Rural entrepreneurs are building companies that solve real-world problems, and they deserve to be recognized for the scale of their leadership and impact.

Ehsan Soltan, founder and CEO of SoilTech Wireless, was named one of the 2026 CEOs of Influence by the Idaho Business Review. It’s a peer-nominated award recognizing leaders making a meaningful impact through their companies, communities, and industries.

SoilTech Wireless, a company in the CORI Innovation Fund portfolio, is helping agriculture professionals make better decisions across the supply chain, from soil to storage. Its platform brings together sensors, software, and support tools that give farmers, agonomists, and enterprise partners access to real-time information about the conditions that affect production, quality, and profitability.

Since launching five years ago, SoilTech, which is headquartered in rural Rupert, Idaho, has deployed thousands of sensors across the United States and internationally, and serves hundreds of clients. Under Soltan’s leadership, the company has continued to grow by staying close to the people it serves.

“I am focused on ensuring the team is constantly thinking about how they can deliver for the people we serve: America’s farmers,” Soltan told the Idaho Business Review. “Our competitiveness is grounded in understanding the needs of our customers and innovating for their benefit.”

That customer focus is central to SoilTech’s story. In nomination materials, Steve Frinsko highlighted Soltan’s entrepreneurial spirit and creativity, as well as his deep connection to the farmers behind every successful farm. That connection, Frinsko noted, helped Soltan understand farmers’ needs and adapt SoilTech’s products to better serve them.

This recognition is especially meaningful because it helps broaden the story of where innovation happens. SoilTech is proving that high-growth, high-impact technology companies can be built in rural places and smaller markets — and that rural entrepreneurs are creating solutions for industries that matter everywhere.

Soltan has also remained committed to Idaho’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, supporting organizations and initiatives including the Idaho Technology Council, Trailhead, and Boise Entrepreneur Week.

“Building in Idaho is all about the community,” Soltan told the Idaho Business Review, adding that the nomination reflects SoilTech’s commitment to contributing locally through collaboration, job creation, and a shared belief that Idaho is one of the best places in the country to grow a business.