This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on May 4, 2016.

Going into its 15th year, the Ernst & Young (EY) Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) Malaysia award is now accepting nominations.

This year’s theme, “Reshaping our world; building legacies”, focuses on the role that entrepreneurs play in reshaping our world and building legacies that inspire.

Philip Rao, partner of EY Advisory Services Sdn Bhd and programme director of EOY Malaysia, says the award is an opportunity to hear and share stories of Malaysian entrepreneurs on a global platform.

“We are confident there are more outstanding Malaysian entrepreneurs out there whose stories should be heard, whose contributions should be recognised and whose person should be celebrated. Help us do this by nominating them for our EOY Malaysia award this year,” he says in a statement.

Last year’s EOY Malaysia award winner was Datuk Tan Say Jim of Iris Corp Bhd. Previous winners include Tan Sri Francis Yeoh of YTL Corp Bhd, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes of AirAsia Bhd and Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin of Eco World Development Group Bhd.

With national, regional and global award programmes in 145 cities in 60 countries, the EY EOY award celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses.

This year, the programme is celebrating its 30th global anniversary globally.

The award for entrepreneurs is divided into four categories — Emerging Entrepreneur, Technology Entrepreneur, Woman Entrepreneur and Master Entrepreneur.

An overall country winner will be chosen from among the category winners to represent Malaysia at the prestigious EY World EOY in Monte Carlo next year.

Nominees will be assessed by a panel of judges based on their entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, strategic direction, financial performance, community/global impact and personal integrity/influence.

Nominations will close on June 17.

For more information on the EY EOY award and to submit nominations, visit www.ey.com/my/eoy.