Listen to this article

Twenty-six business leaders from New Jersey are regional finalists for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Founded in 1986 by the global tax and advisory services firm, the recognition is considered one of the preeminent competitive business awards for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. It has celebrated more than 11,000 professionals who lead successful, dynamic businesses in the U.S. and nearly 60 countries around the world.

According to E&Y, finalists are selected by an independent panel of judges. They evaluated candidates based on criteria including leadership, talent management, financial performance, societal impact, innovation, originality and future plans.

Regional winners will be announced in June. Then, they’ll be eligible for the national awards, which will be handed out in November. The overall winner will go on to represent the U.S. at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year competition.

2024 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards | New Jersey Finalists

Mirtes Lobaito, founder and CEO, AGM Tech Solutions – Manalapan

Women- and minority-owned IT staffing firm

Nikhil Lalwani, president and CEO, ANI Pharmaceuticals – Princeton

Biopharmaceutical company

Paul Altero, co-founder and co-CEO, Bubbakoo’s Burritos – Wall

Mexican fusion fast-casual chain

Leonard Mazur, chairman and CEO, Citius Pharma – Cranford

Late-stage biopharmaceutical company

Michael Intrator, CEO, Coreweave – Roseland

Specialized GPU cloud provider in Roseland

Vanessa Rissetto, co-founder and CEO, Culina Health – Hoboken

Virtual nutrition care platform

Shailja Dixit, CEO, Curio Digital Therapeutics Inc. – Princeton

Digital-first behavioral health solution for women

Pip Decker, CEO, Current Trucking LLC – Morristown

Provides eMobility solutions, including electric vehicles and charging infrastructure

Steven Denholtz, CEO, Denholtz Properties – Red Bank

Real estate developer specializing in the acquisition and development of multifamily, industrial/flex and office properties

James Kras, CEO and board member, Edible Garden – Belvidere

Hydroponic farming company

Nina Tandon, co-founder and CEO, EpiBone Inc. – Jersey City

Regenerative medicine company

Carlos Patrick Oliver, president, and William Mascharka, CEO, Frazier Industrial Co. – Long Valley

Industrial leader in structural steel

Jill Elizabeth Chisholm, president and CEO, GeneScreen Counseling LLC – Benardsville

Genetic counseling company

Samer Hanini, managing partner, Hanini – Newark

Real estate development firm specializing in sustainable urban development and historic renovation

Don Daszkowski, founder, International Franchise Professionals Group – Parlin

Membership-based organization with more than 1,500 franchise professionals

Jeffrey Kinsberg; founder, COO and chairman; JAKTOOL LLC – Cranbury

Engineering consultant

William Kimmerle, president, Kimmerle Group – Harding Township

Leading design and planning practice

Gavin McCloskey, co-founder and CEO, LOVE CORN – Ho-Ho-Kus

Maker of better-for-you crunchy corn snacks

Anish Garg, founder and CEO, Net2Source Inc. – Somerset

Global workforce management company

Kunal Gupta, CEO, Nutra-Med Packaging LLC – Whippany

Provider of packaging services for pharmaceutical, over-the-counter, medical device, diagnostics and dietary supplement industries

Daniel Prince, CEO, Prince Sterilization Services – Pine Brook

Provider of ready-to-use components for pharmaceutical and medical testing 

Emer Leahy, president and CEO, PsychoGenics Inc. – Paramus

Preclinical contract research organization and drug discovery company 

Nishith Parikh, co-founder and CEO, and Hetal Parikh, co-founder and president, Rangam – Somerset

Global talent management firm

Terrence McLean, co-founder and CEO, SageSure – Jersey City

One of the largest residential property insurance managing general underwriters in the U.S.

Shaun Keegan, co-founder and CEO, and Corey Gross, co-founder and COO, Solar Landscape – Asbury Park

Commercial and community solar developer

Avis Yates Rivers, CEO, Technology Concepts Group International – Iselin

Diverse supplier of advisory and IT professional services