EY US unveils Shashi Yadiki of Smart Data Solutions as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2025 Heartland Award finalist

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

EAGAN, Minn., May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced the finalists for the prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Heartland Award. 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. The Heartland program celebrates entrepreneurs from Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, North and South Dakota.

An independent panel of judges selected Shashi Yadiki among 30 finalists for their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and lasting impact in building long-term value.

"I'm honored to be a finalist in the Entrepreneur Of The Year® program. At Smart Data Solutions, we've always believed that challenges are just opportunities in disguise. That entrepreneurship mindset has fueled our mission to simplify healthcare operations using AI, data, and automation so our clients can focus on what really matters: delivering better care. This recognition is for our team and their ability to turn bold ideas into transformative impact—for our clients and the future of healthcare." — Shashi Yadiki, CEO, SDS

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 Thursday, June 19, during a special celebration in Minneapolis 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 Heartland, sponsors also include Twin Cities Business, Padilla and Brillect.

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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About Smart Data Solutions (SDS)
As a technology leader in healthcare process automation and interoperability, SDS helps healthcare organizations digitally transform operations and delivers tangible value that includes reduced costs, streamlined workflows, and an improved customer experience. SDS has a specialized approach to data capture and automation, focusing on innovative solutions to meet the unique needs of the healthcare market. More than 500 clients including multiple Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, regional health plans, TPAs, providers and healthcare partners depend on SDS to help streamline complex parts of their front, middle and back-office operations. 

Contact: Jay Tonsager, [email protected]

SOURCE Smart Data Solutions