Erin Hanson Wins EY Southeast Entrepreneur of the Year
Atlanta, GA, June 27, 2025 – Erin Hanson, Founder and CEO of Guardian Sports, has been selected as a winner of the 2025 Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) Entrepreneur of the Year for the Southeastern region.
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 honors the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and making a profound impact on communities.
“Winning the Southeast EY Entrepreneur of the Year award is an incredible milestone — for me personally, and for our entire team at Guardian Sports. It validates our dedication to innovation and athlete safety, and it inspires us to continue pushing boundaries in sports protection.”
The program recognizes bold entrepreneurs whose innovations shape the future and pave the way for a thriving economy and a hopeful tomorrow.
Hanson and other regional winners will now 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.
About Erin Hanson
As mother of five and grandmother of ten, Hanson formed Guardian Sports at the age of 45 when she felt that the equipment we were offering our children was not keeping pace with evolving scientific discoveries.
Hanson’s vision, grit and determination led to the Guardian Cap – a game-changing changing piece of protective gear that’s helped reduce concussions by over 50% at the professional level, protecting players from youth leagues to the NFL.
About The Guardian Cap
Reshaping the landscape of contact sports, the Guardian Cap is the first product of its kind, designed to reduce head impacts and address the clear need to advance the standard helmet.
Since 2020, the usage of Guardian Caps has progressed, with the add-on becoming mandatory for all positions except quarterbacks, punters, and kickers in all NFL contact practices. In 2024, the NFL began permitting Guardian Caps in games.
Hanson’s revolutionary product has reached over 500,000 athletes nationwide, spanning from youth leagues to the NFL, and has since been developed to accommodate hockey and lacrosse helmets.
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.
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, The Hanson Group, enabled them to create the Guardian Cap. Guardian Sports later developed PEARL lacrosse balls, LOOP soft-shell headbands and Guardian Infill, as well as new technology, including a first-of-its-kind safety chinstrap.
Hanson’s passion and devotion to player safety are backed by the NFL’s Medical Director, Dr. Allen Sills, who continues to publicly support the change as “progress, not just policy.”
“Being recognized by EY isn’t just an honor — it’s a powerful validation of our mission: to protect athletes and shake up the status quo in sports safety. I’m incredibly proud of our team and grateful to lead a company that’s driving real change where it matters most.”
About EY 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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