Top 5 Entrepreneurs To Watch In 2024
This year’s standout entrepreneurs are redefining the game across multiple industries—be it combat sports, healthcare, or even the NYC food scene. But what sets them apart is more than just innovation. It’s a commitment to deeper values—empowerment, authenticity, and transformation. With audacious goals and disruptive strategies, these mavericks aren’t just shaping their respective fields; they’re pushing societal envelopes. From fighting rings to boardrooms to tech labs, these entrepreneurs are the ones to watch in 2024.
David Feldman
David Feldman, a name synonymous with bold innovation in the combat sports domain, stands as a pioneering figure bringing the age-old sport of bare-knuckle boxing back into the modern limelight, with a modern-day twist. Growing up in a boxing-devoted family in Philadelphia, Feldman’s journey with the sport began at an early age, under the mentorship of his father Marty, a revered trainer/promoter. The family’s boxing culture not only nurtured Feldman’s passion but also sharpened his fighting skills, eventually leading him towards organizing boxing events that echo Philly’s rich boxing history.
However, his bold vision went beyond the conventional boxing circuits, envisioning a revival of bare-knuckle fighting, a sport untouched for over a century. This vision came to fruition in 2018 with the launch of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), marking the first legal bare-knuckle fighting event in the US. Despite facing a torrent of criticism and regulatory obstacles, Feldman’s unwavering dedication helped carve a place for BKFC in the combat sports scene, even gaining recognition from traditional boxing circles.
Under Feldman’s leadership, BKFC has blossomed into a global sensation within a mere five-year span, celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2023 with notable milestones. The organization is now turning into a global phenomenon with events scheduled in 9 countries in 2024, including the UK, Thailand, Bulgaria, Canada, Africa, and Mexico. The rapid growth also attracted significant investment inquiries, notably from the Middle East, and interest from celebrities, bolstering BKFC’s standing in the combat sports ladder. With a widening horizon, BKFC is set to step into reality TV, reflecting Feldman’s enduring ambition of catapulting bare-knuckle boxing into a mainstream spectacle.
What sets David apart from others is not merely his entrepreneurial zeal but his deep-rooted passion for combat sports, a legacy carried from his familial boxing ethos. His journey from a boxing aficionado in Philadelphia to a trailblazer revitalizing a historic sport exemplifies a relentless pursuit of innovation, melded with a respect for the sport’s rich legacy. His real-world experience in the combat sports domain infuses his promotional strategies with authenticity, insight, and an unyielding commitment to ensuring fighter safety and promoting fair play.
To learn more about David Feldman and the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, follow him on Instagram or visit their official website.
James Malinchak
From the small steel-mill town of Monessen, Pennsylvania, James Malinchak has risen to become a global force in motivational speaking and marketing consultancy. Today, as the founder and president of James Malinchak International, he has given over 3,000 presentations, reaching audiences from corporate boardrooms to university halls. Featured on ABC’s hit show “Secret Millionaire,” James has not only built a successful career but also given back generously, raising and donating over $1 million to charities.
Guided by the memory of his late sister, Vicki, James turned his pain into a mission to make a difference. He has empowered thousands of individuals to share their life stories and expertise through his “World’s #1 Big Money Speaker® Training.” As an author of 20+ books and a media fixture with over 15,000 appearances, James’s influence extends far beyond the podium. His core philosophy for budding entrepreneurs and aspirants? “Rich is more than money,” an acronym for Relationships, Inspire others, Contribute, and Have a happy mindset.
With a brand founded on principles of purpose and integrity, James is planning an audacious future. He’s on a mission to impact one billion lives, aspiring to cultivate a new generation of speakers, authors, and coaches who will collectively serve and uplift others.
If you’re inspired to make a difference and eager to share your message with the world, now is the time to act. Visit James Malinchak’s website, www.BigMoneySpeaker.com, to find out how you can become a part of this transformative journey.
Jen Gottlieb
Introducing Jen Gottlieb, powerhouse entrepreneur, international speaker, host of the I Dare You Podcast, author of BE SEEN and co-founder of Super Connector Media – an award-winning training, events, and online education company. With a successful five-year stint as a VH1 host and a career as a Broadway actress, Jen has been making waves in the entrepreneurial world by teaching business owners how to build profitable brands and become “The Recognized Expert” in their field.
Jen’s company, Super Connector Media, was recently listed on the INC 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America, and Jen herself was named one of the “Top 50 Speakers in The World” by Real Leaders Magazine. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Maxim, Goop, Women’s Health, and dozens of other major publications.
