Nomination period now open for EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2017 Awards
TORONTO, March 1 2017 /CNW/ - Entrepreneurs dare to take risks, dive into uncertainty and overcome challenges with innovative solutions. EY is proud to celebrate these men and women who dare to dream big and build boldly. Today, the firm announced nominations are now open across Canada for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2017 Awards.
"Entrepreneurs never let themselves lose that child-like sense of adventure," says François Tellier, EY partner and National Entrepreneur Of The Year Program Director. "They dare to turn risk and uncertainty into thriving businesses that create jobs and drive economic growth. They dare to put everything on the line, to help build a better world. With our EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program, we will continue to do our part to help these risk-takers thrive."
Nominate a risk-taker today. We dare you.
Does it pay to dare?
Just ask Murad Al-Katib, President and CEO of AGT Food and Ingredients; and EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2016 Canada Overall Award winner. In 2001 Murad took a big risk. His wife was six months pregnant with twins, but he dared to quit his job to start building a company that would capitalize on an emerging market. Acting on what seemed like an ambitious idea at the time, Al-Katib turned a plan he developed in his basement into one of the largest suppliers of pulses, or legume seeds, in the world.
"Our economy needs daring entrepreneurs," says Tellier. "Companies like AGT Food and Ingredients are creating jobs, bringing wealth back to their communities, and helping to boost the entrepreneurial culture in Canada, and beyond."
Al-Katib will compete with more than 50 other country winners for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in Monte Carlo, Monaco, on 7-11 June, 2017.
What about women?
"The reality is that women-led businesses have not been fully represented in our Entrepreneur Of The Year program — and we're anxious to change that," says Tellier.
In a recent blog, he talked about how women entrepreneurs aren't getting the support, financing and sponsorship they need to grow their business at the same rate as men.
One of the ways EY is working to change this, is through its Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ program. Through the program, each year EY identifies a select group of high-potential women entrepreneurs whose businesses show real potential to scale — and then helps them do it.
Nominations for the 10th year of the North American competition and executive leadership program, open to businesses in the US and Canada, will open later this month. Check here for more information: www.ey.com/ca/entrepreneurialwinningwomen.
#TrepsChat – learn more about how to nominate yourself or another daring entrepreneur
Tune in to @EYCanada on Tuesday, 4 April at 12 p.m. ET for our entrepreneur Twitter chat. Hosted by EY's Francois Tellier, EY's regional program directors, previous program judges, winners and finalists from all regions will share their personal experiences from the program, and answer your questions about nominations. The agenda will also include a special chat about how to increase the number of women entrepreneurs – and why it pays to dare.
Follow along or join the conversation using the hashtag #TrepsChat and tagging @EYCanada.
What's next?
The deadline to submit a nomination for the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs is 28 April 2017. Award winners are chosen by EY's independent panels of judges across industry sectors, based on their vision, entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, innovation, financial performance, personal integrity and influence, as well as community engagement. For more information about eligibility requirements and to nominate online, visit ey.com/ca/EOY.
About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ is the world's most prestigious business awards program for entrepreneurs. The program makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global awards program of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries. ey.com/eoy
This year's national program sponsors are TEC Canada, RDI, La Presse, The TMX Group, Air Canada, Merrill Corporation, The Globe and Mail Inc., Kira Talent and The Printing House Limited.
About EY's Growth Markets Network
EY's worldwide Growth Markets Network is dedicated to serving the changing needs of high-growth companies. For more than 30 years, we've helped many of the world's most dynamic and ambitious companies grow into market leaders. Whether working with international mid-cap companies or early-stage venture-backed businesses, our professionals draw upon their extensive experience, insight and global resources to help your business succeed.
About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. For more than 150 years in Canada, we've delivered the insights and quality services that help build trust and confidence in capital markets here and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.
Follow us on Twitter @EYCanada, #EOY
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. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.
SOURCE EY (Ernst & Young)
For more information about the program, FAQs and key dates, please visit ey.com/ca/EOY.
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