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NextGen grand prize announcement (above) and the competition’s 20 finalists (left). Three top winners (below, from left to right), founders Diana Rosario of What’s Your Flan, Jeremy Hassell of City Cave, and Brooke Gagliano of Frutta Bowls.
Final Countdown 20 young entrepreneurs compete in the NextGen in Franchising Global Summit Thousands of young entrepreneurs from around the world vied for a spot in the NextGen in Franchising Global Summit, a twoday educational and networking program that took place at the International Franchise Association’s annual convention in February. Those thousands were whittled to 20 finalists, who competed in the next round of events at the Las Vegas convention. They presented their business concepts and plans to a panel of seasoned CEOs and other executives and got the opportunity to network with leading franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers as well as other young entrepreneurs. 20
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From there, the field was narrowed to three finalists who won cash awards. The grand prize winner was Jeremy Hassell, founder of City Cave, a destination for holistic wellness and clinical services for achieving optimal physical and mental health. Runners up were Diana Rosario, founder of What’s Your Flan, which puts a twist on the Filipino leche flan dessert, and Brooke Gagliano, founder of Frutta Bowls, a healthier alternative for a fast casual restaurant specializing in acai, pitaya, kale, oatmeal bowls, smoothies, toast, and more. For more information, visit www.nextgenfranchising.org.
