Candace Nelson

Candace Nelson is a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and television personality who revolutionized the modern baking industry. [1][2][5] She is best known for co-founding Sprinkles, the world’s first cupcakes-only bakery, where she introduced the innovative Cupcake ATM. Following her success in the confectionery space, she co-founded Pizzana, a Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded Neo-Neapolitan pizzeria chain. In 2026, Nelson was named the MenuMasters Digital Innovator of the Year for her expertise in leveraging personal branding and digital platforms to scale restaurant concepts. Beyond her culinary ventures, she is a prominent media figure, serving as a judge on Cupcake Wars and Sugar Rush, and a mentor on the 2025 series Next Level Baker. As a guest shark on Shark Tank and co-founder of CN2 Ventures, she actively invests in early-stage consumer brands with a focus on female and underrepresented founders. Nelson is also the author of the New York Times bestseller The Sprinkles Baking Book and the Wall Street Journal bestseller Sweet Success. [1][5]