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EY US Unveils Brandon Spear of TreviPay as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2025 Heartland Award Finalist

Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs who are shaping the future

Minneapolis, April 29, 2025 – Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced the finalists for the prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Heartland Award. Now in its 40th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and making a profound impact on communities. The program honors bold entrepreneurs whose innovations shape the future and pave the way for a thriving economy and a hopeful tomorrow. The Heartland program celebrates entrepreneurs from Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North and South Dakota.

An independent panel of judges selected Brandon Spear among 30 finalists for their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and lasting impact in building long-term value.

“It is a great honor to be recognized as an Entrepreneur Of The Year finalist and a testament to TreviPay’s trusted B2B payments and invoicing network over the last four decades,” said Brandon Spear, CEO of TreviPay. “Our team continues to deliver innovative technology, secure major ecosystem partnerships and drive conversations with industry leaders to ensure our clients have the tools and services to build buyer loyalty and grow their businesses.”

Entrepreneur Of The Year honors business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company; transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory; and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future.

Regional award winners will be announced on Thursday, June 19, during a special celebration in Minneapolis and will become lifetime members of an esteemed community of Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. The winners will then be considered by the National judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum^®, one of the nation’s most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, Cresa, LLC, Marsh USA and SAP. In the Heartland, sponsors also include Twin Cities Business, Padilla and Brillect.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 60 countries globally.

The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum^® in November where National finalists and award winners are announced. The overall National winner represents the US at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.

About TreviPay 

At TreviPay, we believe loyalty begins at the payment. By understanding the diverse and unique requirements of B2B sellers, TreviPay’s global B2B payments and invoicing network enables enterprises to provide payments choice and convenience, open new markets and automate accounts receivables. Powering more than $7 Billion in global trade, TreviPay was named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape for Worldwide Embedded Payment Applications 2024-2025 Vendor Assessment (#US51793524, Dec. 2024). With more than four decades of experience, TreviPay serves leaders looking to build loyalty while driving efficiency and embracing new digital channels, especially in industries with large distribution networks such as manufacturing, retail and transportation. For more information, visit www.trevipay.com. 

About EY

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

All in to shape the future with confidence.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

[Webinar] The Trust Factor: What B2B Buyers Really Want (And How to Win Them Over!)

Trust is the cornerstone of every successful B2B relationship, but in today’s global marketplace, its nuances can vary widely across regions. On June 4th, join TreviPay’s Inez Berkhof-Hollander, Managing Director of Europe as she hosts Christina Schmitt, Principal Analyst at Forrester for an in-depth conversation about her recent report, The State of Global Business Buyer Trust in 2024: Regional Perspectives. Discover how buyers in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific prioritize trust differently, and learn what it takes to build enduring relationships that drive purchase intent and customer loyalty.

What You’ll Learn:

Key regional differences in buyer trust preferences
The top trust-building attributes for suppliers
How trust impacts referrals, repeat business, and pricing power
Strategies to strengthen trust equity in global B2B markets

Whether you’re a supplier striving to differentiate your offerings or a business leader looking to fortify long-term client relationships, this webinar will equip you with the insights and tools to navigate the complexities of buyer trust in 2025 and beyond.

Register now to secure your spot!

Session 1

2 P.M. CET / 7 A.M. CT

Session 2

6 P.M. CET/ 11 A.M. CT

Adapting to Volatile Markets by Keeping an Eye on the Long “TAIL”

Businesses and consumers are surprisingly adaptable. Five years ago, when a pandemic brought the world of trade to a halt, schools and workplaces became virtual, storefronts became distribution centers and new business models emerged. McKinsey observed that in just a few months’ time the COVID crisis accelerated the digitization of customer and supply-chain interactions by three to four years.

At that time, I was leading the digital transformation team at Forrester Research and had a front row seat, as I not only had to adjust to remote work and virtual conferences, but also was part of a new research initiative focused on how companies were adapting to be more “future fit.” A few things were clear. First, the pandemic provided focus and urgency. Second, the lines between B2B and B2C became blurred. Businesses moved much faster to mobile-first experiences and eCommerce. Consumers started to act more like business buyers, valuing product availability and customer service over assortment and low-cost.

