The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program has revealed its 2027 Australian national finalists, spotlighting business leaders who are shaping the future through innovation, global expansion, and industry disruption.
- Finalists drive innovation across diverse sectors including AI, renewable energy, and logistics.
- Many businesses demonstrate strong global ambitions with international reach.
- Program winners historically create significant economic impact and job growth.
What happened
The 2027 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program announced its national finalists, showcasing a mix of seasoned entrepreneurs and emerging disruptors across Australia. The finalists represent a broad spectrum of industries such as technology, consumer retail, renewable energy, healthcare, logistics, and social enterprise.
This year’s cohort includes well-known brands expanding globally, such as Bellroy and APT Travel Group, as well as innovative startups addressing critical challenges like online security, workforce shortages, and renewable energy adoption. The program continues its tradition of highlighting influential Australian entrepreneurs contributing to economic growth and societal benefit.
Why it matters
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year has a 26-year history in Australia and has recognized entrepreneurs responsible for generating roughly $30 billion in annual revenue and creating over 80,000 jobs. The finalists reflect the evolving landscape of Australian entrepreneurship as increasingly technology-enabled and internationally focused.
The diversity of sectors represented highlights how innovation is reaching key parts of Australia’s economy including infrastructure, mining, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. Many finalists also emphasize social and environmental impact alongside commercial success, signaling a holistic approach to business growth.
What to watch next
Attention will be on the eventual winners of the 2027 program and how they leverage their recognition to accelerate growth and global expansion. Observers will likely track finalists like Brighte advancing clean energy adoption and technology firms innovating in cybersecurity and workforce solutions.
The broader impact on Australia’s startup and scaleup ecosystem will be significant, with finalists potentially inspiring new ventures and shaping investor focus. The program also provides insights into emerging trends such as AI infrastructure, renewable energy scaling, and luxury consumer exports, which are poised to define Australia’s entrepreneurial future.