This year’s First Among Equals Award winner Alisa Fraser may be a familiar face to many, having won the 2013 series of TV’s The Block with her twin sister Lysandra.

The pair went on to found Alisa and Lysandra Interiors and create online series “The Design Duo” in 2018. Then, just as the pandemic hit, they launched al.ive body, with Alisa taking on the role of CEO.

From a turnover of $2.2 million in the first year, the personal and home care product business has grown to sales of around $15 million annually, is stocked in 670 stores Australia-wide and has 18 staff working in their offices in Somerton Park.

Alisa was one of a series of individual winners across 12 categories (scroll down for the full list).

Premier Peter Malinauskas challenged the InDaily 40 Under 40 to continue to build better jobs and outcomes for the state at the awards last night.

Premier Peter Malinauskas told the 375 people in the room that a strong state relies on two elements coming together. The government providing the education, training and skills needed to create an innovative economy and entrepreneurs and businesses providing the jobs for these people.

“The second element, is of course, having business lead through thoughtful and innovative entrepreneurs, taking human capital and translating that into a real-world economic opportunity, translating that into a job that is secure, well paid and contributing to a newer, more dynamic local economy,” Malinauskas said.

“Government can’t do that. That is not what governments do well. That’s what you do well.

“Young, innovative entrepreneurs, taking the human capital, applying it in the context of the risks that you’re willing to take to deliver a better outcome for society and humankind more broadly. That’s what we celebrate tonight. The people in this room who are nominated for these awards are doing not just yourselves and your own businesses a great service, you’re doing the state a great service.”

Chair of judges, South Australian director and investor Joel Abraham said there were more than 500 nominations, with many aligned along the themes of tech, sustainability, First Nation-led and female-led businesses.

“The judging panel was incredibly impressed with the quality of applicants, it was a tough deliberation,” he said, adding that the judges were confident in their final selection.

“We didn’t just look at past achievements. We looked at capability, experience and achievable plans for the future,” he said.

“Our ultimate measure was whether we believed the applicant in 20 years’ time would make a significant impact to the growth and development of South Australia.”

Pick up a special edition of CityMag to read about all the winners – it hits the streets today.

Johnny von Einem, an award judge and editor of Solstice Media’s CityMag, said the awards had far-reaching impact.

“Our 40 Under 40 gala is always a massive celebration of the many ways South Australia leads the world, and every year it feels like that message is reaching wider and wider,” von Einem said.

“The goal for the awards is to make noise about the abundance of talented and creative people in the state, and to create a reason for them to meet and talk about potentially collaborating.

“However, we’ve built such an enormous alumni network now that I believe the picture we paint of South Australia every year is starting to lure people here who want to be a part of this dynamic community.”

The full list of the InDaily 40 Under 40 can be found here.

The individual award winners are:

Ella Walker, founder and director of Etikette Candles: New State of Mind Award recognises an individual who embodies what South Australia is at its core – progressive, inspired, connected and unexpected. A person who embodies South Australia as a place for people who want to live and work with a deeper purpose.

Stephen Lee, director SA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub at The University of Adelaide: VAILO Sustainable Business Leaders Award recognises a person who has created visionary technologies that can sustainably enhance human experience and capabilities.

Tom Glazbrook, managing director of Mine Tech Operations: Business SA Rural & Regional Award recognises the individual who demonstrates influence and leadership in contributing to the prosperity of a rural or regional business and community.

Benjemen Elengovan, founder & CEO of MyGigsters: Piper Alderman Emerging Industries Award recognising an individual contributing to, or a company operating in, one of the emerging Industries that will contribute to the prosperous future of our state.

Derik Lynch, Artist: KWPX Creative Thinker Award recognises the person who best demonstrates thinking creatively in relation to any aspect of their business or endeavours, and shows the use of innovation to progress.

Jed Durdin, co-founder and co-CEO of Circular Energy Group: Community Corporate Social Impact Award recognises an individual who challenges conventional thinking by driving social innovation in a for-profit, social enterprise, NFP or through philanthropy.

Craig Lock, co-owner & director of Five Four Entertainment & Plus One Co.: Adelaide University Business School Game Changer Award recognises a person who has re-written the rules of business to challenge, inspire and spark significant change.

Connor O’Rourke, co-founder and director of Nuago: William Buck Entrepreneurial Award recognises an outstanding lateral business thinker and risk-taker exhibiting entrepreneurial flair.

Kristina Scutella, co-founder, director and operations manager of mumamoo: OTR Inspiring Future Leaders Award recognises the vision, thought leadership and achievement of a leader in the private or public sector.

Angela Alder-Price, orthopaedic surgeon of Orthopaedics SA: CMAX Discovery Award recognises an innovative leader in a life sciences enterprise whose business activities have high impact potential for future health outcomes.

Elena Kirschbaum, co-director of Gluttony: Harrison McMillan Inspiring Female Leader Award recognises an outstanding female who leads, inspires and pushes the boundaries of the business community.