LIFTOFF 2026

Watch Savannah's boldest founders pitch for $25,000. Two nights, live on WSAV, and the audience picks a winner. Join Savannah’s premier two-night pitch weekend during Global Entrepreneurship Week. Watch regional founders compete live on stage for a share of $25,000 in cash prizes! The Event at a Glance • Dates: Friday, November 20 & Saturday, November 21, 2026 • Times: Doors open at 5:30 PM | Event runs 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (both nights) NIGHT ONE | LIFTOFF: SPARK Presented by the Savannah Economic Development Authority and Startup Savannah Partners Two minutes. No slides. Nowhere to hide. LIFTOFF: SPARK kicks off the pitch weekend with high-stakes, rapid-fire presentations. Up to 29 founders take the stage back-to-back. With exactly two minutes on the clock, it is just the founder, the idea, and the room. The stakes? The winner earns the final qualifying seat in Saturday night’s main event to compete for $25,000. Come see what is being built in Savannah, meet the founders, and pick your favorite before the judges do. NIGHT TWO | LIFTOFF: LOWCOUNTRY Presented by Live Oak Fiber Ten founders. $25,000 in cash. One night, and the audience gets a vote. LIFTOFF: LOWCOUNTRY is the grand finale. Ten top founders from across the region pitch live on stage for major funding. The field is earned. Seats go to the GRIT Pitch champion, the SPARK Savannah cohort winners, Friday's LIFTOFF: SPARK winner, regional qualifiers for Chatham, Bryan, and Effingham counties, and founders nominated by partners including the Don Ryan Center, the Lucas Center, the Savannah Area Chamber, and Live Oak Fiber. Each founder gets four minutes to pitch, followed by two minutes of rapid-fire questions from the judges. The Prizes: • First Place: $10,000 + a $5,000 WSAV media package • Second Place: $7,500 • Third Place: $5,000 • Audience Choice: $2,500 Bring your phone—the Audience Choice award is decided by a live vote from the room! Your vote counts. PRICING: Early Bird | Oct. 6 - 16: $5 for one night or $10 for both nights Regular | Oct. 17 - Nov. 21: $10 for one night or $15 for both nights