Over a hundred businesspersons from Ireland journeyed to Cape Town, South Africa on Sunday to partake in the yearly EY Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) CEO retreat. The 24 contenders of this year’s EOY will unite with a cohort of former competitors and representatives from Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland.
During the retreat, they will gain insights from a diverse group of South African entrepreneurs, thought leaders, global executives and specialists in various fields. The timing of their visit coincides interestingly with the upcoming general election scheduled for May 29th in South Africa.
Roger Wallace, EY partner lead for the EOY programme, notes that South Africa has established itself as a focal point for global trade and investment in Africa. It plays a notable role in the international mining, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors, while concurrently housing a burgeoning technology sector.
The country has transformed into an entrepreneurial hotspot with numerous innovative start-ups receiving increased investment in recent years. The Irish entrepreneurs attending have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the diverse cultures of Cape Town, network with local entrepreneurs, and learn about the vast opportunities for business growth in the region.
Highlighting the retreat’s agenda is a series of visits to the University of Cape Town Graduate Business School, a local township development centre, Innovation City—a start-up nurturing hub, and a myriad of thriving companies within the city.
Participants will engage in various activities including executive coaching, workshops, networking events, and lectures. According to EY, the Irish EOY community annually generates revenues of approximately €23 billion and provides employment to well over 250,000 individuals across the country.