The Honorable Chuck Reed, Mayor of San Jose, and Councilmember Sam Liccardo teamed with Kailesh Karavadra, Managing Principal of Ernst & Young LLP's San Jose office, and Ernst & Young LLP partner Ernie Cortes to kick off the top business awards program in the country -- the 28th Annual EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards -- in its search for the top entrepreneurs in Northern California. Past award recipients, future nominees, program sponsors, and other business leaders joined Mayor Reed, Councilmember Liccardo and EY professionals for the 2014 kickoff in the San Jose City Hall Rotunda.

"For decades, San Jose and Silicon Valley have been a driving force in the global economy, and the innovations that are developed here continue to change the world. The Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates and encourages the creativity that is critical for the long-term success of our region," said Mayor Chuck Reed.

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) celebrates game-changing leaders around the world who founded, strengthened or transformed successful enterprises. The regional award recognizes entrepreneurs who stimulate the economy by creating high-growth businesses and jobs in Northern California. In 2013, Northern California semi-finalists generated $6 billion in revenue and produced more than 23,000 jobs.

Each year, EY showcases successful entrepreneurs from more than 145 cities in 60 countries. Past winners include: Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner (LinkedIn Corporation), Sergey Brin and Larry Page (Google, Inc), Nick Woodman (GoPro), Lisa Im (Performant Financial), and Hamid Moghadam (Prologis).

The regional award winners will be announced on June 10th, 2014. To qualify, entrepreneurs must be the founder or an executive who organizes, manages and assumes the "educated" risks of a business or enterprise in the company's life or development and are active in the leadership of the company. The deadline for 2014 nominations is March 14th.

"EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is not just an awards program, it is an ongoing network of top leaders," said Ernie Cortes, Entrepreneur Of The Year Program Director for Ernst & Young LLP in Northern California. "Once you compete, you're part of an elite group that helps get business done as investors, employees and customers take notice. We look forward to helping the most innovative leaders push the envelope even more in 2014."

Sponsors

Founded and produced in the US by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored by SAP Americas and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In Northern California, regional sponsors include: The Big Picture; SmartBusiness, Littler, RoseRyan and Scherzer International.

About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year TM

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year TM is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries. www.ey.com/eoy

About EY's Strategic Growth Markets practice

EY's Strategic Growth Markets (SGM) practices guide leading high-growth companies. Our multidisciplinary teams of elite professionals provide perspective and advice to help our clients accelerate market leadership. SGM delivers assurance, tax, transactions and advisory services to thousands of companies spanning all industries. EY is the undisputed leader in taking companies public, advising key government agencies on the issues impacting high-growth companies and convening the experts who shape the business climate. For more information, please visit us at ey.com/us/strategicgrowthmarkets, or follow news on Twitter @EY_Growth.

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, an EY member firm serving clients in the US.

For more information, please visit ey.com.

Ernst & Young LLP
Linda Whalen
+1-213-977-3919
Linda.Whalen@ey.com