Joe and Tricia D’Cruz, founders and managing directors of Catalyze Dallas, have been selected as finalists for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 Southwest Award. Celebrating the unstoppable entrepreneurs whose unbounded ambitions deliver the innovation, growth, and prosperity that transform our world, Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 honored 46 finalists in the Southwest Region.
“We’re incredibly honored to be recognized by Ernst & Young as a 2021 Entrepreneur Of The Year finalist,” said Tricia D’Cruz. “Joe and I believe deeply that the power of entrepreneurship changes the world for the better – driving new ideas, technology, jobs and inspiration for future generations. Catalyze Dallas is the epitome of that belief, acting as a literal catalyst to commercialize underutilized technology, continuing to create new companies and careers while fulfilling the promise of good engineering.”
Building scalable businesses by commercializing promising innovations developed by major defense contractors, Joe and Tricia D’Cruz have already launched two successful companies through Catalyze. One Catalyze company, Alpine Advanced Materials, delivers high-performance lightweight custom-engineered parts to the aerospace, defense, commercial space and recreation industries using Lockheed Martin-developed nanocomposite technology. Another, Metro Aerospace, is a leader in delivering certified 3D printed components to the aerospace industry, reducing carbon emissions by utilizing drag reduction technology licensed from the defense industry.
“In a year that brought many businesses to their knees, our model struck a chord,” added Joe D’Cruz. “When times are hard for other businesses, we’re presented with real opportunities. Heightened pressure on the bottom line makes the prospect of spinning out technology more appealing. We’ve probably had more conversations about potential spinouts in the last six months than ever before, so this recognition in this year is particularly gratifying.”
Now in its 35th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program honors business leaders whose ambition, ingenuity and courage in the face of adversity help catapult from the now to next and beyond. One of the preeminent competitive award programs for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies, since its launch, the program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries around the world.
Nominees are evaluated based on six criteria: entrepreneurial leadership; talent management; degree of difficulty; financial performance; societal impact and building a values-based company; and originality, innovation and future plans. Award winners will be announced during a special virtual celebration on August 4, 2021, and will join the ranks of a lifelong community of esteemed Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world.