SEARCH FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR

AFTER a year marked by growing confidence and a rise in business activity, the search is on to find the Gold Coast young entrepreneurs who have capitalised on the opportunities offered in 2014.

Gold Coast Business News has launched the 2014 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards with a host of new categories that will highlight the brightest and best young business minds shaping our city.

“This year’s Gold Coast Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards are probably the most significant in the past decade,” says Gold Coast Business News editor Nick Nichols.

“This city is finally on the cusp of a recovery - we’re seeing this across many sectors and particularly among young business operators making their mark across many fields of business.

“These are the business leaders who will shape the Gold Coast well into the future, and they are emerging at a time when much of the old guard of entrepreneurs has gone by the wayside.

“So we are encouraging young entrepreneurs, no matter how fledgling their business may be, to stand up and be recognised for their efforts.

“This is what the Gold Coast is about and this is the best way we can show the world that the business community in this city is alive and thriving against all odds.”

Business owners operating in the Gold Coast region, born 1974 or later, are eligible to enter the 2014 awards which have been expanded to include eight categories.

The winners will be crowned at a gala event held at Jupiters Casino on the evening of Friday 24 October. The three-course dinner complete with entertainment is a not to be missed event on the calendar year, serving as a celebration of the Gold Coast’s most promising and talented young entrepreneurs.

In addition to this, all finalists will be profiled in the annual special Young Entrepreneur edition of Gold Coast Business News.

Queensland’s premier business news publisher, Business News Australia, is now inviting nominations for the below award categories for its prestigious Gold Coast Young Entrepreneur Awards.

DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY

The ever-changing technology sector has generated some of the most exciting stories among young entrepreneurs, and this category will be one of the most closely watched by all businesses looking to keep abreast of that change.

INNOVATION

Lateral thinkers are encouraged to enter this category which cuts across all sectors of business to recognise growth through innovation.

MANUFACTURING, WHOLESALE & DISTRIBUTION

If your business is in this category, chances are you are flying under the radar. This award is looking for young entrepreneurs who are pushing above their weight in a sector that is seen as the backbone of the supply chain for the broader economy.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Professionals across all disciplines, including law, medical, engineering and architecture, are given the opportunity to shine in this category.

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION

The growth of the property sector in recent years has given way to a new breed of young entrepreneurs. This category will introduce a range of new players and some established players achieving excellence in their respective fields.

RETAIL & SERVICES

This category covers businesses in both the bricks and clicks space, recognising excellence in retail and retail services direct to the consumer - either online or through traditional store models - as well as cutting-edge retail concepts.

STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR

This award is sponsored by Bond University and recognises successful business owners who are juggling entrepreneurship with tertiary studies.

TOURISM, HOSPITALITY & EVENTS

The resurgence of the tourism sector has given rise to this new category which encompasses businesses operating across this dynamic sector of the economy. Last year's finalists generated more than $240 million in annual revenue combined, making their mark on the local economy.