The New Jersey Business Immigration Coalition and the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold a free Statewide Multicultural Business Expo featuring exhibits and awards highlighting culturally diverse entrepreneurship, as well as food and live entertainment.
The event on Tuesday, June 25, at the Pines Manor in Edison kicks off with the annual Immigrant Entrepreneur Awards Ceremony from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., followed by the business expo from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
There is no admission charge to enjoy the festivities, network with owners of multicultural businesses and meet potential clients. Businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities or arranging an exhibit to market services or display their products, can find out more here.
The Immigrant Entrepreneur Awards were established by the New Jersey Business Immigration Coalition and its founding partners, which include the New Jersey Business & Industry Association. The 2024 winners include immigrant entrepreneurs from Kosovo, Taiwan, Jordan, Philippines, and Germany who are making a difference in New Jersey.
- Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Jordan Hu, founder and CEO of RiskVal Financial Solutions, LLC in Princeton, a multi-million-dollar company producing products used by trading desks at banks throughout North America.
- Immigrant Entrepreneur Lifetime Achievement Award: Dieter Weissenrieder, founder and CEO of the Weiss-Aug Group, a precision contract metal stamping company based in East Hanover.
- Albert Einstein Award for Innovation: Dr. Shihab Kuran, an investor, serial entrepreneur and executive in the global semiconductor, power and cleantech sectors, who is currently president and CEO of Power Edison, which is building the largest EV charging superhub in the nation in Kearny.
- Caspar Wistar Award for Growth: Leo Alquiros, owner and head chef at Tropical Hut Philippine Cuisine, a network of Filipino restaurants and grocery stores with six locations in New Jersey and New York. Alquiros opened his first restaurant in Old Bridge in 1999.
- David Sarnoff Award for Advocacy and Community Engagement: Burim Nimon Regjaj, who came to the U.S. from Kosovo when he was 19 and now has built successful careers in the restaurant industry and property management. Burim’s philanthropic work includes chairing the Homeless Veterans Fund with six regional Rotary Clubs and fundraising to rebuild the Westfield American Legion Post and YMCA. He is a board member of the Downtown Westfield Corporation, the Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Rotary Club of Westfield. He also serves as Secretary to the nonprofit Albanian American Relations Council in Washington, D.C., and New York City.
