EY’s search is on for Australia’s most innovative entrepreneurs

NOMINATIONS are open until April 15 for the 2016 Australian EY Entrepreneur Of The Year awards and Accelerating Entrepreneurs program.

EY’s Entrepreneur Of The Year leader for Oceania, Schalk Barnard, said recognising and celebrating entrepreneurial successes was more important than ever in the current economic climate. 

“Entrepreneurs are innovators. They disrupt the status quo, create jobs and build the type of dynamic businesses that are essential to the long-term sustainability of the Australian and global economy,” Mr Barnard said.

“As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognising them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries.

“Australia is home to some truly innovative and world-class entrepreneurial talent and we are looking for the best of the best for this year’s awards. I encourage people to nominate themselves or another inspiring entrepreneur they know to be part of this year’s program,” Mr Barnard said.

Regional awards dinners will be held around the country during July and August, with national finalists going on to compete at the national awards ceremony in Sydney on 20 October. The overall national winner will then continue on in the global program, representing Australia at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year awards in Monte Carlo next year.

Past national winners include the entrepreneurs behind highly successful Australian companies such as Moose Enterprise Holdings and Controlled Entities, Pepperstone, SEEK, McMillan Shakespeare, iiNet, Carsales.com.au, ResMed and Atlassian.

The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year awards is widely regarded as the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. EY’s unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognises the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement.

“As the first and only truly global award of its kind, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognising them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries,” an EY spokesperson said.

The Australian Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program, launched in 2001, is conducted in five regions culminating in the national awards. Entrepreneur Of The Year’s primary objective is to identify, acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding contribution entrepreneurs make to the Australian business community and economy.

The Australian Entrepreneur Of The Year program now has alumni of over 1,400 entrepreneurs who have participated in the program. Since the program’s inception more than 15,000 people have attended Entrepreneur Of The Year events and award ceremonies in Australia.

To nominate, or nominate another innovative entrepreneur in the 2016 Australian EY Entrepreneur Of The Year awards, complete the online form here. The deadline for nominations is April 15, with successful regional finalists announced in June.

 

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