Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year U.S. Awards gala is set for June 13 at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C.
The Entrepreneur of the Year program was founded by EY to recognize those who create products and services that keep the worldwide economy moving forward. It now includes programs in upward of 145 cities and more than 60 countries worldwide. The gala is the culminating event of the Strategic Growth Forum, the largest gathering of entrepreneurs in America.
Three companies based in the D.C. area are finalists for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2019 — Axios, CarLotz and Framebridge.
Established by a trio of former Politico staffers, Axios is a digital media company that covers politics, technology, business, media, science and global news. With a focus on helping readers and viewers become quickly knowledgeable about events and topics reshaping their lives, it officially launched in 2017.
CarLotz is designed to ease and streamline the process of selling a used car. It also allows buyers to pay less than traditional dealership prices. The company inspects, cleans, photographs and lists customer vehicles on major car buying websites and manages inquiries and test drives at its retail stores as well as required paperwork. CarLotz operates eight car consignment stores in the U.S.
Framebridge has revolutionized custom framing by cutting costs, shortening turnaround times and making the experience more pleasant for customers. Framebridge has raised more than $67 million in venture financing from sources that include T. Rowe Price, Crate and Barrel co-founder Gordon Segal and Warby Parker co-founders Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa.