2009 competition
The YBI Entrepreneur of the Year for 2009 is Juan Ramón
Nuñez from Argentina.
Applicants were asked to enter the competition through
one of four categories: Journey to Enterprise, Environmentally
Sustainable, Female, and Innovation. One finalist was then
selected from each category. Finally,
a high-profile judging panel reviewed the four finalists and
selected one overall winner.
In addition to the YBI Entrepreneur of the Year, we also wanted
to give the general public a chance to vote on
their favourite, to be crowned People's Choice
Entrepreneur of the Year. From 9-16 November, young
people all around the world were able to cast their vote on an
online poll held by YBI Partner Global
Entrepreneurship Week. With 16,000 votes,
Ghadah Baaqil from Saudi Arabia was named the People's
Choice Entrepreneur of the Year.
The following is the full shortlist of 13 entrepreneurs:
Journey to Enterprise category
Finalist
and YBI Entrepreneur of the Year: Juan Ramón Nuñez,
Argentina
34 year old founder of The Light of Sound electrical company and
La Milagrosa community radio in Buenos Aires. An orphan forced to
work from the age of 8, he is nominated for his determination to
succeed and to help the community through employment and
fundraising.
Read Juan Ramón's story
Shortlisted
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Fadi Elobra, Israel
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Daniel Matheri, Kenya
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Mustapha Mohamadu, Sri Lanka
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A 25 year old founder of Duroos learning centre for
underprivileged Arab youth in Rahat. He is nominated because of the
difficulties he faced in setting up the centre and its importance
to the community.
Read Fadi's story
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A 26 year old furniture manufacturer who runs Mbao Craft in
Nairobi. He is nominated for the success of his business, despite
the post-election violence in Kenya, and his dedication to training
and advising other young entrepreneurs.
Read Daniel's story
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A 34 year old manufacturer of bags and purses made of scrap
leather and other scrap materials. He is nominated for his
determination in rebuilding his business, Murshida Gift and Fashion
Company, from scratch after the 2004 Asian
Tsunami.
Read Mustapha's story
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Environmentally Sustainable category
Finalist:
Jorge Alberto Noverón, Mexico
A 32 year old architect and founder of TresDe Arquitectura in
Mexico City. He is nominated for his commitment to sustainable and
cost-efficient designs.
Read Jorge's story
Shortlisted
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Bobby Mitchell, Scotland
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Oksana Usanova, Ukraine
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22 year old founder of Pure Services, from East Lothian. He is
nominated for his commitment to the environment with his
cutting-edge means of recycling and other green initiatives.
Read Bobby's story
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A 31 year old who founded Rural Green Tourism Services, the
first environmentally friendly tourism company in the Luhansk
region. She is nominated for her pioneering spirit and her
commitment to the environment.
Read Oksana's story
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Female category
Finalist
and People's Choice Entrepreneur of the Year: Ghadah Baaqil,
Saudi Arabia
31 year old founder of Ghadah Medina Autism Centre in Medina.
She is nominated for improving the lives of autistic children, and
her determination in setting up the facility despite widespread
opposition and prejudice.
Read Ghadah's story
Shortlisted
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Sarala Bastian, India
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Linet Indiazi, Kenya
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A 35 year old mushroom grower who set up Arokia Foods in
Chennai. She is nominated for her commitment to helping others to
establish their own businesses, setting up training schemes in slum
areas and jails.
Read Sarala's story
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34 year old founder of Ness Hair and Beauty Parlour in Nairobi.
A single mother, she is nominated for her perseverance in adversity
and her desire to share her success through training and
motivational speaking.
Read Linet's story
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Innovation category
Finalists: Philip Ross & Martin Izod, Scotland
25 year old founders of Safehinge, from Glasgow, who have
pioneered a safety door hinge to prevent fingers getting trapped.
They are nominated for their groundbreaking ideas and
entrepreneurial spirit.
Read Philip & Martin's story
Shortlisted
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Georgi Dichev, Bulgaria
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Mouneer Al-Kojak, Syria
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23 year old developer of specialised computer services in Sofia.
He is nominated for his pioneering technological advances and his
commitment to helping other young entrepreneurs.
Read Georgi's story
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31 year old developer of Ibn Sina Pharmaceutical Software in
Damascus. He is nominated because of the revolutionary nature of
his product, and for showing great determination in overcoming his
own physical disability.
Read Mouneer's story
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