Emerging Business:
Little Scholars School of Early Learning
Little Scholars School of Early Learning runs a chain of seven early childhood centres throughout South East Queensland. The business started in 2015 with the purchase of a run-down centre in Yatala with only 13 enrolled students. The business now provides care and education for more than 1000 children per week and runs at an average occupancy of 95%. |  |
Family Business:
Usher Group
Usher Group provide professional painting, rendering, plastering, signage, swing stage solutions and building maintenance services Australia wide. Usher Group has a team of more than 420 employees and currently works with companies such as Multiplex, Hutchinson Builders, Mirvac Group, Sunland Group, Lend Lease and the Westfield Group. Most recently, Theo was awarded the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Queensland and will compete at a National level in October. |  |
Retail, Wholesale and Distribution:
Lauxes Grates
Lauxes Grates designs and manufactures versatile indoor/outdoor drainage solutions. Starting out in 2014, selling kitchen-ware, bathroom-ware and lighting products, CEO Tim Dawson developed a prototype linear floor grate which is now stocked by 1230 tiling, plumbing and hardware retail stores throughout Australia and New Zealand. Lauxes Grates now employs 16 staff and has warehouses in WA and Victoria. |  |
Manufacturing:
Digga Australia
Digga is Australia's largest manufacturer of mini loaders and machinery attachments for the earthmoving and construction industry. The company manufactures a range of three fully configurable mini loaders and a range of 70 different attachments. Digga now distributes its products through an extensive dealer network in more than 30 countries. |  |
Construction and Trades:
Condev Construction
Condev Construction is one of the most prominent and prolific construction companies in South East Queensland. The company undertakes projects in the $1m to $35m range. Condev, which was founded in 2002 by Steve and Tracy Marais, now employs more than 100 staff and has 18 different projects under construction. Since 2011, Condev has received nearly 55 construction and business awards, including four awards at this year's Master Builders Awards. |  |
Professions and Business Services:
Orbitz Elevators
Orbitz Elevators supply, install, maintain, repair and modernise elevators and escalators throughout Australia and overseas. The company was established by Jonathan Dwayre with a credit card, a van and a dream in November 2014. The business now employs 71 people with the head office on the Gold Coast and branches in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. |  |
Health and Wellbeing:
Macro Mike
Macro Mike provides a range of more than 50 health food products ranging from healthy 'Clean Treats' to a high-protein, low-fat peanut butter. The company's powdered peanut butter is their best-selling product and can be mixed with water or mixed directly into protein shakes, smoothies, yoghurts and other foods. While 90% of its market is in Australia and New Zealand, the company sells products worldwide. |  |
IT and Digital Business:
True ERP
True E.R.P is a global enterprise resource planning software company, which delivers business software products and services. Starting in 1994, True E.R.P. now employs 14 staff globally, with 6 based at Gaven. With its software installed in 14 countries around the globe and with more than 6000 users, True E.R.P. now offers support in all timezones, including the UK, South Africa, USA, Singapore, New Zealand and Saudi Arabia. |  |
Tourism, Hospitality and Events:
Gold Coast Turf Club
The Gold Coast Turf Club is an icon of the Gold Coast. It provides thoroughbred racing, training facilities and more than 20 event spaces on a 34ha site in the heart of Surfers Paradise. Each year the club hosts about 60 race meetings every year including the Gold Coast Cup and the Magic Millions Carnival. The club has 34 full-time employees and this figure swells to up 600 people on major race days. |  |
Student Employability:
Natura Pacific
Natura Pacific is an environmental consulting and education business. During the past 13 years the company has managed more than 280 consulting projects and provided education programs to more than 130 schools in eight countries. Natura Pacific engages students from Bond and Griffith University to work across their activities, gaining unique skills for their industry and providing support for young people starting their career journeys. |  |
Mayor's Innovation GC Award:
FAB Dock
FAB Dock develops and manufactures a patented dry-docking system for the marine industry. Director Dean Howard designed a product that lifts boats out of the water and stores them on floating dry docks. This reduces water pollution and maintenance costs. Officially launched in 2011 at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, more than 450 FAB Docks have been sold and installed in 11 countries. FAB Dock was recently announced as a winner of the Westpac 200 Businesses of Tomorrow. |  |
