Award for Jucy co-founder

Tim Alpe. Photo / Richard Robinson

Tim Alpe, co-founder of tourist vehicle rental company Jucy, has been named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Tim Alpe and his brother Dan set up the company as Ezy Rentals in September 2001 - the day after the terror attacks in the United States.

They renamed it Jucy in 2007.

The pair started with 35 Daewood Lanos bought from the Auckland Hospital Board.

Today they have 2200 vehicles. Alpe will represent New Zealand in the world competition in Monte Carlo in May.