The Queensland Pearcey Award recognises an outstanding mid‑career ICT entrepreneur who has taken
a risk,
made a difference, and is
an inspiration
within Queensland’s technology community.
Nominations are now closed for the 2026 award, but nominations can be submitted at any time for 2027.
The 2026 Pearcey Queensland Entrepreneur will be announced on 6 October. They will then represent Queensland at the Pearcey National Awards in Canberra on 2 December.
TICKETS SALES NOW OPEN!
Pearcey CICTA Queensland Awards Dinner
Tuesday 6 October from 6:15pm
The Beetson Hotel, Caxton St, Petrie Terrace
Early Bird Tickets: $125pp or $1,125 for table of 10
Regular (from 8 September): $140 or $1,260 for table of 10
See Upcoming
Events
page for further details and tickets
The 2026 Pearcey Queensland Entrepreneur Award will be presented at the Pearcey CICTA Queensland Awards Dinner on Tuesday 6 October at The Beetson Hotel, Caxton St, Petrie Terrace. Hosted by Iyari Cevallos, the evening will also include the announcement of the CICTA Pearcey Rising Star Award with the Hon. Steve Minnikin, Minister for Customer Service and Open Data and Minister for Small and Family Business presenting. Starting with pre-dinner networking drinks and canapes at 6:15pm, then formal proceedings at 7:00pm, guests will enjoy a 3 course sit-down dinner, with drinks (wine, beer and softdrinks). Early bird ticket sales are now open at $125pp or $1,125 for a table of ten, increasing to regular pricing of $140 or $1,260 from 8 September.
DATE: Tuesday 6 October from 6:15pm
TIME: 6:15pm for a 7pm start
VENUE: The Beetson Hotel, 33 Caxton St, Petrie Terrace
Early Bird Tickets: $125pp or
$1,125 for table of 10
Regular (from 8 September): $140 or $1,260 for table of 10
Dr Clarissa Yates, biotechnology innovator and co-founder and CEO of Ketim Technologies was awarded 2025 Queensland Pearcey ICT Entrepreneur Award at a gala dinner held in Brisbane on 23 October 2025.
The Queensland Pearcey Entrepreneur for 2024 was presented to Andrew Bate, co-founder and CEO of Swarm Farm Robotics. The presentation was part of the Pearcey Foundation's National Event Gala Dinner on Tuesday 19th November 2024 in Brisbane.
Brisbane, Australia – 18 October 2023 – The Pearcey Foundation today announced Yas Grigaliunas, founder and chief evangelist of Circonomy, as the recipient of the 2023 Queensland ICT Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The Pearcey Foundation also gave a highly commended award to Geoff Augutis.
The 2022 Queensland Pearcey Entrepreneur Award was presented jointly to Rebecca McDonald, founder and CEO of Library for All, and Sarah-Jane Peterschlingmann, managing director and owner of ATech. The awards were presented in Brisbane by Jill Martin, Director of Start Up & Scale Up Programs, Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport at an event hosted by Monica Bradley.
Brisbane, Australia - 6 October 2021 - The Pearcey Foundation today announced Michael Holmstrom, CEO and co-founder of STEM Punks as this year's recipient of the Queensland Pearcey ICT Entrepreneur Award.
2020 Queensland Pearcey Award winner Nick Therkelsen-Terry, CEO and Founder of Max Kelsen. Nicholas Therkelsen-Terry - CEO and Co-Founder, Max Kelsen - was awarded the 2020 Queensland Pearcey Entrepreneur of the Year Award at a gala dinner held on the 6 th October at the St Lucia Golf Club in Brisbane.
The 2019 Pearcey Queensland Entrepreneur Award was presented to Tim Neale, co-founder and managing director of agtech company DataFarming. The award event was held in Brisbane on 15 October 2015 in collaboration with CICTA (Council of ICT Associations in Queensland).
The 2018 Pearcey Queensland Entrepreneur Award was presented to Peter Laurie at an ICT Awards night hosted by the Pearcey Foundation with the Queensland ACS and CICTA (Council of ICT Associations in Queensland).
The 2017 Pearcey Queensland Entrepreneur Award was presented to Jenine Beekhuyzen OAM at an ICT Awards night hosted by the Pearcey Foundation with the Queensland ACS and CICTA (Council of ICT Associations in Queensland).
The 2016 Queensland Pearcey Entrepreneur Award was presented to Aaron Birkby. The Award was presented at the ACS Queensland 50th birthday celebration dinner on Monday 24 October at BCEC by the Hon Chris Whiting, State Member of Parliament for the Seat of Murrumba, just north of Brisbane.
he 2015 Queensland Pearcey Entrepreneur Award was presented to prominent young Queensland businessman Wayne Gerard on Thursday, 25 June 2015 at the EDGE Auditorium, Queensland State Library. Wayne is a passionate digital entrepreneur and business leader in Queensland having been a founder of several companies including RedEye, Waterline Projects and SDG.
At a gala Queensland iAwards event held at the Brisbane convention Centre on 12 June, Senator Steven Conroy, Federal Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy presented the 2013 Queensland Pearcey Entrepreneur of the Year to Andrew Jessett, CEO and Founder of Mineware.
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