2025 shows support, 2026 to see growth

2025 was a year of highs and lows in the business startup community, but 2026 has predictions of growth and development for entrepreneurship in the region. David Nelson, executive director of FoundersForge, said there were challenges throughout the year for entrepreneurs. Many of the highlights from 2025 showed business owners and founders were surrounded by uncertainty – yet their resilience kept the businesses strong. "Despite all the chaos, it didn't feel like our business ecosystem really missed a beat," Nelson said. "It just kept charging forward." Some of the chaos centered around tariffs and inventory loss, as well as people worrying about losing their jobs and preparing for a potential recession, Nelson explained. However, the trials did not change the steady foundation of the business ecosystem and instead displayed the support businesses gave to one another when things were uncertain. Some of this support was from the Small Business Grant Program through Connect Downtown Johnson City, helping owners to improve their businesses in "utilitarian" ways as well as getting a business "up and running." "We're all working together to find ways to support these businesses," he said. "The business support side, beyond just the startup piece, was really critical to helping businesses grow. I think a lot of times, it's fun to talk about all the new businesses, but if we don't continue to help grow the existing ones we have, it can be a challenge." FoundersForge also saw highlights with its programs and events offered to beginner entrepreneurs or startups. Nelson noted launching the six-week Avante program as a large success in 2025, with the cohort-style classes providing tools and tips for startups beginning their business. The Startup Mountain Summit and The Pitch competition were also influential, with visitors coming to Johnson City from 14 other states and the event seeing more than 300 attendees. "We hit a moment where I feel like the rest of the nation actually noticed Johnson City, because we've had people support it [and] asking to be sponsors from way outside of the region," Nelson said. "That event has grown to put us on the startup map in the place where we deserve to be." Artificial intelligence was also a notable factor in entrepreneurship and startups in 2025, Nelson said. Business owners were finding ways to use AI either in their business or to help grow it, such as finding and creating marketing strategies or using it for research purposes. "We also saw a lot in the businesses that we're working with – whether it's small businesses or tech businesses – the ones we're seeing have the most gains are finding ways to use AI effectively in their business," Nelson said. Heading into 2026, Nelson said he expects more new startups and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the tools and resources available to them to begin their business, proving the strength of the region. He added he believes new businesses, small or corporate, will continue to pop up in the region because of the growth seen in its entrepreneurial environment. "We have this great community that supports each other," Nelson said. "If somebody wants to start a business, there's just an outpouring of support – from customers, from people wanting to help, organizations like us and others – that just want to see it succeed." Nelson also said the 250th birthday of the U.S. also makes 2026 an influential year and represents the entrepreneurial spirit, believing entrepreneurship was present even in the founding years. "To me, celebrating entrepreneurship is celebrating America and the growth of it," he said.