Australian Startup Awards

The 2014 Australian Startup Awards program, conducted by The Entourage, Australia’s largest entrepreneurial education institute, recognises business excellence and celebrates the achievements of Australia’s top entrepreneurs under 40. Managing Director of the Entourage, Jack Delosa, has been inspired by the quality of originality and creative thinking on display in this year’s program.

“Innovative entrepreneurs are first and foremost independent thinkers” Delosa remarks. “They have a complete disregard for the status-quo, and actively look for where they can make a real impact and disrupt an entire industry. With all of the winners in this year’s awards, while all of them have advisors and mentors, none of them are following the old rule book of business.”

According to Delosa, Red Robot sets an excellent example of the business success that can come from pure innovation.

“Red Robot design and manufacture photo booths and photo sharing tech for the event industry and well known brands. They were the first to manufacture commercially in Australia and are now the largest photo booth supplier, with more than double the amount of customers and members than their nearest competitors”, Delosa explains.

This year, to highlight the diversity and dynamism of Australian businesses, The Entourage joined forces with leading Australian companies to celebrate excellence in a range of categories. The Product Business of the Year Award is being supported by leading hospitality brand, Hilton.

Phil Preston, co-founder of Red Robot was delighted to be named winner in this category. “We’re so happy to be bringing home a win for our families, Canberra our staff and suppliers and our wonderful customers. Also a big thanks to our Business Angel Peter Walsh. Being an Australian innovator, manufacturer and an exporter is not easy but well worth it. Recognition as part of the cream of the crop of Australia’s fast moving entrepreneur businesses is incredibly humbling. We are so excited about our future and the ambitious plans we have in the pipeline.”

Applications were assessed by some of Australia’s top and most successful entrepreneurs with this year’s judging panel including past and present BRW Young Rich List Members Ruslan Kogan, Dorry Kordahi and Clair Jennifer.