Latest news with #EntrepreneuroftheYearAward
IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Business Partners launches Entrepreneur of the Year Award to support small businesses
Sheldon Tatchell, founder of the Legends Barber franchise, won the coveted Overall 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year award in the 36th annual Business Partners Limited Entrepreneur of the Year® awards in November last year. Image: Supplied Business Partners launched its Entrepreneur of the Year Award on Tuesday, an award that ranks among the most long-standing and prestigious of its kind in this country and which aims to foster growth in small and medium businesses by successful entrepreneurs. David Morobe, executive general manager of Impact Investing at SME financing company Business Partners said at an online event that the award, which was started in 1989 and stopped only during the Covid pandemic, aimed to honour entrepreneurs 'who don't give up on challenges.' There are award categories for different sizes of smaller businesses and for different types of entrepreneurs: Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year, SME Entrepreneur of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year for medium-sized businesses, Job Creator of the Year, Innovator of the Year, Impact Entrepreneur of the Year, and Overall Entrepreneur of the Year. In the 2023, the competition attracted over 350 entries, and last year there were more than 650 entries. Morobe said there was a high quality of entrepreneurs in the last competition, and the greater stability and confidence in the small business sector, as indicated by the SME Index for the last quarter of 2024, might spur even more entries in the 2025 year. He said business confidence in the SME sector had noticeably improved last year after the formation of the Government of National Unity, and he hoped the GNU would continue, as the business confidence it had generated was vital to the growth of the SME sector, which in turn formed a major part of the growth of the overall economy and job creation. For example, the SME Index had shown that some 80% of SME business owners polled expected their businesses to grow in 2025, 64% were confident about obtaining access to finance to sustain their businesses, while 72% expressed confidence in their ability to attract talented staff. SMEs had played a pivotal role in the post-recovery of the economy after the Covid pandemic, he said. Business Partners area manager Lawrance Ramotala said this month that the contribution of small businesses to youth development is not only practical but deeply transformational. 'In many cases, SMEs are the first to take a chance on young people, whether by hiring them as first-time employees, helping them launch their first business, or partnering with them as we're seeing is a groundswell of youth entrepreneurship that's rooted in community enterprise,' he said. 'This is particularly evident in township settings, where formal employment is often out of reach. In these areas, youth-led micro and small businesses are not only becoming viable alternatives to traditional work but also creating employment for others in their communities,' he said. Morobe said the competition provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase their business excellence, services, and products to a wider community. The entrepreneurs get to interact with other businesspeople, organisations, and institutions they otherwise would not have been able to access, and it exposes entrepreneurs to opportunities for businesses to tap into improvements and innovations in their existing businesses. Visit:
Western Telegraph
11-06-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Hair Syrup founder wins Pride of Wales entrepreneur award
Lucie Macleod who founded Hair Syrup was awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the recent Nation Radio Pride of Wales Awards. Lucie Macleod, 24, from Newport, established her business Hair Syrup in lockdown. (Image: Hair Syrup/ Lucie Macleod) When she was a university student she had been looking for something that would keep her hair in good condition for a long time, having found a number of products only had the desired effect for a short period of time. She had heard about oil being used as a pre-wash on holiday in Thailand and decided to look into it. Unable find an affordable pre-wash or one that fitted what she was looking for, she made her own using ingredients from local health food shops. (Image: Hair Syrup/ Lucie Macleod) Lucy made a TikTok video about the product and it went viral with more than 600,000 views. People in their hundreds contacted her with just one question: 'Please can you sell me a bottle of this hair oil?'. The business has since blossomed from a 'home grown side hustle' into a business with a projected turnover of £6.5 million in 2025. Although she did nor walk away with a deal from the Dragons, Hair Syrup, which operates out of Goodwick, is going from strength to strength. (Image: Hair Syrup/ Lucie Macleod) This most recent award is one if several accolades won this year and the business is now launching in several international markets. 'Being recognised as Pride of Wales Entrepreneur of the Year is absolutely mind-blowing for me,' said Lucie. 'I am so unbelievably grateful to be recognised as one of Wales' leading entrepreneurs. 'I started my business from my parents' conservatory and never expected it to be anything more than a tiny student side hustle. 'It blows my mind when I look around and see how it's grown over the past few years 'It's even more special that the award is obviously a Welsh award. It's just amazing to see Welsh female entrepreneurs winning these awards, getting their names out there and kind of putting ourselves on the map.' (Image: Hair Syrup/ Lucie Macleod) Nearly 300 people attended Pride of Wales awards ceremony at Swansea's Brangwyn Hall hosted by Nation Radio's Angela Jay and Kev Johns. A special highlights programme from the event will be broadcast on Nation Radio across Wales on Sunday June 15, from 9pm until 11pm and available on the Nation Player Mobile app.
Business Standard
10-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Dr. Raj P. Narayanam named Entrepreneur of the Year 2024-25 by HMA
PRNewswire Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], June 10: Dr. Raj P. Narayanam, Founder and Executive Chairman of Zaggle, has been honoured with the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2024-2025 by the Hyderabad Management Association (HMA). This esteemed recognition celebrates Dr. Raj's exceptional entrepreneurial vision, leadership, and his impactful contributions to the industry, reaffirming his role as a driving force in India's business and fintech landscape. The Entrepreneur of the Year Award was conferred upon Dr. Raj P. Narayanam at the 52nd HMA Annual Awards ceremony, held at the Marigold Hotel, Hyderabad. The award selection followed a rigorous evaluation process conducted by an independent and distinguished jury comprising Mrs. K. Vijaya Lakshmi (Retired Judge), Prof. S. Sreenivasa Murthy (Director, IPE), Mr. V. N. Vishnu (IAS, Retd.) and Mr. Prakash Chandra Baror (General Manager, SBI). After a thorough assessment of the nominees, the jury unanimously recommended Dr. Raj P. Narayanam for this honour in recognition of his outstanding entrepreneurial achievements and industry contributions. Expressing his gratitude on the recognition, Dr. Raj, said, "I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive the 'Entrepreneur of the Year Award' from HMA. This recognition is a reflection of the collective dedication, innovation and hard work of the entire team at Zaggle. The award celebrates impactful business leadership in the region, and I am proud to be among those acknowledged. This recognition inspires us to keep pushing the boundaries of innovation and to continue contributing meaningfully to India's ever-evolving business landscape." Conceptualized in 1964, HMA has a legacy of fostering managerial excellence and professionalism. The 'Entrepreneur of the Year Award' category recognizes outstanding leadership and significant growth in the entrepreneurial landscape. Past recipients of this award include notable figures such as Dr. Manne Satyanarayana Reddy, Founder & Chairman of MSN Group, Mr. V. Venkatram, MD & CEO, SeedWorks International and A. Sridhar Reddy Managing Director, Esennar Transformers. With over two decades of experience in global finance and technology, Dr. Raj has been a trailblazer in developing innovative solutions that drive efficiency and ensure compliance within the SaaS and FinTech sector. His visionary leadership has earned him multiple prestigious accolades, including the 2024 Hurun Industry Achievement Award for Financial Solutions. He was also recently named 'FinTech Leader of the Year' at both the Bharat FinTech Summit and by Business World, further cementing his reputation as a leading force in the fintech landscape. About Hyderabad Management Association The Hyderabad Management Association (HMA), established in 1964, is a prominent professional organization dedicated to fostering managerial excellence and spreading professionalism among executives, academia, and students in Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Affiliated with the All India Management Association (AIMA), HMA provides a vital platform for knowledge sharing, skill development through various programs, and recognizing outstanding contributions to the management and entrepreneurial landscape. The 'Entrepreneur of the Year Award' is one of its most distinguished accolades, celebrating leaders who demonstrate exceptional performance and drive significant growth in their respective fields. For more information, visit their website About Zaggle Founded in 2011, Zaggle (BSE: 543985) (NSE: ZAGGLE) is a leading player in spend management, offering a differentiated value proposition with a diversified user base. Operating within the business-to-business-to-customer (B2B2C) segment, Zaggle stands out as one of the few companies with a comprehensive range of financial technology products and services. Zaggle is one of India's top issuers of prepaid cards, collaborating with banking partners to drive its card offerings. The company also boasts a diverse portfolio of SaaS products and an extensive network of touchpoints. As of March 31, 2025, Zaggle has issued over 50 million prepaid cards, serves more than 3,400 corporate enterprise clients and supports a user base exceeding 3.2 million. With a robust corporate client base spanning various industries, including banking and finance, technology, healthcare, manufacturing, FMCG, infrastructure and automobiles, Zaggle is well-positioned as a leading player in the spend management sector.
