Speakers & Pitch

Learn From Experts. Pitch Your Business.

Two breakout sessions and a live pitch competition, all in one day.

2026 Lineup

Meet Our Confirmed Panelists

Breakout Panelist

Stephanie Hagans

Founder & CEO

SDH Insurance Company

Stephanie Hagans is an entrepreneur and financial services executive with more than 40 years in business ownership, insurance, and real estate development. Since founding her independent agency in 2013, she has built SDH Insurance Company into a full-service firm offering Medicare, ACA, life, and commercial coverage across 17 states, with 18 registered agents. She also leads WSC Holdings, LLC, a business and real estate development company, and is committed to financial literacy and community empowerment.

Breakout Session 1 — Building Your Business — Foundations, Formations, Formalities & Legalities

Breakout Panelist · Pitch Judge

Antonio Shackelford

CEO | Business Consultant

Thrive360 Business Coaching

Empowering entrepreneurs through tailored business coaching, emotional wellness, financial strategy and access to capital for lasting success and generational wealth.

Breakout Session 1 — Building Your Business — Foundations, Formations, Formalities & Legalities

Breakout Panelist

Montez Diamond

Founder

The Indou Group

Montez T. Diamond is a Legislative Intelligence Strategist, registered Georgia lobbyist, and Founder of The Indou Group (pronounced "Endow"), where she helps businesses and leaders anticipate and position around policy change. A former leader with the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, she brings experience in federal advocacy, civil law, and mediation. She works directly with elected officials to make sure small businesses are part of policy decisions before they're made.

Breakout Session 1 — Building Your Business — Foundations, Formations, Formalities & Legalities

Breakout Panelist

Jasmine Aimes

Work With ACE

Breakout Session 2 — Funding the Business — How to Get Capital & Get Ready for It

Breakout Panelist

Rachel Davis

Executive Director

The Edge Connection

Breakout Session 2 — Funding the Business — How to Get Capital & Get Ready for It

Breakout Panelist

Donald Lamar

CEO

The DRL Group

Donald is a business strategist, CEO coach, and federal contracting expert with more than 30 years of experience and the creator of the GROW™ Methodology. His career spans aerospace engineering at McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics, government contracting, franchise operations, and small business consulting, including leadership with the UGA Small Business Development Center at Morehouse College. He has helped hundreds of businesses secure capital, scale operations, and win government contracts. He holds an MBA and a BSEE.

Breakout Session 1 — Building Your Business — Foundations, Formations, Formalities & Legalities

Breakouts

Two Sessions Built For Growth

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM

Breakout Session 1 — Building Your Business — Foundations, Formations, Formalities & Legalities

Business formation, structure, licensing, EIN, business banking and credit, compliance, and the essential first steps.

Speakers

Stephanie Hagans · Antonio Shackelford · Montez Diamond · Donald Lamar

1:00 – 1:45 PM

Breakout Session 2 — Funding the Business — How to Get Capital & Get Ready for It

Loans, grants, business credit, becoming loan- and grant-ready, financial documents, and available resources.

Speakers

Jasmine Aimes · Rachel Davis · Montez Diamond

Entrepreneur pitching her business on stage before judges

2:15 – 3:15 PM

Live Business Pitch Program

Entrepreneurs take the stage to pitch their business before a panel of expert judges. Each pitch is followed by targeted feedback, and winners are recognized during the closing session at 3:45 PM. Up to $3,000 is awarded to the winning pitch.

The Live Pitch Program is full — all 6 spots are taken, so pitch registration is closed. Thank you for your interest!

Scoring

How Pitches Are Scored

Every pitch is scored the same way, on a 100-point scale across six categories. Three judges score each pitcher out of 100, and the three scores are added together — the highest totals take 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

Problem & Solution

20 pts

Is the problem real and clearly explained? Does the solution actually solve it?

Market & Customers

20 pts

Does the founder know exactly who the customers are and how to reach them?

Business Model & Money

20 pts

How will the business make money? Are the numbers realistic? Is there a clear plan for how the prize money would be used?

Traction & Feasibility

15 pts

What progress has been made so far? Are the next steps realistic and achievable?

Presentation & Clarity

15 pts

Clear, confident, well-organized, and stayed within the three-minute time limit.

Passion & Impact

10 pts

The founder's commitment and belief; positive impact on the community.

Judging Panel

Meet Our Pitch Judges

Breakout Panelist · Pitch Judge

Antonio Shackelford

CEO | Business Consultant

Thrive360 Business Coaching

Empowering entrepreneurs through tailored business coaching, emotional wellness, financial strategy and access to capital for lasting success and generational wealth.

Breakout Session 1 — Building Your Business — Foundations, Formations, Formalities & Legalities

Pitch Judge

Latanya Buckner

Financial Controller

West Georgia Technical College

Live Business Pitch Program

Pitch Judge

Serena Rudd

Founder

Diverse Learners

Live Business Pitch Program

Application

Apply to Pitch / Speak

The Live Pitch Program is full — all 6 spots are taken, so pitch registration is closed. Thank you for your interest!