Eleven groups of business leaders from New Jersey are regional winners for EY‘s 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Founded in 1986 by the global tax and advisory services firm, the national recognition is considered one of the preeminent competitive business awards for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies.

Over the years, 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 EY, nominees are evaluated by an independent panel of judges on criteria such as:

• Entrepreneurial spirit
• Purpose
• Growth
• Impact
• Financial performance

The new winners come from a group of 35 finalists across New Jersey.

What’s next

The eleven winners are now eligible for November’s national awards. From there, the overall winner will go on to represent the U.S. at the World Entrepreneur of the Year competition.

Joel Wagner, co-director of the New Jersey recognition program, praised the New Jersey winners for “reshaping their industries and redefining what it means to lead as entrepreneurs.”

Program co-Director Taylor Mulrane added, “Through their vision, focus and commitment to growth, they are building companies that move markets forward, create opportunities for their teams and strengthen the communities around them.”

NJ’s 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year award winners:

• Diana Betancourth, Babco Services LLC, Hillside
  Janitorial/facility services
• John McGuckin, Clio Snacks, Piscataway
  Food manufacturing/CPG
• Corey Apirian, Davinci Micro Fulfillment, Bound Brook
  Logistics/automation
• David Seelinger, EmpireCLS, Secaucus
  Transportation/luxury logistics
• Ken Ehrman, Halo Collar, Woodcliff Lake
  Pet tech/consumer electronics
• Sam Rockwell, Justin Samuels and Jeremy Reich, Happi Co., Secaucus
  Consumer products/sustainability
• Vinod Borsadiya, Pioneer Life Sciences, East Brunswick
  Pharma services/consulting
• Seth Flowerman and Devin Stagg, PLT Health Solutions, Morristown
  Nutraceutical ingredients
• William Vanderveer, Redefine Healthcare, Edison
  Pain management/healthcare
• Michael Marrazzo Jr., Summit Facility Solutions, Holmdel
  Facility services/janitorial
• Ari Strulson, TicketOS, Montclair
  Software/ticketing platform