Taiwan’s Doris Hsu, Chairperson and CEO of GlobalWafers, has been named EY World Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 at the annual award ceremony in Monaco.
The annual EY World Entrepreneur of the Year event in Monaco is perhaps the biggest coming together of the world’s most innovative entrepreneurs.
Personalised images of the Class of 2023 have been proudly hung throughout the Principality and EY’s signature yellow box positioned strategically in Casino Square. The awards – led by one of the world’s Big Four accounting firms – is never a quiet affair.
Doris Hsu was selected winner from among nearly 5,000 programme participants that included 49 winners across 45 countries and jurisdictions competing for the global title. She is the third woman to hold the title and the first winner from Taiwan in the award’s 23-year history.
For more than a decade, she has been the driving force behind GlobalWafers’ meteoric rise, overseeing a series of successful M&As that transformed the company’s product portfolio and expanded operations into Europe. GlobalWafers’ is now the world’s third-largest wafer manufacturer.
“I am honoured to receive this prestigious distinction as EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year,” said Doris Hsu. “We as entrepreneurs often find ourselves on the front lines of addressing so many of today’s most pressing issues, from building towards a more sustainable future to ensuring social wellbeing in the areas of greatest need.
“I hope that I can continue the legacy of this great award by driving conversations about these challenges, helping to come up with big new ideas and bringing in new voices along the way. There is an underrepresentation of female leaders, especially in the high-tech [semiconductor] industry, and this shows that regardless of gender, anyone can succeed.”
Awards to celebrate and support visionary leaders
EY hosts the annual World Entrepreneur of the Year event to celebrate the accomplishments of visionary leaders who are transforming industries, growing the economy and answering the call to address global challenges.
The annual gathering brings together founders, CEOs and business leaders for a series of networking opportunities and workshops, culminating with the winning announcement.
The judging panel, made up of esteemed independent entrepreneurs, make their decision based on four key criteria: entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, impact and growth. They were impressed by people who, for example, identified opportunities to innovate and create a better world, who create and protect value in the long term, and who positively impact the customers they serve.
Among the Class of 2023 competitors: Australia’s Jack Gance of Chemist Warehouse; Belgium’s Eric Olsen, CEO of Aliaxis: easy-to-install and innovative fluid management solutions; and Amanda Baldwin and Holly Thaggard from the United States for their product Supergoop, which challenges consumer myths about SPF and its perception as a seasonal product.
More than an awards ceremony
Over three days, participants were able to experience micro forums and plenary sessions with inspiring keynote speakers such as Toto and Susie Wolff, the “power couple” of Formula One racing, as well unique experiences like a private tour of the Prince’s Palace and wine tasting beneath the Hôtel de Paris.
As Stasia Mitchell, EY Global Entrepreneurship Leader, told Monaco Life that the Principality was chosen because it is a destination where many different cultures can come together in a safe and prestigious environment.
“These entrepreneurs are very rarely recognised and celebrated, and they typically don’t recognise and celebrate themselves,” says Stasia Mitchell. “The magic is, when you bring people like this together, good things are going to happen, even if you don’t try to orchestrate it, they make these connections. Just the momentum it can build is truly fascinating.”
What does an entrepreneur in a post-Covid world look like?
EY World Entrepreneur of the Year is now in its 23rd year, and much has changed in the realm of entrepreneurial ship, not least of which is how the Covid-19 pandemic has reframed leadership.
“I think what’s unique about this year’s class is that, more than ever, the entrepreneurs are really focused on innovation, adaptability and resilience. It’s more about impact this year, and the idea of utilising business as a force for good has expanded. So, it’s family, community, nation, country,” explains Mitchell. “We’re really not out of any challenging or disruptive times – look at the economy and the war – things continue to add pressure and make it complicated. But how you show up as a leader and the way you show up is what you can control.”
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