Prague, 22 February 2007 – Jan Èervinka, managing director of the company ADASTRA CORPORATION, is the holder of the 2006 Czech Republic Technology Entrepreneur Of The Year title. This prize is a part of the Entrepreneur Of The Year competition organised annually by Ernst & Young. The company ADASTRA delivers software solutions and services that exploit synergies between the worlds of business and technology consulting. Based on tendered applications, the expert judging panel selected not only the winner, but two other finalists as well – Josef Susek of the company Hokami CZ and Antonín Urban of the company B:Tech.
“I greatly value the Technology Entrepreneur Of The Year 2006 title. It recognises the work of our entire firm, a team of software professionals who promote the good name of our field at home and abroad. The title represents a further spur to company growth and international expansion,” said ADASTRA director Jan Èervinka.
In 1994, Jan Èervinka became the driving force behind the founding of the Prague branch of the Canadian-owned company Speedware in response to growing market demand for software tools and business intelligence solutions. In 1999 Èervinka (together with partner Petr Jech) purchased the branch from Speedware Corporation and built the company Adastra with the aim of providing technologically independent services in data warehousing and business intelligence. In 2000 Adastra expanded onto North American markets, where the owners founded ADASTRA CORPORATION (with third co-owner Jan Mrázek) at the same time as they established an office in Toronto. Today, ADASTRA CORPORATION is an international consultancy delivering specialised software solutions primarily for financial institutions, telecommunications and state administration. The key factor in the company’s development is its emphasis on running the firm as a "learning" organisation. In 2006 it was included in the prestigious corporate ranking "Canada's 50 best managed companies".
The prize for best Technology Entrepreneur Of The Year is awarded as part of the Entrepreneur Of The Year competition organised by Ernst & Young in cooperation with TUESDAY Business Network. The Technology Entrepreneur Of The Year category may include any Entrepreneur Of The Year competition participant whose firm is directly involved in the field of modern technologies or applies modern technology in its main business line in a significant way.
The members of the Technology Entrepreneur Of The Year judging panel were:
- Ondøej Bartoš – executive director, TUESDAY Business Network,
- Ivan Pilný – president, TUESDAY Business Network,
- Michael Al-Nassir – partner, Pedersen & Partners,
- Jiøí Beneš – investment director, 3TS Capital Partners,
- Michal Nosek – board of directors chairman, Plastika, a.s.,
- Radim Králík – Technology Entrepreneur Of The Year 2005, Grapo.
About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young, a global leader in professional services, is committed to restoring the public's trust in professional services firms and in the quality of financial reporting. Its 114,000 people in 140 countries pursue the highest levels of integrity, quality, and professionalism in providing a range of sophisticated services centred core competencies of auditing, accounting, tax, and transactions. Further information about Ernst & Young and its approach to a variety of business issues can be found at www.ey.com/perspectives. 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 does not provide services to clients.
About Entrepreneur Of The Year
Entrepreneur Of The Year®, which selects the most successful business pioneers and innovators, was founded by the company Ernst & Young in the USA in 1986. The contest has continually expanded and is now regularly held in 40 countries. Its aim is to present to the public exemplary individuals in the field of business who may serve as an example for young starting entrepreneurs. The Entrepreneur Of The Year contest has been conceived as an international competition, so the judging criteria are comparable in every country in which it is held. In 2006, Ernst & Young is announcing the seventh annual Entrepreneur Of The Year in the Czech Republic. For more information visit www.podnikatelroku.cz.
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