Innholdsfortegnelse for November/December 2025 i Entrepreneur Magazine

THE FOUNDER was freaking out. He’d been trying to raise VC funds and finally landed a big investor meeting. The night before the pitch, he texted me: “If this doesn’t go well, I’ll never raise this money.” I replied: “The stakes are lower than you think.” He thought I was insulting him. I wasn’t. Instead, I was offering him a lifeline. Because in the topsy-turvy world of entrepreneurship, this is the only way to survive: You must develop a low-stakes mindset. Here’s what I mean. I’ve interviewed thousands of entrepreneurs, consulted with hundreds, and sit on many advisory boards. And I see this pattern repeatedly: Struggling entrepreneurs tend to have a high-stakes mindset—treating everything as a make-or-break moment, and believing that every action has dire consequences. As a result,…

1/Diversified supply chains are crucial. “When your sourcing is too concentrated, you’re vulnerable. For us, the moment tariffs spiked, it became crystal clear that relying on a limited set of manufacturers and suppliers created real exposure. We had to react quickly, find alternative partners, and rethink our manufacturing footprint. The experience underscored a lasting lesson: Diversification isn’t just a best practice, it’s a safeguard for business continuity.” —JILL LAYFIELD, CEO, Birdy Grey 2/Putting comfort over conflict is costly. “Leading up to a major system implementation, every time I asked probing questions, our CTO would react defensively. I wanted to give him space, so I held back from getting deeply involved. In hindsight, I was avoiding necessary conflict. The result? The implementation went poorly. Customers were disappointed. We’re still fixing issues…

I have started five companies in education technology and have been fortunate to see several through successful exits. My latest venture launched in 2020 and is now profitable, bringing in $30 million a year. Here’s my number-one reason for success, and it’s not something you’ll find in a business textbook—it’s a revelation that came to me at my first company, and it’s simple: I try to hire the same people. I’m not talking about a few top executives. I mean employees at every level. My goal is to have at least 50% of my team consist of familiar faces. At Uwill, the student mental health and wellness company I lead today, we have about 100 full-time employees. Roughly half have worked with me before, and many of those who haven’t came…

1/A portable pick-me-up. Few things derail productivity like the afternoon slump. The 1.5-pound Wacaco Pixapresso [$160; wacaco.com] can get you back on track in just three minutes. Its built-in, rechargeable battery heats enough water for a fresh espresso shot without the fuss—perfect at your desk, in a hotel room, or on the road. The compact brewer is about the size of an insulated water bottle and even stores a cup onboard. Recharge via USB in about 2.5 hours and expect roughly five shots, from ground coffee or Nespresso pods, per charge. 2/The self-charging portable keyboard. Even the light from your desk lamp is enough to charge this handy keyboard. The Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ Wireless Keyboard K980 [$100; logitech.com] connects to up to three devices, letting you switch seamlessly between…

Years ago, Robert Herjavec hired a young sales guy. The kid was smart, professional, and learned everything about the company’s products. But he couldn’t close a deal. “This kid’s a loser,” his sales manager told Herjavec. “Let’s get him outta here.” But Herjavec wanted to join a few calls with the kid first. What he observed was telling: The kid did nothing wrong, but he also did nothing to connect with his clients. So Herjavec gave him some unusual advice: “On your next sales call, I want you to walk in, sit down, don’t say anything for like a minute,” Herjavec told him. “Then look the client in the eye and say, ‘I’m so thankful for you taking this meeting. But I have to be honest, I am so nervous.…

Congratulations to the 2025 Pepperdine Graziadio Business School’s Most Fundable Companies presented by the Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship. In our eighth year, more than 2,300 early-stage US startups from across all 50 states vied for a space on the list. All 14 winners are worthy of serious investor consideration based on several variables, including financial projections, market opportunity, intellectual property, competitive advantage, and team-management expertise. Serving as a free resource for startups looking to source capital and accelerate innovation across industries and communities, our program educates founders on investor diligence and provides critical business assessments. At Pepperdine Graziadio, we believe that developing purpose-driven leaders involves connecting early-stage companies with the resources needed to positively impact the business market. Supporting aspiring entrepreneurs is at the core of Graziadio’s…

