Carlton, who started the consulting practice specialising in transformation for businesses affected by COVID, was judged as the person who most encapsulated the attribute of an entrepreneurial young leader.

The 40 Under 40 winners for 2022 were revealed at a ceremony at Adelaide Oval last night.

Check your InDaily email at 12.30 today for the full list of winners, or pick up a special edition of CityMag which is on the streets in the CBD today.

Carlton was one of a series of individual winners (scroll down for the full list), which ranged from hospitality stars to agribusiness innovators.

Having been made redundant because of the pandemic, Carlton raised $1 million in six weeks and turned that into $7 million in revenue in the first financial year.

Bailey Abbott now has 51 full-time employees working across 27 clients across industries important to SA, such as defence and many of the companies listed in InDaily’s SA Business Index of the Top 100 companies in the state.

Carlton said the hardest part was landing the first client.

“Watching the cash dwindle during our first four months of operations as we haemorrhaged cash was hard,” he said.

Carlton said the lesson he learned was that South Australians would go the extra mile to help local companies.

Working local for bigger gains was a common theme across the winners of the other individual prizes. A full list of who can be found in our free city street press CityMag at your favourite café today.

The chair of the judging committee, SA Chief Entrepreneur Andrew Nunn, told the packed room of close to 400 business leaders that the spotlight on the winners had the potential to be a pivotal moment in their careers.

He encouraged the wider business community to engage with the InDaily 40 Under 40 and the alumni network of past winners.

“Because, as impressive as this cohort is, they can’t shift the trajectory of our state alone,” Nunn said.

“They rely on the expertise, networks and funds of others to see their visions realised.”

Great work @papalima and @indaily @SolsticeMedia for bringing the #40under40awardssa to life so we can celebrate South Australia’s young talent! ??? pic.twitter.com/6cv2Z9KqRe

— Amy Orange (@amyorange85) June 9, 2022

Solstice Media managing director Paul Hamra, publisher of InDaily, CityMag and SALIFE, said this is exactly why the South Australian owned and operated media company ran the 40 Under 40.

“We are all about helping the state and South Australians have better lives and thrive in their businesses,” Hamra said.

“The 40 Under 40 help drive the economy and are the leaders we need today and will look to in the future.”

The individual award winners are:

Darcey Watson, executive officer of the Any Thomas Space Foundation: 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.

Alexandra Karatassa, director of Plus One Co. & Five Four Entertainment: KWP! Creative Thinker Award recognises the person who best demonstrates thinking creatively in relation to any aspect of their business or endeavours, and showing the use of innovation to progress.

Durkhanai Ayubi, Parwana restaurant: Community Corporate Social Impact Award recognises an individual who is challenging conventional thinking by driving social innovation in a for-profit, social enterprise, NFP or through philanthropy.

Stephanie Lamont-Friedrich, KPMG account manager for SA Government and energy and natural resources: Adelaide Business School Game Changer Award recognises a person who has re-written the rules of business to challenge, inspire and spark significant change.

Matthew Pearson, Fleet Space Techologies/Alauda Aeronautic, co-founder and founder: VALO Sustainable Business Leaders Award recognises a person who has created visionary technologies that can sustainably enhance human experience and capabilities.

David Fogarty, CEO of The Davie Group: William Buck Entrepreneurial Award recognises an outstanding lateral business thinker and risk-taker exhibiting entrepreneurial flair.

Ryan Lokan, CEO of APR Composites: OTR Inspiring Disruptor Award recognises the vision, thought leadership and achievement of a leader in the private or public sector.

Joep van Agteren, co-lead of SAHMRI Be Well Co: Adelaide BioMed City/CMAX Discovery Award recognises a person who has led an innovative research project that has had a multi-disciplinary and business impact on the future health sector.

Damon Grace, director of COtL: Business SA Rural and Regional Award recognises the individual who demonstrates influence and leadership in contributing to the prosperity of a rural or regional business and community.