WESTERN Australia’s best entrepreneurs have been recognised at the 10th annual Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.
Zhenya Tsvetnenko won the young entrepreneur category. In 2005, Mr Tsvetnenko pioneered an SMS Gateway technology to deliver weather alerts, cheap petrol alerts, news, games, music and text alerts to mobile phones.
Bill Withers from acQuire won the award in the technology and emerging industries category.
John Spence, who set up Royal Resorts to pioneer vacation ownership in India and South-East Asia, received the services award.
Julian Walter from homebuilder JWH Group was recognised for his contribution in the area of products.
Altas Iron chief David Flanagan was recognised in the listed company category.
Also recognised at the awards were David Wirrpanda, in the social entrepreneur category for the David Wirrpanda Foundation, Tony Middleton for clean technology, and Austal’s John Rothwell, who was awarded the Champion of Entrepreneurship prize.
Ernst & Young Perth office managing partner Jeff Dowling said the 2010 winners showcased the attributes that made entrepreneurs successful – vision, passion and determination.
“I congratulate all our 2010 winners. Their achievements are a reminder of the contribution entrepreneurs make to business, the economy and broader community,” he said.