Ryan Black of SAMBAZON® Recognized as EY US Entrepreneur of The Year® 2026 Pacific Southwest
In a remarkable accolade for entrepreneurship, Ryan Black, the Co-Founder and CEO of SAMBAZON®, has been awarded the EY US Entrepreneur of the Year® 2026 Pacific Southwest Award. Out of nearly a thousand program participants, including 592 finalists from 17 regions, Black's innovative leadership in the superfruit industry distinguished him as a pioneer.
SAMBAZON®, short for Sustainable Açaí Management of the Brazilian Amazon, was brought to life by Ryan and his brother Jeremy Black, alongside friends Edmund "Skanda" Nichols and Travis Baumgardner, during a surf trip to Brazil in 2000. Intrigued by the exotic açaí berry, they aimed to introduce the superfruit to the United States while ensuring the sustainability of the rainforest and supporting local farming communities.
Fast forward 26 years, SAMBAZON® stands tall as a market leader in açaí products, boasting a presence in over 30,000 retail stores across the country and a growing network of SAMBAZON Açaí Bowl shops. Black elaborated on the mission of the company, stating, "Twenty-six years ago, we set out to prove you could build a great business while doing right by the planet and the people who make our products possible." His words reflect not just a company ethos, but a testament to the successful blend of profitability and purpose.
The EY Entrepreneur of the Year program, now in its 41st year, honors innovative leaders characterized by their entrepreneurial spirit, courage, and ingenuity. This year's assessment panel consisted of past winners, esteemed CEOs, and industry leaders who examined candidates based on long-term value creation, commitment to purpose-driven initiatives, and significant growth impacts. Judges look for transformative leadership in companies, whether those are founders who started from scratch or established CEOs who inject new energy into existing brands.
As a Pacific Southwest winner, Ryan Black will be considered for the national EY Entrepreneur of The Year awards, where he will compete against peers for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum® in November. This prestigious forum attracts high-growth CEOs, Fortune 1000 executives, and investors, all delving into the future of business. The national champion will subsequently represent the United States at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year™ competition in May 2027.
Black's recognition joins a roster of distinguished leaders within the Entrepreneur Of The Year program, encompassing renowned figures like Jason McGowan of Crumbl Cookies, Howard Schultz of Starbucks, and Arthur Blank from both the Atlanta Falcons and The Home Depot, among others. SAMBAZON's unwavering commitment to sourcing quality açaí—ensuring it is both Regenerative Organic Certified and Fair Trade—sets a benchmark for ethical business practices in the food industry.
Founded on a triple-bottom-line philosophy, SAMBAZON® is dedicated to not merely providing quality products but also contributing positively to the environment and the economic well-being of Amazonian farmers. Its wide array of offerings, including frozen açaí packs, juices, and ready-to-eat bowls, are available at grocery and natural retailers nationwide, promoting a lifestyle that harmonizes health with sustainability.
Ryan Black’s leadership is emblematic of a new generation of entrepreneurs who strive to integrate social responsibility into their business models. His acknowledgement by EY reinforces the idea that successful entrepreneurship does not solely rely on financial results but also on positive social and environmental impacts. As SAMBAZON continues to flourish, it embodies the belief that businesses can thrive while truly advocating for the planet’s health and the well-being of local communities.
As the business world continues to evolve, Ryan Black’s journey offers inspiration not just for aspiring entrepreneurs but for anyone looking to make a difference while achieving success. With this award, Black stands as a beacon of purpose-driven entrepreneurship, demonstrating that the future of business lies in balancing growth with responsibility.
SAMBAZON®, short for Sustainable Açaí Management of the Brazilian Amazon, was brought to life by Ryan and his brother Jeremy Black, alongside friends Edmund "Skanda" Nichols and Travis Baumgardner, during a surf trip to Brazil in 2000. Intrigued by the exotic açaí berry, they aimed to introduce the superfruit to the United States while ensuring the sustainability of the rainforest and supporting local farming communities.
Fast forward 26 years, SAMBAZON® stands tall as a market leader in açaí products, boasting a presence in over 30,000 retail stores across the country and a growing network of SAMBAZON Açaí Bowl shops. Black elaborated on the mission of the company, stating, "Twenty-six years ago, we set out to prove you could build a great business while doing right by the planet and the people who make our products possible." His words reflect not just a company ethos, but a testament to the successful blend of profitability and purpose.
The EY Entrepreneur of the Year program, now in its 41st year, honors innovative leaders characterized by their entrepreneurial spirit, courage, and ingenuity. This year's assessment panel consisted of past winners, esteemed CEOs, and industry leaders who examined candidates based on long-term value creation, commitment to purpose-driven initiatives, and significant growth impacts. Judges look for transformative leadership in companies, whether those are founders who started from scratch or established CEOs who inject new energy into existing brands.
As a Pacific Southwest winner, Ryan Black will be considered for the national EY Entrepreneur of The Year awards, where he will compete against peers for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum® in November. This prestigious forum attracts high-growth CEOs, Fortune 1000 executives, and investors, all delving into the future of business. The national champion will subsequently represent the United States at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year™ competition in May 2027.
Black's recognition joins a roster of distinguished leaders within the Entrepreneur Of The Year program, encompassing renowned figures like Jason McGowan of Crumbl Cookies, Howard Schultz of Starbucks, and Arthur Blank from both the Atlanta Falcons and The Home Depot, among others. SAMBAZON's unwavering commitment to sourcing quality açaí—ensuring it is both Regenerative Organic Certified and Fair Trade—sets a benchmark for ethical business practices in the food industry.
Founded on a triple-bottom-line philosophy, SAMBAZON® is dedicated to not merely providing quality products but also contributing positively to the environment and the economic well-being of Amazonian farmers. Its wide array of offerings, including frozen açaí packs, juices, and ready-to-eat bowls, are available at grocery and natural retailers nationwide, promoting a lifestyle that harmonizes health with sustainability.
Ryan Black’s leadership is emblematic of a new generation of entrepreneurs who strive to integrate social responsibility into their business models. His acknowledgement by EY reinforces the idea that successful entrepreneurship does not solely rely on financial results but also on positive social and environmental impacts. As SAMBAZON continues to flourish, it embodies the belief that businesses can thrive while truly advocating for the planet’s health and the well-being of local communities.
As the business world continues to evolve, Ryan Black’s journey offers inspiration not just for aspiring entrepreneurs but for anyone looking to make a difference while achieving success. With this award, Black stands as a beacon of purpose-driven entrepreneurship, demonstrating that the future of business lies in balancing growth with responsibility.
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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