Today marks the culmination of an extraordinary year for Ireland’s entrepreneurial community as the 28th annual EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ (EOY) Awards take place this evening at Powerscourt Hotel, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow. The event will bring together 23 exceptional finalists and over 500 guests to celebrate the vision, ambition and resilience that define Ireland’s business leaders.
These finalists represent the innovators and risk-takers powering Ireland’s growth, collectively generating annual revenues in excess of €1 billion and employing more than 4,000 people.
The 2025 entrepreneurs represent a diverse mix of sectors including technology, healthcare, manufacturing, consumer goods and financial services. They will compete across three categories – Emerging, Established and International – with one overall winner named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2025. A Sustainability Award and a Special Recognition Award will also be presented on the night.
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The overall winner will go on to represent Ireland at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Awards in Monaco in June 2026.
This year’s programme has been one of the most dynamic to date, featuring a week-long CEO Retreat in Japan – Ireland’s largest annual unofficial trade mission – and the launch of The Entrepreneurs, a four-part RTÉ documentary series that has brought the stories of 12 finalists into homes across the country. The series, narrated by Kathryn Thomas, has offered viewers a rare glimpse into the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and will culminate tonight with the awards gala broadcast on RTÉ One.
Now in its 28th year, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme supports, promotes and connects a community of more than 680 entrepreneurs who collectively generate revenues of €28 billion and employ over 275,000 people across the island of Ireland.
Roger Wallace, Head of Assurance and EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Ireland, commented:
“Tonight is about celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Ireland’s entrepreneurs. Over the past year, they have shared their stories, challenged themselves and embraced every aspect of the programme – from the CEO Retreat in Japan to connecting with our wider EOY community. Their ambition and resilience are the bedrock of Ireland’s prosperity, and we look forward to honouring the success of these 23 value creators this evening.”
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Eimear McCrann, Director EY Private and EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Ireland, said:
“The awards come at a pivotal time for Ireland’s economy. With global uncertainty, rapid technological change and sustainability challenges reshaping markets, tonight’s celebration underscores the critical role entrepreneurs play in driving innovation and competitiveness. From embracing AI and digital transformation to pioneering green solutions, these leaders are not only building businesses but shaping Ireland’s future in a fast-changing world.”
Harry Hughes, Chair of the Independent Judging Panel and CEO of Portwest, added:
“After spending the past year getting to know these incredible entrepreneurs, I can honestly say choosing a winner was a tough decision. Each finalist has shown remarkable courage, creativity and resilience in the face of challenges. Tonight is about celebrating the people behind the businesses, their stories, and the impact they’ve had on communities across the island. I’m proud to have been part of this journey, and I can’t wait to see the excitement unfold as we reveal who will take home the top honour.”
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Awards Gala will air on RTÉ One at 22.50pm on Thursday 27 November.
For further information, please visit www.eoy.ie.
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