Zoom Opens Nominations for First U.S. Solopreneur 50 List, Recognizing AI-First Solo Business Leaders

Rhea-AI Summary

Zoom (ZM) opened nominations on Jan 8, 2026 for the inaugural Zoom Solopreneur 50 (ZSP50), a U.S. recognition and grant program honoring 50 solo business owners who scale with AI. Nominations are open through 5 p.m. ET on Feb 13, 2026 at zoom.com/solo50.

Eligible nominees must run a U.S.-based business with no full-time employees, be operational for 12+ months, and show innovation, financial performance, and measurable impact. Winners announced in Q2 2026; top five are eligible for financial grants and exposure across Zoom platforms.

News Market Reaction

-1.13%

1 alert

-1.13% News Effect

On the day this news was published, ZM declined 1.13%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

U.S. small businesses: over 30MM Non-employer share: 82% Survey sample: more than 1,000 small businesses +5 more

8 metrics

U.S. small businesses over 30MM Number of small businesses in the U.S.

Non-employer share 82% Portion of U.S. small businesses with no employees

Survey sample more than 1,000 small businesses Zoom and Upwork SMB and solopreneur survey size

AI dependence 64% SMBs/solopreneurs saying they couldn’t be in business without AI

AI ROI within a year 91% Small businesses seeing return on AI investments within one year

Cost reduction via AI 82% SMBs/solopreneurs reporting AI helped reduce business costs

Customer acquisition boost 91% SMBs/solopreneurs saying AI increased customer acquisition

Customer retention boost 87% SMBs/solopreneurs saying AI increased customer retention

Market Reality Check

Price: $80.96 Vol: Volume 3057787 is 27% abo...

normal vol

$80.96 Last Close

Volume Volume 3057787 is 27% above the 20-day average of 2398869, indicating elevated interest ahead of this AI-focused initiative. normal

Technical Trading above the 200-day MA, with price at 86.63 vs 200-day MA of 79.88.

Peers on Argus

Peers show mixed, modest moves (e.g., HUBS +0.19%, TYL +0.53%, SSNC -0.79%, GWRE...

Peers show mixed, modest moves (e.g., HUBS +0.19%, TYL +0.53%, SSNC -0.79%, GWRE -0.98%), suggesting ZM’s AI-centric solopreneur program is a stock-specific driver rather than a sector-wide software move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 15 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 15	AI product launch	Positive	-3.3%	Launched AI Companion 3.0 with agentic workflows and new AI surface.
Dec 10	Brand campaign	Positive	+0.5%	Unveiled 'Zoom Ahead' brand campaign with high-profile media placements.
Nov 24	Earnings results	Positive	-0.0%	Reported Q3 FY26 revenue and EPS growth with strong cash flow and buybacks.
Oct 30	Earnings notice	Neutral	+3.4%	Announced upcoming release date and webcast details for Q3 FY26 results.
Oct 28	AI partnership	Positive	-0.3%	Announced NVIDIA partnership to enhance Zoom’s federated AI architecture.

Pattern Detected

Recent news often shows divergence: several positive AI and earnings updates were followed by flat or negative 24h price reactions.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, Zoom has focused on AI and brand expansion, including AI Companion 3.0, a major brand campaign, and solid Q3 FY26 earnings with share repurchases. Prior AI announcements on Sep 17, 2025 and Oct 9, 2025 saw positive moves, while later AI launches in Oct and Dec 2025 coincided with negative reactions. Today’s AI-driven solopreneur initiative fits this ongoing push to showcase Zoom’s AI capabilities and ecosystem reach.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement expands Zoom’s AI strategy into the fast-growing solopreneur segment, highlighting...

Analysis

This announcement expands Zoom’s AI strategy into the fast-growing solopreneur segment, highlighting that 64% of surveyed small businesses say they could not operate without AI and 91% reported AI ROI within one year. It complements prior AI product launches and partnerships captured in recent news and filings. Investors may watch adoption of the Solopreneur 50 program, follow-on AI offerings for solo businesses, and how these efforts support broader platform engagement over time.

Key Terms

ai, solopreneur

2 terms

ai technical

"“AI is expanding what a single person can accomplish,” said Kimberly Storin..."

Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables machines to mimic human thinking and learning, allowing them to analyze information, recognize patterns, and make decisions. For investors, AI matters because it can improve how businesses operate, create new products, or identify opportunities faster and more accurately than humans alone, potentially impacting company success and market trends.

solopreneur technical

"program from Zoom highlights solopreneur success and scalability through AI integration..."

A solopreneur is a single individual who starts and runs a business alone, handling everything from product or service delivery to marketing and finance. For investors, a solopreneur-driven venture often means the company’s success and risks are tightly tied to one person—like a one-person show where scaling, continuity, and valuation depend on that individual’s time, skills, and ability to transfer knowledge or delegate.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Inaugural grant and recognition program from Zoom highlights solopreneur success and scalability through AI integration and adaptation

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Zoom opens nominations for its Zoom Solopreneur 50 List (ZSP50), a first-of-its-kind recognition and grant program celebrating the individuals who are redefining entrepreneurship by building and growing businesses on their own.

