They make food, clothing and life-saving therapeutics. They provide business services involving software, IT and AI. They offer the ultimate in hospitality – for humans and pets.
They are the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and making a profound impact on communities — and they all are based in New Jersey.
They are the 28 finalists for the prestigious EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 New Jersey Award.
Now in its 40th year, the EY Entrepreneur of the Year program aims to honor entrepreneurs whose innovations shape the future and pave the way for a thriving economy and a hopeful tomorrow.
The honorees were selected by an independent panel of judges for their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and lasting impact in building long-term value. They will be honored on June 9, when regional award winners are announced during a celebration at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City.
“This year’s finalists are bold entrepreneurs making a lasting impact in their industries and communities,” EOY New Jersey program Co-Director Joel Wagner said.
Co-Director Biran Lioce agreed.
“Chosen by an independent panel of judges, this year’s finalists epitomize the spirit of Entrepreneurship with their dedication to their businesses, customers and communities,” he said.
EY officials said the Entrepreneur of the Year honors many different types of 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.
The 2025 New Jersey finalists:
- Saurabh Abrol: Le Malt Hospitality Group
- Todd Ahern: The Megawatt Group
- Rashaad Bajwa: Integris
- Kamal Bathla: Maestro Technologies Inc
- Mitch Cahn: Unionwear
- Jill Chisholm: GeneScreen Counseling LLC
- Dr. Matthew Cifelli: Attain PT
- Gary Cohen: Maternal Newborn Health Innovations (MNHI)
- Brett Diamond: 11:11 Systems, Inc.
- Jordan Hu: RiskVal Financial Solutions, LLC
- Joe Iovino and Bob Broderick: XTECH Protective Equipment, LLC.
- Diana Levy: Undercover Chocolate Company Inc.
- Will Lewis: Insmed, Inc
- Dr. Bo Liang: IVIEW Therapeutics
- Michael Marrazzo Jr.: Summit Facility Solutions
- Michael Ostroff: Patella Woodworking
- Madhav Pai: Aspire Pharma
- Hetal Parikh and Nish Parikh: Rangam
- Jason Parker and Steve Parker: K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel
- Ankor Rai: Straive
- Jonathan Ritz: Coaction Specialty Insurance
- Mike Rodgers: Critical Response Group, Inc
- Eric Rubel: PIC Corporation
- Blodin Ukella: The Ryl Company LLC
- Michael Wolf: WOLFoods, Inc.
Learn more about the finalists here.
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 New Jersey, sponsors also include Donnelley Financial Solutions, DLA Piper, Empire Valuation Consultants, and Middlesex County.
The Entrepreneur of the Year program, founded in 1986, 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.
