A dream in the making!

The programme recognises entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programmes in over 100 cities and approximately 50 countries. First established in the United States in 1986, the international recognition, positions recipients as world-class entrepreneurs and provides a benchmark for entrepreneurial excellence. These entrepreneurs are not only recognised by their peers but are important role models for the next generation of entrepreneurs, both locally and globally. The World Entrepreneur Awards Programme culminates in the annual awards ceremony in Monte Carlo in May/June each year, where the best country entrepreneurs compete for one of the world’s most prestigious business awards.

In 2008, the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Awards Programme celebrates its 11th year of recognising outstanding entrepreneurship in South Africa. The programme was launched in 1998 with the Best Entrepreneur award, and in 2005 the Emerging Entrepreneur Award was introduced.

The Emerging category was created to single out and acknowledge individuals who showed exceptional tenacity and determination in building a successful enterprise in the face of adversity and significant challenges, and ultimately helping to fuel economic growth in South Africa.

In 2007 a third category was introduced for outstanding social entrepreneurs, in partnership with the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. Social entrepreneurs are those innovators who implement practical and sustainable solutions to address problems in numerous areas including health, education, environment, access to technology and job creation.

The South African Chapter of this programme now has an alumnus of over 80 best-in-class entrepreneurs who have participated in the programme as finalists and winners, some of which continue to participate as judges for the annual awards. In 2006, the late Bill Lynch won the global World Entrepreneur Awards Programme.

The primary objective of the World Entrepreneur Awards Programme is to identify, recognise and celebrate the contribution entrepreneurs make to the South African business community and the economy. We started the entrepreneur awards to recognise successful, innovative entrepreneurs and encourage entrepreneurial activity in South Africa and around the world. Entrepreneurs are vital to the global economy and often don’t get the recognition they deserve.

Entries are now open. Download a nomination form and send it back to us or submit a nomination online. Please note that entries close on 30 June 2008.

About the programme

1. MAIN CATEGORY

South Africa's Best Entrepreneur
An owner-manager (or joint owner-manager) who is responsible for the recent performance of a company that is at least five years old and has an annual turnover of at least R100 million - or a founder member of a listed company who is still active in senior management and retains some equity ownership.

The previous SA country winners are Adrian Gore (1998), Ivan Epstein (1999), KK Kombi (2000), Mark Lamberti (2001), Patrice Motsepe (2002), Brian Joffe (2003), Stephen Saad (2004), Bill Lynch (2005), Koos Bekker (2006) and Ndaba Ntsele (2007).

2. EMERGING CATEGORY

South Africa's Emerging Entrepreneur
An owner-manager (or joint owner-manager) who is responsible for the recent performance of a company that is at least two years old and has an annual turnover of at least R20 million.

This award was launched in 2005 and was won by Brandon Leigh of Leaf Wireless. Fulton Ramaphakela from Moloko Group Holdings was the winner in 2006 and Patrick Dickens of Centurion Systems in 2007.

Download the World Entrepreneur Award brochure for 2008 to learn more about the programme.