emcee Michael Stuart then guided the audience through the program with his signature energy and seamless pacing.

The Pitch Contest was supported by an extraordinary group of business sponsors, creative partners, and behind-the-scenes contributors whose generosity elevated the experience for finalists and attendees.

Event Sponsors:

Georgia Power • Best Tax Solutions • Management Virtually Powered • Jason Hunter Design • Joy Event Rentals • Thrivr Productions • Michael Stuart Productions • Road Ready Events

Prize Sponsors:

Fayette Chamber of Commerce • Launch Fayette • Media Mountain Group • Jason Hunter Design via Pixel Partner Digital • Sit Right Productions • Cote Media • Management Virtually Powered • Busy Bee Bookkeeping • Karen Rands – Venture Catalyst • Woodhouse Spa • Arkay Studios • Heritage Financial Partners

Creative & Event Contributors:

Captured by Leo (Leo Solomon) – Photography
Arkay Studios (Ron Kupferberg) – Photography
Shane Cammell – Live Music
Cinema Greens & Nocturnal Oasis – Scenic Trees & Stage Plants
Valerie Alexander, Speak Happiness – Pitch Coaching for All Finalists

“Each finalist poured their heart and vision into these pitches,” said Jason Bass, co-organizer and founder of Jason Hunter Design. “This event shows what happens when a community rallies behind its entrepreneurs — guidance, generosity, and collaboration turn big ideas into real momentum.”

The finalists were selected from more than 20 applicants in a preliminary round held in October at Launch Fayette.

For full event details and upcoming StartUp Fayette opportunities, visit: https://startupfayette.org/pitch-contest/