San Bernardino, CA - The Randall W. Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship (RLCE) at Cal State San Bernardino and Premier Sponsor U.S. Bank announced the 54 semifinalists for the 2025 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards, selected from more than 300 nominations and 125 complete applications. This year’s pool featured both accomplished firms and emerging ventures with exceptional promise, making the evaluators’ task highly competitive.

“Our semifinalists exemplify the drive, ingenuity, and impact that power the Inland Empire’s entrepreneurial economy,” said Spirit Awards founder and RLCE Director Mike Stull. “Being selected from such a deep field is a significant achievement—congratulations to all the semifinalists!”

What’s next

The 53 semifinalists will attend a special Judging Reception on October 3, sponsored by McKell Partners Wealth Management. At the reception, the semifinalists will participate in brief, “speed-rounds” conversations with each of 2025 Spirit of the Entrepreneur judges—all former award recipients—for Q&A and follow-up. The Finalists will be announced on Friday, October 4, and will compete for the 2025 Spirit of the Entrepreneur award at the 23rd annual black-tie gala on November 18 at the Riverside Convention Center.

Meet the 2025 Semifinalists

• 360 Human Services - Harry Jackson - Apple Valley
• A19 Artisan Lighting - Cinnamon Alvarez - Ontario
• ABC Hopes, Inc. - Katie Moore - Corona
• Advanced CNC Industries, Inc. - David Swanson - Temecula
• Adventure RV California - Marisol Hill - San Bernardino
• Affordable Avionics Inc. DBA Araina Aviation - Deepun Desai - Chino
• Angel Heart Bio- Trauma - Juan Carrera - San Bernardino
• Aquamor - Michael Baird - Temecula
• Arrowhead United Way - Dr. Gwen Dowdy Rodgers - San Bernardino
• Azure Palm Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa Oasis - Maria Lease - Desert Hot Springs
• Batta Foods Inc. - Gagan and Aman Batta - Jurupa Valley
• BluCore Minerals LLC - Raymond Moorehead Jr. - San Bernardino
• Caravanserai - Alliance for Entrepreneurs - Mihai Patru - Palm Springs
• Cedar House Life Change Center - Jamie Lamb - Bloomington
• Christian Arts and Theatre - Cyndi L. Monroe - Corona
• CMAX Commercial Maintenance Inc - Frank Gutierrez - Ontario
• Coffeecito House - Brittnee Chavarria - Riverside
• Complete Coach Works - Kallie Arevalo - Riverside
• District & Charter Patrol - Zuriah McKnight - Ontario
• Ecko Ice Products - Eric Rogers - Ontario
• EDGE Sound Research - Valtteri Salomaki - Riverside
• Enerje Wellness Therapy - Shawnnell Pugh - Riverside
• Exclusive InFlight - Tasha Funes - Winchester
• From The Land - Gina Oliver - Yucaipa
• High-Light Electric Inc - Erwin Mendoza - Colton
• HR Direct Services Inc. - Gabriela Mendoza - Ontario
• Inland Leaders Charter Schools - Mike Gordon - Yucaipa
• K.A.R. Construction Inc. - Kurt A. Rothweiler - Ontario
• Metroll - Ashneel Chand & Diorem Marchan - Fontana
• Middle Housing Partners - Jared Jones - Riverside
• Oak Tree Learning Center - Jennifer Carter - Los Angeles
• Oili - Colton Telford - Temecula
• Phenix Gateway - Angel Sanchez - Riverside
• Plastics Plus Technology - Kathy L Bodor - Redlands
• Post and Jam - Warren Burley - Temecula
• PV Circonomy Company - Terry Ko - Menifee
• Ridgeway Vison, Inc DBA Idyllwild Realty - Shane Stewart - Idyllwild
• RSVC Company - Mark Aldaco - Riverside
• Scott McLeod Plumbing, Inc. - Scott McLeod - Rancho Cucamonga
• Shell Roofing Solutions Group - Rudy Gutierrez - Chino
• Sixth Street Coffee - Steven Garcia - Coachella
• Spectacular Academy - Spectacular Smith - Ontario
• Stored Power Technology Inc. - Jenny Zhang - Riverside
• Super Foam Corp - Zef Neemuchwala - Riverside
• The Adaptive Athlete, Inc. - Linda Weidner - Upland
• Threshold Aviation Group - Mark DiLullo - Chino
• TKB Bakery and Deli - Melina Maza - Indio
• Urban Habitat - Brett Brennan - Palm Desert
• Valley Resource Center Inc., dba EXCEED - Lee Trisler - Hemet
• Visionaire Optometry Spa - Sana Shakil-Ansaro - Riverside
• Visitinghome LLC - Dyiana Donaldson Comeau - Corona
• Weapon X Worldwide Inc. - Tina Richter - Ontario
• Western Science Center - Alton C. Dooley Jr. - Hemet
  
  

  JUDGING RECEPTION is Sponsored by McKell Partners Wealth Management.

  Spirit Awards Event Features

  Commencing at 5:00 p.m. on November 18, attendees will experience either a Gala or VIP reception, stellar event entertainment, awards presentations, and an exclusive after party! Ticket sales will be starting on October 10th!

  Best of the Best Award
  The top entrepreneur from among the evenings award recipients that best exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit will take home the 2025 Best of the Best award, sponsored by Best, Best & Krieger, LLP

  The Mary Anne Fox Top Female Entrepreneur Award
  The outstanding female entrepreneur from among the finalists will be recognized with the Mary Anne Fox Top Female Entrepreneur Award.

  The Garner Holt Student Fast Pitch Competition

  Witness 90-second business pitches from competing student finalists. Audience members cast their votes for the best business idea through a live voting poll to determine which students will walk away with the top cash prizes.

  Entertainment
  Upcoming entertainment guest stars are always an anticipated reveal during the gala. Past events have included top flight entertainment such as: Rock Legend Eddie Money, Ekenah Claudin-Transcending Box, and Gregory Adamson- Facing the Music Performance Artistry.

  VIP Reception Sponsored by U.S. Bank

  A portion of the proceeds from the Spirit of the Entrepreneur event benefit the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Scholarship established by Dr. Mike Stull, Director of Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship at California State University, San Bernardino. The scholarship is awarded to vetted and deserving entrepreneurship students from CSUSB's School of Entrepreneurship, to assist them in achieving their degree.

  • EVENT SPONSORS

    The Spirit of the Entrepreneur event is presented by the Randall W. Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship (RLCE), U.S. Bank, and the Jack H. Brown College of Business & Public Administration at California State University San Bernardino and sponsored by a wide range of local organizations including:

  • PLATINUM SPONSORS Best Best & Krieger LLP, Southern California News Group, and Inland Empire Magazine.
  • GOLD SPONSORS Varner & Brandt LLP, Riverside County Office of Economic Development, San Bernardino County Economic Development, JP Morgan Chase, Desmond & Louis, City of Riverside and PNC Bank
  • SILVER SPONSORS Columbia Bank, Pepsico
  • JUDGING RECEPTION SPONSOR McKell Partners Wealth Management
  • VIP RECEPTION SPONSOR U.S. Bank
  • WELCOME EXPERIENCE SPONSOR Bank of America
  • GALA RECEPTION HOST Farmers & Merchants Bank
  • AFTER PARTY SPONSOR Customers Bank
  • WINE SPONSOR RP&B CPAs