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Frequently asked questions

How can I nominate an entrepreneur?

Nominations open on 5 May 2026 and can be submitted online at EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Indonesia.

What is the nomination deadline?

All nominations must be completed and submitted by 31 July 2026.

Who can be nominated?

• The nominee must be an Indonesian citizen (WNI).
• They should hold the position of owner, CEO, or equivalent, with direct responsibility for the company’s recent performance.
  *EOY accepts more than one nomination from the same company. (i.e.: Founder/CEO with the Co-Founder).
• The company must be operating within Indonesia and has been in operation for a minimum of 3 years.
• Submission of 3 years audited financial statements is required from the nominee.
• Once selected as finalists, entrepreneurs are required to attend a series of EOY events: On-site Filming, Partner Interviews, Judges One-on-One Interview, and the Awards Gala.

Who can submit a nomination?

Anyone who is associated with the entrepreneur in some capacity (EY professional, employee, banker, lawyer, manager, spouse, friends) can submit a nomination. You (the entrepreneur) can even nominate yourself. After all, who knows your success story better than you?

Is there a fee to nominate?

The program is free.

What if I don’t have time to complete all the required information?

You may delegate the preparation of the nomination responses to someone in your organization, such as the PR and Marketing department that may have already compiled most of the required documents and information.

If you are selected as a finalist, your commitment will be:

• EY Partner On-site Visit and Interview in September, to get to know you and your business better. The report from the visit will be used and read by the independent panel of judges.
• Profile filming by EY and production house team in September, to capture your thoughts and personality as an entrepreneur.
• An hour interview with the Independent Panel of Judges in early November.
• An evening awards ceremony in November.

Is the nomination form confidential? Who has access to the financials?

• All information provided in the nomination form or otherwise will be reviewed by the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year organizers and shared with the independent judges. Financial information (i.e. specific financial information other than information described in a range) will only be shared with the independent judges, who sign a confidentiality agreement and do not retain any documentation, and with the EY principals involved in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program. No detailed financial information will be shared with the program sponsors.
• In our promotional materials, we may refer to your participation in the program and include the brief corporate description you provide. Any other public disclosure of information will not be made without your consent.
• The completeness with which the nomination form is prepared will have a material bearing on whether you advance to finalist status.

Is the financial information necessary?

Yes, we do need the financial information. Entrepreneur Of The Year is designed to honor business success, so we need measurable criteria. In other words, the company must demonstrate some quantitatively measured success or sustainability.

The financial status of my company is confidential, and I can’t release this information. Can I still compete?

Historically, the majority of nominees have represented private companies with confidential financial information. The limited financial information requested is confidential and the judging process is objective. Financial information will be used to compute growth ratios, return on investment, etc. Please complete the form in its entirety and describe your company growth as accurately as possible.

Does my company have to be privately owned?

No. If your company went public and the founder/CEO/CEO-equivalent is still active in management, you qualify. If the founder has no equity remaining in the public company, the story needs to be reviewed to determine if he or she is considered a professional manager rather than an entrepreneur.

What if our company has multiple founders?

Multiple-nominee applications are acceptable but must include information for each individual nominee.

My company has been in business for over 20 years, and I was not the founder. Would I qualify as an entrepreneur?

Entrepreneur Of The Year honors individuals primarily responsible for the growth of the business, whether they are the founder or the current CEO or CEO-equivalent. The intent is to recognize the creativity, drive and hard work of business leaders.

If you’re not the original founder, we'll look at what you've done since taking the reins for at least 5 years in the position. Many winners have been second- or third-generation entrepreneurs.

What are the award categories?

Besides the primary award of Indonesia Entrepreneur Of The Year and the special honorary award such as Lifetime Achievement Award, there are category awards presented to the finalists. The category awards given are dependent on the entrepreneurial aspects of the finalists each year.

Final determination of the category awards to be presented will be decided by the Independent Panel of Judges.

Who selects the finalists and recipients?

EY internal committee and management will select the shortlisted finalists. Meanwhile, independent panel of judges comprising fellow entrepreneurs, past EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award recipients, and leading figures from the business and academic communities will select the award recipients.

What criteria do the judges consider?

The independent judging panel considers great businesses and personal accomplishments under the below criteria:

Entrepreneurial spirit

How bold and resilient is the entrepreneur’s mindset and journey?

• Sees opportunities others miss, whether solving real problems, reimagining what’s possible or creating new value that drives growth and innovation
• Takes bold personal and business risks, learns from experience and shares their journey, motivations, and challenges overcome
• Demonstrates resilience, creativity and determination to overcome significant challenges
• Cultivates an entrepreneurial mindset and culture that inspires innovation and action within the organization

Purpose

What values drive the entrepreneur and their vision for the future?

• Leads with a clear purpose – personal and business – focused on why the business exists, who it serves and the difference it aims to make
• Innovates in ways that prioritize long-term value for various stakeholders including people, planet and business
• Builds trust by staying true to mission and values, even in uncertain times
• Champions inclusive leadership and builds a culture that aligns strategy with core values and vision

Impact

What real-world positive difference is the entrepreneur making?

• Serves customers in ways that meaningfully improve lives, communities or industries
• Builds inclusive teams and creates access to resources and opportunities for all individuals, recognizing differing needs and experiences
• Introduces new or improved solutions that create lasting benefit for people, markets or society.
• Helps protect, restore or regenerate the environment for future generations

Growth

How is the entrepreneur scaling their business and preparing for future growth?

• Demonstrates consistent growth in financial performance, operational viability and return on equity while scaling the business responsibly
• Develops strong, adaptable teams and expands the customer base, leveraging a range of skills, experiences and perspectives
• Uses innovation, new approaches, and technology to lead, improve and evolve their industry
• Creates an agile, resilient business that delivers long-term value for all stakeholders

Why would I want to participate?

Participation in Entrepreneur Of The Year offers a number of potential benefits, including the following:

• Join a network of business leaders across diverse industries.
• Connect with industry leaders, fellow entrepreneurs, judges, and EY professionals through networking opportunities.
• Share recognition with the people who have supported your journey, including your team and key partners.
• Increase visibility and credibility with relevant stakeholders, including investors and strategic partners.
• Gain media coverage across our local media network.