Saturday, 21 November 2019
Portable phone charging station entrepreneur Edward Juers has been named the South Australian Young Entrepreneur of the Year, announced at graduation last night.
We all know how dire it can be when our mobile phone battery drops into the red zone when we most need it. Mr Juers’ tech company Jumpstart rents portable phone chargers to consumers through an app and well-placed hardware.
Mr Juers, who took part in the South Australian Business Chamber’s South Australian Young Entrepreneur Scheme, was recognised for his proactivity, progressive ideas and capital-raising abilities.
The SAYES program, which is supported by the Department for Innovation and Skills, last week celebrated its 21st anniversary, and has supported more than 700 South Australians aged between 18 and 35 in the 12-month program, generating more than 1,000 jobs.
The South Australian Business Chamber Chief Executive Martin Haese said this year’s SAYES participants were going from strength to strength to build their businesses while helping grow the state’s economy.
“These young entrepreneurs, including Eddie Juers, are prepared to take a risk, learn and grow to create jobs and a strong economic future for South Australia,” Mr Haese said.
Other category winners at the SAYES graduation last night included Instant Booking’s Nick Kefalianos, for Business Plan of the Year; Etikette Candles’ Ella Walker for Business Growth of the Year; and Pitstop Marketing’s Georgi Roberts, who was named Mentor of the Year.
Mr Kefalianos is preparing to launch Instant Booking, an online marketplace for the events industry which allows users to search, compare, check availability and prices of DJs, bands, entertainment, photographers and more, and then book instantly for weddings, corporate events, birthdays and private parties.
Ms Walker’s hand-poured soy wax candles by combine custom-made fragrances with local namesakes to connect heart and home, such as the coconut and lime Seacliff, and the sea salt caramel Yorke. Since starting SAYES, she has doubled her turnover and grown her product availability from being in 45 stores to 80, including six interstate.
To celebrate the anniversary and last night’s graduation, SAYES alumni, Shifty Lizard Brewing Co’s Lee Stone, brewed a beer for the program — Nothing Comes Easy Ale – which was enjoyed at both events.
In its 21 years, SAYES has expanded to now include Regional SAYES and Encore, for entrepreneurs aged over 35. Applications are open for the November intake of Regional SAYES, which for the first time will cover the accommodation and transport costs for country participants taking part in the course at Lot 14.
