Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and CEO of yogurt brand Chobani, won the "World Entrepreneur of the Year" award offered by leading global professional services firm Ernst & Young (E&Y).
Ulukaya, representing the United States in an international competition held in 47 countries, "embodied the spirit of entrepreneurship and was a prime example for those aspiring to become entrepreneurs", said Rodrigo Herrera, jury foreman and CEO of Genomma Lab Internacional.
Determination and vision, distinctive characteristics of entrepreneurs, blended together in Ulukaya, said Jim Turley, CEO of E&Y.
E&Y Global Vice Chair of Strategic Growth Markets Maria Pinelli said: "Hamdi Ulukaya became the symbol of the American dream etched in every migrant's imagination. He achieved enormous success in a relatively short period of time."
Ulukaya, born in the eastern province of Erzincan, went to the United States in 1994 and founded Chobani in 2005. Two years later, the firm launched Chobani Greek Yogurt brand. Ulukaya increased his company's annual return to 1 billion dollars in six short years, with the brand becoming the highest-selling in the US market. Chobani, sold in Australia, the UK and the US, has the largest yogurt plant in the world.
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