Leading entrepreneurs and business ombudsman announced as judges to Smart50 Awards 2024

• The Smart50 Awards 2024 have announced this year’s judges including Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman The Hon Bruce Billson.

• Additional judges include Smart50 Alumni:

  • July’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Richard Li

    • July has continued to make headlines after completing a $10.5 million dollar capital raise and becoming the official luggage sponsor of the Australian Olympic team.

  • Adore Beauty COO Sarah Mullen

    • Adore Beauty has gone from strength to strength, recorded $200 million of annual revenue and is leader in online retail.

• Entering the Smart50 Awards is your business’s chance to get in front of leading Australian entrepreneurs and receive valuable national coverage.

• Entries are now open to Australian businesses, with entries closing on September 13.

Smart50 Awards 2024 have announced their judges including Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman The Hon Bruce Billson, July’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Richard Li, Adore Beauty COO Sarah Mullen and more.

It’s a full circle moment for July and Adore Beauty who are previous Smart50 winners. For over ten years Smart50 has recognised businesses who continue to shape the Australian landscape and SmartCompany’s editor in chief Simon Crerar thinks this year is the most exciting yet.

He says “SmartCompany champions the 99.8%, the huge cohort of Australian businesses with under 200 staff who generate more than 50% of Australia’s GDP, and employ more than 75% of all Aussie workers.

We’re privileged to partner with Optus Business to recognise the businesses that drive our nation’s real economy and workforce. We’re grateful to our stellar judges who use their expertise and smarts to review the hundreds of applications we have already received.”

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and Smart50 2024 judge, Bruce Billson echoed this sentiment, saying “Small business is a dynamic and fast-growing sector that allows people with an entrepreneurial spirit to pursue their dreams and own livelihoods. They come with varied ambitions, backgrounds and experiences but what they have in common is the desire to have a go.”

“The Smart50 Awards celebrate the innovation, growth, community and leadership shown by our small and medium businesses.”

Applications are open for

1. The Smart50 Awards List – which ranks the 50 fastest growing Australian SMEs.

2. The Smart50 Awards categories including:

• Community Hero, sponsored by Optus Business – celebrating a business doing exceptional work to support its wider community.

  • Previous winners: SHE-com, Code Like a Girl

• Resilience Award, sponsored by Fifo Capital – recognising a business that has shown adaptability and leadership.

  • Previous winner: StudioHawk

• Rising Star Award, sponsored by Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman – recognises high-growth startups under three years old.

  • Previous winner: al.ive body, Zero Co.

See all the judges and categories at: https://events.smartcompany.com.au/smart50_2024

Entry to the Smart50 is now open at a discounted early bird rate of $150 AUD + GST.

Entries are open now until September 13, with the Smart50 and category award winners to be revealed in Melbourne in November.

https://events.smartcompany.com.au/smart50_2024

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