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.
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.