In October 2020 I wrote:

“Firms taking a customer-obsessed approach were able to quickly see shifting needs and reconfigure their capabilities to deliver new solutions to market. They were also quick to adjust how they funded and sourced solutions. In short, they had become not just more adaptive but also more creative and resilient, as well.”

Applying Lessons from 2020

With trade wars, nationalism and market volatility back in the headlines, it appears we’ve seen this story before. Sure, some of the actors are different. And the rapid rise of GenAI has added new method actor to the mix. But like the early days of COVID, today’s shifting trade winds are sparking action within large and small enterprises (and governments).

A review of industry research and press reports show that many are revisiting market strategies and strategic partnerships, even while approaches to tariffs are mixed. In sectors like smartphones and computers or luxury autos, there’s been quick action both by governments and manufacturer to adapt or assess the situation. And according to Gartner’s survey of supply chain leaders (CSCOs), while organizations are generally split between eating the cost of tariff increases or passing them on to their customers, almost half say they can regionalize 25% of their supply chain capacity within 12 months.

As in most crises, a quick response to problems and disruptions is vital. A practical example in B2B Payments is credit lines. With tariffs, some of your most important buyers may now be facing an overnight increase in their AOV, so proactively offering to increase their spending limit can both ensure they continue to buy and be an opportunity to build more loyalty.

More broadly, looking back at lessons from COVID, it’s clear both suppliers and corporate buyers who are customer and market “obsessed” will fare better than others. And vendors (and banks) supporting them who have a global footprint can provide more flexibility and adaptability when there are regional disruptions.

Building a Resilient Strategy Starts with Trust

Today’s market environment is both uncertain, but also somewhat predictable. Quick-hit responses will vary – some will work, others will fail. Patterns will emerge and longer-term strategies will result. But we largely have a playbook from previous global market disruptions, whether it was the 2008 financial crisis or COVID. Applying these lessons, leaders can help their teams, clients and partners adapt to the new normal, while also looking for ways to accelerate innovation and even spark transformation projects that may have moved to the back burner.

While individual strategies may vary by geography or industry sector, a review of expert viewpoints and the latest market data (and what worked during COVID) can provide a blueprint for companies to act on today. I have captured some of these insights in the framework below.

First, staying close to your best customers is never a bad thing. Be there for them and they will be with you for the long term. Which is why adapting to (any) volatile market conditions needs to start with trust. Trusted supplier relationships drive resilience. And buyer preference research we conducted with Murphy Research shows that along with choice of payment (80%) and custom invoicing (71%), “trust with supplier” is the top factor (at 90%) in choosing a merchant.

Second, companies that thrive in a time of change are uncommonly adaptive. We saw this in the future fit research at Forrester, and focusing on high-impact stages of the order-to-cash (O2C) process such as more rapid onboarding to accommodate buyers from a new region or “ready credit” for stocking up can both support agility and deliver significant ROI. McKinsey notes that the industrial manufacturer, medical distributor and similar organizations they studied achieved $6 in return for every $1 invested in O2C optimization.

Third, when AI started moving more quickly from the lab to front line applications in the rush to streamline operations and augment human helpers, leaders are looking to be more intelligent across their products and services. Creative use of GenAI and advanced analytics along the sales journey can further reduce friction and speed time to value. Within the marketing function at TreviPay, we are already seeing the impact not only in content marketing, but also for demand gen (for supercharged ABM and list building for example) along with some exciting applications in sales training, meeting prep and even online sales and service.

Finally, as Gartner and others have pointed out, focusing on being localized is essential. Cultivating local partners and smart sourcing should be front and center. And for some sectors, relocating key operations needs to be on the table as well. Mitigating risk through supplier diversification, investment in risk management and strategic growth initiatives and having a trusted, global partner for your O2C optimization has never been more important.

Friction to Flexibility – Insights and Innovations in B2B Payments with Rom Mascetti

In this episode of Beyond the Transaction, we sit down with Rom Mascetti, Principal at Flagship Advisory Partners, for a dynamic conversation about how B2B payments are evolving—and what that means for finance leaders navigating the increasingly complex order-to-cash (O2C) landscape.

With more than a decade of experience in payment strategy consulting and M&A advisory, Rom brings a global view on how businesses are rethinking their finance and payments infrastructure. He shares how his unconventional journey—from investment banking to fintech consulting—shaped his deep understanding of the space, and why intellectual curiosity continues to drive innovation in the industry.

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Listen on iHeartRadio Listen on Amazon Music

Key topics in this episode include:

The shift from friction to flexibility in B2B payment workflows
How Flagship’s boutique approach delivers strategic agility and deep domain expertise
The parallels between B2C and B2B payment experiences—and why B2B is catching up
Why digitization of the O2C process is a critical lever for growth
Advice for new talent entering the fintech industry and why it’s an exciting time to build a career in payments

Whether you’re modernizing your O2C tech stack or looking to understand the strategic forces shaping the next generation of B2B commerce, this episode offers both perspective and practical insights.

Listen now and explore how the payments world is moving from friction to flexibility.

TreviPay Crossroads Heads to London, Sydney and New York in 2025 with ‘Payments at the Crossroads’ Seminar Series

An exclusive fintech seminar series for B2B leaders exploring the future of payments around the globe

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., April 16, 2025 – Following the success of the inaugural TreviPay Crossroads conference in 2024, TreviPay, the most trusted B2B payments and invoicing network, is taking the conversation on the road. This year, TreviPay is hosting a series of half-day fintech seminars in major cities around the world to continue driving connections and conversations that shape the future of B2B payments.

Each Crossroads seminar will bring together merchant payments experts, banking leaders and industry insiders to explore the growth strategies and trends in AI, risk management and payments regulation and innovation. These are set to be intimate gatherings designed for deep conversations and quality networking.

Fintech Seminar Schedule:

London, UK | April 29, 2025 – Hosted by Allianz Trade, the London seminar will feature speakers from TreviPay, HSBC, Mastercard, Lenovo, Bain & Company, Edgar, Dunn and Company, VML and Vendorcom. The program includes lunch, programming, networking and cocktails. View the full agenda and register here.

Sydney, Australia | May 26, 2025 – Hosted by HSBC, the Sydney event will bring together speakers from Samsung Australia, Mastercard, EonX, Azupay, Australian Payments Plus, The Initiatives Group and Allianz Trade. Tickets are limited, so early registration is encouraged. View the agenda and register here.

New York City, U.S. | September 16, 2025 – More details and agenda to come, but expect the same high-quality programming and peer-to-peer networking.

“Crossroads is all about creating space for meaningful conversations with the people who are shaping B2B payments today,” said Allen Bonde, Chief Marketing Officer at TreviPay. “We’re excited to bring this experience to cities across the globe and continue growing a worldwide community that’s tackling the most important challenges and opportunities in our industry.”

The Crossroads Conference Returns in 2026

The global multi-day Crossroads Conference, launched in October 2024, will be back in the fall of 2026 in Kansas City with even more keynotes, breakouts and networking. The inaugural TreviPay Crossroads event welcomed 250 B2B experts to network, share and connect on important industry topics and B2B buyer needs. For an overview of the content, TreviPay captured key themes here.

For any questions about TreviPay Crossroads, please reach out to our team using the online form: https://crossroads.trevipay.com/contact-us/

About TreviPay 

At TreviPay, we believe loyalty begins at the payment. By understanding the diverse and unique requirements of B2B sellers, TreviPay’s global B2B payments and invoicing network enables enterprises to provide payments choice and convenience, open new markets and automate accounts receivables. Powering more than $8 Billion in global trade, TreviPay was named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape for Worldwide Embedded Payment Applications 2024-2025 Vendor Assessment (#US51793524, Dec. 2024). With more than four decades of experience, TreviPay serves leaders looking to build loyalty while driving efficiency and embracing new digital channels, especially in industries with large distribution networks such as manufacturing, retail and transportation. For more information, visit trevipay.com. 

ViDA und die Zukunft der elektronischen Rechnungsstellung: Was bedeutet das für Ihr Unternehmen?

