Building Business with Impact: Live, Work, Play, and Invest in FTL

Get ready for an exciting morning of creativity, inspiration, and entrepreneurship! Join the City of Fort Lauderdale for the Building Business with Impact Pitch Competition on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center.

As part of Accelerated StartUp FTL Program, the Ideation cohort participants will take the stage to pitch their brightest business ideas ! This time we’re not only shining a spotlight on the bold entrepreneurs shaping the future of our community - we're awarding the top five contestants with $1,000 to fund their bold ideas.

Event Details
📅 Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
🕘 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Winner announcement at 12:30 p.m.
📍 Location: L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL
🔗 Live Stream: Livestream Tickets Available!
💵 Cost: Free and open to the public!

✨ Enjoy a light breakfast to kick off the day and lunch as we celebrate the winners!
🎤 Amazing pitches, fresh ideas, and a lot of local talent — all in one place.

Registration is encouraged so we can plan delicious food and refreshments for everyone.

🎥 Can’t attend in person? No problem! The event will also be livestreamed!
👉 Livestream link

Come support local entrepreneurs, network with business leaders, and help us celebrate why Fort Lauderdale is the best place to Live, Work, Play, and Invest.
We can’t wait to see you there!

Additional parking can be found next door at the New Hope Baptist Church.

Guest Judges:

1. J.R. McFarling, Sr. Small Business Development Officer, Urban League of Broward County

2. Carol Watson, VP Store Manager, - TD Bank

3. Adaeze Ajuko, CEO & Founder, Ada Data

4. Anthony Santana, CMO & Co-Founder, Hardcore Advertising

5. Andre Cross, Business Assistance Coordinator, City of Fort Lauderdale, Development Services Department

See who is participating!

1. Renata Aurelius - Routes & Revelry

2. Rusty Carbaugh - Resilience Coaches

3. Shannon Charlton - Bubbles Rides

4. Lanese Davis - L.A. Cheer Elites

5. Ladicia Fernander - PieFit

6. Janelle Floyd - Pri-Organize

7. Brittani Harvey - BahMuse Entertainment

8. Damean Kennedy - Fairway Future Golf Foundation

9. Eric Maragh - House to Home

10. Anthony Phillip - TonySoul Productions LLC

11. Jonias Rivera - Morning Mafia LLC

12. Jacquie Shaw - The Rye

13. Daisy Williams - The Qween Collection

Host or Publisher The City of Fort Lauderdale - Government Affairs and Economic Development