Slovenian entrepreneur Ivo Boscarol who sold his successful ultra-light aircraft maker last year, won the lifetime achievement award.

Pipistrel became a leading global maker of ultralight aircraft. Boscarol put not only the company but also Slovenia on the global map, the association said.

President of the Manager Association Andrej Božič said that with his breakthrough work, big heart and feeling for his fellow man, Boscarol established himself in society, not only as an exceptional entrepreneur, but also as an exceptional individual.

Boscarol and his daughter sold Pipistrel to US industrial conglomerate Textron for EUR 218 million in April 2022. They remain minority owners in the company.