We’re living through one of the biggest technology supercycles in history. Artificial intelligence isn’t just a new feature or platform—it’s a new substrate, the layer upon which the next generation of companies will be built. Think back to what AWS did for cloud computing. Suddenly, the world had on-demand compute, and that infrastructure change unleashed an entire generation of software companies. AI is that, but multiplied by a thousand. For the first time, human-level intelligence is available on demand, anywhere. Every product, every workflow, every industry will eventually rebuild itself around that reality. At the foundation layer, we have large model companies providing the “intelligence utility.” Above that, founders are racing to build the application layer—companies that leverage this new substrate to solve real problems. What’s fascinating is that every…

Venture capital is a powerful tool to scale startups, but is it the right tool for your startup? According to major VC investor Kevin Carter, not necessarily. Throughout his career, Carter has invested in more than 1,000 early stage companies, dozens of which have gone on to billion-dollar valuations. He entered early into disruptive companies like Airbnb, Stripe, and Snap—and now his firm Night Capital backs high-potential founders in massive markets. Here, he shares how to decide whether venture capital can take your business to the next level, and if so, which investors are worth partnering with. So what kind of business is right for venture capital? In reality, venture capital is a very specialized tool for building a very specific type of business: one that scales rapidly and has…

Japan’s food industry is globally renowned for its safety, quality, and innovation — qualities that have made Japanese products trusted worldwide. As global consumers seek healthier, premium, and niche food solutions, Japanese companies are increasingly well-positioned to lead. Among them, O’will has emerged as a dynamic growth story. Founded as a food-ingredients specialist, it has expanded into a trusted provider of food products and environmental solutions. Headquartered in Japan with a presence in the U.S., O’will combines global reach with uncompromising Japanese quality standards. Since taking the helm in 2019, President Kazuki Date has doubled operational profit while broadening the company’s portfolio to more than 8,000 products. These range from dairy products, food additives and agricultural inputs to mangoes sourced from India, Mexico, and Thailand, as well as vitamin C,…

Marisa L. Mason has served in the Navy for 20 years—and counting. While still active-duty, she recently opened her Hotworx studio in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Why did you choose Hotworx? In 2016, I ruptured my patella tendon. My orthopedic surgeon recommended Hotworx to aid my recovery, and before long, it became part of my daily life. It completely transformed my body, my mindset, and my outlook on wellness. I wanted to share with others the same life-changing results I had experienced. How has your military experience helped you as a franchisee? As a Senior Chief Petty Offcer, leading and mentoring sailors has been my calling, and those skills have carried directly into business ownership. My service has taught me to adapt quickly, push through setbacks, and trust the process. What…

Slovenia has emerged in recent years as one of Europe’s most dynamic smaller economies. According to the World Bank, the country recorded steady growth rates before the pandemic and has rebounded strongly since, with GDP projected to expand further thanks to its advanced manufacturing base and innovation-driven sectors. Deloitte notes that Slovenia’s combination of a skilled workforce, favorable geographic position, and integration into EU markets makes it an attractive hub for investment. In this environment, high-tech ventures have flourished, and one of the most remarkable stories is that of BIA Separations, a biotech company with a turbulent but ultimately successful journey. The biotechnology sector has become increasingly important in the global economy, particularly in the fields of gene and cell therapy. Companies in this space develop highly specialized technologies for…

Japan has long been synonymous with resilience, innovation, and global influence. Today, as investors around the world look for stable yet dynamic opportunities, the Japanese economy presents a compelling case. With strong fundamentals, a culture of continuous technological advancement, and favorable macroeconomic shifts, Japan is positioning itself as one of the most attractive destinations for international capital in the coming decade. Japan remains the world’s third-largest economy, supported by a robust industrial base, advanced infrastructure, and a highly skilled workforce. In recent years, GDP growth has surprised analysts with steady momentum despite global headwinds. Inflation has returned after decades of stagnation, driven by healthy domestic demand and a weaker yen that has boosted export competitiveness. For investors, this signals an economy on the move—one with the potential for both sustainable…

