Zoom Launches Inaugural “Solopreneur 50” List to Honor AI-Driven Solo Businesses
A jury of experts will evaluate candidates based on five key dimensions: originality, financial performance, measurable impact, authentic connection to culture, and market influence.
RMN Digital Small Business Desk
New Delhi | January 13, 2026
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Zoom Video Communications, Inc. has officially opened nominations for its first-ever Zoom Solopreneur 50 List (ZSP50), a landmark program designed to recognize “businesses of one” that leverage artificial intelligence to achieve significant scale. Announced on January 8, 2026, the initiative highlights individuals who are redefining entrepreneurship by growing independent ventures without the need for traditional employee structures.
A New Era of Scaling Solo
The ZSP50 program aims to celebrate 50 trailblazing independent creators, consultants, educators, and innovators across the United States. According to Zoom, the program focuses on AI-first business leaders who use technology to remove friction and operate with a level of sophistication that was previously reserved for larger companies.
“AI is expanding what a single person can accomplish,” stated Kimberly Storin, Chief Marketing Officer at Zoom. She noted that solopreneurs are proving that business scale is now driven by capability rather than company size. This shift is supported by research from Zoom and Upwork, which found that 64% of solopreneurs believe they could not remain in business without AI, and 91% saw a return on their AI investments within a single year.
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Eligibility and Nomination Details
Nominations for the list are currently open and will be accepted until 5 p.m. ET on February 13, 2026. Interested parties can nominate themselves or others by completing a form at zoom.com/solo50. To be eligible for the ZSP50, nominees must:
- Operate a U.S.-based business with no full-time employees.
- Have been in operation for a minimum of 12 months.
- Demonstrate innovation, independence, and a measurable business impact.
Judging and Honoree Benefits
A jury of experts will evaluate candidates based on five key dimensions: originality, financial performance, measurable impact, authentic connection to culture, and market influence.
Honorees, scheduled to be announced in the second quarter of 2026, will receive significant benefits. In addition to exposure through Zoom’s media ecosystem and access to a community of mentors, the top five honorees will be eligible for financial grants intended to accelerate their business growth.
Zoom’s Commitment to AI-First Tools
The launch of the ZSP50 is part of Zoom’s broader strategy to support independent business builders through its AI-first work platform. The company continues to expand its “Zoom Workplace” offerings, which include the AI Companion—a tool integrated into paid plans to help users manage tasks like document collaboration, scheduling, and meeting summaries.
By recognizing these “armies of one,” Zoom aims to provide the research and real-world tools necessary for modern entrepreneurs to solve complex problems in real time without the constraints of legacy systems.
