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From Ronni Kahn to Lucy Turnbull, the judges for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Australia Awards share what it takes to be a winner

Headshots of the EY judges
EY

The finalists for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Australia Awards have finally been announced. Over the last two decades, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognised ambitious leaders who build and sustain successful, dynamic businesses and reframe the future.

This year's installment will celebrate finalists across three categories and will be selected by a group of respected judges, themselves considered entrepreneurial innovators in their own rights. Chaired by Lucy Turnbull AO, the panel will also consist of Jack Cowin, Ronni Kahn AO, and Dr Glen Richards.  

According to the official site, the awards recognise "Resilient, forward-thinking individuals who understand combining innovative business models and technology will disrupt and enhance the market. Leaders who foster purpose-led, sustainable business practices, resulting in better outcomes for the communities in which they operate. And, in this time of significant change, men and women who help drive Australia's economic recovery, by transforming to shape new industries and reimagine a better tomorrow."

In the wake of the big announcement, here's what the judges themselves consider the top qualities needed to be a truly successful entrepreneur.

Lucy Turnbull AO: Urbanist, Businesswoman and Philanthropist, Chair of the Sydney Opera House Trust

"The best entrepreneurs I've ever worked with or seen in operation are the ones that have a beautiful idea, have a creative imagination, and the capacity and the confidence to think they can solve a challenge to move on from business as usual."

Jack Cowin: Executive Chairman and Managing Director, Competitive Foods Australia Pty Ltd

"What is an entrepreneur? It is a strange combination of a microbiologist and an astronomer – the astronomer looks through the telescope at the stars, he's got the big picture; he's dreaming, where's the next planet? Where do comets go? He's out there looking at outer space and the big horizon."

"The microbiologist, he's looking into the detail, the minutiae, of whatever he's examining. If you're only one of those, the likelihood is you will fail. The entrepreneur has to be a cross between the two of those."

Ronni Kahn AO: CEO & Founder, OzHarvest

"When I think about what's at the heart of an entrepreneur, I think it's courage, I think it's boldness – and I do think there's a level of naivety. A willingness to take a risk, you know? That and resilience." 

"I think one of the things that is absolutely endemic within the entrepreneurial spirit is this notion of curiosity; of willing and wanting to see what's out there. What can I do bigger, better? How do I do things differently?"

Dr Glen Richards: Chairman, Healthia Ltd and People Infrastructure Ltd

"Surround yourself with high-detail people willing to have really robust conversations with you, tell you the truth, and get into really robust debates around what's working and what's not."

"Make sure you accept you can never be good at everything, and you need to accept that others are going to contribute on the journey. Create a team that is gonna be world-best, so you can be exceptional."

"Create a network of aligned and collaborative professionals willing to share ideas – that's what you get passionate about as an entrepreneur. You are solving problems and you get excited by solving those problems, tackling those roadblocks."

This month will also see the finalists undergo interviews with the judges. The virtual awards celebration will take place on April 7, you can sign up to watch the live event here.

There's also a People's Choice Award which will be awarded to the finalist who has inspired the public the most, you can cast your vote here.

This post was created by Pedestrian Group with EY

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