Business Upturn
10-06-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Dr. Raj P. Narayanam named Entrepreneur of the Year 2024-25 by HMA
HYDERABAD, India , June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Dr. Raj P. Narayanam, Founder and Executive Chairman of Zaggle, has been honoured with the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2024–2025 by the Hyderabad Management Association (HMA). This esteemed recognition celebrates Dr. Raj's exceptional entrepreneurial vision, leadership, and his impactful contributions to the industry, reaffirming his role as a driving force in India's business and fintech landscape. The Entrepreneur of the Year Award was conferred upon Dr. Raj P. Narayanam at the 52nd HMA Annual Awards ceremony, held at the Marigold Hotel, Hyderabad . The award selection followed a rigorous evaluation process conducted by an independent and distinguished jury comprising Mrs. K. Vijaya Lakshmi (Retired Judge), Prof. S. Sreenivasa Murthy (Director, IPE), Mr. V. N. Vishnu (IAS, Retd.) and Mr. Prakash Chandra Baror (General Manager, SBI). After a thorough assessment of the nominees, the jury unanimously recommended Dr. Raj P. Narayanam for this honour in recognition of his outstanding entrepreneurial achievements and industry contributions. Expressing his gratitude on the recognition, Dr. Raj , said, 'I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive the 'Entrepreneur of the Year Award' from HMA. This recognition is a reflection of the collective dedication, innovation and hard work of the entire team at Zaggle. The award celebrates impactful business leadership in the region, and I am proud to be among those acknowledged. This recognition inspires us to keep pushing the boundaries of innovation and to continue contributing meaningfully to India's ever-evolving business landscape.' Conceptualized in 1964, HMA has a legacy of fostering managerial excellence and professionalism. The 'Entrepreneur of the Year Award' category recognizes outstanding leadership and significant growth in the entrepreneurial landscape. Past recipients of this award include notable figures such as Dr. Manne Satyanarayana Reddy , Founder & Chairman of MSN Group, Mr. V. Venkatram, MD & CEO, SeedWorks International and A. Sridhar Reddy Managing Director, Esennar Transformers. With over two decades of experience in global finance and technology, Dr. Raj has been a trailblazer in developing innovative solutions that drive efficiency and ensure compliance within the SaaS and FinTech sector. His visionary leadership has earned him multiple prestigious accolades, including the 2024 Hurun Industry Achievement Award for Financial Solutions. He was also recently named 'FinTech Leader of the Year' at both the Bharat FinTech Summit and by Business World, further cementing his reputation as a leading force in the fintech landscape. About Hyderabad Management Association The Hyderabad Management Association (HMA), established in 1964, is a prominent professional organization dedicated to fostering managerial excellence and spreading professionalism among executives, academia, and students in Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Affiliated with the All India Management Association (AIMA), HMA provides a vital platform for knowledge sharing, skill development through various programs, and recognizing outstanding contributions to the management and entrepreneurial landscape. The 'Entrepreneur of the Year Award' is one of its most distinguished accolades, celebrating leaders who demonstrate exceptional performance and drive significant growth in their respective fields. For more information, visit their website About Zaggle Founded in 2011, Zaggle (BSE: 543985) (NSE: ZAGGLE) is a leading player in spend management, offering a differentiated value proposition with a diversified user base. Operating within the business-to-business-to-customer (B2B2C) segment, Zaggle stands out as one of the few companies with a comprehensive range of financial technology products and services. Zaggle is one of India's top issuers of prepaid cards, collaborating with banking partners to drive its card offerings. The company also boasts a diverse portfolio of SaaS products and an extensive network of touchpoints. As of March 31, 2025 , Zaggle has issued over 50 million prepaid cards, serves more than 3,400 corporate enterprise clients and supports a user base exceeding 3.2 million. With a robust corporate client base spanning various industries, including banking and finance, technology, healthcare, manufacturing, FMCG, infrastructure and automobiles, Zaggle is well-positioned as a leading player in the spend management sector. For more information, please visit the company website or follow us on LinkedIn View original content: Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PR Newswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dr. Raj P. Narayanam named Entrepreneur of the Year 2024-25 by HMA
