Entrepreneur of the Year finalists announced

A desire to use business for social good is the common thread amongst the 2023 EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalists.

Ernst & Young has revealed the finalists of its highly esteemed Entrepreneur of the Year competition and while they come from a range of backgrounds and industries, their common purpose to create positive change for Aotearoa is a stand-out theme.

Whether it is through closing the gender gap in STEM-related careers, transforming the culture of the scaffolding industry or democratising market research, this year’s finalists demonstrate the important role entrepreneurs play in our society.

The entrepreneurs from 16 Kiwi businesses across the country that have been chosen as finalists span industries including retail, construction, marketing, data analytics and education, representing the diversity of entrepreneurialism in New Zealand.

These top entrepreneurs continue to innovate and forge new paths forward, despite numerous years of uncertainty. Director of EY Entrepreneur of the Year at Ernst & Young New Zealand, Jason Macgregor, said this year’s finalists reflect the evolved landscape of entrepreneurialism in New Zealand; one that is just as focused on purpose, inclusivity and looking after our planet as it is on driving revenue and global expansion.

“Entrepreneurs have a job to do in being the change agents within our society, so it’s great to see the next generation truly stepping into that role and making a real difference. Today’s world presents us with many unique challenges, which will require new ways of thinking to solve, a skill that is a key part of entrepreneurialism,” says MacGregor.

“Particularly as we face economic challenges, it is important that we encourage innovation and entrepreneurism in New Zealand to bolster the economy. The courage and resilience these entrepreneurs demonstrate is remarkable and they will make great role models for other Kiwi entrepreneurs that want to take the leap and start a business.”

The finalists will now compete across a variety of categories for the ultimate title of EY Entrepreneur of the Year for 2023. From there, New Zealand’s overall winner will go on to compete for the title of World Entrepreneur of the Year.

The finalists will be assessed by a panel of independent judges, including previous EY Entrepreneur Of The Year award winners across four core criteria: entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, impact and growth.

The finalists (pictured above) are:

Alexia Hilbertidou – GirlBoss NZ

Angus Brown – Ārepa Holdings Ltd

Connor Archbold, Matthew Herbert – Tracksuit Limited

Jamie Beaton – Crimson Education

Graeme Clegg – New Image International

Hannah Porter – Bear and Moo

David Yu – VeVe

Emily Rutherford – Kiwi Water Park

Chris Warren – NZS Group

Carmen Vicelich – Data Insight

Levi Fawcett – Partly Group Ltd