Now in its 22nd Year, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2019 programme officially opens today for nominations.
The theme of this year’s programme is “Be Brave, Be Bold” and all sectors and businesses of all sizes across the island of Ireland are invited to submit their nominations until February 15. The 24 finalists for 2019 will be announced on 23 April.
Laois entrepreneurs are encouraged to put themselves forward to follow in the footsteps of well-known Laois business people, Ronan O’Brien, Zatori Results, who was a finalists in 2012.
Kevin McLoughlin, Partner Lead for EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ireland said: “I am delighted to launch the 2019 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme, now in its 22nd year.
“This year we are committed to supporting and encouraging our island’s entrepreneurs to be brave and to be bold, whether that means taking a first step with a brilliant idea, or taking a calculated risk to drive growth in their business.
“They will be able to take inspiration from, and tap into the vast knowledge of Ireland’s most fearless entrepreneurs who have gone through this programme in the past.
“I am really proud that we now have an Alumni network of 500 entrepreneurs who have benefited from the programme and remain connected to it.”
He added: “A highlight of the programme will be when our finalists go on our renowned international CEO Retreat taking place this year in Hong Kong, designed to help Irish entrepreneurs transform their thinking and vision through executive education and inspiration from some of the world’s leading CEOs.”
Who can be nominated?
Operating in more than 60 countries worldwide, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is recognised as the most prestigious business accolade for entrepreneurs.
The programme is open to entrepreneurs from all sectors and growth stages, across the island of Ireland.
The awards programme is divided into three categories – Emerging, Industry and International – with eight finalists chosen per category.
The 24 finalists will be selected by an independent panel of judges, comprising former winners and chaired by Anne Heraty of CPL Resources plc. For further information or for people who wish to put themselves forward or nominate an entrepreneur with their consent can fill out the online nomination form at www.eoy.ie.
What finalists can expect
The finalists will engage in a strategic growth programme over a 10-month period which includes a week-long CEO Retreat to Hong Kong. As part of this international retreat, this year’s 24 finalists will join a group of more than 100 fellow entrepreneurs, all previous finalists and winners of EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme where they will meet CEOs and entrepreneurs from some of the world’s biggest multinational companies.
The finalists will also gain exclusive access to a prestigious community of over 500 peers known as the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Alumni.
To date, more than three quarters of our Alumni community have conducted business with one another – demonstrating the advantage of being part of this supportive and prolific professional network.
The programme will include executive education sessions; networking fora; extensive media profiling; the annual Gala Awards Dinner.
An award is presented for each category, and an overall winner will be announced at the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards in November. That person will go on to represent Ireland at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards in Monte Carlo the following June.
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