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Meet the 2023 Greater Los Angeles winners

Congratulations to our region’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® winners, who were selected by an independent panel of judges based on their demonstration of long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes. Finalists were recognized and winners were announced during the regional celebration.

Regional winners went on to compete for National recognition. National finalists and winners were announced during the National awards gala. 

2023 Greater Los Angeles winners

Jared-Goodner
Jared Goodner
Co-Founder and CTO
Akido

  • About the company >#Hide >

    Jared Goodner is a Co-Founder and CTO of Akido.

    Akido is rebuilding the healthcare experience from the ground up, focusing on addressing the systemic inequities that lead to chronic illness and vulnerability. Through early interventions, best-in-class care and human-centered technology, Akido is building a healthcare model that allows for all patients to live their fullest lives. Akido’s proprietary Wellness Graph – one of the country’s most powerful platforms for predicting health and social outcomes – enables the company to identify key markers on a patient’s journey into chronic illness and build preventive programs to address them.

Sanjit-Mahanti
Sanjit Mahanti
Co-Founder and Head of
Business Development
Akido

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    Sanjit Mahanti is a Co-Founder and Head of Business Development of Akido.

    Akido is rebuilding the healthcare experience from the ground up, focusing on addressing the systemic inequities that lead to chronic illness and vulnerability. Through early interventions, best-in-class care and human-centered technology, Akido is building a healthcare model that allows for all patients to live their fullest lives. Akido’s proprietary Wellness Graph – one of the country’s most powerful platforms for predicting health and social outcomes – enables the company to identify key markers on a patient’s journey into chronic illness and build preventive programs to address them.

Prashant-Samant
Prashant Samant
CEO and Co-Founder
Akido

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    Prashant Samant is a Co-Founder and CEO of Akido.

    Akido is rebuilding the healthcare experience from the ground up, focusing on addressing the systemic inequities that lead to chronic illness and vulnerability. Through early interventions, best-in-class care and human-centered technology, Akido is building a healthcare model that allows for all patients to live their fullest lives. Akido’s proprietary Wellness Graph – one of the country’s most powerful platforms for predicting health and social outcomes – enables the company to identify key markers on a patient’s journey into chronic illness and build preventive programs to address them.

Paulette-Pantoja
Paulette Pantoja
CEO
Blu Digital Group

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    Paulette Pantoja is the CEO of Blu Digital Group.

    Blu Digital Group is a software and services company within the digital distribution supply chain of the Media & Entertainment industry. Blu develops and licenses cloud-based software solutions focused on automating content servicing as well as servicing large Studio distributors' film/tv content in the areas of localization, quality control, post-production and media management. 

Jon-Elliott
Jon Elliott
CEO
Bluebeam
 

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    Jon Elliott is the CEO of Bluebeam.

    Bluebeam empowers the creative & hard-working people who build our world to get their jobs done faster & deliver better outcomes together, project after project. Our software is used by professionals on construction teams in over 160 countries.

Matt-Danna
Matt Danna
Co-Founder and CEO
Boulevard
 

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    Matt Danna is the Co-Founder and CEO of Boulevard.

    Boulevard offers the first and only client experience platform purpose-built for appointment-based, self-care businesses. Boulevard empowers business owners and professionals alike to deliver personable, enjoyable experiences to their clients through online appointment scheduling, messaging, and payments that are simple, elegant, and reliable. Founded in 2016, Boulevard has earned the trust of thousands of salons and spas across the nation by delivering the world-class technology and genuine, human, personable service they deserve.

Nathaniel-Patena
Nathaniel Patena
CEO
DrinkPAK
2023 National finalist

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    Nate Patena is the CEO of DrinkPAK.

    DrinkPAK is a next-generation North American contract manufacturer of large-volume premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic canned beverages. With one million square feet of production and warehousing space and some of the fastest lines in the country, DrinkPAK provides procurement support, complex batching and processing, filling, packaging, and on-site storage and distribution. From serving the largest, most sophisticated brands to high-growth, new, and emerging brands, DrinkPAK is committed to customer service through technology, flexibility, and talent.

Henry-Hernandez
Henry Hernandez III
CEO
Inter-Con Security
2023 National finalist

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    Henry Hernandez is the CEO of Inter-Con Security.

    Inter-Con is a global provider of high-touch security solutions to clients in North America, South America, Europe, and Africa. Inter-Con is one of the largest security companies in the world and employs approximately 35,000 people. Inter-Con serves clients across both the public and private sectors. Inter-Con has doubled in size in the past 24 months, and was recently named the fifth-largest security company in North America by revenue.

Rolando-Pozos
Rolando Pozos
President and CEO
La Amapola

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    Rolando Pozos is the President and CEO of La Amapola.

