Why your company should enter the Smart50 Awards 2024
SMEs are the drivers of the real economy, comprising 50% of Australia’s GDP, and jobs for more than 70% of employees. We think you are awesome.
Do you own, run, or work for an Australian SME? That’s a business with under 200 employees.
If so, and you think you’re doing well, we’d love for you to enter the Smart50 Awards!
Such businesses represent what we at SmartCompany call the 99.8%. That’s because virtually all Aussie companies are SMEs. You are the drivers of the real economy, comprising more than half our our nation’s GDP, and providing jobs for more than 70% of employees.
And despite what you (don’t) read in the pages of the mainstream business media, we think your achievements and excellence are worth celebrating, and recognising.
Which is why we’ve been ranking the fastest-growing businesses in the Smart50 awards since 2007. Our premier awards deliver national recognition to Australia’s outstanding growth businesses. There are 2.6 million SMEs, so being ranked in the Smart50 is a massive achievement. Have a go!
Previous Smart50 winners include some of the most successful Australian businesses of the 21st century, high growth, high success companies such as Adore Beauty, Atlassian, Canva, Vinomofo and Untitled Group: shortlisted entrants are in illustrious company.
I joined SmartCo. Media as editor-in-chief almost two years ago and our annual Smart50 events are wonderful, extremely energising celebrations of the creativity, hustle and smarts of Australian businesses (you can see what I mean here).
My colleagues and I are so proud to work for a publisher serving the drivers of our economy.
Last year it was fantastic to see Untitled Group cap a spectacular year of growth – 597% year on year to $59.5 million of annual revenue – to come top.
But every business that made the Smart50 is a winner.
Last year Smart50 brands raked in a collective $495,051,872 in revenue and created 608 jobs.
On the night we celebrated stellar Aussie businesses such as MoveActive (Retail award winner), SHE-com (Community Hero award) and al.ive body (Rising Star award).
As an SME ourself (our parent company Private Media has less than 200 employees) we are honoured to recognise and celebrate your achievements, particularly over the last, very challenging 12 months.
So please, if you haven’t got your entry in already, get started! The clock is ticking.
Why should you enter the Smart50?
Here are a few Smart50 Alumni from years past on what making the list meant for them.
“We’re a really small team, and just to feel like we’ve been recognised for something that we’ve put so much effort into, is just incredible for us.” – Hero Packaging founder Anaita Sarkar
“We had so much positive press as a result, and people we speak to still reference that win a lot.” – July co-founder Athan Didaskalou
The Smart50 Awards finalists will enjoy:
- A place in the headlines: event highlights, updates and announcements will be featured right here on SmartCompany.
- Recognition: Smart50 wins give you credibility with customers, investors, potential hires and your peers in the SME community.
- Your place in an alumnus of iconic Australian businesses – Mad Paws, Showpo, Zero Co, they’ve all made the Smart50. Who’ll top the 2024 list?
- The party of the year: cap off another year of hard work and mark your achievements by celebrating with Australia’s SME leaders.
The Smart50 Awards has two key parts: the Smart50 list features the 50 fastest-growing SMEs in Australia, ranked on their revenue growth over the last financial year.
And then we have the special Smart50 category awards, which recognise high performers across a range of areas, including retail, marketing, innovation, sustainability and resilience.
Or maybe you’re a rising star? We have got an award for you too!
The Smart50 Awards showcase the incredible diversity of talent and business ideas that propel and grow our small business community.
We shine a light on Australia’s outstanding entrepreneurs and business owners, and provide an opportunity for you to come together with your peers.
It’s the most important event we put on each year: we’d love to have you there!
Entries for the 2024 Smart50 Awards are now open. Nominate your business here.
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