Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2010

They’re back. Following the unbridled success of the inaugural Brisbane Business News Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2009– this city’s brightest young minds are again rallying for their spot in the limelight.

IN a city that lends itself to enterprise and creativity, it was only logical that Brisbane Business News was inundated with applications for the inaugural 2009 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. It was also no surprise that the quality of the candidates was high, but only the best could be finalists and only one company could win.

While many of the candidates came from abroad to try their luck in Brisbane's entrepreneurs playground, last years winner Bevan Slattery (pictured) came from Rockhampton.

Slattery started PIPE Networks (PWK) with his mate Steve Baxter in 2002 with the goal to make enough revenue to go fishing every Friday, but his desire to bring a more competitive landscape to the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure outweighed his will to catch fish in the end.

Last year Slattery completed a $200 million undersea cable from Sydney to Guam that has the potential to double Australia’s international internet connectivity. The celebrations continued for Slattery when shortly after the award ceremony, PWK was sold to telco giant SP Telemedia for $373 million. The founder remains at the company's helm as CEO to this day.

Hot on the heels of PIPE Networks for the top award last year were a number of finalists who exhibited qualities to be celebrated. Scott Geiszler and Anthony Russo of Pizza Capers have shown the panache to take on a market with very large dominant players, but found their niche with a nutritious product and an aggressive growth strategy.

Then you have Wayne Ormond from Refund Home Loans, who succeeded in the financial sector when the world was in financial crisis.

But this is just a sample of the innovative ideas and businesses that Brisbane’s young entrepreneurs have to offer.

Are you the next Brisbane Business News Young Entrepreneur of the Year?

CLICK HERE to take the 2010 Young Entrepreneur of the Year survey and tell us why you are a key candidate for this year's accolade. All Young Entrepreneur finalists will be featured in a special Brisbane Business News November edition, with the winner and two runner-ups to be announced at a special luncheon event later in the year.

ADVERTISING IN THIS SPECIAL EDITION

The special Young Entrepreneur of the Year edition will be the final Brisbane Business News issue for the year. This will be your last opportunity for 2010 to reach our market and target audience of more than 70,000 business leaders.

The magazine presents a key opportunity for you to align your business with the city’s brightest and most exciting young leaders that are on the lookout for fresh, innovative ways to keep improving their business.

Secure your space early by calling 07 3608 2070 or email cw@brisbanebusinessnews.com.au.