EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.
Recent Searches
Press release
21 Apr 2026
EY US unveils Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 New England Award finalists
Recognizing ambitious leaders who are shaping the future of their industries
Boston, MA, April 21, 2026 – Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced the finalists for the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 New England Award. Now in its 41st year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year® program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and uplifting communities. The program honors entrepreneurs whose innovations drive economic growth and help shape the future of business.
An independent panel of judges selected 24 finalists based on their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, company growth and lasting impact in building long-term value.
“This year’s finalists reflect a dynamic group of entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of their industries and communities across New England,” said Lisa Kelly, Entrepreneur Of The Year® New England Program Co-Director.
“Chosen by an independent panel of judges, their companies are driving job creation, fueling innovation and strengthening the regional business community. We’re proud to celebrate their continued success,” said Kat Oliver, Entrepreneur Of The Year® New England Program Co-Director.
Entrepreneur Of The Year® honors many different types of business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company, transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory, and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future.
The 2026 New England finalists are:
- Ben Glass | Altaeros | Fremont, NH
- Josh Peters | Arpelos Biosciences | Cambridge, MA
- Liz Powers | ArtLifting | Boston, MA
- Elden Lainez | Boston Lab Services | Wilmington, MA
- Frank Vella | Constant Contact | Waltham, MA
- Mike Melillo | Dockwa | Newport, RI
- Parastoo Khoshakhlagh | GC Therapeutics | Cambridge, MA
- Norma Kuntz | Gordon Brothers | Boston, MA
- Rob Durning | GreenerU | Waltham, MA
- Tom First | Culture Pop Soda | Watertown, MA
- Jay Tuli | Leader Bank | Arlington, MA
- Gage Caligaris | Ledgebrook | Boston, MA
- Carlos Castro-Gonzalez | Leuko | Cambridge, MA
- Anthony Tivnan | Magellan Jets | Quincy, MA
- George J. Serafin | NanoDx | Southborough, MA
- Alan Trefler | Pega | Waltham, MA
- Yuk Slyvka | Plum ProExteriors | Wellesley, MA
- Kirill Bigai | Preply | Brookline, MA
- Mark Barrocas | SharkNinja | Needham, MA
- Eli Feldman | Shy Bird | Cambridge, MA
- Jake Becraft | Strand Therapeutics | Boston, MA
- Adam Farmer | The Farmer Companies | Burlington, VT
- Dayna Gilchrist | THE HYPE AGENCY | Salem, NH
- Vishal Patel | Triveni Bio | Watertown, MA
Learn more about the finalists at ey.com/us/eoy/newengland.
Regional award winners will be announced on June 16 during a special celebration. The winners will then be considered by the national independent panel of judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year® National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum®.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, Cresa, LLC, Marsh USA, SAP and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In New England, sponsors also include regional platinum sponsor, DLA Piper, regional gold sponsor, ADP, and regional silver sponsor, Stagedge.
About Entrepreneur Of The Year®
Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year® has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 80 countries and territories globally.
The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum® in November where national finalists and award winners are announced. The national overall winner represents the US at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year® competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.
About EY
EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.
Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.
EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.
All in to shape the future with confidence.
EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.