    La Amapola is a brand of natural food products, specialized in non-GMO corn products including masa, tamales and tortillas, and other specialty food offerings. The company sells its products through our three Amapola Deli & Market stores.

Teddy-Fong
Teddy Fong
CEO
Million Dollar Baby Co.

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    Teddy Fong is the CEO of Million Dollar Baby Co.

    Million Dollar Baby Co. (MDB Co.) is on a journey to inspire parents to create beautiful nurseries through well-designed products that are good for their baby. Our family of brands includes Babyletto, DaVinci, Namesake, Nursery Works, Franklin & Ben, and Ubabub. Our best-selling cribs, chairs, and dressers are designed in-house with sustainability and safety top of mind. MDB Co. and its brands have won over a dozen awards and are featured in leading publications like Inc., The Bump, Architectural Digest, and Forbes.

Mauricio-Umansky
Mauricio Umansky
CEO and Founder
The Agency

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    Mauricio Umansky is the Founder and CEO of The Agency.

    The Agency is a full-service, luxury real estate brokerage and lifestyle company representing clients worldwide in a broad spectrum of classes, including residential, new development, resort real estate, residential leasing and luxury vacation rentals.

Lauren-Wang
Lauren Wang
Founder and CEO
The Flex Co.

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    Lauren Wang is the Founder and CEO of The Flex Co.

    The Flex Co. is the top-selling sustainable period care brand known for creating a more comfortable period for everyone. Our product portfolio, including Flex Disc™, Flex Cup™, Flex Reusable Disc™, Flex Plant+ Disc™, Softdisc®, and Softcup®, is sold in over 30,000 retailers across North America. The Flex Co. is FDA-registered and is the sole designer of its products, which are manufactured in the United States and Canada. 

Ryan-Bartlett
Ryan Bartlett
Co-Founder and CEO
True Classic

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    Ryan Bartlett is a Co-Founder and CEO of True Classic.

    True Classic is a menswear essentials brand and the wardrobe of choice for over 2 million customers. The brand produces high-quality tees, polos, chinos, jeans, underwear, and accessories for a perfect men’s closet. True Classic also gives back, providing over half a million items to homeless shelters across the US.

Nick-Ventura
Nick Ventura
Co-Founder
True Classic

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    Nick Ventura is a Co-Founder of True Classic.

    True Classic is a menswear essentials brand and the wardrobe of choice for over 2 million customers. The brand produces high-quality tees, polos, chinos, jeans, underwear, and accessories for a perfect men’s closet. True Classic also gives back, providing over half a million items to homeless shelters across the US.

Matt-Winnick
Matthew Winnick
Co-Founder
True Classic

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    Matthew Winnick is a Co-Founder of True Classic.

    True Classic is a menswear essentials brand and the wardrobe of choice for over 2 million customers. The brand produces high-quality tees, polos, chinos, jeans, underwear, and accessories for a perfect men’s closet. True Classic also gives back, providing over half a million items to homeless shelters across the US.

Nick-Mathers
Nick Mathers
CEO
Wish You Were Here Group

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    Nick Mathers is the CEO of Wish You Were Here Group.

    Wish You Were Here Group is the beloved hospitality group from restaurateur Nick Mathers that owns and operates concepts inspired by global travel, such as Elephante, Eveleigh and Belles Beach House in Los Angeles, Kassi Beach House in Las Vegas, and Little Ruby’s Cafe and Dudley’s in New York City. Each property is influenced by different cultures and cuisines around the world which is reflected in the design, menu and ethos of each restaurant.

2023 Greater Los Angeles finalists

  • John Boiler, Glenn Cole, and Evin Shutt | 72andSunny | Playa Vista

    John Boiler is the Co-Founder & Co-Creative, Glenn Cole is the Co-Founder & Chairman, and Evin Shutt is the CEO of 72andSunny.

    72andSunny is a global marketing agency that unlocks possibilities for the world's most ambitious brands. 72andSunny leads with unparalleled strategy & disruptive creativity and is driven to expand & diversify the creative class.

  • Brian Ree | DAILYLOOK | Los Angeles

    Brian Ree is the Co-Founder and CEO of DAILYLOOK.

    DAILYLOOK is an online personal styling service powered by human stylists that sends you a box of hand-picked apparel conveniently to your home. Keep what you love. Return the rest. DAILYLOOK's secret sauce is striking the right balance between Styling Platform AI and our team of 120 full-time professional stylists. As a result, while competitors have either ceased operations or remain unprofitable, DAILYLOOK has experienced extraordinary profitable growth without external capital since 2017. In February 2022, DAILYLOOK was acquired by AdoreMe. In December 2022, AdoreMe Group was acquired by Victoria's Secret in a strategic all-cash acquisition for $400M with an additional $300M of future cash consideration. DAILYLOOK will contribute $100M of Net Sales and $6M of EBITDA to Victoria's Secret. DAILYLOOK's Styling Platform AI will provide Victoria's Secret strategic value to expand service offerings.

