Axopar Boats and its Founding Partner Jan-Erik Viitala have been honored as winners of the prestigious 'EY Entrepreneur Of The Year' award in Finland. This esteemed recognition, announced at the EY Gala in Helsinki on November 8th, celebrates not only Jan-Erik Viitala’s outstanding entrepreneurial achievements, but also the vision and passion that have shaped Axopar since its founding in 2014.
"Warm congratulations to Jan-Erik Viitala and Axopar Boats Oy for winning the competition. The winning company convinced us with its clear market strategy and innovative product development solutions, as well as the entrepreneur's passion for the industry. The company's strong financial figures and ability to stand out made it this year's winner," said Leena Niemistö, chairperson of the jury, about the award criteria.
The 'EY Entrepreneur Of The Year' program, regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious entrepreneurial competitions, highlights visionary leaders whose innovation, strategic focus, and leadership inspire others. This year, the Finnish competition saw 53 growth companies compete, with ten finalists selected for the final.
The independent jury evaluated candidates based on the competition’s international criteria, including strong values, exemplary leadership, and business strategy. Axopar’s strategic differentiation and growth-oriented approach stood out in a highly competitive field, underscoring the company’s substantial impact in the boating industry both domestically and internationally. As the winner of the Finnish competition, Axopar and Jan-Erik Viitala will have the honor of representing Finland in the 'EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year World Championship' held in June 2025.
Accepting the award, Axopar Founding Partner Jan-Erik Viitala, said:
“In this our special 10th Anniversary Year, this fitting tribute reflects the dedication and achievements of the entire company, which has come so far in such a short space of time. Since 2014, Axopar has grown into one of Europe’s largest boat manufacturers, producing versatile, multifunctional outboard boats tailored to meet diverse customer needs, and our journey to receive this honour is testament to our commitment to pushing boundaries in design, functionality, and market strategy. This win is a milestone for the company as it continues to innovate and expand its reach globally and we’ve lots more unique surprises and innovations in store, so watch this space as we introduce even more people into boating in 2025 than ever before.”
Image credit: EY
