EY Luxembourg is proud to unveil the six outstanding finalists for the seventh edition of its prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year™ award, held this year under the theme “Shapers”. Far more than a celebration, this initiative shines a spotlight on Luxembourg’s vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, honoring individuals who challenge the status quo and drive innovation in their industries. Among remarkable entrepreneurs pre-selected, six have emerged as the finalists, and the winner will have the opportunity to represent Luxembourg at the World Entrepreneur of the year Global Final in Monaco in June 2026.
Meet the Six EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2025 Luxembourg Finalists:
René Beltjens with Alter Domus, global provider of fund and corporate services with deep Luxembourg roots and international reach. René joined Alter Domus as third co-founder in 2008. Over 17 years, he played a strategic role in transforming the company from a local spin-off into a global powerhouse, leading landmark acquisitions and driving its international expansion with relentless ambition and vision.
Nishant Fafalia with Advanzia Bank, digital bank reshaping credit services across Europe with a mobile-first, customer-centric approach. From selling sports tickets in his student days to turning around companies in the shipping and tech sectors, this self-made leader rose through the ranks of a Norwegian investment firm before becoming Advanzia’s CEO in 2023. A bold strategist with a European outlook, he now leads the bank with a strong leadership and concrete objectives.
Tristan Mackie with YESSS Group, major electrical equipment distributor operating across Europe with entrepreneurial agility. At just 19, the nominee joined the family business as part of the fourth generation, learning the ropes from the ground up. By 24, he was managing key accounts in the UK and France, increasing their revenues by 13 times in just 4 years. A turnaround specialist, he brought struggling divisions in Italy and Luxembourg back to breakeven, and now oversees 53 stores in four countries.
Marie-Christine Mariani with MCM Steel, independent steel trading and processing company expanding rapidly across Europe. Originally dreaming of diplomacy, the nominee pivoted to entrepreneurship in steel, founding her company at 27 in a male-dominated sector. Starting with very few contacts and a single bank loan, she built MCM Steel from scratch. Over two decades, she overcame geopolitical and financial hurdles, launched a service center, and today is set to double revenues.
Hans-Jürgen Schmitz with Mangrove Capital Partners, venture capital firm known for backing world-changing tech startups at early stage. Born into a family of entrepreneurs, he began in finance before co-founding Mangrove in 2000. Navigating through the dot-com collapse, he helped raise €50M for their first fund and led high-stakes investments in companies like Skype, Wix, and Flo Health. A visionary with an instinct for disruption, he has backed over 130 investments and shifted focus entirely to digital innovation and impact-driven tech.
Laurent Schonckert with Cactus, the iconic Luxembourg retail brand combining tradition, innovation, and local commitment. Starting work at 16 in wholesale tobacco, he joined Cactus in 1984 and quickly became the founder’s right-hand man. With a passion for retail and people, he co-led the group from 2001, opening new stores, and expanding local and organic sourcing. Under his leadership, the Shoppi franchise significantly grew with multiple outlets, a model of scalable, sustainable retail.
Among these six outstanding profiles, only one winner.
The winner of the Luxembourg edition will be announced during our ceremony on 20 November 2025 and go on to represent the country at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2026 in Monaco, a global stage celebrating boldness, impact, and visionary leadership. Follow our journey.
Event sponsored by Julius Baer, Luxembourg Times, Luxembourg Wort (gold) Chambre de Commerce (silver), Lalux, Losch and Steffen Traiteur (bronze).