From bustling startups to industry trailblazers, the Gold Coast’s brightest business minds will converge at QT tonight for an evening that shines a spotlight on the city’s thriving entrepreneurial spirit and its bold vision for the future.
Each finalist brings a story of perseverance and bold thinking, reimagining traditional industries and launching disruptive ventures that are setting new benchmarks for innovation across the Glitter Strip.
Last year’s winner, Australian Property Scout founder Samuel Gordon, will be returning to defend the coveted title of Gold Coast Young Entrepreneur of the Year, while a new wave of innovators across sectors from fintech and technology to hospitality and health look set to make their mark on the city’s business landscape.
Gordon will be gunning to join the previous two-time winner, KnG Group co-founder Mannu Kala, who claimed the Gold Coast Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in both 2022 and 2023.
Kala, alongside Dr. Anuj Gupta, is part of a prestigious roster of past winners that includes Ignite Travel founder Randall Deer, LSKD founder Jason Daniel, National Veterinary Care founder Tomas Steenackers, Grace Loves Lace founder Megan Ziems, and Tammy Fit founder Tammy Hembrow.
What unites this diverse group of entrepreneurs is a drive to create meaningful change. The Gold Coast’s entrepreneurial sector continues to impress, with this year's cohort generating the highest combined profit of any city in the initiative, demonstrating the talent and ambition of the next generation of business leaders.
This year's Gold Coast Young Entrepreneur Awards features an esteemed panel of judges, including Greencross founder Dr Glen Richards, Vita Group founder Maxine Horne, Acusensus co-founder Alexander Yannink, Dental Boutique founders Reuben Sim and May Chan, GO1 co-founder Andrew Barnes, CitrusAd founder Brad Moran, Zee Zhang from MGI, Loanezi founder Renee Tocco and Business News Australia founder Camilla Westerlund.
As the driving force behind the Young Entrepreneur Awards, Westerlund has watched the event grow into one of the most anticipated celebrations of business talent on the Gold Coast.
“The Gold Coast has always been known for its energy and ambition, and these young entrepreneurs perfectly capture that spirit,” Westerlund said.
“Each year, these entrepreneurs remind us what’s possible through passion and persistence. It’s inspiring to see their ideas take shape and strengthen the Gold Coast’s reputation as a hub for innovation.”
The 2025 Gold Coast Young Entrepreneur Awards would not have been possible without the support of the City of Gold Coast, the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Program, Homecorp led by former Gold Coast Young Entrepreneur of the Year winner Ron Bakir, MGI Accountants & Business Advisors, Van Berkel & Wood and iVvy.
All award winners will automatically go through as finalists to the 2025 Australian Young Entrepreneur Awards, to be held on the Gold Coast on 29 November.
Meet the 2025 Gold Coast Young Entrepreneur Awards finalists (in alphabetical order by company):
Mike Luker - Ace Health Centre
Diogo Grecco Giglio, Luke Vaughan & David Petrovic - ADV Painting
Adam Beverley - APB Sales Strategy
Samuel Gordon - Australian Property Scout
Tom Egan - Avia Homes
Shokria Siddiqui - Capability Support Services
Shai Hipperson & Paul Hipperson - Conscious Mind Centre
Katie Fielding - Country Girl Management
Jeremy Lynch & Marc Everest - Dealer Studio
Andrej Maletic & Stephen Pastor - Dezigner.ai
Kaitie Mulherin - Duo PR
Sasha Karabut - eCom Capital
Elisha Ho - Evolve Security
Sterling Sheddan & Abdul Muqtadir - Fastway Enterprises
Diogo Grecco Giglio - GC Workforce, Grand Construction Developments, Built x Vaun
James Carney, Alec Carney & Paul Carney - Gemelli Italian
Reuben Bergola & Michelle Williams - Green Life Clinics
Mark Hawley & Reuben Scheckter - Golf Journeys
Christie Perrin- GWEN Creative
Natalie Durack- Happy Hounds Pet Services
Harvey Rivers & Adam Powell - HARWELL.
Gustavo Junqueira - Hive Media Productions
Jeremy Collins & Sam Kirkland - Hypa Agency
Adam Webb - Kasa Group
Dayle Filliponi - Lend It Finance Group
Diana Awad - Linked Financial Services
Alicia Chapman-Green - Little Cocoa
Mike Kellett - Macro Mike, Macro Contract Manufacturing
Luke Morgan - Mayfair Marketing
Adam Jarrett - Nexus Sports Nutrition
Reuben Bergola, Wayne Kampen & Jameson Smith - New Wave Group
Katie Bryan - Propeller Advisory
Sharni Campbell - Remote Sales Institute
Hayley O'Connor & Daniaal Trezise - Sea Street
Jacob Banks & Luke Kelleher - Sophiie AI
Selasi Berdie & Miles Muecke - Sprout Organic
Sheila Gough Kenyon - Starbound Space Solutions
Sky Kolade - The Association of Professional Builders (APB)
Amelia Read - The Neurodiverse Network - By Amelia Read
Matthew Srama - The Srama Group
Mavarik Arthur & Carly Shortland - TidyDen
Karen Mitault & Sylvain Mitault - Tweetycam
Brad Wood, James van Berkel & Luke Vaughan - Van Berkel and Wood
Luke Vaughan - Vaun Group of Companies
Zachariah Macanally & Luke Vaughan - Veblen
Broden Johnson - Yakk, Eight Fifty Espresso
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