How entrepreneurs are the answer to the world’s problems right now

Passion, ambition, grit and courage are at the heart of entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurs have the ability to both see around corners and face obstacles head on. It is the combination of these vital characteristics that truly brings them the power to tackle the biggest challenges the planet has faced for generations.

Their innovations offer some of the answers to combating climate change, withstanding seismic geopolitical shifts and navigating us through a global pandemic — each of which continues to significantly shift our social and economic landscape in ways we could not have foreseen.

This is why it is crucial that these incredible people get the support they need to be agents of change as they transform their businesses and scale to new heights.

This month we celebrated 50 unstoppable entrepreneurs from around the world at EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year? 2022.

It was truly unbelievable to be surrounded by talent from around the globe who inspires us to build a better working world and are helping us reframe the future.

And I am proud to be a part of it.

Because they know what giving back to society and putting others first really means

Being an entrepreneur is also about giving back to the community you came from and closing gaps where possible.

Chile’s Eduardo della Maggiora, Founder and CEO of Betterfly, and Cristóbal della Maggiora, Co-founder and President of Betterfly, launched a platform that enables users to care for their mental, physical and financial well-being. It rewards healthy habits with charitable donations and additional life insurance coverage to the user.

By sourcing fresh, chemical-free ingredients, Azerbaijan’s Afet Ahmadova, Owner and Director of ZIRA Natural & Gourmet, produces the country’s first line of premium jams, sauces and vegetable antipasti to the enjoyment of consumers at home and abroad.?Her commitment to improving the lives of others around her doesn’t stop with her products; she also hires women above 40 with no work experience, giving them new skills and confidence.

Argentina’s Gaston Taratuta, Founder and CEO of Aleph Group, Inc., took home the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022 Award. As a sales and marketing veteran, he seized the opportunity for companies and advertisers in emerging countries to connect to the world’s biggest digital platforms such as Twitter, Snapchat and LinkedIn. He is passionate about the future of digital advertising and invests in educational programs that help people in emerging countries develop professional careers in digital media. He is truly making a difference for the next generation.

Because they are confronting some of the world’s biggest challenges head on

In my book, there wasn’t just one winner, as all the entrepreneurs who took part in this event are winners in their own right. Here are just some of the other entrepreneurial journeys that stuck out to me for tackling the challenges we are facing today head on:

Bono, activist and lead singer of U2, and one of our special guests spoke about how he no longer believes that the moral arc of the universe bends towards justice as Dr. Martin Luther King asserted, but instead we have to bend it. When I heard this, I started thinking how everyone sitting beside me harnesses great power and embodies the spirit to create long-term value today and lead the way for future generations.

Canada’s Dr. Carl Hansen, CEO and President of AbCellera Biologics, helped discover the antibodies that work best to fight the COVID-19 virus. He said, “Success is not a destination. It’s the process of making progress toward a vision of a better future.” This discovery led to one of the first COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments approved for use in the United States.

Switzerland’s Carlo R. Centonze, Co-Founder and CEO of HeiQ Materials AG, invented a world-leading antimicrobial technology that destroys 99.99% of the virus that causes COVID-19. Today, the company is creating some of the most effective, durable and high-performance textile technologies in the market.

Because they know sustainability is crucial for the next 5 years

The Class of 2022 has pioneered a staggering range of sustainability innovations. Here are just a few of many:

Belgium’s Greg Aertssen and Yves Aertssen of Aertssen Group prioritize green energy in buildings and infrastructure, reducing vehicle emissions, and investing in wind and solar power.

Denmark’s Brian Djernes, owner of Cane-line, revived quality craftsmanship in the pursuit of sustainability. The company’s raw materials are sourced from sustainable forests, and all printed materials are certified as carbon neutral.

Poland’s Rafa? Brzoska, CEO of InPost Group, was on a mission to make online shopping and delivery an environmentally conscious experience. His company created self-service lockers that cut door-to-door CO2 emissions from vehicle deliveries by 75%.

Because they don’t stop

Adriana Brownlee, high-altitude mountaineer, doesn’t stop her climbs despite the risk of mountaineering being both mental and physical. Even when in the death zone she said, “On the mountain, you just focus on your goal. Everything else just brushes away.”

As Gaston put it immediately after winning his award, entrepreneurs get told “no” a lot, but you have to push through and be relentless. You need to keep forging ahead and surrounding yourself with people who lift you up and push you to continue. If you fail 100 times, that doesn’t mean you won’t succeed the next time.

When Gaston was asked, “What one thing does it take to make an entrepreneur?” his instant reply was, “Courage.” This may have been my biggest take-away from all the entrepreneurs. If entrepreneurs have the courage to pursue game-changing innovation and ideas, then we, as an organization, are compelled to match this courage with our support.

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The views reflected in this article are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the global EY organization or its member firms.