EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026: Registration started
EY is looking for innovative entrepreneurial personalities from Switzerland for the 29th time. Interested parties have until March 27, 2026 to apply in the categories Scale-up Leaders, Visionary Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs in Family Business. The award ceremony will take place on October 23, 2026 at the Kongresshaus Zurich.
With the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award 2026, the audit and advisory firm EY is once again looking for innovative and committed entrepreneurs from all over Switzerland. The award is part of a year-round program that offers exchange, networking and increased visibility within a strong network of entrepreneurs. This is the 29th time the company has held the program in this country.
Three categories to choose from
The registration phase started on February 4 and runs until March 27, 2026. Interested parties can participate in the categories Scale-up Leaders, Visionary Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs in Family Business. The prerequisite is that both the entrepreneurial role of the nominee and the basic criteria of the company are fulfilled. Specific requirements apply for each category. The complete conditions of participation are available on the application platform.
An independent jury of ten members evaluates all candidates, selects the finalists and decides on the winners. The award will then be presented at a gala ceremony on October 23, 2026 at the Kongresshaus Zurich.
Platform for visibility and exchange
«We want to encourage entrepreneurs across Switzerland to actively register for the program. The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year offers a unique platform to create visibility, reflect on one's own work and recognize the achievements of the teams behind the companies. At the same time, we promote an open and diverse network in which the focus is on exchange at eye level. Participation opens up new perspectives and makes it possible to experience entrepreneurial success throughout Switzerland,» says Frédéric Tissot, Head of EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Switzerland.
Global network with over 50,000 companies
The presentation of the award is the highlight of a year-round program for all candidate entrepreneurs. However, the award is more than just the «Oscar of Entrepreneurship»: it is a close and established network for entrepreneurial personalities that enables and promotes contact and exchange - among all candidates who have participated in the competition worldwide. Today, the global network comprises 60 programs in more than 94 countries and regions and connects over 50,000 entrepreneurs worldwide.
Top-class jury
The jury for the award in Switzerland consists of ten independent members. The committee includes the following personalities from the Swiss economy: Adrienne Corboud Fumagalli (Board Chair Unyversal Technologies, Board Member Swiss Life), Marco Gadola (Board Chair DKSH and Medartis, Board Vice Chair Straumann Group), Thomas Hanan (Founder & CEO Webrepublic, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2017), Jan Lichtenberg (CEO & Co-Founder InSphero, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2015), Didier Maus (Board Chair Maus Frères), Michael Mueller (Group CEO Valora & Head Europe FEMSA Proximity & Health), Piero Poli (Board Chair & CEO Rivopharm), Jean-Marc Probst (Board Chair Probst Group Holding), Franziska Tschudi Sauber (Board Chair Weidmann Holding, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022) and Pascale Vonmont (CEO/Director Gebert Rüf Stiftung).
EY Switzerland is supported by Julius Baer as program partner and Girard-Perregaux, HDI Global, SWISS and Volvo Cars as sponsors.
