FreedomFest 2026: Full Schedule

9:00am PDT

Wednesday July 8, 2026 9:00am - 9:30am PDT

All 32 founders gather to meet their competition, receive their bracket assignments, and see where they land in the draw. The tournament bracket goes live — the race to the championship starts now.

Speakers

Michelle Bernier

Chief of Staff, Liberty Ventures / Principled Business

Michelle is a lawyer from Venezuela and Colombia with a Master’s degree in Law and International Business. Driven by her passion for nonprofits and advocacy for freedom, Michelle started her career as a Students for Liberty Coordinator in Venezuela, where she led efforts to promote... Read More →

Exhibitors

Principled Business

704

An ecosystem of purpose-driven investors & entrepreneurs aligned on advancing a free and prosperous future.

Wednesday July 8, 2026 9:00am - 9:30am PDT
Entrepreneurship Stage Room 119-121

Competition

9:00am PDT

FEE Hackathon (Students Only)

Wednesday July 8, 2026 9:00am - 4:00pm PDT

Franklin Salon Room 102-103

Exhibitors

FEE

714 and Pros Lounge, Foundation for Economic Education

FEE's mission is to inspire, educate, and connect future leaders with the economic, ethical, and legal principles of a free society. These principles include: individual liberty, free-market economics, entrepreneurship, private property, high moral character, and limited governme... Read More →

Wednesday July 8, 2026 9:00am - 4:00pm PDT
Franklin Salon Room 102-103

Competition

9:30am PDT

The Competition Begins

Wednesday July 8, 2026 9:30am - 11:30am PDT

Innovation Workshop Room 122-123

Today, 32 early stage founders take the stage. Watch every pitch live as the first wave of cuts is made in real time.

Speakers

Eldar Souliaev

The CPA Dude

Eldar moved to America with his parents in the late 90s with nothing more than a few suitcases. Like most immigrants, he was keen on excelling in this new land of opportunity. Through hard work and education he found himself building tax structures in some of the world’s most prestigious... Read More →

Lars Mapstead

Partner, Liberty Ventures

Lars Mapstead runs a family office, venture capitalist, and serial entrepreneur focused on late-stage technology investments and long-term capital allocation. His portfolio includes leading private AI and frontier technology companies, with a focus on infrastructure, robotics, compute... Read More →

Jim Woods

The Profit Strategist, Successful Investing, Intelligence Report, Fast Money Alert

Jim Woods is a veteran market analyst and financial writer with Eagle Financial Publications, where he focuses on helping everyday investors cut through noise and make smarter decisions. With a background in options trading and technical analysis, Woods specializes in turning complex... Read More →

Exhibitors

Principled Business

704

An ecosystem of purpose-driven investors & entrepreneurs aligned on advancing a free and prosperous future.

Wednesday July 8, 2026 9:30am - 11:30am PDT
Innovation Workshop Room 122-123

Competition

12:00pm PDT

The Field Narrows — 16 Founders Fight to Advance

Wednesday July 8, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT

Innovation Workshop Room 122-123

Half the field didn't make it. The 16 founders who did are back for round two — same format, higher stakes. Eight winners from each side of the bracket move on to Thursday's final rounds.

Speakers

Jay Goth

Founder, Redtail Capital

Jay Goth is a serial entrepreneur and investor based in Inland Southern California, committed to walking a faithful path through business. He is currently building Redtail Capital, serving as Executive Director of InSoCal CONNECT, investing in mission-aligned ventures, and serving... Read More →

Jim Woods

The Profit Strategist, Successful Investing, Intelligence Report, Fast Money Alert

Paul Wendee

Managing Director at Paul M. Wendee & Associates, LLC, Intrinsic Value Wealth Report

Paul M. Wendee & Associates, LLC is a boutique investment banking and management consulting firm; and an investment adviser registered with the State of California. Paul M. Wendee & Associates, LLC specializes in the creation of value for business and non-profit enterprises and in... Read More →

Exhibitors

Principled Business

704

An ecosystem of purpose-driven investors & entrepreneurs aligned on advancing a free and prosperous future.

