Tipp entrepreneurs bid for glory

Sharon Cunningham and Orlaith Ryan of Clonmel-based Shorla Oncology will represent Tipperary as one of 24 finalists shortlisted for the 2024 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Awards which will take place on Thursday 28 November in Powerscourt Hotel, Co Wicklow. This year’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme launched in January 2024 and received more than 200 nominations – the highest ever in the programme’s history.

Awards will be presented across three categories - Emerging, Established, and International - with one overall winner selected as the 2024 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year. Additionally, a Sustainability Award will be presented to the finalist making the most significant contribution towards environmental sustainability through their business.

The overall winner of The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 will travel to Monaco in June 2025 to represent Ireland at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year ™ 2025 awards.

The 24 shortlisted entrepreneurs span a range of sectors including technology, energy, healthcare, hospitality, consumer products, engineering and gaming. Collectively, this group of world-class business leaders is already generating annual revenues of more than €700m and employing over 4,000 people.

Commenting ahead of the awards, Roger Wallace, Partner Lead for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme said: “The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year awards night is fast approaching and we are really looking forward to celebrating with our brilliant Irish entrepreneurs. This year’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme received the most nominations ever in the history of the programme with an incredibly high standard across all of the nominations received emphasising just how vibrant and robust entrepreneurship is throughout the island of Ireland.

“Our 24 finalists are an outstanding cohort of entrepreneurs achieving remarkable success both in Ireland and globally. They represent a wide range of backgrounds and lead inspiring, cutting-edge businesses that are creating innovative products, services and solutions in their respective industries. On a personal note, it has been an honour to spend time with the 24 fantastic finalists over the course of this year’s programme and learn more about them and their businesses. I wish them all the very best of luck.”

Sharon Cunningham, CEO, Shorla Oncology said: “The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Programme far exceeded my expectations on every level. The CEO Retreat was the highlight for me and the fact that so many alumni take the time out to return year after year is no surprise and testament to the meaningful value that this expertly executed, unique opportunity provides. The content and organisation was superb and has encouraged me to refocus on certain priorities. I particularly benefited from how open and honest we all felt we could be as entrepreneurs facing similar challenges in different businesses – that’s when war stories are shared and the real magic happens. It was one of the most informative, enjoyable and special experiences of my career to date and it’s an honour and a privilege to be part of the programme.”

Orlaith Ryan, CTO, Shorla Oncology added: “The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Programme is exceptional. Having access to a dynamic group of successful entrepreneurs coupled with access to the CEO retreat, in person events and remote learning and engagement opportunities provides a unique and extremely beneficial experience. The meticulous oversight from EY coupled with the infectious energy of the finalists and alumni is unparalleled and is something I feel very privileged to be part of now and in the years to come.”

Now in its 27th year in Ireland, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Programme has established itself as a world-class development programme that supports, promotes, and connects an extraordinary community of entrepreneurs, championing entrepreneurship throughout the island of Ireland and around the world.

Since its inception, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ireland community has grown to a tight-knit network of more than 600 alumni who harness each other’s wealth of experience, with three-quarters (75%) conducting business with one another. Together, the EOY alumni community generates revenues of €23bn, and employs more than 250,000 people across the island of Ireland.

The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ireland programme is supported by Premium Corporate Sponsor Julius Baer International, and Government sponsors Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland.

The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ireland awards will be broadcast on YouTube and RTÉ television on Thursday, November 28.

For further information, please visit www.eoy.ie or follow the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year social media channels (YouTube: youtube.com/EOYIreland; Instagram: eoyireland)