From its original focus on purchasing, preparing and selling land, Accolade quickly developed into an investor whose warehouse space is used by global brands such as IKEA, DHL and Amazon. A key factor in its success can be seen in its strategic focus on European markets, which offer an ideal combination of location, available workforce and lower competition. Accolade does not limit itself to developing infrastructure for business – in 2014 it founded the Accolade Industrial Fund, a fund of qualified investors in which over three thousand mainly Czech investors invest. Accolade’s future is aimed at strengthening its position in Europe and possibly entering the American market.
"Being in such a selected company of successful entrepreneurs is certainly a great honor for both of us, we appreciate this award very much," said Zdeněk Šoustal, the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 of the Czech Republic, immediately after receiving the award, and Milan Kratina added: "It is a reward for our entire team and our thanks also go to our business partners, investors and tenants. Together with them, we create an ecosystem that, we believe, will move us a little further."
"In Accolade, Milan Kratina and Zdeněk Šoustal emphasize the societal benefit of their company and are based on its sustainable approach. They work with recyclable materials, use renewable energy sources, and participate in the development and revitalization of locations associated with traditional industry in Czech regions. Their support for youth or activities related to sports, science and ecology is also significant. "With all this, they prove that the company's activities can have a real positive impact on the environment in which they operate, and this shapes their profile as exceptional business personalities," said Martina Kneiflová, Managing Partner, EY Czech Republic.
EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 Czech Republic Competition, from left: Martina Kneiflová, Managing Partner, EY Czech Republic; Milan Kratina and Zdeněk Šoustal, co-owners of Accolade and holders of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 Czech Republic title; Tomáš Salomon, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Česká spořitelna, the main partner of the competition.
EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 Czech Republic Competition, from left: Milan Kratina, co-owner of Accolade and holder of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 Czech Republic title; Martina Kneiflová, Managing Partner, EY Czech Republic; Zdeněk Šoustal, co-owner of Accolade and holder of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year title 2024 Czech Republic.
EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 Czech Republic competition, from left: Zdeněk Šoustal and Milan Kratina, co-owners of Accolade and holders of the title EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 Czech Republic
“I am convinced that success does not come by chance, but is the result of hard work, determination and efforts to constantly move forward. Ultimately, our biggest competitors are ourselves. The 25th anniversary of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year competition has once again proven how rich and inspiring stories it can bring,” said Maciej Galant, CEO of BMW Czech Republic s.r.o.
This year's laureates were selected by a total of three expert juries, the main one, consisting mainly of national winners from previous years, was chaired by Sotirios Zavalianis, founder of the healthcare holding AKESO and holder of the title EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 Czech Republic.
Among this year's five finalists and candidates for the title of EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 of the Czech Republic, the following were also nominated based on the jury's decision:
Roman Tihelka, BLAZE HARMONY s.r.o.
Antonín Machala, ALTECH, spol. s r.o.
Jan Čurn, Apify Technologies s.r.o.
Vítězslav Macháček, VM Footwear s.r.o.
Roman Tihelka, BLAZE HARMONY s.r.o.; finalist of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 of the Czech Republic
Antonín Machala, ALTECH, spol. s r.o.; finalist of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 of the Czech Republic
Jan Čurn, Apify Technologies s.r.o.; finalist of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 of the Czech Republic (the award was received by Marek Trunkát)
Vítězslav Macháček, VM Footwear s.r.o.; finalist of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 of the Czech Republic
Every year, specialized juries also select winners of other categories, in which they won this year:
EY Technology Entrepreneur of the Year 2024: Jan Čurn, Apify Technologies s.r.o.
EY Starting Entrepreneur of the Year 2024: Matěj Misař and Daniel Kvak, Carebot s.r.o
EY Socially Beneficial Entrepreneur of the Year 2024: Josef Dvořáček, Sonnentor s.r.o.
Czech Television Award for Sustainable Entrepreneurship 2024: Ing. Karel Horák
MF DNES and iDNES.cz Readers' Award for the Best Business Story of the Year 2024: Zuzana Bílková, Besky
Jan Čurn, Apify Technologies s.r.o.; EY Technology Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 (Marek Trunkát accepted the award)
Matěj Misař and Daniel Kvak, Carebot s.r.o.; EY Starting Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 (Matěj Misař accepted the award)
Josef Dvořáček, Sonnentor s.r.o.; EY Socially Beneficial Entrepreneur of the Year 2024
Karel Horák, Farma Choťovice; Czech Television Award for Sustainable Entrepreneurship 2024
Zuzana Bílková, Besky; MF DNES and iDNES.cz Readers' Award for the Best Business Story of the Year 2024
Milan Kratina and Zdeněk Šoustal from Accolade will participate as national representatives in the global final of the competition, which is announced by EY in almost 60 countries around the world and whose winners are selected by independent juries according to uniform criteria. The EY Global Entrepreneur of the Year will be announced in June this year at a gala evening traditionally held in Monte Carlo.