Despite her many accolades, Jen remains a true New Yorker at heart and shares her Manhattan home with her husband Chris and their three adorable dogs, Tammie, Teddy, and King Arthur.
Paul Edalat
In a sector as multifaceted as healthcare, it’s rare to find an entrepreneur who combines technical ingenuity with deeply personal motivations. Paul Edalat, the Chairman, Founder, and CEO of Vivera, doesn’t just fit this mold—he shatters it. His entry into the world of healthcare was precipitated by a poignant personal loss: his brother Peter succumbed to Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a battle complicated by a dangerous opioid addiction. This tragedy wasn’t just a turning point for Edalat; it was a clarion call to fundamentally rethink how we approach healthcare in America.
At the core of Vivera’s mission are trailblazing innovations like ZICOH, a patented smart prescription drug delivery system, and TABMELT, a groundbreaking medication delivery technology. Edalat co-invented ZICOH with a long-time friend and brilliant mind, Dr. Mehdi Hatamian. Through its cloud-based AI software, ZICOH Connect™, this system is not merely dispensing medication; it’s serving data-backed insights to healthcare providers in real time. This is not just a logistical feat; it’s a potential lifesaver, minimizing the risk of prescription misuse—one of the most insidious healthcare challenges of our time.
Paul Edalat’s ambitions are hardly confined to U.S. borders. Based out of Newport Beach, CA, he has global aspirations for Vivera. With a suite of verticals—ranging from medical devices to neuroscience—the company aims to be a holistic healthcare solution provider. As for his leadership style, Edalat describes it as one imbued with resilience, adaptability, and a patient-first ethos. It’s this multifaceted approach that keeps Vivera not just in step with the healthcare industry’s rapid evolutions, but often a step ahead.
What sets Edalat apart is his unyielding commitment to transformational change, born from the crucible of personal loss. For budding entrepreneurs, his advice is straightforward yet invaluable: seek out a mentor, for their guidance can be your North Star. For those intrigued by Paul Edalat’s transformative approach to healthcare, the next step is clear: connect with him on LinkedIn and become part of the conversation that is setting new standards in healthcare.
Peter Guimaraes
Peter Guimaraes is a name synonymous with culinary finesse and entrepreneurial zest in the heart of New York City. As the driving force behind the globally recognized brand, Bice Cucina, Peter has sculpted a narrative that stretches beyond the conventional realms of restaurateurship. His journey, marked by the vibrancy of global flavors and community engagement, mirrors the city’s dynamic ethos.
Peter’s ventures have always showcased his penchant for the extraordinary. Besides tantalizing the city’s palate, he has made waves as a mayoral candidate, vying for a chance to imprint his progressive vision on NYC’s multifaceted canvas. His entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop there; he also founded Tipsy Girl, a wine brand that has become a toast of the town.
Born into a lineage of self-made entrepreneurs, Peter’s ethos was shaped early on by his father’s indomitable spirit. This nurturing spurred a path that’s as much about leading from the front as it is about fostering a culture of mutual growth and respect.
His ambition for Bice Cucina is as robust as his flavorful dishes. The roadmap for the next 2-5 years includes expanding his restaurant footprint, becoming a household name, and potentially, the Mayor of New York City. Each stride Peter takes is about elevating the brand, fostering a community of like-minded zealots, and etching a permanent mark on NYC’s gastronomic and political landscape.
Now, Peter is set to rekindle the charm of Palm Beach, Florida, with the grand reopening of “Le Bar A’ Vin” this fall. With its motto, “Elegant and Fun,” Le Bar A’ Vin on Palm Beach Island is poised to offer an exquisite fusion of fine wine, exquisite cuisine, and a refined yet playful ambiance, heralding a new epoch of leisure and culinary excellence in the region.
Peter’s advice to budding entrepreneurs echoes his life’s narrative – relentless pursuit, fostering a culture of solution-oriented discourse, and surrounding oneself with a milieu of success-driven individuals. His vision transcends the personal and ventures into the realm of community growth, reflecting in his aspiration for public service.
Discover more about Peter’s ventures through his Instagram, @petergfornyc, or dive into the culinary experience at www.bicecucina.com. For the wine aficionados, a visit to www.tipsygirlwines.com will uncork a journey into Peter’s vinicultural venture, and to explore the elegant ambiance of Le Bar A’ Vin on Palm Beach Island, follow their Instagram at @lebarpalmbeach.
