2026 San Antonio Odyssey Awards
2026 Winners
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Ryn Pitts of Serendipity Social Co.
Leadership Luminary Award
Ryn started Serendipity Social Co. in 2021 out of a summer in Los Angeles where she was shooting content for local businesses just to build her portfolio. What started as hustle became a full social media and content agency back in San Antonio. She came up as a micro-influencer working with brands like Steve Madden and Fabletics, learned merchandising and marketing on the floor at Forever 21, and turned all of it into a business she runs on her own terms.
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Michael Pendleton of AI Cowboys
Innovator's Impact Award
Michael is a retired Air Force officer, doctoral candidate, and published quantum computing author who founded The AI Cowboys, an SDVOSB-certified AI lab in San Antonio working with federal agencies, research institutions, and industry. He and his veteran-led team are doing serious technical work in AI, machine learning, and quantum computing, and doing it right here in San Antonio.
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Edmund Olszewski of City Problem Solvers
Community Champion Award
Edmund built City Problem Solvers around a straightforward idea: get organizations, individuals, and community leaders to actually work together on the problems in front of them. The work includes litter and trash remediation, homeless rehabilitation, environmental awareness, and resource support for people who need it. No flashy pitch, just consistent presence in the city and a genuine belief that showing up matters.
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Orobi Cybersecurity Solutions
Enterprise Excellence Award
Orobi is a veteran-owned cybersecurity firm that has been protecting businesses since 2021. Their services cover compliance (CMMC, HIPAA, PCI-DSS), penetration testing, cloud security, 24/7 SOC monitoring, and incident response planning, backed by AI-powered anti-phishing tools and dark web monitoring. They also offer unlimited consulting and vCSO guidance so business owners actually understand what they're up against. Discipline and mission focus are baked into how they operate.
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Inthava (Ava) Wilson of Abundant Grazing
Rising Entrepreneur Award
Ava built Abundant Grazing around luxury grazing boxes and charcuterie git boxes, but what sets her apart is how she shows up for every single client. Faith, flavor, and genuine care go into everything she makes, from vibrant bites to crafted cocktail experiences and heartfelt presentation. She is humble, she works hard, and her clients feel it. That combination is rare, and it's exactly what this award is for.
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Nominate for Distinction: The San Antonio Odyssey Awards
This inaugural event, presented by Emerge and Rise™, recognizes and honors the trailblazers and visionaries who are shaping the future of local business. Join us in acknowledging the spirit of enterprise that drives our city forward.
Award Ceremony: July, 2026
Why We Are Doing This:
The San Antonio Odyssey Awards are a cornerstone of recognition for exceptional talent within our community. We celebrate the businesses and leaders who are not just operating but innovating, inspiring, and contributing to the economic and social vitality of our region. These awards are a testament to the perseverance, ingenuity, and spirit of San Antonio's business landscape.
Who’s Eligible:
Eligibility extends to those business leaders and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding innovation, community engagement, and entrepreneurial excellence within the San Antonio area. We are looking to spotlight emerging small and medium businesses making significant strides and established entities steering our community toward a prosperous future.
How to Apply or Nominate:
Nominations can be submitted via our official awards portal. To nominate a business or leader, you will need to provide a brief description of their accomplishments, the impact of their work, and why they stand out in their field. Self-nominations are welcome as we believe in recognizing self-driven excellence. All applications and nominations will undergo a rigorous review by our panel of esteemed judges.
Leadership Luminary Award
The Leadership Luminary Award is dedicated to an outstanding individual who exemplifies transformative leadership. This accolade is for those rare visionaries who not only excel in guiding their organization or community but also inspire others to achieve greater heights. Ideal candidates are those who have demonstrated innovative leadership, strategic thinking, and a lasting impact on their community or business sector.
Award + $500 cash
Innovator's Impact Award
The Innovator's Impact Award recognizes an individual whose creative thinking and innovative solutions have significantly impacted the San Antonio business landscape. This award is for trailblazers and change-makers who challenge the status quo and introduce new ideas that drive progress. Recipients are those whose innovative contributions have brought about tangible changes and set new benchmarks in their field.
Award + $500 cash
Community Champion Award
The Community Champion Award celebrates an individual who has shown an extraordinary commitment to enhancing the well-being and growth of the local community. This award is designed for leaders who go above and beyond in community service, fostering unity and driving social initiatives that benefit the wider community. The ideal recipient is someone who has made a notable difference in improving the quality of life in San Antonio through selfless service, advocacy, or community development.
Award + $500 cash
Enterprise Excellence Award
The Enterprise Excellence Award acknowledges a business that stands out for its overall excellence. This includes achievements in business growth, innovation, and community engagement. The award is tailored for businesses that excel in their market and contribute positively to the community, setting a standard for operational excellence, ethical practices, and social responsibility.
Award + $500 cash
Rising Entrepreneur Award
The Rising Entrepreneur Award celebrates new businesses or an entrepreneur that have shown exceptional growth and community impact in their inaugural year. This award is designed for enterprises that, despite being in their early stages, have made notable strides in their industry and local community. Ideal candidates are those businesses that have demonstrated a remarkable ability to overcome initial challenges, connect with their community, and lay a strong foundation for future success. This award seeks to spotlight those who have not only launched their business ventures but have also begun to make a tangible difference in the San Antonio area through their dedication, hard work, and community involvement.
Award + $500 cash
“ But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. ”
-Nelson Mandela