Local businesses honored at the 2026 Lakeland Entrepreneur Awards

Several familiar names were nominated for Catapult’s biggest night of the year. See who won big at the Lakeland Entrepreneur Awards.

January 28, 2026 • 
Connor Jacobson
Tall plants in pots sit inside a greenhouse at Sow Exotic nursery.

Just like at Sow Exotic, something is always growing in Lakeland’s business scene.

Photo by LALtoday

Swan City’s stars of industry were out in full force at the 2026 Lakeland Entrepreneur Awards on Tuesday, Jan. 27. This event honors local businesses + the entrepreneurs behind them, and you probably recognize these names.

Lakelanders chose Brittany Bandi of Sow Exotic for the People’s Choice Award. Bandi started at Catapult before launching an edible plant nursery and food forest in Winter Haven.

The team behind Sora Eatery at Lakeland International Airport was nominated for the award as well — and with food this innovative, we see why.

Family posing with colorful car wheels at an outdoor Infinite Matterz powder coating booth, with trees and buildings in the background.

Infinite Matterz recently signed a lease for its first facility, so expect more big moves from this powder coating biz soon.

Photo by Infinite Matterz

Catapulter of the Year went to Mike Adkins of Infinite Matterz. During Small Business Week 2024, one reader shouted Adkins out, saying, “The owner is a super nice guy. He takes his time and truly cares to see his customers happy.”

Shwetha Mangalvedkar and Mina Cai of JJ’s Fusion Khaana were nominated for Catapulter of the Year after just a year in business. Their masala fries made our list of best things we ate in 2025.

Pastry chef Diana Cortes Blanquicet bakes French pastries

DOU Bakehouse is known for European-style pastries that are as delicious as they are Instagrammable.

Photo by Werlost Boys provided by DOU Bakehouse

Fresh off an appearance on “Shark Tank,” Screen Skinz cofounder Clay Canning was up for David Lyons Entrepreneur of the Year. Also nominated was Diana Cortes of DOU Bakehouse, whose booming bakery business supplies eye-catching treats for nearby theme parks + cruise lines.

Catapult also honors those who help up-and-coming businesses with the Entrepreneur Champion award. Chef Marcos Fernandez of Nineteen61 was nominated, which is worth raising a glass at his rooftop bar, Vasco Sixty-One.

Winners + nominees

Entrepreneur Champion
Winner: Greg Manning, Small Business Development Council
Nominees: Ryan Dell, IDX + Marcos Fernandez, Nineteen61

People’s Choice
Winner: Brittany Bandi, Sow Exotic
Nominees: Jairus Rutherford, Barber Skate Shop + Ben Paniagua, Ana Imai, and Kenneth Hosfeld, Sora Eatery

Catapulter of the Year
Winner: Mike Adkins, Infinite Matterz
Nominees: Augie Schmidt, REHQ + Shwetha Mangalvedkar and Mina Cai of JJ’s Fusion Khaana

David Lyons Entrepreneur of the Year
Winner: Mike Kingham, Win Factor
Nominees: Clay Canning, Screen Skinz + Diana Cortes, DOU Bakehouse

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