The Andrews Labor Government has commended Richmond-based graphic design company 99designs for winning the Victorian Exporter of the Year at the prestigious Governor of Victoria Export Awards last night.
99designs was among 13 dynamic Victorian businesses recognised at the awards ceremony and was also awarded the Business Services Award.
99designs pioneered the idea of holding creative contests for design projects. The company has helped more than 420,000 businesses across 21 countries access quality design at competitive prices. It has a network of approximately one million designers from 192 countries across the globe.
Other winners include the founders of b.box for kids, Monique Filer and Dannielle Michaels, who were awarded the Victorian Women in International Business Award and the Small Business Award.
Launched in 2009, b.box for kids in Carnegie produces unique nappy wallets, baby wipe boxes and drinking cups that are sold in 20 countries and have won awards in Australia and overseas.
Solar Energy company, RayGen Resources, won the Victorian Export Award for Innovation Excellence. The Blackburn-based company’s business model was recognised as the world's best CleanTech start-up business plan last year and the company has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China Three Gorges Corporation, one of the world's largest energy companies.
The Governor of Victoria Export Awards is now in its 36th year. The winners of the twelve national categories and three Victorian categories qualify for the Australian Export Awards held in Melbourne in November.
Governor of Victoria Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AM is the patron of the Awards.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry, Lily D’Ambrosio
“The Government congratulates the team at 99designs for being named the Victorian Exporter of the Year and for collecting the Business Sales Award.”
“I would like to acknowledge our winners as leaders of Victoria’s export community. These innovative companies, led by creative people and dedicated staff, take great products and services to new markets across the world.”
“Victorian businesses have a strong track record overseas, exporting goods and services worth $38.7 billion dollars to more than 150 countries around the world last year alone.”
The 13 winners of the Governor of Victoria Export Awards are:
Victorian Exporter of the Year Award, 99designs (Richmond)
Business Services Award, 99designs (Richmond)
Agribusiness Award, Wandin Valley Farms (Wandin)
Victorian Women in International Women Business Award, b.box for kids (Carnegie)
Small Business Award, b.box for kids (Carnegie)
Regional Exporter Award, Andrew Peace Wines (Piangil)
Education and Training Award, Deakin University (Burwood)
Online Sales Award, Pepperstone (CBD)
Environmental Services Award, Rubicon Water (Hawthorn East)
Manufacturing Award, ANCA (North Bayswater)
Creative Industries Award, Hipster Whale (CBD)
Minerals, Energy and Related Services Award , Mining One (CBD)
Health and Biotechnology Award , Ego Pharmaceuticals (Braeside)
Information and Communications Technology Award, Senetas (South Melbourne)
Victorian Export Award for Innovation Excellence, RayGen Resources (Blackburn)
Reviewed 10 February 2021