Wednesday July 8, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Innovation Workshop Room 122-123

Competition

12:00pm PDT

The Field Narrows — 16 Founders Fight to Advance

Wednesday July 8, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT

Entrepreneurship Stage Room 119-121

Half the field didn't make it. The 16 founders who did are back for round two — same format, higher stakes. Eight winners from each side of the bracket move on to Thursday's final rounds.

Speakers

Alexander McCobin

Founder & GP, Liberty Ventures

Alexander McCobin is the founder and General Partner of Liberty Ventures, a venture capital firm based on the thesis that the greatest companies are founded by leaders committed to the principles of capitalism and liberty. That includes supporting early stage startups, backing late-stage... Read More →

Bernt Ullman

Chief Strategy Officer (CSO, Celebrity Lifestyle Brands

Exhibitors

Principled Business

704

An ecosystem of purpose-driven investors & entrepreneurs aligned on advancing a free and prosperous future.

Wednesday July 8, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Entrepreneurship Stage Room 119-121

Competition

12:00pm PDT

You Can't Cancel Funny: Comedy, Courage, and Common Sense with Rob Schneider

Wednesday July 8, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT

Free Speech Stage Room 108-109

Speakers

Matt Kibbe

Raising Hell for Liberty, Free The People, Free the People

Rob Schneider

The Hollywood Heretic

Rob Schneider is a comedian, actor, writer, and filmmaker known for carving out an independent path in an industry that often punishes dissent. Rising to fame on Saturday Night Live before starring in a string of hit comedies, Schneider built a decades-long career in Hollywood while... Read More →

Exhibitors

You Can Do It Foundation

330

The You Can Do It Foundation supports meaningful media that reflects faith, family, personal responsibility, and freedom. Partnering with industry leaders, we create content that resonates and inspires.

Wednesday July 8, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Free Speech Stage Room 108-109

Competition

1:00pm PDT

Punching Up "Truth in Comedy" Competition Round 1

Wednesday July 8, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Free Speech Stage Room 108-109

Speakers

Lou Perez

The Comic Who Punches Up

Boris Khaykin

Ukraine's Funniest Refugee

Boris Khaykin came to America as a refugee from Ukraine, before it was cool. He’s been seen in Bull, Broad City, The First Purge, Amazon Prime’s Red Oaks, and as a warm up comic for The Opposition on Comedy Central. He is a regular at New York Comedy Club, has won a webby for... Read More →

Peter Stewart

Comedian, Comfy Clash Founder

Peter Stewart is a New York-based standup comic originally from Canada. Known for his dry and self-deprecating sense of humor, Peter has performed all over the world. He is a founding member of Comfy Comedy and produces one of the world’s biggest comedy competitions, the Comfy Clash... Read More →

Wednesday July 8, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Free Speech Stage Room 108-109

Competition

2:00pm PDT

Punching Up "Truth in Comedy" Competition Round 2

Wednesday July 8, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Free Speech Stage Room 108-109

Speakers

Lou Perez

The Comic Who Punches Up

Boris Khaykin

Ukraine's Funniest Refugee

Peter Stewart

Comedian, Comfy Clash Founder

Wednesday July 8, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Free Speech Stage Room 108-109

Competition

2:00pm PDT

The Second Chance — Comeback Round

Wednesday July 8, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Innovation Workshop Room 122-123

4 founders who didn't advance in the first round get one more shot — a rapid-fire speed round where they pitch again, the crowd is watching, and the judges decide who deserves another run at this.

Exhibitors

Principled Business

704

An ecosystem of purpose-driven investors & entrepreneurs aligned on advancing a free and prosperous future.

Wednesday July 8, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Innovation Workshop Room 122-123

Competition

2:00pm PDT

The Second Chance — Comeback Round

Wednesday July 8, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Entrepreneurship Stage Room 119-121

4 founders who didn't advance in the first round get one more shot — a rapid-fire speed round where they pitch again, the crowd is watching, and the judges decide who deserves another run at this.

Exhibitors

Principled Business

704

An ecosystem of purpose-driven investors & entrepreneurs aligned on advancing a free and prosperous future.

