entrepreneurship

Napa – October 13, 2026 -- Summit Napa has opened with a program spanning AI, deal-making and brain health, staged by an invitation-only community that reports more than $2.3 billion in capital raised, over 300 Series A through C rounds and over 150 co-founder pairings.

Summit, now part of Events.com, built the event around gathering professionals from business, media, technology, sports and the arts for "conversations that matter," CEO Chris Stakich said. Stakich, formerly chief experience officer at YPO, said the agenda targets people building, scaling and exiting businesses.

AI sessions run through the business track

Brandon Powell, founder and CEO of HatchWorks AI, leads a hands-on session in which attendees build a working AI agent on their own laptops. Geoff Woods leads "The AI-Driven Leader."

Newark, N.J. – October 07, 2026 -- Cheryl McCants, Founder and CEO of Impact Consulting Enterprises, was named one of 50 inaugural honorees in the Women to KNOW in New Jersey program, a recognition presented by KNOW Women for leadership, entrepreneurship and community impact across the state.

McCants is honored for nearly four decades of business and civic leadership

New York – October 05, 2026 -- BagelUp, producer of New York BagelFest, will stage the second annual Growth Lab on November 14, 2026, expanding the one-day business incubator into a year-round partner program aimed at reducing the failure rate among new bagel shop founders.

Industry data shows roughly 40-50% of new food service establishments close within five years

Citing U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures, BagelUp President Sam Silverman said the Growth Lab connects early-stage entrepreneurs with industry veterans to provide mentorship during what he called the critical early years of opening a first brick-and-mortar location.

Nashville, Tenn. – October 01, 2026 -- INSBANK marked the 10th anniversary of its INSBY Awards on September 30, naming four Middle Tennessee businesses for entrepreneurial achievement at a ceremony held at Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery.

Four client firms receive 2026 recognition

Infinity Hospitality, a Nashville event planning company serving weddings and corporate events, led this year's honorees. Worley Sound, a premium live sound reinforcement and audio consulting firm, and TMP, a Nashville-based architecture and interior design practice, were also recognized. Venture Express, a carrier specializing in high-volume, time-sensitive freight shipping available 24/7, rounded out the 2026 class.

West Des Moines, Iowa – October 01, 2026 -- YPO Iowa will award $20,000 in prize funding through its inaugural Innovation Challenge, a statewide pitch competition set for January 27, 2027, at Holmes Murphy's headquarters in West Des Moines.

Eight finalists will compete across two tracks for cash prizes

The one-day event, running from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 7000 Vista Drive, will select eight finalists split between Collegiate Entrepreneurs and Iowa Startup Founders tracks. In the Startup Founders track, first place receives $9,000 and second place $4,000. In the Collegiate Entrepreneurs track, first place receives $5,000 and second place $2,000.

Plano, Texas – September 30, 2026 -- International Vacations, Inc., a Plano, Texas-based host and full-service travel agency, is preparing to launch a new group-travel initiative anchored by a partnership with an emerging travel technology platform, the company said.

Host agency model lowers entry barriers for new travel advisors

International Vacations, Inc. supplies independent travel agents with established industry credentials, consortium access, preferred supplier relationships, commission tracking and processing, basic CRM technology, and ongoing training, according to the company. Agents operate as independent contractors, building their own client bases and brands while drawing on the host agency's infrastructure.

"You don't have to know everything about the travel industry when you start. That's where having a host agency behind you can make a difference," said Shamali Przywara, President of International Vacations, Inc.

Cincinnati – September 29, 2026 -- Beth and Phillip Dow, franchisees of Home Helpers Home Care in Newnan, Georgia, have been named 2026 Franchisee of the Year by the International Franchise Association, an honor they also received in 2015.

Newnan franchise projects $4.5 million in revenue for 2026

The Dows' operation, now in its 19th year, employs 150 caregivers and 14 operations staff serving 112 clients. The award was presented during the IFA26 Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., held Sept. 14-16, with a formal luncheon on Sept. 15.

Franchisees expand into Canton, Georgia market

Last month the Dows opened Home Helpers Home Care of Canton, Georgia, extending their footprint beyond the original Newnan territory ahead of their 20th anniversary with the brand next year.

London – September 24, 2026 -- Constant Contact has named Chelsea FC Women captain Erin Cuthbert as a Small Business Ambassador, tapping her dual role as footballer and coffee entrepreneur to promote its marketing platform among UK small business owners.

Cuthbert runs coffee brand Ruby Alba as a solo operation alongside her football career

Cuthbert launched Ruby Alba earlier in 2026, sourcing beans from a roaster in Scotland and personally managing branding and marketing. She will now use Constant Contact's platform to grow the business while continuing to captain Chelsea FC Women.

Partnership extends existing multi-year Constant Contact-Chelsea FC Women deal

The ambassadorship builds on a broader partnership between Constant Contact and Chelsea FC Women focused on supporting female founders. Joint initiatives include The Growth Locker, an education hub offering tools and mentorship to entrepreneurs.

Tampa – – September 13, 2026 -- Greg DuPey, owner of a Pillar To Post Home Inspectors franchise in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, has been named a 2026 Franchisee of the Year by the International Franchise Association (IFA), the trade group's highest honor for individual franchise owners.

DuPey grew his territory nearly fourfold since buying an existing franchise in 2012

DuPey, a former foodservice operations executive, and his wife Theresa acquired the Morrisville franchise in 2012. Under their leadership, the business expanded to nearly four times its original size, according to Pillar To Post.

DuPey rebuilt the business after a severe roof-fall injury left him in a body cast

Shortly after taking ownership, DuPey suffered a serious back injury falling from a roof. He continued working through recovery, and the couple steered the franchise through the injury and subsequent economic downturns while continuing to scale operations.

Alflen – September 10, 2026 -- Emilio Donaubauer, 27, generated between €2,000 and €3,000 a month from a self-taught design and content business while still a teenage apprentice, income that outpaced his training salary and became the foundation for two companies he now controls: EmilioMindless GmbH and holding entity Mindless Empire GmbH.

Donaubauer built a paying client base from unpaid gaming-industry design work starting at age 13

Donaubauer taught himself Photoshop to produce thumbnails, banners and video edits after connecting with major German gaming influencers. He worked unpaid for several years before referrals converted the skill into paid contracts, shifting focus around age 16-17 from individual creator clients to B2B customers seeking longer-term branding relationships.