The finalists for the highly-coveted RSM Entrepreneur of the Year award, one of the ten categories of the prestigious European Business Awards, have been unveiled.

Over 3,000 businesses entered the 2012/13 awards from 28 countries across Europe. RSM, the sixth largest global accounting network, is delighted to announce that the ten recipients of the coveted Ruban d’Honneur for the category RSM Entrepreneur of the Year 2012/13 are:

  • Biofilter Environmental Co (Hungary)
  • Bonnyfood A.Ş. (Turkey)
  • HintTech (The Netherlands) 
  • LAMDA Hellix Data Centers (Greece)
  • Masmovil (Spain) 
  • Michael Henriksen Holding A/S (Denmark) 
  • MindZet (Denmark) 
  • Netigate (Sweden)
  • PARAVAN GmbH (Germany) 
  • The Cambridge Satchel Company (United Kingdom)

The ten finalists will each receive the Ruban d’Honneur accolade, and will go forward to the final round of judging in Dusseldorf in February 2013, where they will give face-to-face presentations to a panel of expert judges, who will then determine the overall winner of the RSM Entrepreneur of the Year award 2012/13. The winner will be announced at a gala dinner and awards ceremony in April 2013.

Jean Stephens, CEO of RSM, comments: “This week the European Commission presented an action plan to encourage entrepreneurship and kick-start growth. The finalists for the RSM Entrepreneur of the Year are the sort of dynamic and innovative business leaders who create jobs and wealth which Europe needs so badly. It is a privilege to honour them with this accolade, and hopefully encourage other would-be entrepreneurs to take forward their business ideas.”

Philip Forrest, Chairman of Judges of the European Business Awards, says: “In spite of the prevailing business climate, this year’s awards have delivered  another set of vigorous entries which have once again made the judging process challenging. What is particularly inspiring is to see businesses of all sizes, in all sectors, demonstrating that clear leadership, entrepreneurial energy and innovation are the keys to sustaining both growth and profitability. It is very encouraging to see so many exciting European organisations establishing themselves as successful role models, including so many in the markets that are experiencing the greatest economic difficulties.”

The European Business Awards have been spotlighting the most innovative and successful European businesses since 2007. Entrants are judged on three main criteria: success, innovation and ethics. From an initial engagement with over 15,000 businesses across Europe, only 100 of the entrants have received a Ruban d’Honneur. Just ten businesses will go on to win a European Business Award in April 2013.

ENDS