Taratuta is the second winner from South America in the award's 22-year history (All photos: EY)
The advertising and digital information industry has come under the spotlight as Gaston Taratuta, the Argentinean founder and CEO of Aleph Group Inc was named EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year at an award ceremony in Monaco. Held in-person after a two-year hiatus, the event celebrated 350 programme 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 featured a diverse set of voices and perspectives including special guest, lead singer of U2, Bono.
Taratuta, 49, first founded his company Internet Media Services (IMS) in 2005 with an ambition to deepen the digital ecosystem in his home country, while growing the global technology industry across the region. He would go 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.
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"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. 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 galvanise the space and reimagine what's possible. Critical to any success is surrounding yourself with the right people, and this award is a testament to my amazing team, including my exceptional friend and business partner, Ignacio Vidaguren. I'm truly grateful and humbled to be named the 2022 EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year and I hope to be able to use this platform to empower the entrepreneurs of the future."
During the two-day celebration, EY also named British fashion designer Stella McCartney CBE as 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.
Taratuta and McCartney were chosen by a panel of independent judges comprising entrepreneurs from around the world who have demonstrated astonishing purpose and drive throughout their careers. This includes WEOY alumni Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw of Biocon Limited, which developed affordable drugs to treat diabetes, cancer and Covid-19; as well as Brad Keywell of Uptake Technologies Inc, who is leading the way through innovations in artificial intelligence.
Malaysia was represented at the event by co-founder and CEO of Asia Pacific University Sdn Bhd Datuk Parmjit Singh, whose story you can read more in Options this week.
