Taking Maltese entrepreneurship to the next level

Award night

The event is a spectacular affair, but its culmination is not the only reason we set up the award. It was launched to promote entrepreneurship across the Maltese islands and to empower entrepreneurs to grow their businesses both locally and around the world. They get the chance to meet inspiring game-changers who are disrupting industries, discover how they are leading in uncertain times and develop innovative ideas to expand their business.

Their journeys may be immeasurably different, but entrepreneurs have one thing in common: they don’t get distracted by short-term pressures. Instead, they have a long-term strategic vision, and then they follow through.

Past winners

Take EY Malta Entrepreneur of the Year 2019, Mr David Darmanin, the founder of Hotjar. Just seven years ago, this now very successful company was a start-up with very few employees and some radical ideas. Today, the company employs over 200 people, many of whom work remotely from different corners of the world, with over 33,000 customers worldwide. 

The 2017 and 2018 winners certainly need no introduction. Mr Alfred Pisani of Corinthia Group and Mr Angelo Xuereb of AX Holdings Ltd are both widely recognised for their success in the hospitality and construction sectors.

Rising star

The award programme is open for ambitious young entrepreneurs too. The EY Rising Star Award will be presented to a contender running a high-growth business that is generating excitement in the market. Previous winners include Mr John Winfield of Dr Juice, Mr David Vella of Altaro Software, Mr Shane Hunter of AquaBioTech Group and Mr Ben Remfrey of Praedium Consulting Malta Ltd.

The best entrepreneurs are long-term
thinkers, so it’s no surprise they are helping
lead us into the future. In a world of short-term pressures, 24-hour news cycles,
uncertain geopolitics and disruptive
technology, entrepreneurs offer important
lessons for us all.

But they also deserve to be recognised for their hard work, struggles and incredible achievements. Who knows? Maybe, their stories will inspire the next generation of talented Maltese entrepreneurs that will help strengthen the economic future for us all.

The nominations for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year award are now open and the award will be judged by an independent panel made up of key figures from the business community. The awards are supported by the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry.