Ernst & Young LLP Joins Startup America to Accelerate Entrepreneurial Growth

NEW YORK, April 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP ("EY") will work closely with the Startup America Partnership, the private-sector alliance launched at the White House on January 31, to accelerate the growth of Startup America's high-potential "Speedup" entrepreneurial companies. By leveraging Ernst & Young's professionals and the firm's network of previous Entrepreneur Of The Year® (EOY) award-winners as advisors and mentors, and by providing access to relevant thought leadership, webcasts, on-line resources and other analytical tools, the firm will enable these Speedup companies to more fully exploit their growth opportunities.  Winners of the EOY program represent the largest network of high growth entrepreneurs in America.

The Startup America Partnership is an independent, private-sector response to President Obama's Startup America initiative to inspire and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation.

“Our Entrepreneur Of The Year® award program is a natural partner for Startup America,” noted Stephen Howe, Jr., Americas Managing Partner for the global Ernst & Young organization. “Entrepreneurs who start and run high-growth businesses are clearly leading the United States in job creation. Nearly 2,000 entrepreneurs were nominated for the 2011 Entrepreneur Of The Year Program in the United States – these companies employed 750,000 people, and during the last two years were responsible for more than 150,000 net-new jobs. We are very pleased to partner with Startup America to provide resources, estimated in this case to be valued at more than $7.5 million, and experience to bring together and help high-growth entrepreneurs.”

About Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards Program

Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the unique way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 141,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

For more information, please visit www.ey.com.

About the Startup America Partnership

The Startup America Partnership is an alliance of the country's most innovative entrepreneurs, corporations, universities, foundations, and other private sector leaders working to dramatically increase the prevalence and success of high-growth enterprises in the U.S. The Partnership was created as an independent, private-sector response to President Obama's Startup America initiative, a White House campaign to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation. AOL co-founder Steve Case chairs the partnership and the Kauffman and Case Foundations are founding partners, providing initial funding and strategic guidance.

Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.

This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a US client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited.

SOURCE Ernst & Young LLP