EY programme seeks leaders shaping the island’s economy as finalists prepare for Toronto retreat and nine months of growth support.
The search for Ireland’s next cohort of standout founders has begun as nominations open for the 2026 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme.
Entrepreneurs across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland can enter from today until 17 February 2026, with finalists set to join a nine month development journey that blends executive education, peer networking and tailored media profiling.
“Entrepreneurship is the heartbeat of Ireland’s future”
The programme, now in its 29th year, is a fixture of Ireland’s entrepreneurial landscape. Its alumni community includes more than 680 founders who collectively employ over 275,000 people and generate in excess of €28bn in annual revenues.
Participants frequently cite the network as one of the programme’s most valuable assets, with many continuing to collaborate long after their competition year has ended.
Forces of economic nature
In November, Edward McCloskey, founder of WaterWipes and owner of Boyne Valley Group, was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 at the programme’s 28th annual gala in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.
Áine Kennedy, founder of The Smooth Company, won the Emerging Entrepreneur award. Kennedy launched her haircare brand in 2022 from her attic and has grown it into a global business with customers in 70 countries. Her products aim to simplify routines while delivering salon-quality results at home.
The Established Entrepreneur award went to Derek Foley Butler, chief executive of GRID Finance. Founded in 2013, GRID Finance has become a leading fintech platform for SMEs, offering Ireland’s only business credit score service and becoming the country’s first financial services B-Corp. The platform has supported 25,000 jobs across 4,000 businesses.
David Corcoran of Soltec Ireland received the Sustainability award. Soltec has spent three decades innovating in hazardous waste recovery and recycling. Under Corcoran’s leadership, the company has strengthened its commitment to sustainability and positioned itself as a key player in Ireland’s transition to a circular economy.
EY also presented its Special Recognition award to Denis O’Brien for his contribution to Irish business and philanthropy. O’Brien has played an active role in the Entrepreneur of the Year programme, serving on the judging panel and mentoring finalists.
Making things happen
Roger Wallace, Head of Assurance and EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ireland, said the initiative is designed to elevate the people who turn ideas into real outcomes.
“Entrepreneurs are the driving force of Ireland’s economy. They combine vision with courage, creativity with determination, and in doing so they push our island forward in ways that few other groups can,” he said.
“In a world defined by constant change, new global norms and rising pressures, these leaders remain steady innovators who turn bold ideas into real impact. As a country, we rely on their ambition, and it is more important than ever that we champion, support and celebrate the entrepreneurs shaping tomorrow.”
He added a simple invitation for applicants. “Entrepreneurship is the heartbeat of Ireland’s future, and the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme celebrates that power every year. Today, we invite a new generation of entrepreneurs to submit their nominations and become part of the 2026 cohort.”
The awards recognise founders across three categories. Emerging covers earlier stage high potential businesses. Established spotlights scaling companies with material market traction. International highlights entrepreneurs with significant cross border reach. Eight finalists will be selected in each group, bringing the total to 24.
Finalists will take part in a structured programme over nine months. The schedule features executive education, networking forums and bespoke media support. The annual CEO Retreat will be held in Toronto, Canada, which will expose the cohort to international operators, investors and policy voices. Finalists also become members of the EOY alumni community, which offers a live forum for peer learning and trade opportunities.
This year’s theme is The Entrepreneurs. The focus is on people who pair imagination with action and who turn ambition into lasting value. Organisers say they are looking for leaders who bring diversity of thought, originality and a sustained drive to create something better. The theme reflects a belief that entrepreneurship has a measurable impact on jobs and communities as well as on markets and technology.
Selection will be overseen by an independent judging panel composed of former winners and chaired by Harry Hughes, chief executive of workwear company Portwest.
“Each year, I am reminded of the extraordinary calibre of entrepreneurs across this island,” said Hughes. “They challenge convention, find opportunity where others see uncertainty, and build businesses that leave a lasting imprint on their industries and communities. This year’s theme, ‘The Entrepreneurs’, reflects the individuality and creative drive that unite these leaders. As judges, we have the privilege of meeting the entrepreneurs whose ideas, resilience and ambition are actively shaping the future of Ireland and beyond. Their impact reaches far beyond their own companies, and it is an honour to help recognise and celebrate their achievements.”
Eligibility spans all sectors and growth stages across the island. Nominees must be Irish or running a company based in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Each nominee must own at least 5 per cent of the company and be primarily responsible for recent performance. Founders of publicly listed companies are eligible provided they remain active in management. Most nominations come from entrepreneurs themselves, although employees, advisers and financiers may nominate candidates with the entrepreneur’s consent.
The programme is supported by Premium Corporate Sponsor Julius Baer International and by Enterprise Ireland as Government sponsor. Invest Northern Ireland is a long standing supporter.
Nominations are open until 17 February 2026 and can be submitted at eoy.ie. Organisers encourage those who know a deserving founder to put them forward with their permission. The prize for finalists is not only the competition itself. It is entry into a community that has become one of Ireland’s most active networks for scale minded leaders.
Top image: Pictured at the launch of the 2026 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme, now open for nominations, at the Round Room, Mansion House, Dublin are from left: Eimear McCrann, Director, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year; EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025, Edward McCloskey of WaterWipes; and Roger Wallace, Partner Lead for EY Entrepreneur Of The Year. Photo: Naoise Culhane
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