Nominations now open for the 2026 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme

Dublin, 13 January 2026: The search for the most innovative, ambitious and exceptional business leaders on the island of Ireland begins today as nominations officially open for the 2026 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ (EOY) programme. Entrepreneurs from emerging, established and international businesses across every industry and every corner of the island are invited to put themselves forward between now and 17 February 2026. We encourage anyone who knows a deserving entrepreneur to submit a nomination on their behalf. To submit a nomination click here.

Now in its 29th year, the EOY programme is a cornerstone of Ireland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The EOY alumni community has grown to more than 680 entrepreneurs, representing some of the island’s most innovative and high‑performing businesses, who support and empower each other both as friends and entrepreneurial peers through collaboration, mentorship and trade. Together, they employ over 275,000 people and generate more than €28 billion in annual revenues. These figures reflect the economic strength, and the deeper societal impact of entrepreneurship: the jobs created, the communities strengthened and the ideas that continue to transform how we live and work.

Roger Wallace, Head of Assurance and EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Ireland, commented:

“Entrepreneurs are the driving force of Ireland’s economy. They combine vision with courage, creativity with determination, and in doing so they push our island forward in ways that few other groups can. In a world defined by constant change, new global norms and rising pressures, these leaders remain steady innovators who turn bold ideas into real impact. As a country, we rely on their ambition, and it is more important than ever that we champion, support and celebrate the entrepreneurs shaping tomorrow.”

“Entrepreneurship is the heartbeat of Ireland’s future, and the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme celebrates that power every year. Today, we invite a new generation of entrepreneurs to submit their nominations and become part of the 2026 cohort.”

About the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme

The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme is open to entrepreneurs from all sectors and growth stages in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The awards programme is divided into three categories - Emerging, Established and International - with eight finalists chosen per category.

Twenty‑four finalists will be selected for the 2026 programme. As finalists, they will participate in a 9 ‑month strategic growth programme that includes executive education, networking forums, tailored media profiling, and the annual CEO Retreat, which this year will take place in Toronto, Canada. Finalists will also be welcomed into the EOY alumni community, gaining access to one of the most influential peer networks in Ireland.

This year’s programme celebrates the people whose ideas, ambition and resilience are shaping what comes next for Ireland, the leaders whose vision continues to set new standards for Irish entrepreneurship. This year, the programme’s theme “The Entrepreneurs” recognises those who pair imagination with action, turning ideas into impact and ambition into lasting value. These leaders bring diversity of thought, originality and a relentless drive to create something better. Their influence can be felt across industries, communities and global markets, reflecting the depth of talent and the forward momentum that continues to define the entrepreneurial landscape from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

EOY Judging Panel

The 24 finalists will be selected by an independent judging panel comprising of former winners and chaired by Harry Hughes of Portwest. Speaking at the launch, Harry Hughes, CEO of Portwest and Chairperson of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Judging™ Panel said:

“Each year, I am reminded of the extraordinary calibre of entrepreneurs across this island. They challenge convention, find opportunity where others see uncertainty, and build businesses that leave a lasting imprint on their industries and communities. This year’s theme, ‘The Entrepreneurs’, reflects the individuality and creative drive that unite these leaders. As judges, we have the privilege of meeting the entrepreneurs whose ideas, resilience and ambition are actively shaping the future of Ireland and beyond. Their impact reaches far beyond their own companies, and it is an honour to help recognise and celebrate their achievements.”

The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Ireland programme is supported by Premium Corporate Sponsor Julius Baer International, and Government sponsor Enterprise Ireland. Invest Northern Ireland is a long-standing supporter of the programme. 

Anyone interested can find out more or complete an online nomination form at www.eoy.ie. Those nominating someone else must do so with the entrepreneur’s consent.

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For further information, images and interview opportunities please contact: Ina Gonzalez, Communications Manager, EY Ireland: ina.gonzalez@ie.ey.com / +353 87 123 2983

Notes to Editor

ENTRY CRITERIA

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ is an all-island programme. Nominees must either be Irish or running a company based on the island of Ireland. Nominees must own a minimum of 5% of the company and be primarily responsible for the recent performance of a company to be eligible to apply. Founders of publicly listed companies are eligible, provided that the founder is still active in management.

While most nominations come from the entrepreneurs themselves, anyone can nominate a successful entrepreneur with the entrepreneur’s consent, including employees, company advisors and financiers. Nominations close on 17 February 2026.

WHAT FINALISTS CAN EXPECT

This year’s 24 finalists will engage in a strategic growth programme over a 9-month period which includes a week-long CEO Retreat. As part of this retreat, the finalists will join a group of more than 100 previous finalists and winners of the programme where they will meet a range of world-class entrepreneurs, businesspeople and academics.

The programme will include executive education sessions; networking forums; extensive media profiling; the annual Gala Awards. An award is presented for each category, and an overall winner will be announced at the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Awards in late November.  The overall winner will represent Ireland at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Awards the following June 2027 in Monaco.

AWARD CATEGORIES

Emerging: Nominees in the Emerging category run businesses that have been trading for a minimum of two years. They are ambitious entrepreneurs who have started a business which is growing quickly. They are high potential, dynamic, resourceful and ‘ones-to-watch’ for the future.

Established: Established, longstanding businesses with a pedigree of growth and innovation, contributing significantly as employers on the Island of Ireland. Including some of our greatest family businesses, our Established finalists are market leaders in their sectors and have made a significant contribution to the economy over a considerable period of time.

International: The International category consists of entrepreneurs who are global players. Their companies operate in multiple markets across the globe and can be headquartered here in Ireland or overseas.

The Sustainability Award: This award is presented to the finalist who is making the biggest contribution towards environmental sustainability through their business. They are striving to protect our future by providing solutions and taking transformative business actions to address some of the world’s most pressing environmental issues and concerns.

ABOUT EY ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR™

The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme is a global recognition programme run in 145 cities in more than 60 countries. Currently in its 29th year in Ireland, the programme works to recognise, promote and build a supportive community around Ireland’s high-growth entrepreneurs and is considered one of the strongest programmes globally.

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