Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year:TWENTY-FOUR COMPANIES, with a combined turnover of close to €1 billion, have been shortlisted for the 2010 Ernst Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.
More than 120 entries were received, a reflection of the strength of the enterprise culture that remains in Ireland today.
“Entrepreneurial activity has contributed to the record levels of prosperity Ireland has enjoyed – and it will help us, as a country, to remain competitive in more difficult economic times,” says Frank O’Keeffe, partner in charge of the Entrepreneur of the Year scheme.
“The award’s programme continues to help acclaim entrepreneurs and provide valuable role models for existing and future business innovators.”
Chaired by previous award-winner Pádraig Ó Céidigh, chairman of Aer Arann, the 11-strong judging panel has chosen eight companies in each of three categories: international, industry and emerging.
These represent a cross-section of business interests including solar and wind energy, medical, construction, technology and food.
An immediate benefit to each finalist is a gateway to more than 200 of Ireland’s leading entrepreneurs through the network provided by the Entrepreneur of the Year programme.
This year’s chief executive retreat will facilitate a trade mission to the Shanghai World Expo where, in keeping with the expo’s theme, finalists will be challenged to embrace the urbanised world of the future and find new business opportunities in rapidly increasing urbanisation.
The 2010 finalists, accompanied by more than 20 past finalists, will also participate in leadership strategy sessions and be given the opportunity to engage in a series of one-to-one meetings with Chinese business leaders.
“With a population of 1.3 billion, China is leading the charge towards urbanisation and has already grappled with many of the challenges that the rest of the world still faces,” says O’Keeffe.
“Whole new cities have been built from scratch to accommodate the exodus from the land, so it’s the ideal vantage point from which to observe the pace of social change and identify the opportunities that change presents.”
The 24 finalists will be profiled in The Irish Times over the next six weeks, beginning with the emerging category on Monday, May 24th.
Each finalist will also feature in a three-part series to appear on RTÉ in October, and the overall winner will be announced at a televised awards ceremony on October 21st.
The Ernst Young Entrepreneur of the Year is part of a global recognition programme to identify, celebrate and support entrepreneurs. The scheme runs in more than 40 countries across six continents and in 2010 more than 10,000 entrepreneurs worldwide will be nominated.
The Irish programme, now in its 13th year, has been identified as one of the strongest worldwide.
Terry Clune, founder and chief executive of Taxback.com, was named 2009 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Clune will represent Ireland at the World Entrepreneur of the Year awards in Monte Carlo next month and will compete for the international title.
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year is run in association with The Irish Times, RTÉ, Enterprise Ireland, InterTradeIreland and Newstalk.
Further information on the 2010 programme can be viewed online at www.eoy.ie
ERNST & YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR SHORTLISTED FINALISTS 2010
INTERNATIONAL
Aiden LeeEolas InternationaL
Johnny WalkerGlobal Diagnostics
Brian ConlonFirst Derivatives plc
Dan ByrneLincor Solutions
Ritah ShahShabra Group
Richard CullenJelly Bean Factory
Philip ReynoldsCD Foods Ltd
Robert ODonnellAdvanced Innovations
INDUSTRY
Jim BarryBarry Group
Colette TwomeyClonakilty Food Company
Terrence DonnellyDonnelly Motor Group
Mike and Pat GlennonGlennon Brothers
Michael GuerinMedicare Pharmacy
Eamonn OHareO'Hare McGovern Ltd
Malcom Bell– Technopath
John Toner & Robert AdamsonWilliams Industrial Services
EMERGING
Fred KarissonDonedeal.ie
Conrad BurkeInnovalight
Dylan CollinsJolt Online Gaming
Sean CartyLita Lighting
Neven MaguireMacNean House Restaurant
Liam GriffinMonart Destination Spa
Declan OHalloranQuintas Energy
Emmet ONeillSmiles Dental
