Grand Prize in the Challenging Spirit Category

Mr. Masakazu Kono, a president and CEO of ProdroneCo., Ltd. won the Grand Prize in the Challenging Spirit Category at the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2017 Japan Awards (EOY Japan) held on November 28th, 2017.

Commenting on the recognition, CEO Kono said,

“I am very honored to receive the Grand Prize in the EOY Challenging Spirit. The past three paradigm shifts were “personal computers”, “mobile phones” and the “Internet”. Many people believe and thinks that the drones are said to be the fourth paradigm shift.

Unfortunately in the three paradigm shifts over the past 30 years, Japanese companies were not able to become to have the leading role in the world. We believe that we can be the best in the world through products and services, and we can further enhance the lives and safety of people around the world through our product.”

EOY JAPAN, launched in 2001 and held every year, is the only international awards program which nominates Japanese entrepreneurs to the world event. The year 2017 had Mr. Nobuyuki Ideiand 8 others as judges and advisors. They selected the Grand Prize from 11 nominees of the Accelerating Category and 6 nominees of the Challenging Spirit Category based on 6 judging criteria including entrepreneur spirit.

■About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ is a unique global program that recognizes entrepreneurial achievement among individuals and companies that demonstrate vision, leadership and success — and work to improve the quality of life in their communities, countries and around the world.

The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ program was established more than 30 years ago and today operates in more than 50 countries and 145 cities around the world.

Each country’s program culminates in the announcement of an overall national winner who then competes for the prestigious EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Award.