Celebrating The Trailblazers of Solo Entrepreneurship

The ZSP50 will recognize 50 pioneering "businesses of one" across the United States, spotlighting independent creators, consultants, educators, inventors, and innovators who leverage technology and creativity to make significant impacts. This initiative serves as an opportunity for solo business owners to join a distinguished community of like-minded individuals.

“AI is expanding what a single person can accomplish,” stated Kimberly Storin, Chief Marketing Officer at Zoom. “Solopreneurs are using AI to remove friction, move faster, reach further, and operate with a level of sophistication that used to be out of reach. The Solopreneur 50 recognizes the builders proving that scale today is driven by capability, not company size. Zoom is focused on enabling that future.”

The Impact of AI on Solopreneurs

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, there are over 30 million small businesses in the U.S., with 82% operating without any employees. For many solopreneurs, artificial intelligence has become a fundamental operational asset, refining decision-making, execution, and customer relationships. A recent survey, conducted in collaboration with Upwork, revealed that 64% of solopreneurs indicated they could not sustain their business without AI.

• 91% of small businesses reported a return on AI investments within one year.
• AI has facilitated cost reduction for 82% of small businesses.
• Customer acquisition and retention have increased for 91% and 87% of SMBs respectively.

Solopreneurs can swiftly adopt and iterate with AI tools, free from legacy systems or lengthy approval processes, enabling real-time application of new capabilities.

“Some of the most effective uses of AI aren’t coming from big companies – they’re solopreneurs,” said Lisa Scheiring, Global Small Business Advisor at Zoom. “They’re not waiting for polished playbooks or permission; they’re using AI to solve real problems in real time, reshaping what’s possible for armies of one.”

Details of the ZSP50 Program

The ZSP50 aims to highlight a growing community of individuals who successfully manage and scale their businesses independently across various sectors including technology, design, wellness, media, and social impact. To be eligible for nomination, candidates must:

• Operate a U.S.-based business with no full-time employees.
• Have been in operation for at least 12 months.
• Demonstrate innovation, independence, and measurable impact.

A panel of experts from Zoom’s network will evaluate the nominees based on five criteria: originality of idea or execution, demonstrated financial performance, measurable business impact, authentic connection to culture and community, and influence in shaping markets or communities.

The honorees are set to be announced in the second quarter of 2026, receiving recognition through Zoom’s platforms, access to a network of peers and mentors, along with eligibility for financial grants awarded to the top five recipients to foster their growth and influence.

About Zoom and Its Mission

Zoom’s mission is to offer an AI-first work platform to enhance human connection and collaboration. With offerings like Zoom Workplace—an innovative open collaboration platform—and Zoom Contact Center, the company endeavors to improve customer relationships throughout the customer lifecycle. Founded in 2011 and publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol ZM, Zoom is headquartered in San Jose, California. For more information, visit zoom.com.

Media Contact

For inquiries, please contact:
rebecca.bernhard@zoom.com
compress@zoom.us