Gaston Taratuta, Founder and CEO of Aleph Group, has been named EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year at an award ceremony in Monaco’s Salle des Etoiles, while Stella McCartney received the EY Social Entrepreneurship Award 2022 for Sustainability.
Gaston was selected from among over 350 program participants that included the 50 country winners from 41 global jurisdictions vying for the title. He is the second winner from South America in the award’s 22-year history.
The event celebrating entrepreneurship, which was able to return to Monaco on Thursday 9th June for the first time since 2019, featured a diverse set of voices and perspectives including special guest, lead singer of U2 Bono. The artist and activist joined EY Global Chairman and CEO Carmine Di Sibio on stage to talk about the people, places and possibilities that have shaped his life and the importance of collaboration in his work.
“After two years away, I am very excited that we have been able to return to Monaco for an in-person celebration with so many incredible entrepreneurs,” said Carmine Di Sibio.
Gaston Taratuta, 49, first founded his company Internet Media Services (IMS) in 2005 with an ambition to deepen the digital ecosystem in his native Argentina and help grow the global technology industry across the region. He went on to combine IMS with strategically acquired businesses to form Aleph Group, Inc., a distinguished global advertising holding company with a presence in 90 markets across four continents. As of last year, Aleph Group generated a net operating revenue amounting to US$131m with a net income of US$26m while employing more than 1,000 people.
“Being an entrepreneur is more than just building a successful business, it’s about creating and seizing opportunities where ones don’t readily exist or aren’t easily attainable,” said Gaston Taratuta. “Few industries have experienced more evolutions over the past two decades than digital advertising and that’s exactly why I’m so passionate about forging its future. I approach each day as a chance to tap into the next big idea that will galvanize the space and reimagine what’s possible.”
Stasia Mitchell, EY Global Entrepreneurship Leader, added:”Gaston’s journey has been forged by an innovative mindset and a willingness to take on big challenges with bigger ideas. Through Aleph Group, he has transformed the future of digital advertising, paving the way for the next generation through training programs and building connection points between talent and brands. Gaston is a perfect example of the unstoppable ambition that each of this year’s class of entrepreneurs possess and I’m excited to watch how all of them will continue to drive disruptions that build a better future.”
Stella McCartney receives Award for Sustainability
During the two-day celebration, EY also named British fashion designer Stella McCartney CBE as the winner of the EY Social Entrepreneurship Award 2022 for Sustainability. The honour recognises her career-long commitment to sustainability and innovation in fashion design, and her non-profit Stella McCartney Cares. The charitable platform is aimed at creating positive change in the fashion industry and the world at large by inspiring others to embrace sustainable practices.
“I’m also privileged to be able to put a spotlight on the important work being done by entrepreneurial leaders around sustainability,” said Carmine Di Sibio. “In continuing the tradition of the EY Social Entrepreneurship Award for Sustainability, this year’s winner, Stella McCartney, truly has an unsurpassed commitment to forging the next generation toward creating a more sustainable future. Congratulations to both on this evening’s honours.”
Photo of Gaston Taratuta from Argentina, named EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2022, source: EY.