2026 NEXT Awards and Entrepreneurs' Hall of Fame

Nashville's most prestigious night for the founders transforming industries, creating opportunity, and shaping the future of Music City.
About this Event

The 2026 NEXT Awards + Entrepreneurs' Hall of Fame, Presented by Amazon, is Middle Tennessee's most prestigious night for the founders transforming industries, creating opportunity, and shaping the future of Nashville.

Six hundred business leaders. Red carpet arrivals. The Schermerhorn Symphony Center. A new class of Entrepreneurs' Hall of Fame inductees. Eleven trophies handed out on stage. Cocktails in the Courtyard until the music stops.

They call it the Oscars of business. The CMAs for founders. We call it the night Nashville's entrepreneurs take the stage they earned.

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Three founding teams who, between them, built the bank, the buildings, and the restaurants that turned Nashville into a national city:

• Rob McCabe & Terry Turner — Pinnacle Financial Partners

• Ben & Max Goldberg — Strategic Hospitality

• Don & Tracy Hardin — Don Hardin Group

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THE EVENING

5:30 PM · Doors open. Red carpet arrivals begin.

6:30 PM · Dinner is served.

7:15 PM · Program begins.

8:45 PM · Program concludes.

9:00 PM · Cocktails in the Courtyard — the NEXT Awards afterparty.

Dress code: Nashville Black-Tie. Tuxes, suits, evening gowns, and cocktail attire — with a little Nashville flair welcome. Statement boots, bling, or a touch of Music City glam.

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Learn more, meet the co-chairs, and see the full sponsor roster at ec.co/next-awards-2026

Sponsorship inquiries: Lauren McWhirter, VP of Investor Relations · [email protected]

Celebrating Exceptional Entrepreneurs

The Nashville Entrepreneur Center’s signature fundraising event celebrates the visionaries and innovators driving our city’s economic growth. From prominent recognition to VIP experiences, we have sponsorship opportunities for companies of all sizes to participate in this uniquely Nashville celebration.

Sponsorship Opportunities

THE AWARDS

Eleven trophies. One night. Eight industries that built this city.

INDUSTRY CATEGORIES (one winner per category)

• Business & Professional Services

• Consumer Goods

• Healthcare

• Life Sciences & Biotechnology

• Music, Sports, Gaming & Entertainment

• Real Estate & Construction

• Retail & Restaurant

• Social Enterprise

PLUS

• Entrepreneur of 2026

• David H. Furse Mentor Award

• The Freeman Award

ELIGIBILITY

• In business 5 years or less (as of 10/19/2026)

• Headquartered in Middle Tennessee

• Founder must be actively involved

• For-profit (unless applying for Social Enterprise)

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Presented by Amazon.

With gratitude to our 2026 partners: Shore Capital Partners · LaunchTN · HCA Healthcare / TriStar Health · Chezy · Evolution Events Solutions · Austermiller Roofing · LBMC · Belmont University · Southwest Airlines · The Cauble Group · The Cupcake Collection · Intermedia Intelligent Communications · Pinnacle Financial Partners · EO Nashville · Nashville Post · BPD Healthcare · Nashville Soccer Club · Judith Bright Jewelry · and a growing roster of Mentors and Advisors.

See the full sponsor wall at ec.co/next-awards-2026

Agenda

🕑: 05:30 PM - 06:30 PM
Doors Open · Red Carpet Arrivals
🕑: 06:30 PM - 07:15 PM
Dinner
🕑: 07:15 PM - 08:45 PM
Program Begins
🕑: 09:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Cocktails in the Courtyard (afterparty)