2026 Entrepreneur Of The Year Finalists

2026 Entrepreneur Of The Year Finalists

Eight Minnesota business leaders were among the finalists for EY’s Entrepreneur Of The Year Heartland Award. Some of their companies have been known to the public for decades. Others are at the helm of relatively new businesses.

Nick Schneider

Nick Schneider

President and CEO, Arctic Wolf

Founded: 2012
Headquarters: Eden Prairie
Mission: To strengthen security by delivering a cloud-native security operations platform to end cyber risk.


Chad Baker

Chad Baker

President and CEO, Ascentek

Founded: 1993
Headquarters: Golden Valley
Mission: To support businesses with fluid manufacturing, regional distribution, vehicle washes, hard parts assembly, dropshipping, and software solutions.


Nawal Noor

Nawal Noor

CEO, Noor Companies

Founded: 2015
Headquarters: Minneapolis
Mission: To deliver vertically integrated real estate development, commercial construction, and solar installations.


Nicholas O’Grady

Nicholas O’Grady

CEO, Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.

Founded: 2006
Headquarters: Minnetonka
Mission: To acquire and invest in non-operated minority interests in the premier hydrocarbon producing basins.


Robert F. Moeller II

Robert F. Moeller II

President and visionary, R.F. Moeller Jeweler

Founded: 1951
Headquarters: St. Paul
Mission: To help customers celebrate life’s milestones through the sale of engagement rings, fine jewelry, and Swiss watches.


Brian Murray

Brian Murray

CEO, Ryan Companies US, Inc.

Founded: 1938
Headquarters: Minneapolis
Mission: To offer comprehensive commercial real estate services as a national developer, designer, builder, capital markets advisor, and real estate manager to create places for people to thrive.


J. Robert (Bob) Paulson

J. Robert (Bob) Paulson

President and CEO, Sonex Health, Inc.

Founded: 2014
Headquarters: Eagan
Mission: Through ultrasound-guided surgery, to pioneer innovative therapies that empower physicians, improve patient safety, decrease invasiveness, and reduce the cost of care.


Matt Joyce

Matt Joyce

Founder and CEO, Toom

Founded: 2011
Headquarters: Mendota Heights
Mission: To build the Toom brand by securing a place for its garlic dip in domestic grocery stores, convenience stores, and food service restaurants.


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2026 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards