EY Azerbaijan, Baku, 20 February, 2025 - EY unveiled the winner of the ‘EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™’ competition at a special gala event. Gulbaniz Mammadova, founder of Princeps Legem has been named this year’s overall winner. She will now represent Azerbaijan in the ‘World Entrepreneur Of The Year’ (WEOY) contest set to take place in Monaco in June, where she will compete for the title along with the world’s most innovative and inspiring entrepreneurs.
This marks the sixth edition of the prestigious contest amongst entrepreneurs, made possible with the support from the main sponsor ABB, as well as unwavering financial backing from bp. Steadfast support stemmed from Export and Investment Promotion Agency of Azerbaijan - AZPROMO, a Baku-based consultancy firm EKVITA, an advertising agency Times consulting, and Association of Professional Financial Managers of Azerbaijan (APFM).
The winner was determined by an independent judging panel composed of esteemed members of the business community, representatives from international finance institutions and renowned senior executives. The judges had a pool of 12 inspiring and courageous entrepreneurs with an impressive track record to choose from.
The gala event boasted the presence of high-ranking government officials and leaders from the business community.
Gulbaniz shared her thoughts after the announcement: “I am truly honored and absolutely thrilled to be standing here today. As I shared during the interview stage, I started working at the age of 19 and became a mother at 20. The reason I am here today is because of my children. I felt it was my responsibility to stand strong and provide for them, and that motivation has driven me every step of the way. This moment fills me with immense pride — not just for my own achievements, but also as a reminder that hard work and resilience can inspire other women to follow their dreams. Thank you so much for recognizing my efforts in such a meaningful way. I am deeply grateful, and I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to the organizers and the jury members.”
After thoroughly assessing the contestants’ applications and carefully considering their merits, the judges decided to recognize winners in the following nominations:
- Driving Force in the Industry – Kamran Salayev, Spektr Group;
- Innovation - Bahruz Rustamov, Upsystems;
- Regional Development – Elchin Aliyev, Regional Hospital;
- Woman-Led Entrepreneurial Excellence – Sabina Gazizade, SDA Consulting.
About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™
Entrepreneur Of The Year™, founded by EY back in 1986, is one of the world's most prestigious business award programs for entrepreneurs. This unique global program recognizes entrepreneurial achievements by individuals and companies that demonstrate vision, leadership, and success, while also striving to improve the quality of life within their communities, countries and around the world.
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ program currently operates in over 60 countries and 145 cities worldwide. By participating, entrepreneurs can connect with their peers, gain valuable insights to support their growth journey and elevate the visibility of their companies and teams. Each program culminates in the announcement of an overall winner, who then competes for the prestigious EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ award in Monaco.
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ was launched in Azerbaijan with the genuine intention to honor, support and connect local entrepreneurs. The program recognizes successful entrepreneurs who are making a positive impact on society and the economy, and the legacies they’re building.
For more information about the Program, please follow this link: www.eoy.az
