News
Young entrepreneurs from Argentina, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and
Scotland to compete in global award
18 September 2009
The four finalists for the 2009 YBI
Entrepreneur of the Year award have been selected, from countries
as diverse as Argentina, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Scotland.
The four young business people will attend a prestigious awards
ceremony in London in November where they will compete for
the overall Entrepreneur of the Year prize.
The finalists are: Juan Ramón Nuñez,
who runs a light and sound business in Argentina; Jorge
Alberto Noverón, an environmentally friendly architect
in Mexico; Ghadah Baaqil, owner of a centre for autistic children
in Saudi Arabia; and Philip Ross and Martin Izod,
Scottish manufacturers of a safety door hinge.
The overall winner will be selected by a yet-to-be
announced judging panel of experts. The general public will
also be able to participate in the competition from 9-13 November
2009 by watching a video of each entrepreneur in the shortlist of
13, and voting for their favourite entrepreneur.
More on the winners
Juan
Ramón Nuñez, The Light of Sound,
Argentina
Selected in the Journey to Enterprise category
At 34, Juan Ramón Nuñez has overcome many obstacles
in his life, including being orphaned at a young age, losing his
first wife and developing heart problems. Despite everything, with
his own strength and determination and Fundación Impulsar’s help,
he was able to achieve his twin dreams of starting a community
radio station and owning his own sound and lighting business.
Read Juan Ramón's story
Jorge Alberto
Noverón, TresDe Arquitectura, Mexico
Selected in the Environmentally Sustainable category
Driven by a concern for the environment and
his lifelong fascination with structural design, 32 year old Jorge
quit his job at Telmex and applied for a loan from JEMAC to start
up TresDe Arquitectura, an architectural firm that makes use of
environmentally-friendly products ranging from climate-regulating
roofs to energy efficient light bulbs. TresDe Arquitectura has
introduced the latest in 3D techniques to Mexico and puts it to use
in creating designs which help to combat climate change whilst
saving his clients money.
Read Jorge's story
Ghadah
Baaqil, Ghadah Medina Autism Centre, Saudi Arabia
Selected in the Female category
When Ghadah Baaqil realised that there were no
facilities for autistic children in Medina, she decided to set some
up for herself. She created the first centre for autistic children
in the city, providing invaluable support not just for the children
but for their families as well. Overcoming initial public hostility
due to misconceptions about autism, Ghadah’s perseverance and
pioneering spirit have led to great success in her goals of helping
autistic children integrate into society, and promoting
understanding about the condition to the wider community.
Read Ghadah's story
Philip
Ross & Martin Izod, Safehinge, Scotland
Selected in the Innovation category
Almost everyone has experienced the pain of
trapping their fingers in a door, but very few have been inspired
to do anything about it once the swelling has gone down. However,
young entrepreneurs Philip Ross and Martin Izod decided to combat
just that problem, spending years developing a revolutionary hinge
that prevents fingers becoming trapped in doors. The pair have been
able to develop and market their groundbreaking product, which is
now being incorporated into designs across the UK and beyond.
Read Philip & Martin's story
More on the competition
The competition, which is now in its third year, celebrates the
success of young entrepreneurs around the world – the achievements
of whom are helping to grow local communities, stimulate job
creation and provide essential products and services. Young people
that have been supported by the global network led by Youth
Business International – spanning some 39 countries – are eligible
to enter the competition.
From a shortlist of 13 entrepreneurs, the staff of the members
of the YBI Network selected a winner in each category: Journey to
Enterprise, Environmentally Sustainable, Female, and
Innovation.
The winners of each category will be announced on 16 November on
the first day of Global Entrepreneurship Week. The overall YBI
Entrepreneur of the Year will be announced on the same day and will
be selected by a high-profile judging panel. The general public
will also be able to vote for the People’s Choice award, which will
be open during the run-up to Global Entrepreneurship Week.
YBI and Global Entrepreneurship Week
YBI is proud to be a global partner of Global Entrepreneurship
Week. Running from 16-22 November 2009, the week comprises a range
of activities – from large-scale competitions to networking events
– that hope to inspire young people to embrace innovation and
creativity and to connect them to the people that can help
kick-start their businesses. More at www.unleashingideas.org.