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EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ is the only global program of its kind for entrepreneurs. With a legacy of nearly 40 years, this flagship initiative celebrates, connects and supports entrepreneurs as they unlock their ambitions.
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year at a glance
programs worldwide
countries and territories
global alumni
Representing the best of entrepreneurship
Starting at the regional and country level, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year honors leaders who demonstrate excellence in areas such as innovation, financial performance, social responsibility, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.
Each annual program concludes with a competition and announcement of category winners — such as industry and innovation winners — and an overall winner. Winners are selected by an independent panel of judges who are successful, innovative entrepreneurs themselves.
Overall program winners go on to represent their country or territory in the ultimate global competition for entrepreneurs: EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™.
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Ireland programme not only ensures national and international recognition for successful finalists and Alumni but also provides invaluable networking and business opportunities within a growing, 600+ strong EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Ireland Alumni community.
Recognising the best and brightest
Now in its 28th year, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year ™ Ireland programme operates across all 32 counties on the island of Ireland.
By participating in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme, entrepreneurs can connect with their peers, access relevant insights to help navigate their growth journey and raise the profile of their companies and teams. Each programme culminates in the announcement of an overall winner who the competes for the prestigious EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Award.
Winner testimonials
2024 Overall Winner, Orlaith Ryan and Sharon Cunningham
“The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme is exceptional and far exceeded our expectations on every level. Having access to such a dynamic group of successful entrepreneurs coupled with access to the CEO retreat, in person events and other engagement opportunities provides a unique and extremely beneficial experience. The infectious energy of the finalists and alumni network is unparalleled and is something we feel very privileged to be part of now and in the years to come.”
2023 Overall Winner, Sam Moffett, Moffett Automated Storage
“Being selected as a finalist was an honour and winning was a dream come true, but the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme is so much more than an awards ceremony. It connects an incredible group of entrepreneurs from so many different sectors. Everyone in the alumni group understands the highs and lows of running a business and we all support each other. Being part of this community is invaluable.”
2022 Overall Winner - Martin McKay, Texthelp
“Entrepreneurship is a challenging and exciting thing to have in your life. It is not for everybody. The EOY program brings 24 like-minded people together for an incredible year of learning. I was hugely honoured to win in 2022, and have made friends for life with an outstanding group of people.”
2021 Overall Winner – Brian O’Sullivan, Zeus Packaging
“Entrepreneurs tend to be obsessive and when we set our sights on a goal, we put all our energies into reaching it. Being named as EY Entrepreneur of the Year has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career, validating years of hard work and ambition, and opening up a whole new business network for Zeus.”
2021 Emerging Winner – Aimee Connolly, Sculpted By Aimee
“The EY Entrepreneur of the Year programme was such a scary thought to me at first but has turned out to be one of best things I have ever done. Not only do you meet brilliant people along the way, you push yourself from a business leader sense and most importantly there is a real sense of community that I think is very rare and special.”
2020 Overall Winner – Nicola Mitchell, Life Scientific
“Entrepreneurs are never satisfied, never feel good enough; so even though I’ve dreamed of winning all my life, it’s not about winning, it’s about the (at times difficult) journey (who likes being judged!) and all the courageous entrepreneurs I’ve met along the way – all of whom inspire me to do better, and especially those unable to do what they do and be who they are, because of COVID.”
Meet Our Previous EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Finalists
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Our latest thinking
140 leading entrepreneurs travel to Japan on Ireland’s biggest annual unofficial trade mission
Dublin, 24 May 2025: A delegation of 140 of Ireland’s top entrepreneurs are travelling to Japan today for the annual EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ CEO Retreat.
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2025 finalists revealed
Dublin, 17 April 2025: The finalists of the 2025 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Ireland programme have been revealed today, with the 24 shortlisted entrepreneurs spanning a range of sectors including consumer, technology, media, health, life sciences, manufacturing and financial services.
Nominations now open for 2025 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme
Dublin, 16 January 2024: The 2025 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ (EOY) programme is officially open for nominations today, with entrepreneurs from emerging, established and international businesses across all industry sectors from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland invited to submit their nominations between now and 27th Feb 2025.
Sharon Cunningham and Orlaith Ryan of Shorla Oncology named 2024 EY Entrepreneurs Of The Year
Dublin, 29 November 2024: Sharon Cunningham, CEO of Tipperary-based Shorla Oncology and Orlaith Ryan, CTO of Shorla Oncology, have been named the 2024 EY Entrepreneurs Of The Year. The announcement was made at the annual gala awards ceremony which took place at the Powerscourt Hotel, Co. Wicklow. Sharon and Orlaith were also named as winners in the emerging category at this year’s awards.
EOY Finalists profiled in The Irish Times
The EOY Irish Times profile series features unique insights into our 24 finalists and their businesses.
Dublin, 19 May 2024: A delegation of more than 100 of Ireland’s top entrepreneurs travel to South Africa, today for the annual EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ CEO Retreat. Running from Sunday 19th to Sunday 26th May, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ CEO retreat is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship. The aim of the retreat is to support, inspire, and challenge the entrepreneurs to take their businesses to the next level.
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2024 finalists revealed
Dublin, 18 April 2024: The finalists of the 2024 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Ireland programme have been revealed today. The 24 shortlisted entrepreneurs span a range of sectors including consumer, health tech, pharmaceutical, energy and engineering.
Dublin, 11 April 2024: Some of Ireland's most successful, dynamic and game changing entrepreneurs gathered today at The Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin for the annual EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ (EOY) Spring Energiser.
Nominations now open for 2024 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme
Dublin, 18 January 2024: The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ (EOY) programme 2024 is officially open for nominations today. Entrepreneurs from emerging, established, and international businesses operating across all industry sectors from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland invited to submit their nominations between now and 29th Feb 2024.
Sam Moffett of Moffett Automated Storage named 2023 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™
Dublin, 23 November 2023: Sam Moffett, Managing Director and Founder, Moffett Automated Storage Ltd in Monaghan has been named the emerging and overall, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ for 2023.
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2023 finalists revealed
Dublin, 13 April 2023: The finalists of the 2023 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Ireland programme have been revealed today. Find out more.
Nominations open for 2023 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme
Dublin, 19 January 2023: The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ (EOY) programme 2023 is officially open for nominations today. Find out more.
Dublin, 10 November 2022: EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Ireland announces the premiere of a new documentary celebrating 25 years of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ (EOY) Ireland programme.
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