Entrepreneur Of The Year® Heartland

Honoring the ambitious entrepreneurs building a more equitable, sustainable and prosperous world for all.

Meet the 2023 winners 

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

The Entrepreneur Of The Year program has been celebrating the ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses for nearly four decades. Founded in 1986, the program has recognized more than 10,000 entrepreneurs throughout the US and has expanded to nearly 60 countries globally. Explore the program history to learn more about the impact of these entrepreneurs.

The Heartland program includes Dakotas, Iowa, Kansas*, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska (*Excludes greater Wichita area). Each year, a panel of independent judges selects regional finalists and winners who are recognized during an awards celebration in June. The regional award winners compete for national recognition the following November at the Strategic Growth Forum®, where National finalists and award winners are announced. The overall National winner then goes on to represent the US at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year® competition the following June.

Visit the Entrepreneur Of The Year Hall of Fame to discover outstanding leaders who have been recognized with this prestigious award over the years.

2023 regional winners

Meet the regional honorees

Program information

  • Benefits of participation

    • Gain access to a worldwide community of entrepreneurs and transformational leaders
    • Increase exposure to potential customers and suppliers, M&A opportunities, and private equity and venture capital investors
    • Celebrate and recognize your team and support network
    • Elevate your company’s brand within the local business community and through PR opportunities
    • Receive exclusive invitations to local events with other entrepreneurs

  • Eligibility and selection criteria

    The entrepreneur
    • The entrepreneur must be the CEO or president of a private or public company who is primarily responsible for the recent performance of the company.
    • The entrepreneur must be in the role for at least two years by the application deadline.
    • Previous finalists and applicants are encouraged to reapply.
    • Former award winners may reapply if they have founded or transitioned to a new company.
    The company
    • Companies must be at least two years old to be eligible.
    • Companies are most competitive when they demonstrate long-term value.
    • Only for-profit businesses may apply.
    Judging criteria

    The independent panel of judges evaluates nominees on a variety of criteria, including, but not limited to:

    • Entrepreneurial spirit
    • Purpose
    • Growth
    • Impact
    • Financial performance

  • Program timeline

    The program celebrates unstoppable entrepreneurs year-round. 2023 program dates:
    • December 2022: Applications open
    • March 3: Application deadline
    • March–April: Regional nominee interviews with EY team and select sponsors
    • May: Regional finalists announced; Regional finalist interviews with judges
    • June: Regional awards celebrations
    • Early fall: Regional alumni receptions
    • November 9–12: Strategic Growth Forum; National awards celebration

2023 regional finalists are building the economy of tomorrow

Nearly $23b in revenue generated by EOY Heartland finalists in 2022
EOY Heartland finalists experienced 38% average revenue growth
EOY Heartland finalists employed more than 46,000 people in 2022
EOY Heartland finalists experienced 27% average employee growth

*Over the most recent three-year period

Learn more

Featured
Meet our Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2022 National Award winners

2023 regional celebration highlights

Entrepreneur Of The Year Heartland team

Dominic Iannazzo
Program co-director
Minneapolis, MN

Erin Donovan
Program co-director
Minneapolis, MN

Matt Winger
Market director
Kansas City, MO

Zac Smith
Market director
St. Louis, MO

Jenelle Rosecrance
Program manager
Charlotte, NC

Ryan Hendler
Program coordinator
Dallas, TX

Founded and produced by
Presented by
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ey-kauffman-foundation-logo
Regionally sponsored by
Colliers logo
Padilla logo
Twin Cities Business logo

Strategic Growth Forum® US

Each year, we celebrate the Entrepreneur Of The Year regional award winners at the Strategic Growth Forum, where national award winners are announced.

Learn more

EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ North America

Identifying ambitious women entrepreneurs and provides them with the advice, resources and access they need to unlock their full potential.

Learn more

 

EY Entrepreneurs Access Network

A business accelerating program for Black and Latino founders, designed to scale their businesses by equalizing access to resources, connections and capital.

Learn more

 

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