Japan’s economic outlook is turning brighter. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects growth to accelerate in 2025, supported by rising wages, stronger consumption, and pro-investment policy shifts. For industries such as packaging, housing, and logistics, this momentum is creating new opportunities to innovate, expand, and deliver greater value. Companies that combine resilience with disciplined growth strategies are particularly well placed to benefit from this supportive environment. Tomoku Co., Ltd., a Tokyo-listed company active across corrugated containers, housing, and transportation and logistics, has built a long-standing reputation for reliability, disciplined management, and consistent shareholder returns. Now, under the leadership of President Mitsuo Nakahashi, the company is pairing those strengths with a more ambitious agenda: restoring pricing power, expanding internationally, and embedding sustainability and innovation across its operations. “At the heart of…

It’s the first big question in anyone’s fundraising journey: “Who should I pitch?” The answer might be: Pitch an emerging investor. Why? For good reason, according to the team at AngelList, who we partnered with to make this list: Emerging managers bring a distinct mix of energy, focus, and accessibility. Because they’re actively building their reputations, they tend to be deeply engaged with the founders they back—and are often more open to unconventional ideas, backgrounds, and business models. Their funds are typically sized to participate meaningfully in early-stage rounds, allowing them to invest earlier, build conviction faster, and form deeper relationships with founders from the start. To create this list, AngelList began with a data-set of several hundred venture GPs and then focused on sustained performance, portfolio quality, and consistent…

Here’s the best and worst part about a pitch deck: It should be short. Founders always want to go long. They have so much information to share, and so many points they want to make! But that just muddies the pitch. So we asked Rollups by AngelList (it’s an AngelList brand that helps companies fundraise) to share their ideal pitch format—and they gave us this. It’s just five pages. Brevity forces focus. After all, investors don’t want to know everything about your business—not initially, at least. They just want to understand if you’re solving the right problem, and if you’re the people to make it successful. Don’t worry—five isn’t a standard you must hit. If you need a few more pages, nobody will be upset. So, what belongs in those…

Entering into the world of venture capital for the first time can be overwhelming. How do you show investors you have what they’re looking for? What even are they looking for? Jenny Fielding knows. She is a cofounder of Everywhere Ventures, a globally oriented seed and pre-seed fund backing high-potential founders, and she has a wealth of experience from the other side of the conference table. Here, Fielding offers her best advice on how to make a positive first impression. Let’s talk about the first meeting—which can be very intimidating. A lot of founders think the ideal outcome is a check, when it actually might be a second meeting. What’s the best mentality to have when going in? Try to make a personal connection. Get to know each other and how…

The global manga industry has transformed into a cultural and commercial powerhouse over the past decade. Once considered a niche outside of Japan, manga now generates billions in worldwide sales, driven by digital distribution and the rise of webtoon-style formats. In North America, comics and graphic novel sales reached $1.94 billion in 2024, a 73% increase since 2019, with manga leading much of that growth. The U.S. market alone topped $1 billion last year and is projected to nearly quadruple by 2030, making it one of the fastest-growing worldwide. This momentum reflects not only the surge in digital reading on smartphones and tablets, but also a wider fascination with Japanese culture — from cuisine and fashion to anime and manga. For American readers eager to discover both beloved classics and…

In the world of advanced materials and precision technology, Japan has long been synonymous with craftsmanship and quiet innovation. Within this tradition stands Orbray, a company that has been shaping industries and enabling lifestyle shifts for more than eight decades. From diamond record styli that defined the sound of a generation to pioneering vibration motors in mobile phones and today’s breakthroughs in diamond wafers for semiconductors, Orbray has consistently proven that Japanese engineering is, in the words of its President Riyako Namiki, “like oxygen to technology—unseen, but essential.” What sets Orbray apart is its ability to transform “technology with soul” into global solutions. In the 1960s, the company supplied 70-80% of the worldwide demand for diamond record styli, producing about 10 million annually. In 1979, when the first portable cassette…

