Ernst and Young (EY) Global Limited are calling for nominations for entrepreneurs who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses as part of their Southern Africa World Entrepreneur Award Programme.
Now in its 18th year, the awards looks to encourage and celebrate entrepreneurs.
“We want to celebrate that entrepreneurial spirit and one of the ways we do it is through the Award programme,” says Cheryl-Jane Kujenga, Strategic Growth Markets leader for EY Africa.
Hard work and determination
Entrepreneurs who have won in the past have shown willingness to take risks, confront failure and grab opportunities. Examples include Justin Clarke, founder of One Africa Media, who won in the emerging category in 2014, and exceptional category winner Divine Ndhlukula, who owns security firm Securico.
Ndhlukula admits she was not financially secure when starting her business, but saw a business opportunity and took a chance.
Beyond the awarding of the prizes, Kujenga explains that the finalists, as part of the programme, are given the opportunity to engage with like-minded entrepreneurs and a variety of alumni and business leaders to enable them to take their business to the next level.
Winners for Southern Africa will be announced at an awards ceremony in October 2015.
Entry Criteria
There are three categories for which EY will be accepting nominations, which are:
1. Master: This consists of individuals whose achievements have made them world-class entrepreneurs. Nominees would have to be running an organisation with revenues starting from US$100m to qualify for this category.
2. Exceptional: These are individuals who have shown exceptional tenacity and determination in building a successful and established enterprise, that is well on its way to becoming a market leader in its sector.
3. Emerging: This final category includes individuals building young businesses with high potential.
The minimum threshold for participants in the Exceptional and Emerging categories is US$6m.
How to enter
Any individual can nominate an entrepreneur, however self-nominations are also encouraged. The closing date for nominations is 30 March 2015.