Nominations are open until 5 p.m. ET on February 13, 2026. Individuals can nominate themselves or others by completing a short form at zoom.com/solo50.

The ZSP50 will honor 50 trailblazing “businesses of one” across the U.S. — independent creators, consultants, educators, inventors, and innovators using technology, ingenuity, and purpose to make an outsized impact. For business owners working alone, this is the opportunity to be part of a select group of doers with similar drive and grit.

“AI is expanding what a single person can accomplish,” said Kimberly Storin, Chief Marketing Officer at Zoom. “Solopreneurs are using AI to remove friction, move faster, reach further, and operate with a level of sophistication that used to be out of reach. The Solopreneur 50 recognizes the builders proving that scale today is driven by capability, not company size. Zoom is focused on enabling that future.”

Scaling Solos with AI

There are over 30MM small businesses in the U.S., 82% of which operate without employees (U.S. Chamber of Commerce). For an increasing number of solopreneurs, AI has become a core operating capability, enhancing decision-making, execution, and customer engagement.

Zoom, in partnership with Upwork, recently surveyed more than 1,000 small businesses (SMB), including solopreneurs, 64% of whom said they couldn’t be in business without AI. What’s more, 91% of small businesses saw a return on their AI investments within one year, and SMBs and solopreneurs report that AI has helped them reduce business costs (82%), increase customer acquisition (91%), and increase customer retention (87%).

Many solopreneurs can quickly adopt and iterate with AI tools, unencumbered by legacy systems or lengthy approval processes, allowing them to test, learn, and apply new capabilities in real time.

“Some of the most effective uses of AI aren’t coming from big companies – they’re solopreneurs,” said Lisa Scheiring, Global Small Business Advisor (informally known as the “Chief Solo Officer”) at Zoom. “They’re not waiting for polished playbooks or permission; they’re using AI to solve real problems in real time, from gaining continuous visibility into operations, to accessing expertise on demand, to turning a single hour of work into an entire marketing campaign. That speed and agility are real advantages, and it’s reshaping what’s possible for armies of one.”

The ZSP50 is part of Zoom’s broader initiative to provide independent business builders with research, recognition, and real-world tools to scale their success.

The ZSP50 Program

The ZSP50 recognizes a growing community of individuals who operate and scale their ventures independently, with no full-time employees, across multiple sectors including but not limited to technology and design, wellness, media, and social impact.

Eligible nominees must:

• Operate a U.S.-based business with no full-time employees
• Have been in operation for at least 12 months
• Demonstrate innovation, independence, and measurable impact
  

A jury of experts drawn from Zoom’s network will evaluate solopreneur nominees across five dimensions that reflect what it takes to build a durable solo business today:

• Originality of idea or execution
• Demonstrated financial performance
• Measurable business impact
• Authentic connection to culture and community
• Influence in shaping conversations, markets, or communities.

Honorees will be announced in Q2 2026, and gain exposure through Zoom’s platforms and media ecosystem, access to a community of peers and mentors, and eligibility for financial grants awarded to the top-five honorees to accelerate their growth and impact.

For more information, visit zoom.com/solo50. Contact Zoom at solo@zoom.com with additional questions or inquiries.

About Zoom
Zoom’s mission is to provide an AI-first work platform for human connection. Reimagine teamwork with Zoom Workplace — Zoom’s open collaboration platform with AI Companion that empowers teams to be more productive. Together with Zoom Workplace, Zoom’s Business Services for sales, marketing, and customer experience teams, including Zoom Contact Center, strengthen customer relationships throughout the customer lifecycle. Founded in 2011, Zoom is publicly traded (NASDAQ:ZM) and headquartered in San Jose, California.

Get more information at zoom.com.

Media Contact
rebecca.bernhard@zoom.com
press@zoom.us

FAQ

What is the nomination deadline for the Zoom Solopreneur 50 (ZSP50) program (ZM)?

Nominations close at 5 p.m. ET on Feb 13, 2026 at zoom.com/solo50.

Who is eligible to be nominated for the ZSP50 list by Zoom (ZM)?

U.S.-based businesses with no full-time employees, in operation at least 12 months, demonstrating innovation, independence, and measurable impact.

When will Zoom (ZM) announce ZSP50 honorees and what do winners receive?

Honorees will be announced in Q2 2026; winners gain exposure on Zoom platforms, peer and mentor access, and the top five are eligible for financial grants.

How does Zoom (ZM) evaluate nominees for the Solopreneur 50?

A jury scores nominees on originality, financial performance, measurable impact, cultural connection, and influence.

Does Zoom (ZM) require nominees to use AI to qualify for the ZSP50?

AI use is highlighted as a core capability for many solopreneurs, but eligibility focuses on demonstrated innovation, impact, and performance, not a strict AI mandate.

Where can nominees get more information or ask questions about ZSP50 (ZM)?

Visit zoom.com/solo50 or contact Zoom at solo@zoom.com for details and inquiries.