Crimson Education founder Jamie Beaton named Entrepreneur Of The Year

The founder of global university advisory business Crimson Education has been named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year.

Crimson founder and chief executive Jamie Beaton also accepted the Technology and Emerging Industries Entrepreneur award at last night's gala event in Auckland.

He was previously honoured with the Young Entrepreneur award in 2023.

The independent judging panel was made up of past award winners with nominees assessed on four core criteria, including entrepreneurial spirit, impact, growth and purpose.

Chair of judges and last year's overall winner Phil Thomson said Beaton's growth as an entrepreneur impressed the judging panel.

"Jamie Beaton really impressed all the judges around his bold vision in championing education, not just for New Zealanders and everyone across the world, but for anyone. And then secondly, the scale of what he's built over the last decade or so, from a very young age initially," Thomson said.

Crimson Education was established in 2013 and offered online schooling, tutoring, mentoring and academic enrichment.

Its business portfolio included Crimson Education, Crimson Global Academy, NumberWorks'nWords and Revision Village.

Beaton also established the Te Ara a Kupe Beaton Scholarship, which provided educational support for Māori and Pasifika students pursuing international study opportunities.

Thomson - who was also the co-founder of retail crime intelligence platform Auror - said the calibre of the candidates for the top award were outstanding.

Other winners:

• Patrick Moynahan (Echo Tech), Young Entrepreneur
• Sarah Kennedy (Calocurb), Product Entrepreneur
• Peter Shenoda (Bargain Chemist), Services Entrepreneur
• Lindsay Faithfull (McKay), Master Entrepreneur

The judges earlier recognised Pic Picot of Pic's Peanut Butter with an Award for Outstanding Contribution to Entrepreneurship and Community, acknowledging his impact on the Nelson community and his broader contribution to innovation within New Zealand's food sector.

Beaton will represent New Zealand at next year's annual global EY Entrepreneur Of The Year awards in Monaco.