On Thursday, EY Luxembourg has announced the launch of the Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 in Luxembourg

“Building on a strong local anchorage and an international experience in the SMEs, start-up, fast growing and family-owned companies sector for more than 90 years, EY is proud to organise this year again, for the fifth time in Luxembourg, the Entrepreneur of the Year competition, which provides a unique opportunity for the entrepreneurs who are established in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to be awarded for their outstanding achievement at a local and international level”, said Alain Kinsch, Country Managing Partner of EY Luxembourg.

Launched 30 years ago (in 1986) by EY in the United States, the Entrepreneur of the Year Award has been organised in more than 150 cities, 70 countries and rewards more than 900 outstanding entrepreneurs every year. Known as the most prestigious award assigned to entrepreneurs coming from all over the world, the Entrepreneur of the Year Award aims to reward entrepreneurs who have displayed entrepreneurial and innovative spirit, an ingenious strategy of development, an excellent financial performance and an effective management of their human resources and their organisation.

Yves Even, Partner in charge of the Entrepreneur of the Year (EoY) - entrepreneurship/SME and family business department at EY Luxembourg, commented “The Entrepreneur of the Year Award symbolises an exceptional human story, which is the story of women and men, who have proven that it is always possible to progress, to innovate and to create value and jobs. As key drivers of growth and competitiveness, they feed on confidence and cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit.”

Participation criteria and selection

Each candidate for the Entrepreneur of the Year will have to apply by 27 May 2016, while complying with the following participation criteria:

- Minimum 10% ownership in the company;

- Lead a company which has been established for at least three years in Luxembourg;

- A turnover equal to or higher than €2.5 million.

All the entrepreneurs who will have been selected after a rigorous selection process will then meet EY professionals, who will help them establish a personalised diagnostic of their companies before providing the members of an independent jury with their sound business cases.

Only entrepreneurs who demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit, determined to innovate, with a strong sense of strategy and competition and an exemplary management practice, open to the world around him/her, who comply with the Entrepreneur of the Year participation criteria are eligible to participate to the EY competition, which is unique in the world.

The jury

The independent jury of the "Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 Award" is composed of representatives of the economic world, who are recognised for their experience and their neutrality.

President of the Jury: Nicolas Buck – FEDIL
René Elvinger – Winner of the 2013 edition of the Entrepreneur of the Year
Jacques Hirtt – Fédération des Jeunes Dirigeants d’Entreprise
Fernand Ernster – Confédération Luxembourgeoise du Commerce
Gérard Hoffmann - ICTluxembourg
Tom Theves – Ministry of Economy
Carlo Thelen – Chambre de Commerce

Previous editions of the Entrepreneur of the Year in Luxembourg

Nicolas Buck of Victor Buck Services S.A. was first rewarded as the Entrepreneur of the Year in Luxembourg in 2004. In 2006, Abbas Rafii, Managing Director of Ireco S.A. succeeded Nicolas Buck as the “Entrepreneur of the Year 2006” in Luxembourg, followed by Jacques Lanners of Ceratizit S.A. in 2009, and then René Elvinger of Elth S.A. in 2013.

EY has not only been pleased to continue with this programme, but it also wants to highlight the success of the entrepreneurs who are based in Luxembourg and promote the entrepreneurial spirit as it rewards them for their contribution and their initiatives.

Why participate? Here are some reasons which may motivate an entrepreneur to take part in the Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 competition:

- His/her key success factors are strikingly highlighted;

- Increase awareness of his/her company through a large media coverage;

- Value creation for his/her employees and increase the sense of belonging to their firm;

- Provides access to a unique network of entrepreneurs;

All the finalists of the Entrepreneur of the Year competition have the privilege to access the network of the Luxembourgish (EY Club Entrepreneurs) and French entrepreneurs (Académie des Entrepreneurs d’EY, a unique network of entrepreneurial forces), as well as to participate in high-profile events (Strategic Growth forums, EY family roundtable, EY Family Summit).

The event’s Partners

This year, companies such as BGL BNP Paribas, Post Luxembourg, Luxemburger Wort, Audi, Lalux and the Chambre de Commerce du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg have chosen to join the competition as official partners.

The Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 competition is also supported by the FEDIL Association, the Fédération des Jeunes Dirigeants d’Entreprise, the Confédération Luxembourgeoise du Commerce, ICTluxembourg, the Ministry of Economy, and RTL as a media partner.

Why not you?

If you would like to become the Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 in Luxembourg, you just need to fill in the application questionnaire by 27 May 2016 and ensure that you comply with the participation criteria.

The winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 competition will be unveiled during a gala ceremony which will be held later in December.

The winner in Luxembourg will also have the privilege of competing for the World Entrepreneur of the Year competition which will take place in June 2017 in Monte-Carlo.

Key dates

- Official launch: 28 April 2016

- Application close date: 27 May 2016

- Announcement of the 6 finalists: October/November 2016

- Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 – Luxembourg award: 12 December 2016

For further information, please contact segolene.terrier@lu.ey.com or visit www.eoy.lu

“We are very proud to launch a new edition of the Entrepreneur of the Year this year again, as we are convinced that this competition will unveil talented entrepreneurs in Luxembourg”, concluded Alain Kinsch, Country Managing Partner of EY Luxembourg.

Photo (L-R): Luc Welter (Post Luxembourg), Anne-Sophie Weyland (BGL BNP Paribas), Yves Even (EY), Nicolas Buck (Fedil)