InvestFest 2025 once again turned Atlanta into the epicenter of culture, celebrity, and financial empowerment this past weekend. Drawing over 25,000 attendees each day, the three-day experience solidified its status as one of the most influential gatherings at the intersection of business and culture.
The weekend kicked off Friday night at Guardian Works with a VIP celebration highlighted by a powerhouse performance from Keyshia Cole and dynamic conversations featuring Jayda Cheaves, Terrence J, Pinky Cole, Pretty Vee, Gloria Govan, and Dr. Cheyenne Bryant. Guests enjoyed the atmosphere with specialty drinks courtesy of ASAP Rocky's Mercer + Prince Blended Canadian Whiskey and Issa Rae's Viarae Prosecco, setting the tone for a weekend of inspiration and entertainment.
On the main stage, heavyweights including Magic Johnson, Jack Dorsey, Issa Rae, Ian "The Master Investor" Dunlap, Tabitha Brown, Fawn Weaver, Matt "The Mortgage Guy," Charlamagne tha God, and Steve Harvey delivered powerful insights on wealth building, entrepreneurship, and cultural legacy. One of the standout moments came from a candid fireside chat between Steve Harvey and Charlamagne tha God, where the two shared raw perspectives on accountability, generational wealth, and legacy.
The pitch competition brought championship-level energy as Earn Your Leisure, 2 Chainz, Angela Simmons, and NBA star Jaylen Brown judged groundbreaking presentations. Two companies emerged as winners, each receiving $125,000 in funding: Lola Vision Systems, which develops AI chips for autonomous machines while providing STEM/AI education for BIPOC communities, and Swish Vo, a holistic health platform connecting patients and providers. The competition was powered by Paul Judge and the Open Opportunity Fund.
Beyond the stage, the Vendor Marketplace showcased more than 400 small businesses, sparking nonstop deal-making and networking. Many attendees described it as "the heartbeat of InvestFest," where culture and commerce converged in real time. Youth empowerment also took center stage, as Earn Your Leisure sponsored an all-expense paid trip for 40 Bronx students from the Roads to Success program, giving them first-hand exposure to the event's atmosphere and opportunities.
In total, InvestFest 2025 generated $275,000 in direct capital awarded through pitch funding, scholarships, and grants, including a $25,000 partnership grant with Bevel. From discussions on AI, investing, and crypto to real-world examples of economic empowerment, the festival blended education, culture, and accessibility in a way that left attendees inspired and motivated.
InvestFest didn't just spotlight wealth and entrepreneurship -- it redefined how economics can be made cultural, engaging, and actionable.