4 minute read 16 May 2022
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How we celebrate the world’s most visionary entrepreneurs

Stasia Mitchell
By Stasia Mitchell

EY Global Entrepreneurship Leader

Envisioning equitable entrepreneurship by embracing diversity. Fostering a global entrepreneurial ecosystem. Striving to build a world that works better for all.

4 minute read 16 May 2022
Related topics Entrepreneurship EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Private Business Family enterprise Start-ups
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EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ is the ultimate global competition for entrepreneurs.

In brief
  • EY World Entrepreneur Of The YearTM celebrates the entrepreneurs who inspire us all to build a better world.
  • The annual program features unstoppable entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries and territories.
  • This year’s winner will be chosen by a globally diverse panel of independent judges, based on six criteria that measure long-term value.

We admire entrepreneurs for their ambition, and we celebrate their success. Relentlessly optimistic and always curious, entrepreneurs see opportunity amid disruption and rise up when there are problems to be solved. Today, entrepreneurs are making a world of difference and inspiring us all.  

Our goal is to support entrepreneurs as they transform their business and scale to new heights. One way we do that is through the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ program. 

Since its founding 35 years ago in the US, this global awards program is now in more than 60 countries and over 145 cities around the world. It has become the ultimate global competition for entrepreneurs. 

Every year, winners from around the world vie for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ title.  

But selecting that overall winner requires us to understand that entrepreneurship and business success can look different in different parts of the world. 

We strive to compare all of our winners fairly through six criteria that encompass long-term value. 

What makes an EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ ?

  • Entrepreneurial spirit

    • Sets high standards and demonstrates a desire to be successful
    • Takes risks and overcomes significant obstacles
    • Demonstrates perseverance and learns from experience

  • Purpose-driven leadership

    • Demonstrates personal values that earn respect from key stakeholders
    • Maintains the highest ethical and quality standards across the business
    • Commits the organization to an inspiring purpose
    • Enables a more sustainable future for all

  • Innovation

    • Pioneers new approaches or technologies
    • Develops products and services ahead of the market
    • Builds a culture of innovation and invests in research and development

  • Value creation

    • Creates value for stakeholders
    • Drives strong financial performance
    • Develops human capital
    • Drives strategies for long-term sustainable results

  • National and global impact

    • Increases market share
    • Enables international growth and reach
    • Expands into new markets

  • Strategic direction

    • Develops a vision with goals for future growth and expansion
    • Builds an effective team and strategic alliances
    • Measures and benchmarks progress against goals

Our award winners 

Each year when I meet the unstoppable entrepreneurs who are competing for the world title — all winners of EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programs from around the globe — I am astonished once again by their vision, insight and determination. 

Driven by the desire to better the world around them, they don’t let anything stand in their way.

I’m excited to share these entrepreneurs with the world. Their stories have stuck with me and truly reveal what makes them great. They’ve capitalized on their ambition to launch and scale businesses that make a difference. And I can’t wait to see what they do next.  

How EY can help

The EY 7 Drivers of Growth

Our 7 Drivers of Growth framework can help your business successfully execute your growth strategy over the long term. Find out how.

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WEOY globe

Explore the stories of our EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ winners

The visionary entrepreneurs competed for the world title in Monaco 8-10 June. Through their innovation and dedication to achieving their greatest ambitions, they are inspiring us all to build a better working world.

Learn more

Our panel of independent judges 

When judging entrepreneurs against these criteria, it’s important to understand the entrepreneurial mindset. Our panel of independent judges is composed of entrepreneurs from around the globe who have demonstrated astonishing purpose and drive throughout their careers. Every year, we convene an extraordinary group of judges. They bring a diversity of experience that factors into their careful deliberations as they select the EY World Entrepreneur Of The YearTM Award winner.

Meet our distinguished panel of judges for 2022

This extraordinary group bring a diversity of experience that factored into their deliberations as they selected the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Award winner.

Learn more

 

WEOY Judges 2022

Summary

EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ celebrates the vision, insight and determination of entrepreneurs from around the globe. It is the ultimate global competition for entrepreneurs. Each year’s overall winner is chosen by a diverse panel of independent judges who understand the entrepreneurial mindset because they are entrepreneurs themselves. Find out more about the judges and how entrepreneurs are leading the way and solving the biggest challenges we face today at ey.com/weoy.

About this article

Stasia Mitchell
By Stasia Mitchell

EY Global Entrepreneurship Leader

Envisioning equitable entrepreneurship by embracing diversity. Fostering a global entrepreneurial ecosystem. Striving to build a world that works better for all.

Related topics Entrepreneurship EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Private Business Family enterprise Start-ups
Upvote