  • Eric Friedrichsen | Emburse | Los Angeles

    Eric Friedrichsen is the CEO of Emburse.

    Emburse is the global leader in spend optimization. Our expense, travel management, purchasing and accounts payable, and payments solutions are trusted by more than 12 million business professionals, including CFOs, finance teams, and travelers. More than 18,000 organizations in 120 countries, including Fortune 100 corporations, high-growth startups, public sector agencies, and nonprofits, count on our intelligent automation, sophisticated analytics, and unmatched spend control to streamline processes, increase spend visibility, enhance compliance, and deliver positive financial outcomes. We eliminate manual, time-consuming tasks, so our customers and their teams can focus on what matters most in their personal and professional lives. We humanize work. 

  • Ben Eachus | Flowspace | Los Angeles

    Ben Eachus is the Co-Founder and CEO of Flowspace.

    Flowspace powers independent fulfillment, enabling brands to provide efficient, reliable fulfillment to end customers, across channels, profitably and at scale. The company’s OmniFlow software empowers merchants with the next-generation visibility and insights they need to orchestrate and optimize fulfillment. Embedded within a flexible, asset-light network of 150+ fulfillment centers nationwide, the software enables regional logistics companies to store and fulfill products on behalf of brands selling across ecommerce and retail. Recently recognized as a leading provider of fulfillment software and services, the company is trusted by more than 500 brands to enable quick, efficient, omnichannel fulfillment from any source to any end customer. Its open platform is equipped to integrate with systems, channels, and partners across the retail ecosystem, including direct-to-consumer (DTC) storefronts, third-party marketplaces, brick-and-mortar retailers, and beyond.

  • Jing Gao | Fly by Jing | Los Angeles

    Jing Gao is the CEO of Fly by Jing.

    Fly by Jing, founded by chef and entrepreneur Jing Gao, is the first modern premium Chinese food company in America, bringing thoughtfully crafted pantry staples to the modern kitchen, like their cult-favorite Sichuan Chili Crisp, the fiery condiment that has taken the country by storm.

  • Ben Jones | Haus Labs by Lady Gaga | El Segundo

    Ben Jones is the Co-Founder and CEO of Haus Labs by Lady Gaga.

    Haus Labs by Lady Gaga is a CLEAN makeup brand powered by innovation delivering high-tech, high-pigment, high-performance products that are proprietary and first-to-market, infused with skin-loving ingredients, in sustainable packaging. Haus Labs celebrates all ages, shapes, sizes, colors, genders, identities, and skill sets. Products are created with kindness and are cruelty-free and vegan. 

  • Julia Hunter | Jenni Kayne | Los Angeles

    Julia Hunter is the CEO of Jenni Kayne.

    Jenni Kayne is a luxury lifestyle brand that spans apparel, home, and beauty. Through intentional design, curation, and an all-encompassing lifestyle that's inspiring and authentic, Jenni Kayne has created a new form of luxury that’s elevated, inviting, and uniquely Californian. With a wildly successful interiors arm of the business, Jenni Kayne Home, and an innovative beauty brand, Oak Essentials, the world of Jenni Kayne continues to speak to the modern sensibilities of today.

  • Sarah Chung Park | Landing International | Los Angeles

    Sarah Chung Park is the Founder and CEO of Landing International.

    Landing International is a B2B technology company specializing in digital tools that advance the future of retail and make the retail industry a more conscious, inclusive and empowering place. Landing provides technology and data solutions that create greater transparency to enable beauty retail sales. One of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in Beauty, Landing supports greater opportunity in beauty retail by championing brands committed to advancing innovation, representation, and ethical business. Landing works with over 450 beauty brands and nearly 100 leading U.S. beauty retailers.

  • Srin Vishwanath | OPN Healthcare | Glendale

    Srin Vishwanath is the CEO of OPN Healthcare.

    Founded in 1999, Oncology Physicians Network (OPN) Healthcare is a tech-enabled healthcare management company that specializes in oncology care. Initially focused on the Southern California market, OPN has evolved into a national organization that serves over 1.7 million enrollees with a network of several hundred community oncologists. Focused on understanding the needs of both payers and physicians, OPN has developed technology, workflows, and innovative physician engagement models to move cancer care from a volume model to a value model. OPN created a platform and innovated around improving alignment between the payer and provider. The efficiencies created by OPN’s platform help the oncology community contain costs and maintain or improve quality. As the healthcare landscape evolves, OPN continues to innovate and adapt through new technology development, including patient-centered programs that our oncologist partners can tap into.

  • Candace Nelson and Charles Nelson | Pizzana | Los Angeles

    Candace Nelson and Charles Nelson are the Co-Founders of Pizzana.