Every year, the National Restaurant Association shares the results of its “What’s Hot” survey. In 2025, Southeast Asian foods were forecast to be all the rage. Vietnamese and Filipino cuisines were scoring big points with consumers, along with Korean and Indian (though those cuisines are technically East Asian and South Asian, respectively). More familiar Asian foods like Chinese, Japanese, and Thai are growing in the franchise industry as well, but less-established regional flavors are especially hot. “As the years have progressed, two important trends have occurred concurrently,” says Hudson Riehle, the National Restaurant Association’s senior vice president of research. “First, Asian cuisines and their supply chains have grown in diversity and availability. Second, diners and their global palates have become more sophisticated and knowledgeable. As a result, there is a…

Growing up, my mom and I had a running joke about four-leaf clovers: I always found them, and she never did. She called me “the lucky one.” I’d find clovers on sidewalks, hiking trails, and even in fields of weeds. She’d look repeatedly but never spot one. As I grew older, this seemed to symbolize something deeper. My whole life was lucky; I was cared for, built a successful business, and even scored a deal on the first-ever episode of Shark Tank. My mom’s life was unlucky: She was one of 10 siblings, most of whom were put up for adoption. She was diagnosed with a life-threatening autoimmune disease, placed on the organ transplant list, and a donor match did not come fast enough to save her life. Just days…

For leaders who are pursuing long-term growth, one big challenge is creating systems that grow with the business while supporting local teams. Take Sciens Building Solutions for example. This leading fire and life safety solutions company has expanded rapidly through acquisitions, bringing together 32 divisions across the U.S. Each division operates locally, serving its community while contributing to the broader mission of ensuring that life safety systems remain compliant and ready to perform. This growth model, while successful, presented a procurement challenge. Divisions were buying independently, often through personal Amazon accounts or manual processes, which made it diffcult to track spending or negotiate consistent terms. That changed when Sciens began working with Amazon Business to create a consolidated program that reflects its values of empowerment and its “be one team”…

Japan’s reputation for precision and reliability has long been a cornerstone of its global success. From automobiles to advanced electronics, the country’s manufacturers have built trust worldwide by prioritizing quality over speed and scale. This philosophy is especially visible in engineering and advanced manufacturing, where Japanese firms, as McKinsey notes, continue to lead the world in precision solutions that prioritize reliability and long-term value over sheer output—an edge that keeps them competitive in global supply chains. Within this environment, one company has successfully adapted to the times. Founded in 1879, D. Nagata began as a trading business but has since redefined itself as a lean, engineering-driven enterprise. President Yosuke Nagata explained the philosophy behind the shift: “We used to think a good company was one with more people, more sales,…

Robert Herjavec quit Shark Tank after its first year. Technically speaking, he quit Dragons’ Den—which was the show’s name in Canada, where it appeared in 2006 before expanding to the U.S. in 2009. In the beginning, the show seemed destined to fail. The producers had low expectations. And the premise made no sense: Very serious investors were supposed to put real money into… random little products? “I thought, What am I doing here?” Herjavec recalls. Before this, Herjavec’s entire career had been in enterprise sales. He’d founded a cybersecurity company, Herjavec Group, around 2003. Humble at first, it would go on to expand from a single employee to about 1,000 people globally, and has an enterprise value of about $1 billion today. He describes himself as “very, very technical.” His…

The global retail sector is undergoing a dramatic transformation, shaped by shifting consumer behavior, digital disruption, and the rise of value-driven shopping. According to industry analysts, discount and variety retailers are among the fastest-growing segments worldwide, as consumers seek both affordability and innovation in their daily purchases. Within this dynamic landscape, few companies embody these trends more powerfully than DAISO — the iconic Japanese retailer that has grown from its humble 100-yen shop roots into a global lifestyle brand — bringing the joy of shopping to millions worldwide. DAISO’s evolution is also reflected in its expanding brand portfolio. What began as a 100-yen shop concept has grown into a broader lifestyle ecosystem. Standard Products offers minimalist, eco-friendly, premium goods, while THREEPPY caters to younger consumers with trendy, fashionable items. Together,…

