The jury has spoken. The finalists of the Entrepreneur of the Year 2004 title have been announced. Among them is Herman Vissia, founder and general director of Byelex Multimedia. Twenty-five high achievers presented themselves at the castle of Nijenrode University to the jury led by Willem Vermeend on 29 June. The nine remaining entrepreneurs will engage with each other in three categories to win the title Entrepreneur of the Year 2004.

Entrepreneur of the Year is a programme that awards highly successful entrepreneurs. This competition which seeks, finds and honours excellent entrepreneurs takes place in dozens of countries. The election is organised annually by Ernst&Young with Fortis Bank and Tiscali and supported by : by Nijenrode University, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the NVP, VNO-NCW, Management Team and Jaguar Netherlands.

Over seventy Dutch entrepreneurs set their cap at the prestigious award Entrepreneur of the Year 2004. Herman Vissia, founder and general director of Byelex Multimedia is one of the 25 high achievers who were honoured with a nomination.

In the Netherlands the competition starts every year in early spring. Working with the Nijenrode University a number of candidates are chosen by a careful process of selection and nomination. In October an expert jury then chooses the winner. All national winners of the Entrepreneur of the Year competition are automatically nominated for the World Entrepreneur of the Year elections. This takes place annually in Monaco.