ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines Program
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| EOY 2010 winner Mr. Tennyson Chen of Bounty Fresh Food |
By virtue of SGV’s membership in Ernst & Young Global, the Foundation obtained the right to undertake the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Program (EOYP) in the country. The EOYP has been described in the international media as the “Oscars of the business world.” The Philippine program which was started in 2003 seeks to recognize the achievements of Filipino entrepreneurs who develop businesses and advocacies that influence the way people live, transform communities and support the economy in moving forward. The country winner competes for the World Entrepreneur of the Year title in an awards banquet sponsored by Ernst & Young in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The Foundation teams up with institutions noted for their support for entrepreneurship such as the Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Philippine Stock Exchange, Development Bank of the Philippines, and the Geneva-based Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. Tony Tan Caktiong of Jollibee Foods Corporation bagged the first Philippine title and went on to win the World Entrepreneur Of The Year title in 2004. Succeeding Philippine winners are Socorro Ramos of National Bookstore, Lance Y. Gokongwei of Cebu Air, Inc., Senen Bacani of La Frutera Inc., Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, Jr. of Alaska Milk Corporation, Ambassador Jesus Tambunting of Planters Development Bank and Tennyson Chen of Bounty Fresh Food.
Category winners are also chosen such as young entrepreneur, woman entrepreneur, innovation entrepreneur, social entrepreneur and master entrepreneur.
In May 2010, De La Salle University which offers full degree in entrepreneurship co-launched with EOYP the Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines Academy. All winners and finalists of the EOYP were inducted into the Academy. The Academy provides a venue for entrepreneurs to meet and network with their peers here and worldwide. As a group, they can become an even more potent force for economic and social transformation.
