The Premier will give a key address tonight at InDaily’s sold-out 40 Under 40 Awards at the National Wine Centre.

The annual awards, which were launched last year, recognise South Australia’s entrepreneurs and business leaders under the age of 40.

Marshall said that it was important for the state to have events like 40 Under 40 to ensure people knew about the young leaders making a difference for the state.

“Last year’s winners showcased the incredible talent we have under 40 here in South Australia,” he told InDaily. “We can match it with the best in the world and it’s great to have recognition of the great talent that we have.

“We are absolutely delighted that this year the Chief Entrepreneur, Jim Whalley, has been invited to participate in the judging panel.”

Whalley, who will also speak tonight, headed a panel of nine other judges from diverse industries who scored the 178 applicants against the selection criteria to arrive at the top 40.

Marshall said the government had put a huge effort behind the establishment of Lot Fourteen and the Office of the Chief Entrepreneur with the ambition to grow entrepreneurial businesses in South Australia.

“We believe that SA has an enormous opportunity by supporting startups and scale-ups and then connecting them with global markets,” he said.

“We’ve got great product and great talent in South Australia – now our opportunity is to sell this talent to the world.

“This will create opportunities for businesses in South Australia to sell their goods and services internationally and bring money back into South Australia and that will ultimately grow our economy and grow jobs.”

The winners of InDaily’s inaugural 40 Under 40 awards last year.

The Premier said that South Australia would continue to open trade offices in important global markets to achieve this international aim.

“We’ve already opened a new office in Shanghai, a new office in Tokyo and we’ve got plans for Kuala Lumpur, the Middle East and North America in the next 12 months,” he said.

He said the fact that the InDaily 40 Under 40 Awards also take into account the philanthropic pursuits of the applicants sets an example for emerging leaders.

“These awards identify talent but they also inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders here in South Australia,” he said.

Each of the 40 winners will be profiled in InDaily and invited to a Business Growth Program thanks to ANZ and the Australian Centre for Business Growth, University of South Australia. The winners will also be able to attend a bespoke legal workshop presented by Piper Alderman, a Business Development and Governance workshop thanks to the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a Business Growth workshop presented by William Buck.

From the 40, six entrepreneurs will be awarded the following individual prizes:

Inspiring Disruptor Award recognises the vision, thought leadership and achievement of a leader in the private or public sector. Thanks to OTR.

Creative Thinker Award for the person who best demonstrates creative thinking in relation to any aspect of their business and uses innovation to progress. Thanks to KWP!
;

Inspiring Future Collaboration Award 
recognises the ability to work with others innovatively to produce something of lasting value in either the private or public sector. Thanks to Renewal SA.

Rural and Regional Award celebrates an individual who demonstrates influence and leadership in contributing to the prosperity of a rural or regional business and community. Thanks to Piper Alderman.

Entrepreneurial Award recognises an outstanding lateral business thinker and risk-taker exhibiting entrepreneurial flair. Thanks to William Buck.

First Among Equals Award is selected by the judging panel as the finalist who embodies the 40 Under 40 as the First Among Equals. Thanks to the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

All the winners will be revealed on InDaily tonight.