The Pearcey National Entrepreneur Award recognises an outstanding entrepreneur who is making an impact both locally and globally.
Each year, the national entrepreneur is selected from one of the State Pearcey Entrepreneurs for that year.
This award celebrates the breadth and depth of Australian entrepreneurs who are "taking a risk", "making a difference" and "are an inspiration" in the Australian ICT Industry.
Nominations can be received at any time.
Historically, this award began as the Pearcey Young Achiever Award in 2005. In 2011 it became the Benson Award, sponsored by the CSIRO in memory of a great Australian ICT pioneer, Tony Benson.
Tony Benson was a Fellow and Honorary Life Member of the ACS, and the 2001 Pearcey Medallist.
In 2016 it became the Pearcey National Entrepreneur Award. The Pearcey State Entrepreneur Awards have been awarded every year since 1999.
The 2024 Pearcey National Entrepreneur Award was presented to Ian Croser AM and David Gaul, founders of CEA Technologies. The presentation was made by Emeritus Professor Roy Green AM at the Pearcey Foundation National Event on 19 November 2024 in Brisbane.
The 2023 Pearcey National Entrepreneur Award was presented to Didier Elzinga founder and CEO of Culture Amp, by Rick Harvey, National Awards Director of the Pearcey Foundation at the prestigious 2023 Pearcey National Awards gala dinner, in Sydney.
The 2022 Pearcey National Entrepreneur Award was presented to Dr. Mark Englund founder and CEO of FiberSense, by Hon Madeleine Ogilvie MP, Minister for Science and Technology. The award was presented in Hobart as part of the prestigious 2022 Pearcey National Awards held in conjunction with the Australian Computer Society (ACS) and TasICT.
The 2021 Pearcey National Entrepreneur Award was presented to the co-founder and CTO of DTEX Systems Mohan Koo by South Australian Premier Steven Marshall. The presentation was broadcast live on a national Zoom call, as part of the Pearcey Foundation's National Awards event.
The 2020 Pearcey National Entrepreneur Award was presented to Grant Petty, CEO of Blackmagic Design. The announcement was made during the 2020 Pearcey Foundation National Event, this year being a ‘virtual’ celebration held on 25 November 2020 on a national Zoom broadcast.
The 2019 Pearcey National Entrepreneur Award was presented to Craig McDonald, CEO and Founder of Mailguard, at the annual Pearcey national Awards gala dinner on 14th November 2019 in Melbourne.
The 2018 Pearcey National Entrepreneur Award was presented to Tony Clark at the ACS 2018 Digital Disruptor Awards gala dinner on 1 November 2018 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The 2017 Pearcey National Entrepreneur Award was presented to Cyan & Collis Ta'eed at the ACS 2017 Digital Disruptor Awards gala dinner on 2 November 2017 at Sydney's Star Ballroom in Pyrmont. The Award was presented by Dr Mary O'Kane, NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, and also the 2014 Pearcey Medallist.
The 2016 Pearcey National Entrepreneur Award was presented to Aaron Birkby at ACS's Digital Disruptor's gala dinner on 1st December 2016. The Award was presented by Dr Alex Zelinsky AO, Australia's Chief Defence Scientist and also the 2013 Pearcey Medallist.
Tim Power was awarded the 2015 Benson Entrepreneur Award at the 2015 gala ACS Reimagination dinner held on Tuesday November 14th 2015 in Sydney.
John De Margheriti was awarded the 2014 Benson Entrepreneur Award at the 2014 gala national iAwards event held on August 29th 2014 in Melbourne
Leni Mayo was awarded the 2013 Benson Award at the 2013 gala national iAwards event held on August 8th 2013 in Melbourne.
Bevan Slattery was awarded the 2012 Benson Entreprenuer Award at a gala dinner as part of the 2012 iAwards event held in Melbourne on Thursday evening 9th August.
At the 2011 iAwards gala dinner held in Melbourne on the 4th August 2011, the 2011 Benson Entrepreneur Award was given to Lars and Jens Rasmussen. The Lars brothers accepted the award via a video from Google headquarters in San Fransisco in the presence of the Governor of Victoria, His Excellency Alex Chernov and his wife Elizabeth, some 800 guests.
The 2007 Pearcey National Award for Young Achievers was presented to Brett Hooker at the Pearcey National event dinner, Carlton Crest Hotel King George Square in Brisbane.
The 2006 National Pearcey Award for Young Achiever has been awarded to Luke Bereznicki of Tasmania. This national award recognises a particularly outstanding winner of the State Pearcey Award Winners from 2006.