Die Mehrwertsteuer-Compliance in der EU steht vor großen Veränderungen. Der Vorschlag „Mehrwertsteuer im digitalen Zeitalter“ (ViDA) wurde vom Rat ,,Wirtschaft und Finanzen“ (ECOFIN-Rat) offiziell angenommen und schafft damit die Voraussetzungen für eine umfassende Überarbeitung der Mehrwertsteuerabwicklung in der gesamten EU.

Für multinationale Unternehmen ist ViDA nicht nur eine weitere regulatorische Neuerung – es ist ein Wandel, der die Rechnungsstellung, die Steuerberichterstattung und die Compliance in den nächsten fünf Jahren grundlegend verändern wird. Auch wenn dies zunächst entmutigend erscheinen mag, bietet es auch die Möglichkeit, Abläufe zu rationalisieren, die Effizienz zu steigern und Betrugsrisiken zu reduzieren. Folgendes müssen Sie wissen:

Die drei Säulen von ViDA

ViDA zielt darauf ab, Mehrwertsteuerprozesse zu modernisieren, die Steuererhebung zu optimieren und Betrug zu verhindern. Um dies zu erreichen, basiert die Initiative auf drei Säulen:

1. Anforderungen an elektronische Rechnungsstellung und digitale Berichterstattung (DRR)

Eine der größten Änderungen im Rahmen von ViDA ist die Umstellung auf die digitale Mehrwertsteuerberichterstattung in Echtzeit. Derzeit ist die Mehrwertsteuerberichterstattung in der EU fragmentiert, doch ViDA führt ein einheitliches System ein, das Unternehmen dazu verpflichtet, elektronische Rechnungen direkt an die Steuerbehörden zu übermitteln.

Warum ist das wichtig?

• Höhere Präzision – Digitale Rechnungsstellung minimiert Fehler und Unstimmigkeiten in der Mehrwertsteuerberichterstattung.

• Bessere Betrugsprävention – Durch die Echtzeit-Überwachung von Transaktionen wird Steuerbetrug erheblich erschwert.

• EU-weite Standardisierung – Unternehmen müssen ein einheitliches elektronisches Rechnungsstellungssystem in allen 27 EU-Mitgliedstaaten nutzen.

2. Einheitliche Mehrwertsteuerregistrierung in der EU

Heute müssen sich Unternehmen, die in mehreren EU-Ländern tätig sind, in jedem Land separat für die Mehrwertsteuer registrieren – ein zeitaufwändiger und teurer Prozess. ViDA ändert das. Mit einer einzigen Mehrwertsteuerregistrierung können Unternehmen in allen Mitgliedstaaten mit nur einer Registrierung tätig sein.

Was sind die Auswirkungen?

• Weniger Verwaltungsaufwand – Schluss mit dem Jonglieren mit mehreren Umsatzsteuerregistrierungen.

• Einfachere grenzüberschreitende Transaktionen – Ein reibungsloserer Prozess für Unternehmen, die in der gesamten EU verkaufen

3. Aktualisierte Regeln für digitale Plattformen

E-Commerce und digitale Marktplätze haben den Verkauf von Waren und Dienstleistungen verändert – die Umsatzsteuer-Compliance konnte nicht mithalten. ViDA verlagert die Verantwortung für die Umsatzsteuererhebung auf Online-Plattformen und sorgt so für eine korrekte Steuerabrechnung.

Das bedeutet:

• Plattformen wie Online-Marktplätze müssen für bestimmte Transaktionen Umsatzsteuer erheben und abführen.

• Weniger Steuerhinterziehung – Behörden können die Umsatzsteuererhebung effektiver verfolgen.

Anforderungen und Umsetzungszeitplan für die elektronische Rechnungsstellung

Ein zentraler Bestandteil von ViDA ist die obligatorische Einführung der elektronischen Rechnungsstellung für grenzüberschreitende Transaktionen. Unternehmen können elektronische Rechnungen künftig nicht mehr ablehnen, da das sogenannte „Käuferakzeptanzprinzip“ abgeschafft wird. Stattdessen wird die elektronische Rechnungsstellung zum neuen Standard in der gesamten EU.

Die Zertifizierung von TreviPay als PEPPOL-Zugangspunkt stellt sicher, dass Unternehmen problemlos eine Verbindung zum PEPPOL-Netzwerk herstellen können, sodass sie weltweit konforme Rechnungen an Organisationen des öffentlichen und privaten Sektors senden und von diesen empfangen können.

