Victoria’s culture of innovation is thriving with four Melbourne-based companies taking home a suite of awards at the prestigious 37th Governor of Victoria Export Awards during a ceremony at Government House last night.
Inner-Melbourne dominated, with Envato, League of Geeks and Swisse Wellness winning the awards for Digital Technology, Creative Industries and eCommerce respectively.
Envato co-founder Cyan Ta’eed also took home the individual award for Victorian Women in International Business.
The online services and digital marketplace company was founded in a garage in 2006 by Ms Ta’eed and two friends. Its exports now exceed USD$50 million annually and account for 97 per cent of its revenue, connecting millions of customers to thousands of designers, developers, musicians and animators.
Southbank based full-service video game developer League of Geeks sells its products directly to customers from a range of online platforms, launching its critically acclaimed international title, Armello, in 2015.
Leading health product manufacturer Swisse Wellness, based in Collingwood, was presented with the eCommerce Award for its entry and exceptional success in the Chinese market, making it the number one health brand on eCommerce platform Alibaba.
More than 50 businesses entered this year’s awards, designed to recognise the hard-work and economic contributions exporters make to Victoria, boosting the state’s business profile locally and internationally.
For the last three years running, a GOVEA winner has gone on to win the Australian Exporter of the Year award cementing Victoria’s reputation as the country’s leading exporter.
Exports are a big economic driver for Victoria, adding $39.4 billion in goods and services to the economy in 2014-15.
The patron of the Governor of Victoria Export Awards is the Honourable Linda Dessau AM, Governor of Victoria.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis
“These awards are a great way to recognise the hard work of our exporting businesses in a range of different industries across the state.”
“We’re leading the country in small business growth and exports, and these awards give us the opportunity to provide our local businesses with the recognition they deserve for taking the very best of Victoria to the world.”
Full list of 2016 Governor of Victoria Export Award Winners:
Regional Exporter Award
Australian Premier Dried Fruits – Merbein South
Creative Industries Award
League of Geeks – Southbank
Environmental Solutions Award
Geofabrics Australasia – Braeside
Small Business Award
Cornerstone Solutions – Watsonia
Agribusiness Award
Schreurs & Sons - Clyde
Manufacturing Award
A.W. Bell – Dandenong South
Minerals, Energy and Related Services Award
Gekko Systems – Ballarat
Business Services Award
Shopping Links – Kew East
E-Commerce Award
Swisse Wellness - Collingwood
Health & Biotechnology
Ego Pharmaceuticals – Braeside
IDT Australia (Commendation) – Boronia
Education and Training Award
Deakin University - Geelong
Digital Technology Award
Envato - Melbourne
Victorian Women in International Business Award
Cyan Ta’eed (Envato) – Melbourne
Victorian Exporter of the Year
Ego Pharmaceuticals – Braeside
Victorian Export Award for Innovation Excellence
Wordpoly – Lynbrook
Reviewed 19 August 2020