Atlanta, GA, September 1, 2025
News Summary
Invest Fest 2025 kicked off in Atlanta, attracting more than 25,000 attendees, including entrepreneurs, influencers, and celebrities. Founded by Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings, the festival highlights the fusion of cultural entertainment and financial education, featuring high-profile speakers and a pitch competition for innovative startups. With remarkable networking opportunities and an emphasis on youth empowerment, the event continues to be a pivotal platform for reshaping community views on wealth creation.
Atlanta Hosts Invest Fest 2025, Drawing Over 25,000 Attendees
Invest Fest 2025 commenced in Atlanta, drawing a diverse crowd of over 25,000 attendees, including aspiring entrepreneurs, influencers, and celebrities. The annual festival has established itself as a cornerstone in the entrepreneurial landscape, aiming to reshape community perspectives on wealth creation and entrepreneurship.
Founded by Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings from Earn Your Leisure, the festival has evolved significantly since its inaugural event in 2019, expanding from a modest 5,000 attendees to a now sold-out global platform. This year’s event showcases a blend of cultural entertainment and practical financial education.
Festival Highlights and Key Events
This year’s festivities kicked off with VIP Night at Guardian Works, featuring a spectacular performance by Keyshia Cole. The evening also included panel discussions with prominent figures like Jayda Cheaves, Terrence J, and Dr. Cheyenne Bryant. Attendees experienced exquisite beverages including cocktails made from A$AP Rocky’s Mercer + Prince blended whiskey and Issa Rae’s Viarae Prosecco, setting a luxurious tone for the event.
The main conference was packed with high-profile speakers, which included basketball legend Magic Johnson, actress and entrepreneur Issa Rae, Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, comedian Steve Harvey, and media personality Charlamagne tha God. A notable highlight was Magic Johnson’s impactful statement, which resonated widely on social media. The event also featured a fireside chat between Steve Harvey and Charlamagne tha God that was particularly well-received by attendees.
Innovative Startups Shine in Pitch Competition
Invest Fest 2025 featured a pitch competition that showcased groundbreaking startup innovations. Flags were flown high for ventures like Lola Vision Systems, which focuses on AI education in BIPOC communities, and Swish Vo, a holistic health platform. The startups had the opportunity to earn a combined $125,000 in seed funding, with judges including rapper 2 Chainz and NBA star Jaylen Brown assessing their pitches.
Cultural Exchange and Networking Opportunities
More than 400 small businesses were featured in the Vendor Marketplace, enabling vibrant networking opportunities while promoting cultural exchange. A specific highlight of the festival was the attendance of 40 students from the Roads to Success program in the Bronx, emphasizing the event’s commitment to youth empowerment initiatives.
This year, Invest Fest awarded over $275,000 in direct funding through pitch competitions, scholarships, and grants, including a notable $25,000 grant in partnership with Bevel, contributing to the festival’s overarching emphasis on financial literacy and collaboration. Various businesses showcased at the festival included The Financial Rewire, BlackBalled Golf, Double Dutch Aerobics, The Cuppabrew Coffee, and Wimee, representing a range of innovative solutions from diverse entrepreneurs.
Impact and Future of Invest Fest
The festival continues to grow as an influential platform for merging cultural events with actionable financial insights. Entrepreneur Marvel Bishop emphasizes the importance of fostering authentic connections and deeper relationships among attendees, which contribute to the festival’s mission for transformative networking opportunities.
Invest Fest illustrates the effective combination of entertainment and education, moving beyond traditional concepts of financial literacy to create meaningful collaborations that inspire participants to invest in their futures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Invest Fest?
Invest Fest is an annual event that combines cultural entertainment with financial education aimed at reshaping community views on entrepreneurship and wealth creation.
When and where does Invest Fest take place?
Invest Fest 2025 took place in Atlanta, and the event has seen significant growth since its inception, starting in 2019.
Who are the founders of Invest Fest?
Invest Fest was founded by Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings, the creators of Earn Your Leisure.
What was the highlight of this year’s festival?
This year’s festival featured notable speakers like Magic Johnson and Issa Rae, as well as a highly competitive pitch competition offering significant funding to innovative startups.
Key Features of Invest Fest 2025
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Attendees | Over 25,000 including entrepreneurs, influencers, and celebrities. |
| Founders | Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings of Earn Your Leisure. |
| Main Speakers | Magic Johnson, Issa Rae, Jack Dorsey, Steve Harvey, Charlamagne tha God. |
| Funding Awarded | Over $275,000 through various initiatives including pitch competitions and scholarships. |
| Participating Businesses | More than 400 small businesses featured in the Vendor Marketplace. |
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Additional Resources
- Rolling Out: Marvel Bishop Ignites Connections at Invest Fest
- Wikipedia: Entrepreneurship
- Essence: Invest Fest 2025 Recap
- Google Search: Invest Fest 2025
- The Atlanta Voice: Unique Businesses at Invest Fest
- Google Scholar: Financial Literacy
- 11Alive: Atlanta Invest Fest Global Entrepreneurs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Business
- Atlanta Daily World: Invest Fest 2025 Unites Entrepreneurs
- Google News: Invest Fest
Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER
The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
