Sponsored Content
Business

Tickets now available for Catapult’s Launch Pitch Night 2023

The semi-annual program gives startups and small businesses the chance to apply to pitch their biz ideas for up to $10,000 in funding.

September 19, 2023 • 
Catapult, Chloe Rodgers
Sponsored by
Lakeland entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses pitch their big ideas at Catapult’s Launch Pitch Night.

Lakeland entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses can pitch their big ideas at Catapult’s Launch Pitch Night for the chance to win up to $10,000 in funding.

Photo by Catapult

Time to swim with the sharks. Tickets are now available for Catapult’s Launch Pitch Night, the semi-annual Shark Tank-style business pitch event, happening on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023.

Guests will get to see live business pitches from startups and small businesses to judges from local financial institutions for up to $10,000 of micro-grant funding.

The Launch Micro-Grant Program was created to help entrepreneurs scale their business operations by providing access to capital to aid in the purchase of a business asset. Through funding and expertise, judges determine grant recipients by assessing a variety of factors.

Key dates to know:

  • Monday, Aug. 21: Applications opened
  • Monday, Sept. 18: Applications closed
  • Thursday, Oct. 19: Pitch Night happens

Buy tickets

More from LALtoday
A black-and-white photo of the multistory New Florida Hotel at a street corner, with vintage cars and a church visible in the background.
City
Lakeland in 1926: Look back on a century of history
What did Lakeland look like in 1926? We’re firing up the time machine for a 100-year trip to the past.
January 21, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A hand holds a "Strawberry Season Passport" listing various local farms in front of the Parkesdale Farm Market storefront.
Business
Explore Central Florida’s best berries with Strawberry Season Passports
Did you get your hands on the popular Strawberry Season Passports before they sold out? If not, no worries — just follow along with our editor’s tasty travels.
January 20, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A crowd sits in camping chairs watching fireworks over Lake Mirror during Red, White & Kaboom Lakeland event. Trees and street lights block part of the view.
Events
Don’t miss these top Lakeland events happening all year long
We’ve got the ultimate list of Lakeland events you don’t want to miss out on each year. Mark your calendar for these community celebrations.
January 16, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A red mocktail topped with fruit and a paper umbrella
Food
Where you can find buzz-free beverages, or mocktails, in Lakeland
Shaken or stirred? Either one works, as long as it’s zero-proof. Check out this list of alcohol-free cocktails — mocktails — in Swan City.
January 14, 2026
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Gillian Fazio beside her mural "Oranges"
Culture
Lakeland artists to host Color Wave Walls mural festival
Learn how artists Gillian Fazio and Katerina Santos plan to drench Lakeland in color through its first-ever mural festival, and how small businesses + muralists can get in on the artistic action.
January 13, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A group in Star Wars costumes posing with R2-D2
Events
Get nerdy with it at Central Florida Comic Con
Prep for the convention with events, guests, and exhibitions we wouldn’t miss.
January 13, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A hand holds a square plate of green tea-flavored shaved snow dessert topped with strawberries, almonds, and condensed milk
Food
Sweets meet stories at Vampire Penguin, Lakeland’s newest dessert cafe
With a Victorian vibe and shaved snow desserts, Vampire Penguin could become your newest downtown haunt.
January 12, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Exterior shot of Pressed Books & Coffee
New to Lakeland
40+ reads written by Lakeland authors
Whether you’re looking for your next leisure read, a book for the whole family, or a thrilling fictional novel, we’ve got a list of books written by local authors in Lakeland.
January 12, 2026
 · 
Staff
The counter inside a Raising Cane's restaurant, with a large plush dog wearing sunglasses sitting on top.
Food
Lakeland’s ultimate restaurant wishlist
We hear readers’ hopes for future Lakeland eateries all the time. Now, we’re compiling them all into a restaurant wishlist to see which foodie dreams come true.
January 8, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Lake Mirror at dusk with the Lakeland skyline in the background.
City
See Lakeland’s top rankings on nationwide lists from 2025
From improving quality of life to wins for local businesses, find out how Lakeland measured up in last year’s rankings.
January 8, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson