CHICAGO, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced the finalists for the prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Midwest 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 Midwest program celebrates entrepreneurs from Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.
An independent panel of judges selected Neil Araujo, CEO and co-founder of iManage, among 29 finalists for their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and lasting impact in building long-term value.
“This recognition is a reflection of our team’s resilience and commitment to long-term success,” said Neil Araujo, CEO of iManage. “We’ve transformed iManage into a global SaaS leader trusted by knowledge workers in law, accounting, financial services, and beyond. I’m incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made, not just in business, but in the communities we serve and the lives we touch through our platform.”
Founded in 1995, iManage helps over 4,000 global organizations — including 85% of the Global 100 law firms and 41% of the Fortune 100—manage and protect confidential information. Under Neil’s leadership, iManage has grown into a market leader in AI-powered, cloud-native work management platforms, and is committed to delivering purpose-driven innovation. The company’s SaaS platform is more carbon efficient than on-premises alternatives, and its commitment to community impact includes long-standing partnerships with nonprofits like Genesys Works and Chicago Debates.
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 Wednesday, June 11, during a special celebration in Chicago 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 Midwest, sponsors also include LaSalle Staffing, Inc. and Becker Professional Education.
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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Media Contact:
Alicia Saragosa
Head of Public Relations, iManage
press@imanage.com
