A growing number of mission-driven founders are building ventures that sit at the intersection of community, education, and mental health. EQJOY, led by founder Andrew Cannon, is one of them, and the organization recently brought its EQNITE community series to Las Vegas.
Hosted at Positively Arts, the evening gathered educators, nonprofit leaders, mental health professionals, and community connectors around a shared focus: strengthening children’s emotional intelligence and family wellbeing across Clark County.
A Founder-Led Model
EQJOY operates EQ United, a community-powered movement built around local gatherings, cross-sector partnerships, and practical action. The model starts with conversation and partnership before scaling into programs — an approach that mirrors how many of today’s most durable community ventures are being built.
At the Vegas gathering, Andrew Cannon guided attendees through an immersive experience of EQJOY World, the organization’s toolset for helping children and adults recognize, understand, express, and manage emotions. A panel followed, featuring Pilita Simpson of Positively Arts and Jeff Civillico, CSP, CPAE of Win Win Charity, both established names in the Las Vegas community ecosystem.
Community partners for the evening included Thanks To You LV, Print Solutions LV, the @Nation Booster Club Las Vegas Chapter, and the Insights Career Network.
Building a Research-Backed Venture
EQJOY is launching a summer research pilot of its EQJOY World 5-Week Accelerator Program, a home-based program for families with children aged 11 to 14. The pilot runs from mid-June through the end of July, with participating families contributing data and feedback ahead of a wider launch later this year.
The research is being conducted in partnership with OvationMR, whose CEO James Whaley confirmed plans to present findings at CRC 2026. For founders watching how community-rooted programs build evidence ahead of scale, EQJOY’s approach offers a useful reference point.
Multi-City Expansion
EQJOY is continuing the EQNITE series into three additional cities through the rest of 2026:
- New York — July 31
- Chicago — September 14
- Cincinnati — September 17
Each gathering follows the same pattern: convene local stakeholders, surface partnership opportunities, and turn the energy of the room into concrete next steps for children and families in that community.
Grant Support and Nevada Impact
EQJOY Co. was named a 2026 nonprofit grantee of the MREF Race Around the World for Education, a global virtual fundraiser supporting children’s social and emotional learning. Grant funds will support EQJOY’s work in Nevada specifically, strengthening children’s mental health, resilience, and academic performance.
Why This Matters for Nevada’s Ecosystem
Andrew Cannon, founder of NPO EQJOY
Global Entrepreneurship Week Nevada exists to spotlight the founders, organizations, and partnerships building Nevada’s future. EQJOY’s work in Las Vegas reflects something the GEW community sees often: a founder identifying a gap, building a venture around it, and pulling local partners into the work before scaling beyond state lines.
For founders, funders, and ecosystem builders interested in supporting children’s emotional wellbeing or partnering with EQJOY in Las Vegas, Andrew Cannon can be reached directly through LinkedIn.
Global Entrepreneurship Week Nevada is produced in partnership with Alter New Media and brings together founders, investors, educators, and community leaders each November to celebrate entrepreneurship in the Silver State.