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How can a new perspective reveal your next move?

EY Entrepreneurs Access Network

Small to mid-market businesses are fundamental to the US economy as they represent approximately 44% of US GDP¹. In fact, small businesses make up 99% of all US businesses and employ 46% of the private workforce (61.6m individuals).² However, many of these emerging and independent enterprises do not reach their full potential due to barriers in coaching, connections, curriculum, and capital. The EY Entrepreneurs Access Network helps businesses bridge these gaps, empowering them to achieve greater growth through tailored support in these critical areas.

Coaching

13k

EAN mentoring hours³

Connections

2.7k

meetings and contacts³

Curriculum

134

hours of learning events and webcasts³

Capital

64m

US$ aligned through external funding sources³

Coaching

Linking leaders to resources, networks and 1:1 coaching to help bridge the gaps

Photographic portrait of Aaron Wynn

“EAN provided more than insight — it created meaningful connections, expanded my perspective, and challenged me to think differently about growth and leadership. The program delivers real value for entrepreneurs looking to grow with intention.”

Aaron Wynn | CEO and President
Hunter Recruitment Advisors

Photographic portrait of Christine Lee

“EAN played a pivotal role in stretching, guiding, and scaling our business to new and exciting heights. Our firm continues to benefit from EY’s clear vision, strong values, and unwavering commitment to helping emerging businesses like mine grow.”

Christina Lee | CEO
Paradigm 360º Coaching & Consulting, LLC.

Photographic portrait of Miguel Garcia Castillo

“EAN was a pivotal experience. It sharpened how I think about building, scaling, and leading. More importantly, it’s a platform and community that leads with action.”

Miguel Garcia Castillo | Founder and CEO
CO/STUDIOS

Meet the EAN community

EAN Summit

EAN cohorts and collaborators from across the country gather for this annual, inspiring, community- and business-building event.

EY ecosystem and teaming

Entrepreneurs Accelerated sharpens your competitive edge at every stage of growth—empowering you to dream bigger and scale faster.

Executive curriculum

Accelerate your journey with the EY 7 Drivers of Growth, distilled from the insights of the world’s most ambitious CEOs and entrepreneurs.

Capital

Empowering high-impact businesses through accessible funding support

Securing sufficient funding is crucial for the survival and growth of small to mid-sized businesses. In fact, 38%⁴ of businesses fail due to cash shortages or an inability to securing the necessary financing they need. This underscores the purpose and importance of EAN’s mission – to help businesses access coaching, community, curriculum and capital to sustain and expand.

team picture

About the program

Those joining the Entrepreneurs Access Network community will:

Join an elite network of the country’s best entrepreneurs
Be part of a community of high-growth company leaders
Experience an educational platform designed for today’s busy executive
Be invited to webcasts featuring top business leaders and organizations
Be assigned an EY professional as an EAN Relationship Ambassador to help guide them through the EAN 12-month growth journey
To be considered for participation, applicants must meet the following criteria:

The applicant must be the CEO, President, or Founder of a privately-held, for-profit company registered and operating in the US or its territories.
Business type and ownership:
The business must be a for-profit entity and not a nonprofit organization or government-affiliated entity.
Only franchisors are eligible; franchisees are not eligible to apply.
The applicant must have majority ownership and decision-making authority in the company.
For companies with co-owners, the total ownership must meet the minimum criteria, meaning the applicants combined must have majority ownership and decision-making authority in the company, with each applicant owning a minimum of 25%.
A maximum of two applicants can apply from any one organization.

The business must have a minimum of $1 million in annual revenue for at least the past two consecutive years as demonstrated by financial records.
Businesses that do not yet meet the revenue requirement may still qualify if they can demonstrate:
Significant market traction, such as rapid customer growth, strategic partnerships or contracts.
At least $1 million in external investment from venture capital, private equity or other institutional investors.
Scalability and growth potential with a clear path to surpassing the revenue threshold within the next two years.

For entrepreneurs who have sought outside investment, the founding entrepreneur may still apply if majority ownership stake is retained after deducting all outside investments.

EY Entrepreneurs’ resource library

Discover various tools, industry insights, webcasts and more via this online tool.

Search the EY EAN digital directory

Meet the business leaders who are helping to impact our business and civic communities.

Visit the EAN Directory

EY EAN team

Lee Henderson

EY Americas Center for Board Matters Leader

Fervent supporter of entrepreneurs and champion of good governance. Board member. Approachable leader. Inquisitive thinker. Self-proclaimed sports fanatic.

Chicago, IL, United States

Nit Reeder

EY Americas Markets Communications Leader; EY Entrepreneurs Access Network Program Director

Creative communicator. Strategic advisor. Entrepreneurs’ advocate. Arts enthusiast.

Atlanta, GA, United States

Kris Hunter

EY Americas Brand, Marketing and Communications Assistant Director; EY Entrepreneurs Access Network Program Manager

Enthusiastic champion to the ambitious. A passionate marketing executive who loves communicating with people in one of her five languages and enjoys inspiring others to bring out their best.

Miami, FL, United States

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.