Your story belongson this stage.
Elevate Live is a national speaker series bringing competitive TEDx-style experiences to cities across the US — competitive, inspiring, fun and community-driven.
Your talk. Produced.Unforgettable.
The stage, the lights, the production — all handled. You bring your ideas and your voice, and we help you shape a talk the room won’t forget.
A Produced TEDx-Style Talk
Your ideas on a professional stage with full production.
Coaching & Rehearsal Support
We help you shape, tighten and rehearse your talk.
Your Story, Frameworks & Lessons
The focus is your mindset and what you’ve learned.
Live Voting & Recognition
The room votes — standout speakers get the spotlight and the cash.
More than a talk.A launchpad.
Elevate Live isn’t just a speaking slot. It’s exposure, footage and a network you’ll carry long after the lights go down.
The Spotlight
A professionally produced TEDx-style talk built around your ideas — coached, lit and filmed so you look every bit the expert that you are.
- Professionally produced talk on a live stage
- Broadcast-quality footage
- B-roll and speaker sizzle reels
- Press & media for your talk
- Personal website & speaker page
- Speaker booker introductions
- Coaching to nail your delivery
The Network
The real prize is what comes after the room. Connections with our headliners, founders, executives, media, mentors and speaker bookers — all in one room at one unforgettable event.
- Meet founders, execs & local media for your press pages
- Connect with mentors and celebrity event headliners & judges
- Create connections that outlast the event
- Secure speaker support & TEDx advisory for future events
- Earn an opportunity to speak at one of our top winner events
Bring your story. We handle the stage, the lights and the audience.
You walk away withmore than applause.
Multi-Cam Recording
Broadcast-quality, multi-cam recording of your talk — yours to reuse anywhere.
B-Roll & Sizzle Reels
Speaker sizzle reels and B-roll built to promote you long after the event.
Press & Earned Media
A press release and earned media coverage tied to your name and your talk.
Website & Speaker Page
Your own personal website and speaker page to send bookers and press.
Speaker Booker Intros
Warm introductions to speaker bookers who can put you on more stages.
Delivery Coaching
One-on-one coaching to shape, tighten and nail your delivery on stage.
Cash Prizes
Win one of three cash prizes ranging from $2,500 to $5,000.
TEDx Advisory
Potential TEDx support, advisory and bookings for future stages.
Maximum impact.Minimum lift.
Big city. Big people. Big impact.
The Speakers
40 founders and experts from around the country giving signature TEDx-style keynotes.
The Connections
Entrepreneurs, executives, founders, speaker bookers and local media — all in the room.
The Audience
Speakers, local business owners, founders and experts — plus local high school juniors and seniors attend free.
You’re not just speaking.You’re opening a door.
Every Elevate Live event is built around high school students in entrepreneurial and personal development programs in that city — kids who are ambitious and driven, our next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs, who would never otherwise get near a stage like this, mentorship opportunities like yours, or a platform of this size. That’s the story the local press wants to tell, and you’re at the center of it.
LinkedIn Profiles Built
We set up and coach 500+ high school students on their first professional presence.
Student Connections
Each student gets an opportunity to connect on LinkedIn with each of our speakers and our headliners.
A Student Panel
12 student representatives sit on a panel and score each speaker in American Idol format for our Best Next Generation cash prize winner.
Access & Coaching
Public-speaking training and event access, at no cost, to students who need it most.
Local media coverage, a feel-good student story, and your name tied to real community impact — every time.
TEDx meetsAmerican Idol.
Main Event Judges
Three judges — often one celebrity guest — score speakers on Best Big Idea, speaker mechanics, delivery, presentation and more.
- $5,000 cash prize
- Invite to speak on our annual winners stage
- Earned press, media & sizzle reels
- Private speaker booker introduction
- A spot on our speaker Wall of Fame
Audience Vote
Each speaker gets real-time scoring from our audience on the same criteria as the main event judges, averaged across the votes per speaker.
- $2,500 cash prize
- Invite to speak on our annual winners stage
- Earned press, media & sizzle reels
- Private speaker booker introduction
- A spot on our speaker Wall of Fame
Student Panel
12 student representatives score each speaker across similar criteria, with a unique mechanism for which speaker appeals most to the next generation.
- $2,500 cash prize
- Invite to speak on our annual winners stage
- Speak to hundreds of high schoolers nationwide
- Its own earned press, media & sizzle reels
You’re in good company.
Chad Durfee
Elevate Live Event Founder, Celebrity Judge & Host
Founder, 5th Avenue Media
Kevin Harrington
Original Shark, Celebrity Judge
Founder, Harrington Foundation
Junior Achievement Academy
Elevate Live Tampa Bay Partner
Community & High School Liaison
Celebrity Headliner #1 — TBD
Elevate Live Tampa Bay Partner
Community Representative
Supported by the best.
Main Partner 1
Presenting SponsorYour logo here — TBDMain Partner 2
Presenting SponsorYour logo here — TBDJunior Partner 1
Community SponsorYour logo hereJunior Partner 2
Community SponsorYour logo hereJunior Partner 3
Community SponsorYour logo hereJunior Partner 4
Community SponsorYour logo hereOur upcoming sponsors — join them.
Ready foryour moment?
Apply to speak and our team will reach out to review your topic, answer questions and get you stage-ready. We handle all production, promotion and logistics.
Chad Durfee · Founder, 5th Avenue Media & Elevate Live