UNIT AND GUVERA WIN STATE ENTREPRENEUR GONGS

TWO Gold Coast businesses have taken top honours in the annual Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year northern region awards in Brisbane.

Unit Clothing founders Paul and Ian Everest (pictured) took out the award for emerging entrepreneurs, while Claes Loberg, CEO of music download channel Guvera, won the technology category.

The accolades follow the Everest brothers being named Gold Coast Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010, while Loberg picked up the Trailblazer award – a Gold Coast Business News initiative.

"Sometimes you work really hard for 10 years and then you get some recognition for what you've achieved, which is very nice," says Paul Everest.

"We were just stoked to be a part of the event and have the chance to meet and have a good time with the other people who were nominated."

Other E&Y state winners include, Jim Campbell, Murphy Pipe and Civil (Industry) and Robert McVicker, Morris Corporation (Services).

Also recognised in the non-competitive regional award categories were Peter Bond, Linc Energy (Listed); David Barbagallo, Endeavour Foundation (Social Entrepreneur) and Mick Power AM, BMD Group (Champion of Entrepreneurship).

Ernst & Young Brisbane office managing partner Jenny Parker, says the stakes were high and competition ‘spirited’.

“These inspiring Queenslanders have joined the elite ranks of over 900 outstanding Australian entrepreneurs recognised for their exceptional ideas and accomplishments through the Entrepreneur Of The Year program since 2001,” she says.

Parker says this year’s northern region winners and award recipients would contend for the ultimate title of 2011 Australian Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year at the national awards in November.

“The overall Australian winner will then go on to Monte Carlo to compete in the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of The Year awards next year,” she says.

Business News Publications has launched its annual Gold Coast Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Brisbane Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards for 2011.

Don’t miss this stellar opportunity to showcase your talent at our gala luncheons in November.

For more info click here.