2026 marks the start of a new chapter for the Dscoop community with the launch of the NextGen Club — a global initiative designed specifically for professionals 38 years old or younger who work in family-owned print businesses. This includes individuals whose parents or grandparents own the business, and who are now actively involved — whether in operations, sales, management, or preparing to take on larger leadership roles.
Alongside them, older and more experienced industry leaders take on the role of mentors, offering guidance, sharing lessons and providing perspectives from their own journeys.
The intention is simple but important — to create a space where people can genuinely relate to each other, while also learning from those who have been through it before.
Why? Because across the industry, many are navigating the same reality — stepping into established businesses, managing expectations, and figuring out how to move the company forward in their own way. The NextGen Club was created to bring these individuals together through connection, shared experience and honest conversations.
A Global Start with the NextGen Huddle
The journey began with the first-ever NextGen Huddle, a global virtual meetup held in January 2026.
More than 50 participants registered, with 40 joining live from across the Americas, Europe, and Asia — a strong start for a first session.
From the beginning, the session felt different. It wasn’t driven by presentations or heavy content. Instead, the conversation came from the participants themselves — sharing openly about stepping into family businesses, navigating expectations and finding their own direction.
The response was overwhelmingly positive, with 93% of participants rating the experience highly.
The feedback made one thing very clear: This group values real, relatable conversations over structured learning. Poll results showed a clear preference for casual, discussion-led formats, with strong interest in topics such as leadership, business growth, technology and family dynamics. There was also a clear appetite to continue meeting regularly.
Building Momentum Across Regions
Following the global kickoff, the NextGen Club quickly moved into regional activations.
In Shanghai, a focused session brought together 15 participants in a meetup organized by HP. While smaller in size, it marked an important step in introducing NextGen into the China market and understanding how the concept translates locally.
In Mumbai, the momentum was even more visible. Held at Soho House, the session drew 43 registrations and 36 attendees, alongside six supporting partners. Designed as a casual meetup with a focus on introductions and icebreaking, the atmosphere was relaxed and natural. Conversations flowed easily, and participants quickly found common ground.
What became clear is that NextGen fills a real gap — creating a space where young professionals in family-owned businesses can meet as peers, without hierarchy, and without pressure.
Edge Rockies: From Concept to Community
At Dscoop Edge Rockies, NextGen came to life in a completely different way — in person and across regions. For many, this was the first time meeting other NextGen members face-to-face.
What was planned as a short 30-minute welcome reception quickly turned into a 1.5-hour gathering, as conversations continued and no one was in a hurry to leave.
Participants from the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Australia, Indonesia and more connected almost instantly. The shared experience of being part of a family-run business created an immediate bond. There was also a strong sense of identity forming.
The following day, participants returned for a NextGen-focused discussion on sharing perspectives. An experienced NextGen leader shared his journey, alongside a first-generation business owner who had built his company from the ground up. The contrast between their experiences brought valuable insights — different paths, different pressures, but a shared focus on growth, leadership and decision-making.
At the same time, experienced leaders joined as mentors, offering guidance and practical insights from years in the industry. The combination created a space that felt open, relevant, and grounded in real-world experience.
The connection didn’t stop there. By the time the main event and evening activities took place, the NextGen Club had already formed strong connections — continuing conversations, exchanging contacts and naturally moving through the event together.
Be Part of NextGen!
NextGen is built for those who are stepping into the future of their family business — learning, questioning, and shaping what comes next. If you are 38 years old or under, working in a company owned by your parents or grandparents and looking to connect with others on a similar journey, this is your space. And if you are an experienced leader who has been through this journey, there is also a role for you to contribute as a mentor and support the next generation.
