Two days. One stadium. Endless momentum.
May 18-19, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. Join 600+ founders, investors, and innovation leaders for the Southeast's premier capital summit.
Seed The South 2026 takes over Bank of America Stadium, activating premium spaces—from the Panthers Den main stage to One Carolina Club to field-level celebrations—for an elevated capital summit designed for real connections and deal-making.
Over two days, you'll pitch, learn, connect, and celebrate alongside 600+ founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders from across the Southeast. This isn't a typical conference. It's where Charlotte's innovation momentum meets the energy of a stadium event.
.jpg)
Whether you're raising capital, deploying it, or building the ecosystem around it, this is where you need to be.
Watch Companies Compete & Showcase
The Big Pitch puts 10 seed-to-Series A companies + 1 Wild Card on the main stage competing for $100K in investment from The Charlotte Fund. The Charlotte Spotlight features rapid-fire 6-minute pitches from the Queen City's most promising startups. The Growth Showcase highlights growth-stage companies in 20-minute investor features.
The Agenda: Big Pitch, Charlotte Spotlight, Growth Showcase, Startup Alley
Learn From the Best
Level up your business through founder masterclasses, investor panels, keynote speakers, and sponsor-led workshops. Walk away with actionable strategies you can implement immediately.
The Agenda: Founder Masterclasses, keynote speakers, lightning panels, fireside chats
Connect With 600+ Leaders
Expand your network strategically with founders, active investors, and ecosystem partners in spaces designed for real conversations—not just business card exchanges.
The Agenda: Investor dinner, kickoff celebration, lunch sessions, Startup Alley, field-level reception
Celebrate Innovation
Experience the energy of entrepreneurship at a stadium-scale event. From the opening kickoff to field-level awards to The Vault closing party—this is how the Southeast celebrates its founders.
The Agenda: Kickoff celebration, Big Pitch awards on the 50-yard line, closing celebration at The Vault
.svg)
Location: [TBD]
Four concurrent workshop tracks designed to help you scale smarter. Choose the sessions that match where you are in your journey.
Included with: Masterclass Only and Summit Passes
Location: [Venue TBD]
The unofficial official start of Seed The South. Connect with fellow founders, investors, and ecosystem partners over drinks and appetizers before the main event kicks off Tuesday morning.
Included with: All pass types
Location: One Carolina Club at Bank of America Stadium
An intimate dinner for active investors, fund managers, and select founders. Network with the region's top capital allocators in an exclusive setting overlooking the field.
Included with: Investor Pass Only
Location: North Club
Check in, grab breakfast, and connect with early arrivals before opening remarks.
Included with: Summit Passes Only
Location: Panthers Den (Main Stage)
Welcome from the Seed The South organizing committee, Tepper Sports & Entertainment, and Charlotte leadership.
Location: Panthers Den (Main Stage)
A fireside chat with a proven founder, investor, or industry leader setting the tone for the day ahead.
2025 Keynote: Michael Praeger, Co-Founder & CEO, AvidXchange
Location: Panthers Den (Main Stage)
20-minute growth-stage feature. An established company with real traction presents their scale story to our investor audience.
Location: Panthers Den (Main Stage)
Rapid-fire pitches from Charlotte's most promising early-stage startups. See what's being built in the Queen City right now.
Approximately 6-8 companies
Location: Panthers Den (Main Stage)
20-minute growth-stage feature. Second growth-stage company showcase.
Location: Panthers Den (Main Stage)
Location: Panthers Den (Main Stage)
20-minute growth-stage feature. Third growth-stage company showcase.
Location: North Club
Seated lunch with stage programming. Enjoy a meal while hearing from an industry leader in an intimate fireside conversation.
Open networking and Startup Alley in North Club throughout the day
Location: Panthers Den (Main Stage)
Fireside chat with a high-profile speaker. Big ideas, real insights, no fluff.
2025 Keynote: Luke Kuechly, Former Carolina Panthers Linebacker & Startup Investor
Location: Panthers Den (Main Stage)
20-minute growth-stage feature. Final growth-stage company showcase before The Big Pitch.
Location: Panthers Den (Main Stage)
The main event begins. The first 5 companies take the stage with 5-minute pitches to compete for up to $100K in investment from The Charlotte Fund.
Presented by LaunchCLT
Judged by two panels: Active Investors & Proven Founders
Location: Panthers Den (Main Stage)
The final 6 companies pitch. Includes the 5 remaining finalists + the Startup Alley Wild Card winner.
Total: 11 companies competing for $100K
Location: Bank of America Stadium Field (50-Yard Line)
Head to the field for the moment you've been waiting for. Two $50K awards announced live:
One company may win both awards for up to $100K total investment
Photo opportunities. Trophy presentation. Oversized checks.
Included with: Summit Passes Only
Location: The Vault + Stadium Field
The official after-party. Celebrate on the field and inside The Vault with drinks, music, and the full summit community. This is where deals get made and relationships get built.
Open bar. Field access. DJ. Plenty of time to connect.
Included with: Summit Passes Only
.png)
.svg)