HYDERABAD, India, June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Raj P. Narayanam, Founder and Executive Chairman of Zaggle, has been honoured with the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2024–2025 by the Hyderabad Management Association (HMA). This esteemed recognition celebrates Dr. Raj's exceptional entrepreneurial vision, leadership, and his impactful contributions to the industry, reaffirming his role as a driving force in India's business and fintech landscape. The Entrepreneur of the Year Award was conferred upon Dr. Raj P. Narayanam at the 52nd HMA Annual Awards ceremony, held at the Marigold Hotel, Hyderabad. The award selection followed a rigorous evaluation process conducted by an independent and distinguished jury comprising Mrs. K. Vijaya Lakshmi (Retired Judge), Prof. S. Sreenivasa Murthy (Director, IPE), Mr. V. N. Vishnu (IAS, Retd.) and Mr. Prakash Chandra Baror (General Manager, SBI). After a thorough assessment of the nominees, the jury unanimously recommended Dr. Raj P. Narayanam for this honour in recognition of his outstanding entrepreneurial achievements and industry contributions. Expressing his gratitude on the recognition, Dr. Raj, said, "I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive the 'Entrepreneur of the Year Award' from HMA. This recognition is a reflection of the collective dedication, innovation and hard work of the entire team at Zaggle. The award celebrates impactful business leadership in the region, and I am proud to be among those acknowledged. This recognition inspires us to keep pushing the boundaries of innovation and to continue contributing meaningfully to India's ever-evolving business landscape." Conceptualized in 1964, HMA has a legacy of fostering managerial excellence and professionalism. The 'Entrepreneur of the Year Award' category recognizes outstanding leadership and significant growth in the entrepreneurial landscape. Past recipients of this award include notable figures such as Dr. Manne Satyanarayana Reddy, Founder & Chairman of MSN Group, Mr. V. Venkatram, MD & CEO, SeedWorks International and A. Sridhar Reddy Managing Director, Esennar Transformers. With over two decades of experience in global finance and technology, Dr. Raj has been a trailblazer in developing innovative solutions that drive efficiency and ensure compliance within the SaaS and FinTech sector. His visionary leadership has earned him multiple prestigious accolades, including the 2024 Hurun Industry Achievement Award for Financial Solutions. He was also recently named 'FinTech Leader of the Year' at both the Bharat FinTech Summit and by Business World, further cementing his reputation as a leading force in the fintech landscape. About Hyderabad Management Association The Hyderabad Management Association (HMA), established in 1964, is a prominent professional organization dedicated to fostering managerial excellence and spreading professionalism among executives, academia, and students in Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Affiliated with the All India Management Association (AIMA), HMA provides a vital platform for knowledge sharing, skill development through various programs, and recognizing outstanding contributions to the management and entrepreneurial landscape. The 'Entrepreneur of the Year Award' is one of its most distinguished accolades, celebrating leaders who demonstrate exceptional performance and drive significant growth in their respective fields. For more information, visit their website About Zaggle Founded in 2011, Zaggle (BSE: 543985) (NSE: ZAGGLE) is a leading player in spend management, offering a differentiated value proposition with a diversified user base. Operating within the business-to-business-to-customer (B2B2C) segment, Zaggle stands out as one of the few companies with a comprehensive range of financial technology products and services. Zaggle is one of India's top issuers of prepaid cards, collaborating with banking partners to drive its card offerings. The company also boasts a diverse portfolio of SaaS products and an extensive network of touchpoints. As of March 31, 2025, Zaggle has issued over 50 million prepaid cards, serves more than 3,400 corporate enterprise clients and supports a user base exceeding 3.2 million. With a robust corporate client base spanning various industries, including banking and finance, technology, healthcare, manufacturing, FMCG, infrastructure and automobiles, Zaggle is well-positioned as a leading player in the spend management sector. For more information, please visit the company website or follow us on LinkedIn View original content:
