Semi-finalists announced for 2026 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards

The Randall W. Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship (RLCE) at Cal State San Bernardino and Premier Sponsor U.S. Bank have announced the 54 semifinalists for the 2026 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards.

“Our 2026 semi-finalists represent the determination, ingenuity and impact that make Inland Southern California’s entrepreneurial community so strong,” said Spirit Awards founder and Randall W. Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship Director Mike Stull.

The semi-finalists will attend a mandatory Judging Reception on Friday, October 2, from 1:00–5:30 p.m. at UCR Arts in downtown Riverside. Sponsored by McKell Partners Wealth Management, the reception gives the semi-finalists an opportunity to meet personally with the 2026 Spirit Awards judges – all former award recipients. Participants will take part in brief “speed-round” conversations with each judge for questions and follow-up. The afternoon will also include networking, photography and breakout sessions.

The companies advancing to the finalist stage will be announced on Saturday, October 3. Finalists will compete for the 2026 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards at the 24th annual black-tie gala on Thursday, November 12, at the Riverside Convention Center.

The 2026 Semifinalists are:

• 4th State Energies (DBA name of SiLi-ion Inc.) – Pankaj Ghildiyal – Riverside
• A19 Artisan Lighting – Cinnamon Alvarez Finken – Ontario
• Apsidal – Amrit De – Riverside
• Aziz Farms and The Packhouse at Aziz Farms – Mark & Nicole Tadros – Thermal
• BASEstud.io – Heidi Adams – Palm Springs
• Bath N’ Buns Mobile Pet Grooming – Mina Thomas – Rancho Cucamonga
• Batta Foods Inc. – Gagan and Aman Batta – Mira Loma
• Beauregard Family Therapy Group – Jonathan Beauregard – Colton
• Benedetto Gelato (Benedetto LLC) – Andres Ferreira – Riverside
• Big Fogg Inc. – Christopher Miehl – Murrieta
• Business Telecommunication Systems – Larry and Terry LaVorgna – Corona
• California Curb Appeal Real Property Specialists – Roberta Albano – San Bernardino
• CCS Certified Cleaning Services Inc. – Prisciane Amaral – Palm Desert
• Cielo Blu, LLC – Kayla DiLullo – Chino
• CMAX Sanitary Services – Frank Gutierrez – Ontario
• Combustion Associates, Inc. (CAI) – Kusum Kavia – Corona
• Community Services of America Developmental Programs – Jennifer Oglesby – Rancho Cucamonga
• Con Amor, Nina y Leon – Kassandra Rioseco – Palm Springs
• Cornerstone BBQ & Cluck N Moo – Anthony Colindres – Beaumont
• David Neault Associates, Inc. – David Neault – Temecula
• Diamond Fire Protection LLC – Bryant Arias – Temecula
• Ecko Ice Products – Eric Rogers/Chris Hively – Ontario
• EGA Homes – Ruben Hernandez, MBA – Riverside
• El Balcon Rooftop – Cynthia & Sandra Ayala – Ontario
• Embroidery In Motion – Liz Nicks – Riverside
• Idea House & Co. – Matt Ryczek – La Verne
• Indrio Technologies Inc. – Ritobrata Sur – Riverside
• Inland Boat Center – James Mark Dakan – Lake Elsinore
• Insight HR Consulting LLC – Vilma Brager – Corona
• Jeremy Harris Construction, Inc. – Grace M. Harris, M.A. – Riverside
• Katalyst Partners LLC – Michael “Mike” Hardy – San Dimas
• MC Electric – Elvia Chavez – Chino
• Medina Builders – Marisela Medina – Riverside
• Mex-American Tax Service – EDUARDO SANCHEZ – Indio
• ML Mortgage Corp. – Kamran Akbar – Rancho Cucamonga
• MVS, Inc. – Eric Goodman – San Bernardino
• Najera Environmental DBA 1 Stop Restoration – Christopher Dale Najera – Corona
• Old Town Baking Company – Jose Esquivel – San Bernardino
• Optimum Audiology – Kristi Mendoza, Au.D. – Apple Valley
• Phenix Technology, Inc. – Angel Sanchez, Jr – Riverside
• REAL Journey Academies – Alex Lucero – Ontario
• Rescue a Generation Inc. – Jose Rodriguez – San Bernardino
• Silver Creek Modular – Steve PonTell – Perris
• South America Corp. – Edison Arias – Ontario
• Sumo Dog – Jeffrey Lunak – Palm Desert
• Sun Salt Sand Inc. DBA Grill A Burger – Salima Nurani – Palm Desert
• Sundown Window Tint, Inc. – Zach Feenstra – Riverside
• Terra Network Solutions – Angel Rodriguez – Murrieta
• TruEvolution – Gabriel Maldonado – Riverside
• Ubuntu Psychological Services – Dr. Jasmine Reed – Corona
• United Fiber Comm Inc – Raymond Martinez – Montclair
• Vet Phoenix – Manuel Gomez – Moreno Valley
• Wilson Ivanova Certified Public Accountants, Inc., APAC – Matthew Wilson / Maya Ivanova – San Bernardino
• Zienix Property Services – Suzie Murrish – Ontario