Ernst and Young (EY) has announced the 30 shortlisted candidates for its Accelerating Entrepreneurs business incubation programme, with four African startups making the list.
The Accelerating Entrepreneurs programme sees six entrepreneurs selected to participate in EY’s yearly Entrepreneur of the Year event held in Monte Carlo; with the six selected entrepreneurs receiving all expenses paid trips to participate in the event, where they will receive growth training, as well as forge relationships with potential mentors and coaches.
This year’s shortlist includes South African entrepreneur Justin Clarke, co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of One Africa Media; Andrew Smith and Shane Dryden, co-founders of South Africa’s Yuppiechef; Audrey Joe-Ezigbo and Joseph Ezigbo, co-founders of Nigeria’s Falcon Corporation; and Nigerian Gossy Ukanwoke, founder of BAU Research and Development.
The shortlist will now be further slimmed down to six candidates, who will progress to the Entrepreneur of the Year event. The six chosen entrepreneurs will be announced in April.
EY told Disrupt Africa 20 per cent of applications received this year came from African entrepreneurs.
CJ Kujenga, strategic growth markets leader for EY Africa, previously said the applications received from Africa demonstrate the growth of entrepreneurship on the continent.
“The response we have received demonstrates the growing entrepreneurial spirit in Africa. At EY Africa, it remains our firm view that entrepreneurs are born innovators who learn from successes and failures. They are bold enough to identify opportunities, seek out growth and overcome risk,” Kujenga said.
