Last month we announced ten outstanding finalists who are using the internet to innovate and grow their business in regional Australia: Blackbooks Tea, Local Farm Produce, Off The Track Training and AgData from Queensland; Corporeal Health from WA; George The Farmer from SA; Crowd Carnivore, Penny Evans Art and Rabbit Hop Films from NSW; and Simply Rose Petals from Victoria.
Yesterday, these Regional Online Heroes travelled to Sydney for an exclusive masterclass at the Google office, where they had the chance to share their stories and develop new skills.
We were joined our esteemed competition judges, including: The Hon Michael McCormack MP, Minister for Small Business; Jack Archer, CEO of the Regional Australia Institute; and small business leaders Jane Cay, Founder of Birdsnest, and Robert Ravens, Managing Director of Bridestowe Lavender Estate. These business leaders shared their experiences and joined our regional heroes for a celebratory dinner.
Minister for Small Business, the Hon Michael McCormack MP was delighted to announce the winning Regional Online Hero - AGDATA Australia, a leading AgTech company based in Toowoomba, Queensland. AGDATA has grown from a small family startup to a valuable national business providing a digital platform to boost agricultural production.
With 20 employees and more than 22,000 customers, Minister McCormack said AGDATA is a great example of how businesses can succeed in regional Australia.
We know that digitally engaged small businesses are more likely to be growing (Deloitte research), which is why these Regional Online Heroes are so important for jobs and local communities.
More than 150 businesses from across Australia applied, with fantastic examples of how the internet is helping their business grow and prosper. For more information about this year’s Regional Online Heroes check out the website.
Congratulations again to our amazing finalists and winner - we look forward to seeing what they do next!