EY US unveils Erin Hanson of Guardian Sports as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2025 Southeast Award finalist

Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs who are shaping the future

ATLANTA, GA, April 18, 2025 – Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced the finalists for the prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Southeast Award. The Southeast program celebrates entrepreneurs from Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Now in its 40th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and making a profound impact on communities. The program honors bold entrepreneurs whose innovations shape the future and pave the way for a thriving economy and a hopeful tomorrow.

An independent panel of judges selected Erin Hanson among 36 finalists for their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and lasting impact in building long-term value.

Erin Hanson, Founder and CEO of Guardian Sports, added, “I am so honored to have been chosen as a finalist. It’s truly a testament to our amazing team and the passion we share for better protecting athletes.”

About Guardian Sports:  Headquartered in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, Guardian Sports was created with one goal in mind – innovating equipment to better serve athletes. Their 25+ years of experience owning and operating a material science and technology company enabled them to create Guardian Caps along with PEARL lacrosse balls, LOOP soft-shell headbands, and Guardian Infill.  Guardian Caps are worn by 500+ colleges, 5000+ high schools, 1000+ youth programs, and are mandated by all 32 NFL Teams, and all 9 CFL Teams.  To learn more about Guardian Sports, visit guardiansports.com.

Entrepreneur Of The Year honors business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company; transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory; and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future.

Regional award winners will be announced on June 25 during a special celebration in Atlanta, GA and will become lifetime members of an esteemed community of Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. The winners will then be considered by the National judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum®, one of the nation’s most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, Cresa, LLC, Marsh USA, and SAP. In the Southeast, sponsors also include VACO, LLC as the regional Platinum sponsor; ADP and King & Spalding as the regional Gold sponsors; and Babbit Bodner as the regional Silver sponsor.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 60 countries globally.

The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum® in November where National finalists and award winners are announced. The overall National winner represents the US at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.

About EY

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

All in to shape the future with confidence.

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