Wednesday July 8, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Entrepreneurship Stage Room 119-121

Competition

1:00pm PDT

The Wildcard Semifinal — Last Ticket In

Thursday July 9, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Entrepreneurship Stage Room 119-121

The four regional comeback winners face off in a final speed round. Judges pick one. One founder gets a second shot at the title — and a story worth telling for the rest of their career.

Speakers

Alexander McCobin

Founder & GP, Liberty Ventures

Brian Bourgerie

Co-Founder,, Uncommon EntrePReneurs

Driven by a passion for growth, innovation, and empowering others, Brian thrives in dynamic environments, from startups to nonprofits and in consulting roles with innovators.
With a diverse background that includes founding and supporting numerous companies and organizations, Brian has experienced both successes and failures, gaining insights that go beyond traditional learning. Known for challenging the status quo, he excels in solving problems and helping... Read More →

Lars Mapstead

Partner, Liberty Ventures

Paul Wendee

Managing Director at Paul M. Wendee & Associates, LLC, Intrinsic Value Wealth Report

Exhibitors

Principled Business

704

An ecosystem of purpose-driven investors & entrepreneurs aligned on advancing a free and prosperous future.

Thursday July 9, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Entrepreneurship Stage Room 119-121

Competition

2:00pm PDT

Elite 8 — The Marquee Round

Thursday July 9, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Entrepreneurship Stage Room 119-121

Eight founders, four matchups, two minutes each. This is where the competition shifts from momentum to mastery. Tier 1 judges are in the room. The four winners advance to Friday's championship finals

Speakers

Tim Davis

The Patriotic Lawyer

Tim Davis is co-founder and Managing Partner of Basin Ventures. An attorney for nearly two decades, Tim is also a partner in the Fort Worth office of the largest statewide law firm in Texas, where his practice focuses on commercial businesses, government and political entities, and... Read More →

Andrew Mayne

The Architect of Impossible Futures, '76 Crew

Andrew Mayne is a technologist, inventor, Wall Street Journal bestselling author, and one of the earliest pioneers in the modern AI era. He served as OpenAI’s Science Communicator and was one of the company’s first prompt engineers, helping shape GPT-3, ChatGPT, and GPT-4 from... Read More →

Ricky Marton

Head of Americas for Startups, HubSpot

Ricky Marton is a tech-savvy operator and strategist who specializes in turning early-stage chaos into scalable systems. Most recently, he served as President and Chief of Staff at Open Access Ventures (OAV), where he built the operating systems and playbooks that drove growth across... Read More →

Exhibitors

Principled Business

704

An ecosystem of purpose-driven investors & entrepreneurs aligned on advancing a free and prosperous future.

Thursday July 9, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Entrepreneurship Stage Room 119-121

Competition

1:00pm PDT

Reverse Pitch — The Investors Take the Stage

Friday July 10, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Entrepreneurship Stage Room 119-121

Flip the script. Investors get 60 seconds to make the case for their fund.

Exhibitors

Principled Business

704

An ecosystem of purpose-driven investors & entrepreneurs aligned on advancing a free and prosperous future.

Friday July 10, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Entrepreneurship Stage Room 119-121

Competition

4:00pm PDT

PITCH COMP ALUMNI NETWORK + CLOSING

Saturday July 11, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT

Innovation Workshop Room 122-123

The official wrap for this year's pitch competition participants. Connect with fellow founders from all 32 brackets, swap contacts, and get access to the alumni network. See you next year.

Exhibitors

Principled Business

704

An ecosystem of purpose-driven investors & entrepreneurs aligned on advancing a free and prosperous future.

Saturday July 11, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT
Innovation Workshop Room 122-123

Competition

9:00am PDT

9:00am PDT

9:30am PDT

12:00pm PDT

12:00pm PDT

12:00pm PDT

1:00pm PDT

2:00pm PDT

2:00pm PDT

2:00pm PDT

1:00pm PDT

2:00pm PDT

1:00pm PDT

4:00pm PDT

Get help with the event