Helping Entrepreneurs Scale Up: EY Announces the Six Accelerating Entrepreneurs for 2015

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Oct 13, 2015, 12:48 ET

NEW YORK, Oct. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- EY today announced the 2015 inaugural class of North American Accelerating Entrepreneurs, a program designed to help entrepreneurs scale up their business through one-to-one guidance, networking and insight sharing.

The program, which previously has been conducted at the global level, launched in the Americas this spring with contests throughout the US and Canada. As part of EY's ongoing commitment to helping entrepreneurs scale up their business, participants will be given one-to-one guidance, exposed to insight sharing and receive access to EY's extensive networks. The high-potential entrepreneurs selected to participate are founders and CEOs of companies who are looking to grow their businesses.

The 2015 inaugural North American class is:

Adam Belsher, CEO, Magnet Forensics
Eric Berry, CEO, TripleLift
Marcell Haywood, CEO, Encompass Onsite
Danna Korn, Co-founder & CEO, Sonic Boom Wellness
Merry Korn, CEO, Pearl Interactive Network Inc.
David Sternlight, CEO, Cabeau

The six winners were selected from a pool of impressive entrepreneurs from the US and Canada. Growth coaches, who will serve as mentors, scored and selected the winners based on personal philosophies, company strategy and additional criteria including the age of the business, revenue, entrepreneurial spirit, leadership and innovation.

To kick off the program, the six entrepreneurs will attend the EY Strategic Growth Forum^® 2015 in Palm Springs, CA. During the conference they will discuss their business plans with a panel of Growth Coaches who will provide feedback and direction. In addition, the Accelerating Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to attend the Forum's content-rich sessions and network with EY Entrepreneur of the Year^® US Award winners and alumni, as well as over 2,000 attendees who are business leaders and entrepreneurs.

"The Accelerating Entrepreneurs program recognizes tomorrow's industry leaders. These business owners and CEOs are promising, determined individuals looking to expand into new markets, create new products and services and, in some cases, disrupt the status quo," said Mike Kacsmar, Americas Director – EY Entrepreneur Of The Year. "At EY, we are excited to be a part of their entrepreneurial journey by providing concrete tools, mentorship and invaluable networking opportunities to guide them on their path to continued growth."

The Growth Coaches are all accomplished business leaders and were selected by EY. They have committed to being ongoing mentors and advisors throughout the program. This year's Growth Coaches are:

Jim Cutillo, Founder, Stonegate Mortgage Corporation
Chuck Davis, Chairman & CEO, Prodege LLC
Kevin Davis, President & CEO, Performance Sports Group Ltd
Kara Goldin, CEO, Hint Inc.
Eileen Martinson, CEO, Sparta Systems, Inc.
Amy Nelson, Founder & CEO, Accurate Home Care, LLC
Brian Williams, Co-founder & CEO, OneSource Virtual
Dale Wishewan, President & CEO, Booster Juice Ltd

To apply for next year's North American Accelerating Entrepreneurs program, please visit http://www.ey.com/scaleup for more information.

Notes to editors

About EY's Strategic Growth Markets Network

EY's worldwide Strategic Growth Markets Network is dedicated to serving the changing needs of high-growth companies. For more than 30 years, we've helped many of the world's most dynamic and ambitious companies grow into market leaders. Whether working with international, mid-cap companies or early stage, venture-backed businesses, our professionals draw upon their extensive experience, insight and global resources to help your business succeed. ey.com/sgm

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients.

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