Microsoft Partners with Ernst & Young to Recognize Small Business Leaders

Strategic Insights -

The professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP has announced that software leader Microsoft Corp. has become a sponsor of the national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards (EOY). The partnership aims to recognize and support small businesses through the "Realizing Business Potential" Award, which will be given to smaller companies (fewer than 100 employees) that have demonstrated success and growth by leveraging computer-related technology in their business.

Key Takeaways:

  • Microsoft has partnered with Ernst & Young to sponsor the national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards.
  • The partnership aims to recognize and support small businesses through the "Realizing Business Potential" Award.
  • The award will be given to smaller companies (fewer than 100 employees) that have demonstrated success and growth by leveraging computer-related technology in their business.
  • The winner of the "Realizing Business Potential" Award will receive a $50,000 technology donation from Microsoft, including laptop and desktop computers, software, and a cash grant.
  • The national award recipient will also receive a laptop and $5,000 software grant from Microsoft.
  • Since 1986, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program has recognized more than 7,000 successful entrepreneurs.
  • Past winners include Michael Dell of Dell Inc., Herb Kelleher of Southwest Airlines, and Howard Schultz of Starbucks.
  • More than 50 of the program's award recipients have become members of the NASDAQ 100.

Statistics:

  • Over 7,000 successful entrepreneurs have been recognized by the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program since 1986.
  • The program has recognized entrepreneurs in 36 regional U.S. programs.
  • The national awards event will be held in Palm Springs, California, in November 2004.
  • The 36 regional award recipients of the "Realizing Business Potential" Award will receive a laptop and $5,000 software grant from Microsoft.

Sources:

  • Ernst & Young website: http://www.ey.com/
  • Microsoft website: http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness
  • Ernst & Young press release: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/micro/hpg.aspx?HeaderID=RNS&SID=Beatrice+&release=727114
  • Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards: http://www.ey.com/us/eoy