Jack Delosa Nominations Open For Australian Start Up Awards 2014 Interview

Jack Delosa Nominations Open For Australian Start Up Awards 2014 Interview

Nominations are open for the 2014 Australian Start Up Awards. All Australian businesses and entrepreneurs under the age of 40 are welcome to apply.

This national awards program is conducted by The Entourage, Australia's largest entrepreneurial education institute. The awards include a range of categories, designed to recognise business excellence and celebrate the achievements of top entrepreneurs under 40.

Award Categories Include:
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Start Up of the Year
Online Business of the Year
Product Business of the Year
Service Business of the Year
Executive of the Year

Applications will be assessed by some of Australia's top and most successful entrepreneurs with this year's judging panel including BRW Young Rich List Members Ruslan Kogan, Dorry Kordahi and Clair Jennifer.

In previous years, the Australian Start Up Awards were restricted to members of the Entourage's member base however in 2014 the decision has been made to open nominations to the broader entrepreneurial community.

Managing Director of the Entourage, Jack Delosa, explains the reason for this decision. 'We believe the Australian Start Up Awards is the perfect platform to showcase why small and medium businesses are the backbone of Australia", he explains.

'We want to acknowledge the diverse nature of entrepreneurship and the broad skillset required to achieve success in the modern business environment", he adds.

Nominations close at 5:00pm on Monday, the 7th July 2014.

Finalists will be announced on 14th July and winners will be revealed at the Awards Gala Night, on Saturday 2nd August 2014 at the Sydney Hilton Hotel.

For online applications and information, visit www.australianstartupawards.com.au

Interview with Jack Delosa, Managing Director of The Entourage

Question: What is the Australian Start Up Awards 2014?

Jack Delosa: The Australian Startup Awards is an incredible opportunity for startups and early stage businesses to be recognised for their hardwork, growth and what they've achieved so far in their business journey. Judged by BRW Young Rich List Awards, sponsored by the biggest brands in Australia and attended by Australian media, these awards are not only a big opportunity to give your business massive exposure, but network with the who's who of Australian business.


Question: Who can be nominated for these awards?

Jack Delosa: Anyone can apply! If you've started a business, it doesn't matter how big or small, the judges are looking for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Last year 80% of our winners were female entrepreneurs and executives which really speaks to the growth of female entrepreneurship and the talent that women have been and continue to bring to the business landscape.


Question: Why do you believe Gen Y are registering new businesses faster than any other age group?

Jack Delosa: Because Gen Y are the most entrepreneurial generation in history. We're impatient, we love change and we want to be at the top quickly. We've also seen the traditional career path not work for a lot of our parents which left us asking, "what's it all for?" Entrepreneurship is a way for us to live life on our terms while making a difference.


Question: How does the Australian Start Up Awards support these Gen Y business?

Jack Delosa: What every business needs most is good advice and good contacts. By applying for the Australian Startup Awards your application will be reviewed by Young Rich List Members and the best of the best in Australian business. By attending the Gala dinner you'll get to rub shoulders with these people, as well as hundreds of other startup and growth stage businesses, ask questions, exchange cards and have fun in a relaxed environment. If you're a finalist you will also receive massive publicity through the Australian business and mainstream media.


Question: Why have the Australian Start Up Awards open nominations to the broader entrepreneurial community, this year?

Jack Delosa: We always planned to open it up to the general public because it's about putting Australian startups on a platform and giving them the visibility they need to gain attention and disrupt the bigger players. This is at the heart of everything we do here at The Entourage.

Question: How has the event changed in the last twelve months?

Jack Delosa: At it's heartbeat it's still the same event with the same purpose however some changes include opening it up to the general public, not just Entourage Members, as well as having far more media partners which means the Awards will be louder than ever.


Question: Who are the judges for this year's Australian Start Up Awards?

<Jack Delosa: We have a star studded line up of judges this year which include:
Dorry Kordahi - Co-founder of DKM Blue, Author of Power to Act and BRW Young Rich List Member
Clair Jennifer - Founder of Wombat Fashion and past BRW Young Rich List Members
Ruslan Kogan - Founder of Kogan Technologies, innovator, entrepreneur and disruptor. Number 4 on the BRW Young Rich List
Jack Delosa - Gen Y Entrepreneur & Investor who had created two multi-million dollar businesses by the age of 26, MBE Education & The Entourage
Stuart Cook - Global CEO of Zambrero, Australia's Fastest Growing Franchise three years in row
Each of these judges contribute to refining the whole application and judging process, participate in media and present the Awards at the Gala Dinner Presentation on Saturday 2nd August.


Question: Can you talk us through some of the past winners of the Australian Start Up Awards 2014?

Jack Delosa: Past winners include Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Sheryl Thai who's the founder of Cupcake Central and was doing $3m in revenue in her third year of business. Lorraine Murphy, founder of The Remarkables Group who kicked off her business just 12 months prior to the awards last year and had a great first year, and Jane Lu, founder of ShowPo who is an award winning entrepreneur that has created a household name in online fashion.


Interview by Brooke Hunter