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EY announces Abdul Akel of T-CETRA, LLC as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2022 National Finalist

Award recognizes ambitious and pioneering entrepreneurs who are changing the world

 (DUBLIN, Ohio) On Nov. 13, 2022, Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced that Abdul Akel, Co-founder and CEO of T-CETRA, LLC was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2022 National finalist. Akel was selected from a pool of 206 regional Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022 Award winners from 190 companies across the US. Entrepreneur Of The Year was created to honor unstoppable entrepreneurs who dream up the services and products that disrupt markets and transform industries, all while improving lives. Now in its 37th year, it is celebrated as one of the most respected business award programs in the world. 

T-CETRA serves the 84.8 million underbanked consumers in the U.S. through a network of over 10,000 dealer locations. Its proprietary technology platform, VIDAPAY®, enables cash payments for essential services such as prepaid wireless phone service, online shopping, cable service, public transportation and more. T-CETRA was also recently recognized for outstanding efforts in financial inclusion by Columbus Business First’s Diversity in Business Award; for the creation of an on-line donation platform by winning the Vanguard Award for Corporate Citizenship, and for its exemplary work culture with Columbus CEO’s Top Workplace Award. 

Abdul Akel was selected by a panel of independent judges made up of entrepreneurs from across the US. Each candidate was evaluated based on entrepreneurial spirit; company purpose, growth and impact; and other core contributions and attributes. 

“We are proud to help the underbanked to live a life of digital and financial inclusion,” Akel said. “We are continually building payment solutions to bridge the digital divide and I am honored to share this award with so many companies seeking to make this world a better place. I am humbled by this recognition from Ernst & Young LLP.” 

Since 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year has celebrated entrepreneurs whose drive, innovative spirit and creativity have fueled their companies’ success, revolutionized their industries and influenced their communities. The National finalists and winners were announced during a celebration held at the Strategic Growth Forum®, one of the nation’s most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. Learn more about the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022 National finalists and winners at https://www.ey.com/en_us/entrepreneur-of-the-year/meet-the-winners-and-finalists-2022. 

Sponsors 

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, SAP America and the Kauffman Foundation. 

About Entrepreneur Of The Year® 

Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. National overall winners go on to compete for the title. Visit ey.com/us/eoy 

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