StartUP Columbus and the D. Abbott Turner College of Business and Technology at Columbus State University have unveiled the full schedule and keynote speaker for LaunchCon presented by W.C. Bradley Co., a dynamic one-day entrepreneurship conference and pitch competition presented by FinSync taking place Thursday, October 23rd at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center.

The keynote speaker for this year’s conference is Jay Bailey, acclaimed TEDx speaker, social entrepreneur, and President/CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) in Atlanta. Known for his powerful voice in the world of economic empowerment, Bailey has helped drive innovation and business growth for underserved founders and emerging leaders across the Southeast. Bailey has strong ties to Columbus, one of which is being a graduate of Kendrick High School.

“Jay Bailey is the perfect choice to headline LaunchCon, ” said Ben MacMinn, Executive Director of StartUP Columbus. “His story, his work, and his energy speak directly to the founders we serve, those with bold ideas and a hunger to grow. He’s going to inspire the room. ”

LaunchCon presented by W.C. Bradley Co. builds on the legacy of the city’s celebrated BizPitch Columbus event, now expanded into a daylong experience featuring keynote presentations, expert panels, hands-on workshops, and the fan-favorite live pitch competition awarding $40,000 in prizes presented by FinSync to four lucky finalists. The conference tickets start at $50 and the pitch competition in the evening is free and open to the public. 2025 LaunchCon Schedule Highlights

Columbus Convention & Trade Center

Thursday, October 23rd | 8AM - 8PM

● 8:00 AM – Registration + Networking Breakfast

● 9:00 AM – Opening Remarks

● 9:15 AM – Fireside Chat: “Turning the Mic On Yourself” Lou Childs and Katy Mallory Co-Founders of SlumberPod

● 10:30 AM – Breakout Panels

○ Track 1: Cross-Generational Leadership

○ Track 2: From Hustle to CEO

12:00 PM – Lunch: Local Food Trucks + Outdoor Networking

1:00PM – Standups & Startups

2:00 PM – Interactive Workshops

○ Build a Financial System That Pays You First

○ Has My Business Plateaued? Pivot or Scale

3:15 PM – Keynote with Jay Bailey, President/CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs 

“Scale What Matters: Visionary Leadership in the Everyday Grind”

5:00 PM – LaunchCon Pitch Competition presented by FinSync

Live, Shark Tank–style competition with $40,000 in prize money

Featuring 4 finalists pitching before a panel of expert judges, crowd

voting for a people's choice, and grand prize presentation

8:00 PM – LaunchCon Happy Hour & Celebration

Entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders from across the region are invited to attend and take part in this one-of-a-kind event that celebrates the power of small business, bold ideas, and the future of the regional economy. For more information about LaunchCon, speaker announcements, and to purchase tickets please visit startupcolga.com/launchconcolumbus.