Infografik mit dem Titel „Wann geschieht dies?“ von TreviPay. Links ist ein Kalender-Symbol mit „2025“ und dem Text „Mitte 2025: ViDA tritt offiziell in Kraft“. Rechts ist ein Kalender mit dem Datum „30. Juni 2030“ und dem Text „Bis 30. Juni 2030: Die vollständige Integration in nationales Recht muss abgeschlossen sein“. Darunter zwei Stichpunkte: 1) Unterschiedliche Zeitpläne in den Mitgliedstaaten – einige führen ViDA sofort ein, andere mit nationalen Besonderheiten. 2) Deutschland wird voraussichtlich als erstes Land die ViDA-Vorgaben zur elektronischen Rechnungsstellung umsetzen. Unternehmen sollten jetzt mit den Vorbereitungen beginnen.

Warum ist ViDA für Unternehmen wichtig?

Bei ViDA geht es nicht nur um Compliance, sondern auch um Effizienz, Kosteneinsparungen und Betrugsprävention. Deshalb sollten Unternehmen es ernst nehmen:

• Einhaltung gesetzlicher Vorschriften – Die elektronische Rechnungsstellung wird für grenzüberschreitende Transaktionen verpflichtend

• Standardisierung – Ein einheitlicher Rechnungsrahmen vereinfacht internationale Transaktionen.

• Effizienzgewinne – Die Automatisierung von Rechnungsstellungsprozessen reduziert den Verwaltungsaufwand und verbessert den Cashflow.

• Betrugsprävention – Echtzeit-Reporting ermöglicht es Steuerbehörden, Mehrwertsteuerbetrug frühzeitig zu erkennen und zu verhindern

Auswirkungen auf Unternehmen

Wenn Ihr Unternehmen in der EU tätig ist, müssen Sie sich jetzt vorbereiten. Einige Mitgliedstaaten haben bereits Vorschriften zur elektronischen Rechnungsstellung eingeführt, andere werden in Kürze folgen. Unternehmen müssen sich bis 2030 durchschnittlich auf drei bis vier neue Vorschriften pro Jahr einstellen.

Die Herausforderung? Die Umsetzung jeder neuen Vorschrift kann bis zu zwei Jahre dauern. Das bedeutet, dass Finanz-, Steuer- und IT-Teams unter erheblichem Druck stehen, die Compliance einzuhalten.

Vorbereitung auf ViDA

Diese Umstellung erfordert Planung und proaktives Handeln. So starten Sie:

Bereitschaft prüfen – Analysieren Sie Ihre aktuellen Rechnungsprozesse
und identifizieren Sie Compliance-Lücken.
Die richtige Technologie wählen – Investieren Sie in eine eInvoicing-Lösung,
die den ViDA-Standards entspricht.
Systeme integrieren – Aktualisieren Sie Ihre ERP- und Finanzsysteme
für die digitale Rechnungsstellung in Echtzeit.
Stakeholder einbinden – Schulen Sie Mitarbeiter und kommunizieren Sie
Änderungen an Partner und Lieferanten.
Up to date bleiben – Verfolgen Sie Aktualisierungen der
ViDA-Vorschriften auf EU- und nationaler Ebene.

Fazit

ViDA wird die Umsatzsteuer-Compliance grundlegend verändern. EU-weit wird die Rechnungsstellung digitaler, standardisierter und sicherer gegen Betrug. Auch wenn die Umstellung zunächst herausfordernd erscheinen mag, profitieren Unternehmen, die sich frühzeitig vorbereiten, von reibungsloseren Abläufen und weniger Verwaltungsaufwand.

Wie geht es weiter?

• Mehr erfahren – Offizielle Hinweise finden Sie auf der EU-ViDA-Informationsseite.

• Hilfe – Sie benötigen eine Strategie für die Umstellung auf elektronische Rechnungsstellung? Kontaktieren Sie uns für eine fachkundige Beratung.

Wer jetzt handelt, kann nicht nur die gesetzlichen Fristen einhalten, sondern ViDA-Konformität auch als Wettbewerbsvorteil nutzen.

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