Pearcey QLD Awards

Recognising Outstanding ICT Entrepreneurs in Queensland


Nominations are open for the 2026 Queensland Pearcey ICT Entrepreneur Award

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.


 How to Nominate

To nominate a candidate, complete the Queensland ICT Entrepreneur Nomination Form. You will be asked to provide nominator and nominee
contact details, along with a nomination summary and responses to the
three selection criteria
outlined below.

We recommend completing the nomination using the Word document template (download), as it ensures consistent formatting
for the judging panel.

Once the entry form is completed, please upload it through the Queensland submission portal to finalise the nomination.

How to Submit — Summary of Steps

  1. Download the Queensland ICT Entrepreneur Nomination Form (Word template).
  2. Complete the form, including contact details, nomination summary, and responses to the three criteria.
  3. Save and finalise the completed nomination form.
  4. Upload the completed form via the Queensland nomination submission portal.
  5. Submit to complete the nomination.

 Responding to the Selection Criteria

When addressing the selection criteria, please keep your responses clear and focused, providing enough detail for judges to understand what the nominee has achieved and why it was significant.

Helpful things to include:

  • What the nominee did and why it was significant
  • A few concrete examples or outcomes
  • Any risks they took or decisions they led
  • How they’ve supported or inspired others
  • Enough context to understand the impact

There is no strict word limit. As a guide, 150–250 words per criterion is usually enough to give a clear picture without extra detail.

Your nomination summary may also include:

  • A brief overview of the nominee’s career
  • Key moments in their entrepreneurial journey
  • Personal qualities that show their leadership and influence

Key Criteria

Please address the Pearcey Foundation’s three core criteria:

1. Risk

  • Boldness, initiative and execution of the adventure
  • Size (or potential) of business, revenue, offices etc.
  • The journey that led to the success

2. Difference 

  • The commercial impact of the contribution
  • The breadth and depth of the innovation
  • The industry impact of the contribution or venture

3. Inspiration 

  • Role model and inspiration to younger generation
  • Leadership and profile in the industry
  • Contribution to the wider community

Eligibility Notes

  • Nominees should be mid‑career ICT entrepreneurs contributing significantly to Queensland’s digital and innovation landscape
  • Candidates may come from any industry where technology is central to their impact
  • Self-nominations are not permitted

Assessment Process

  • All nominations will be reviewed by the Queensland judging panel
  • Judges will score submissions against the three Pearcey criteria
  • The judges’ scores are the key factor in selecting the 2026 Queensland Pearcey Award recipient

Deadline

  • Nominations close: Late August (date to be confirmed).
    Late submissions cannot be accepted.

View Selection Criteria View Selection Criteria Submit Nomination Submit Nomination

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Many thanks to our Queensland sponsors TechnologyOne for their much valued support.




Pearcey Queensland Awards

Oct 15, 2019

2019 Qld Award

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).

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Oct 10, 2018

2018 Qld Award

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).

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Oct 4, 2017

2017 Qld Award

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).

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Oct 24, 2016

2016 Qld Award

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.

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Jun 25, 2015

2015 Qld Award

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.

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Jun 12, 2014

2013-14 Qld Award

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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Jul 3, 2012

2012 Qld Award

The 2012 Pearcey Queensland Entrepreneur Award was presented to Neil Glentworth by Hon Ros Bates MP, Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts (DSITIA), at a gala dinner on 3d July held this evening at the Sebel Citigate as part of the 2012 iAwards program.

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Jul 5, 2011

2011 Qld Award

The 2011 Pearcey Queensland Entrepreneur Award was presented to Janine Garrett and Bevan Slattery by the Queensland Minister for ICT, The Honourable Simon Finn MP, and Ms Natalie MacDonald, Director General, Queensland Department of Public Works, at a gala dinner on 5th July held this evening at the Hilton Brisbane as part of the 2011 iAwards program.

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Sep 20, 2010

2010 Qld Award

Peter Ward, Founder and Chief Technical Architect of Wardy IT Solutions, was presented the 2010 Queensland Pearcey Award by Robert Schwarten MP, the Queensland Minister for Public Works and Information and Communication Technology. This award recognises and celebrates the achievements of Australia's ICT and Digital Media entrepreneurs; Peter’s achievements were acknowledged at a gala dinner in Brisbane on 20th September as part of the 2010 World Computer Congress (WCC).

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Nov 25, 2009

2009 Qld Award

The 2009 Queensland Pearcey Award was presented to Mr Paul Gampe at a dinner on Wednesday 25 November 2009 at the Sebel & Citigate King George Square in Brisbane. The presentation was made by Mr Paul Russell, Director of Enabling Technologies at Queensland's Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation. Highly Commeneded Certifcates were also presented to Janine Garrett, Andrew Jessett and Andrew Eddie.

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Nov 11, 2008

2008 Qld Award

The 2008 Queensland Pearcey Award was won by Raeleen Gillett, CEO and Founder of Octahedron Pty Ltd. The presentation was made by Mr Tony Waters Deputy Director General of the Queensland Dept of Public Works at a gala dinner held on the 11th of November 2008 at the Sebel Hotel, King George Square, Brisbane. As Ms Gillett happened to be in New York city at the time, the presentation was made across a VOIP link involving Skype video.

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Nov 1, 2007

2007 Qld Award

At the annual Pearcey Foundation Awards event held this year in Brisbane on the 1st of November 2007, Ms Tammy Halter was awarded the 2007 Pearcey State Award from fellow finalists Kirsty Garrett and Joanne Jacobs. The award was presented by Mr Peter Grant, CIO, Queensland State Government.

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Nov 20, 2006

2006 Qld Award

The 2006 Queensland Pearcey Award has been won by Mr Brett Hooker, CEO of Sauce Software. The presentation was made on Thursday 2nd November 2006 at the Carlton Crest Hotel in Brisbane.

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Nov 29, 2005

2005 Qld Award

The co-founder of Brisbane company Sundata and chairman of Software Queensland, Kon Kakanis, has been named recipient of the 2005 Queensland Pearcey State Award.

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Nov 26, 2004

2004 Qld Award

Adrian Di Marco, founder and executive chairman of Technology One, one of Australia's largest publicly listed software companies, is this year's winner of the prestigious Queensland Pearcey Award.

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Mar 18, 2003

2003 Qld Award

Mr David Barbagallo (AM) was awarded the inaugural 2003 Queensland Pearcey Award for his contribution to the State's ICT industry.

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