    Pizzana is a critically acclaimed, Michelin Bib Gourmand awarded and "50 Top Pizza" internationally recognized family of pizza restaurants from the Co-Founders of Sprinkles. Meticulously prepared with organic, stone ground flours and allowed to ferment for a full 48 hours, Pizzana’s famous “slow dough” results in a crust that is light and easy-to-digest, yet sturdy enough to pick up with one hand. Pies are topped with San Marzano tomatoes grown exclusively for Pizzana in the Neapolitan countryside and fior di latte brought in fresh from Italy. Pizza flavors span the traditional to the unexpected, including its signature cacio e pepe, an offering that has been emulated by pizzaiolos in Los Angeles and across the country. Pizzana locations in Los Angeles include Brentwood, West Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, Silver Lake and soon Marina Del Rey. Pizzana is also in Dallas, Texas, and coming soon to Houston. Its frozen pizzas are available for nationwide shipping via Goldbelly.

  • Mark Groden | Skyryse | El Segundo

    Mark Groden is the Founder and CEO of Skyryse.

    Skyryse is bringing trust, safety, and the accessibility of flight for all through FlightOS, its easy and intuitive integrated flight control system. FlightOS removes many complexities of managing an aircraft during standard flight operations, including inclement weather and emergencies. Skyryse has raised more than $260 million from leading investors, including Fidelity Management & Research Company, Monashee Investment Management, ArrowMark Partners, Venrock, Eclipse Ventures, Cantos, Stanford University, and Bill Ford, Executive Chair, Ford Motor Company.

  • Kent Yu | T3 Micro | El Segundo

    Kent Yu is the Chairman of T3 Micro.

    Hair is a powerful thing. It’s the ultimate accessory. An expression of personal style that’s uniquely yours. It can also drive you crazy. That’s why we make tools that demystify your styling routine and put you in control. We think you should love your results and own your look, without compromise or struggle, every single day.

  • John Terzian and Brian Toll | The h.wood Group | West Hollywood

    John Terzian and Brian Toll are the Co-Founders and Co-Presidents of The h.wood Group.

    The h.wood Group is a hospitality and lifestyle marketing company with an iconic portfolio of luxury nightlife and restaurant venues. The vision of longtime friends John Terzian and Brian Toll, The h.wood Group was founded in 2008 as a way for the consummate hosts and entrepreneurs to bring their high-end, thoughtful concepts and passion for service to life. From Delilah to The Nice Guy, The h.wood Group is responsible for some of the most iconic brands in the world. With eleven venues in Los Angeles, three across the country and six new ones on the horizon, The h.wood Group is rapidly expanding thanks to its multi-concept portfolio uniquely positioned to cater to different markets. This growth is guided by the brand’s core values - distinct design, exceptional service and palpable atmosphere - which combine to create extraordinary moments for every guest. ​The h.wood Group experience is known well beyond the walls of their brick-and-mortar locations, through its work as one of the most reputable event producers in the world. With passions for art, fashion, sports and entertainment, The h.wood Group’s signature ​approach to ​service and storytelling unites brands, consumers and talent.

  • Amy Liu | Tower 28 Beauty | Los Angeles

    Amy Liu is the Founder and CEO of Tower 28 Beauty.

    Founded in 2019, Tower 28 is a clean beauty brand designed for sensitive skin and made for all. Created with a hint of nostalgia, Tower 28’s products are bold, playful, and accessible. With the message that #ItsOkayToBeSensitive, Tower 28 is the first and only beauty brand to follow the National Eczema Association’s Ingredient Guidelines. That means 0% irritating ingredients and 100% safe for sensitive skin. It's also clean, vegan, rigorously dermatologist-tested, and made in the USA. Tower 28 is a bestselling brand at Sephora stores nationwide and has received over 65 industry awards, including the coveted Allure Best of Beauty recognition for three of its sensitive skin-friendly products.

  • Seema Bansal and Sunny Chadha | Venus et Fleur | Los Angeles

    Seema Bansal and Sunny Chadha are the Co-Founders of Venus et Fleur.

    Venus et Fleur is a bespoke rose atelier that intersects the romantic tradition of sending flowers with exceptionally stylish design. We specialize in lush, customizable precision arrangements of real roses that maintain freshness for over a year. Each personal hand-delivery or shipment from Venus et Fleur arrives opulently encased in a Parisian-inspired keepsake hat box. The result is an elegant and thoroughly modern presentation that speaks to a highly discerning design aesthetic. Every arrangement is handcrafted by a floral design specialist, who meticulously curates only the most pristine roses for each order. Our team works closely with you to create a beautiful, bespoke arrangement according to your specifications. We love custom orders and can integrate beautiful patterns, letters, and symbols with our roses, available in an extensive color palette.