On 4 September 2023, EY launched its latest edition of the prestigious EY Entrepreneur Of The Year competition, which annually recognizes successful Czech entrepreneurs in several categories. For the twenty-fourth time, entrepreneurs can apply to compete in the contest themselves, or be nominated by members of the public. In addition to their economic results, their business activities must also contribute to society, which is an increasingly important criterion for evaluation in the global competition, for which our domestic winner will automatically qualify. Applications and nominations can be submitted no later than 20 October 2023.
Throughout the history of this prestigious international competition, which the Czech Republic joined in 2000, dozens of successful business stories have been presented, inspiring thousands of entrepreneurs around the world. In the Czech Republic alone, nearly a thousand exceptional personalities, from budding entrepreneurs to business matadors, have so far joined the program. The selection of winners in all countries is based on the same internationally valid EY criteria, which evaluate economic indicators, the personality of the entrepreneur, their approach to customers, suppliers and innovation, as well as the impact of their business on sustainability and society.
“It is also true in the case of the Czech Republic that the winner of the EY Entrepreneur Of the Year title must be a personality who does not only run their business with the aim of making a profit, but also has a long-term vision and overlap. Their activities should also benefit the communities in which they operate. Every year, thanks to our competition, we see how the Czech business environment is developing and shifting in this respect, and I am convinced that this will also be the case with this year's competition, which we have just launched,” says Martina Kneiflová, EY Czech Republic's Country Managing Partner.
“We aren’t in business for glory, yet I appreciate this year's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award immensely - it has been a very prestigious international award for many years and I am grateful that I was able to participate in the world final. It is recognition for the work to which I and the entire Rockaway team have devoted a huge amount of energy over recent years and which has already gone far beyond Czech borders,” says Jakub Havrlant of Rockaway Capital, winner of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022 Czech Republic, who traditionally, as the winner of the previous edition, will sit at the head of the expert jury and help find his successor.
The jury will again have the task of selecting not only the winners of the main competition, but also the most successful entrepreneurs across the Czech, Moravian and Silesian regions. The winners in the technology, start-up and socially beneficial entrepreneur categories will also be announced during the closing gala evening. Czech Television, the main media partner, traditionally awards the Czech Television Prize for Entrepreneurial Contribution to Culture and the Arts to personalities who, in addition to their business activities, actively promote culture or contribute to the improvement of public spaces. The best business story will also be selected by the readers of MF DNES and iDNES.cz, the main co-organizer of the competition.
The main partner of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year competition is Česká spořitelna, whose mission is to lead people and society to prosperity. Advice focused on strengthening financial health, as well as successful entrepreneurial stories, can serve as a guide to overcoming the current difficulties of entrepreneurs and businesses.
The official car of the competition is BMW Czech Republic s.r.o., which knows from its own experience that to achieve success it is important to create something with an impact, not to be satisfied with ordinary solutions, and to compete with the best. And that is exactly the kind of person the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year competition is looking for.
“Innovation and development drive society forward. But with that comes a set of challenges and responsibilities to be faced. We are honored to have the opportunity to participate and support the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards, which recognize courageous entrepreneurs who are not afraid of these challenges,” said Maciej Galant, CEO of BMW Czech Republic s.r.o.
Anyone can nominate a business for the competition using the form at www.podnikatelroku.cz. There is also an application form on the website for entrepreneurs who wish to participate in this year’s competition. The deadline for applications and nominations is 20 October 2023.