Don’t include this in your pitch deck, but have it ready for when investors ask. ROAD MAP/ What next milestone will this funding round enable you to reach? CAP TABLE/ Detailed view of company ownership plus founder stock purchase and IP assignment agreement(s). CUSTOMER ROSTER/ Investors may want to see where revenue is coming from. Can be deidentified (i.e., “Customer #12”). FINANCIALS/ Historical and forecasted P&L for next one to two years, plus a balance sheet/cashflow statement. COMPETITION/ Competitive analysis table. ASK/ How much you’re raising this round and high-level use of funds.…

Japan stands at the forefront of the reuse industry, setting global standards for quality, trust, and innovation. The reuse jewelry industry in particular is booming and is projected to more than double by 2033. As consumer awareness grows, what was once dismissed as secondhand is increasingly celebrated as sustainable luxury. At the forefront of this shift is Kishun, a Japanese company founded in 2014 and specializing in “urban mining.” Rather than extracting new resources, Kishun breathes new life into pre-loved gemstones and diamonds. Managing appraisal, design, and craftsmanship entirely in-house, the company blends ethical sourcing with Japanese monozukuri, or devoted craftsmanship. In just 11 years, it has grown from humble beginnings into a pioneering brand redefining sustainability in Japan while earning recognition on the global stage. Its mission is not…

Whether you’re building outside Silicon Valley or just working on an idea that’s unconventional, there’s something about your story that makes you an outsider. George Rzepecki says that for investors like him, that’s not a red flag—it’s a competitive advantage. Rzepecki leads The Raba Partnership, an investment group focused on early-stage technology companies in emerging markets, especially Africa. Here, he shares how founders can sell an investor on an idea—or even an industry—that no one has imagined until now. You focus on emerging markets. If a founder is outside of Silicon Valley, they might feel like they have a disadvantage. How can they convince investors that being an outsider is actually a superpower? The first thing that comes to mind is: competition. There’s incredible talent everywhere, but the depth of capital…

There’s no single way to become an entrepreneur. Some founders leap straight into building. Others experiment on the side while keeping a steady job. Then there are those who choose to train for it—immersing themselves in classrooms and campus labs where they can study how businesses work, launch projects with real stakes, and connect with people who may one day become cofounders or investors. Education can’t guarantee entrepreneurial success, but it can certainly accelerate it. The right program goes beyond theory and numbers to create a proving ground where ideas are stress-tested, ambitions are harnessed, and real-world partnerships are formed. That’s why, for the past 20 years, Entrepreneur has collaborated with The Princeton Review to identify standout undergraduate and graduate programs. We want to shine a light on the most…

When the air gets crisp, mosquitoes die off for the winter. Most people love that. But for Chris Snead, who owns five Mosquito Joe territories in Northern Virginia, it once meant that business died off too. Snead bought his first Mosquito Joe franchise in 2014, and kept expanding. But eventually, the seasonal aspect of Mosquito Joe began to feel limiting. He wanted businesses that operated year-round. The solution: In 2022, he opened a Wonderly Lights franchise (formerly known as Grand Illuminations). Demand surges during the fall and winter, when people want their holiday lights up, but it also provides year-round service for landscape lighting. It’s why the company’s tagline is literally “Making Every Season Brighter”—reminding customers that it’s not just seasonal. So, what’s it like running separate franchises that peak…

Here’s perhaps the most common question in business: What do people want? But there’s a bigger, better, and meatier question to ask: Why do people want what they want? If you can answer that, you know what’s driving people’s spending—and you can understand where they might be spending next. That’s what we at Entrepreneur endeavored to do, by looking at four of the hottest trends in franchising today. Over the past year, there’s been a boom (or a continuing boom) in franchises that focus on pets, junk removal, personal care, and Asian cuisine. (Those aren’t the only trending categories; see more on page 120.) So we wanted to know: What’s driving that growth? Why are people spending more in these areas? What does that say about consumers today and opportunities…