13 November 2014
Talent International Unleashes Technology Entrepreneurs on Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship during Global
Entrepreneurship Week
Talent International announces complimentary recruitment fees for all 30 Talent Unleashed 2014 finalists to the value of
AUD$100,000
Innovative global technology and recruitment services company, Talent International, is this week flying the six winners of its 2014 Talent Unleashed awards to the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship in
Johannesburg, South Africa for an all-expenses paid, four-day entrepreneurship and networking workshop.
The Talent Unleashed winners’ departure for the Branson Centre comes at the same time as Talent International announces it will provide complimentary recruitment services to all 30 Talent Unleashed awards finalists, reinforcing its position as an ally and active supporter of technology
entrepreneurs and start-ups.
Talent International’s global Talent Unleashed awards launched in 2013 when founder and managing director Richard Earl
decided to do something about the lack of support globally for technology entrepreneurs and start-ups. Virgin Group
founder Sir Richard Branson and Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Wozniak are on a panel of high profile judges who have given
their support to the program.
“I’ve spoken extensively with many entrepreneurs and start-ups across Asia Pacific, the UK and Europe and its clear that
more support for this vital sector will provide greater growth opportunities for these promising companies,” Earl said.
“The 2014 Talent Unleashed winners will travel with me to the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship in South Africa for a
week-long intensive entrepreneurship and networking workshop with the goal of giving them the insight, skills and
connections to grow their businesses and realise their vision.”
“At the same time, Talent International will be providing complimentary recruitment services to all 30 Talent Unleashed
2014 finalists because we know that finding and placing great people can make or break a company, especially a start-up.
The nature of start-up companies means that one bad hire can bring a business to its knees.”
At the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship, the six Talent Unleashed award winners will participate in sessions including
‘Discovering and living your passion through business’, ‘Innovating your passion’ and ‘Growing your customer base by
sharing your passion’ with each session led by mentors and industry experts.
The 2014 Talent Unleashed awards were bigger than ever; attracting more than 750 entries from inspiring technology
entrepreneurs and start-ups around the world.
An entrepreneurial business in its own right – proudly independent, Earl launched Talent International from his home in
Perth in 1995 – Talent is also providing the 2014 Talent Unleashed winners with mentorship, support and advice, as well
as facilitating connections to the global technology community. Since its launch 19 years ago, Talent today supplies
thousands of technology professionals to businesses globally, while simultaneously supporting the start-up sector and
the community.
“It’s critical that the individuals who are making a positive impact in the technology start-up sector around the globe
are supported. The Talent Unleashed awards are a significant part of the Talent International business. We plan to
further increase our involvement and support of technology entrepreneurs and start-ups while also building our
reputation as a true partner of the global tech start-up scene. We will do this by lifting the profile of the amazing
people in the sector, working with change-makers such as Sir Richard Branson and Steve Wozniak, and developing more
partnerships with like-minded entrepreneurs and brands so that the groundswell of support is overwhelming.”
Talent Unleashed is a world-first technology awards program, recognising and rewarding big technology ideas that have
the power to transform lives and businesses.
The 2014 Talent Unleashed award winners attending the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship are:
•Rising Star Award: Amber Blumanis, founder of the Stopover app (Australia). Stopover revolutionises and socialises the airport by enabling travellers on
long stopovers to connect
•People’s Choice Award: David Hillier, director and founder of LittleLot (New Zealand). The LittleLot app allows people to dedicate their smartphone to
branded wallpapers in return for regular, free donations to charity
•Inspirational Leadership Award: Grace Clapham, changepreneur and inspirational leader (Singapore). Clapham inspires and guides young entrepreneurs and
individuals to make change through her own consulting business and establishing networking events throughout SouthEast
Asia
•Digital Content Award: Philip Andrews, director and co-founder of Liquid State (Australia). Liquid State is a free-form digital publishing
platform for producing interactive content suitable for any device
•Community Impact Award: Paul Lee, co-inventor of ACEHearing (Hong Kong). ACEHearing is world-first hearing enhancement technology that puts the
services of hearing professionals into any mobile device.
•One to Watch 2015 Award: Jude Ower, founder and CEO of Playmob (UK). Playmob connects game mechanics to social good by helping companies create
‘in-game giving’ through video games.
The 2014 Talent Unleashed winners attend the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship from Monday 17 – Thursday 20 November
2014. Global Entrepreneurship Week runs from Saturday 15 – Sunday 23 November 2014.
About Talent Unleashed:
Talent Unleashed is a world-first, global technology awards program for start-ups and entrepreneurs, rewarding and
recognising individuals who are unleashing, innovating and changing technology in business and the community. Talent
Unleashed was created by Talent International and launched in 2013 and is supported by Sir Richard Branson and Virgin
Group. Talent Unleashed recognises the many amazing individuals across the entire technology communities of Australia,
New Zealand, Southeast Asia, North Asia, and the UK. Entries are evaluated by some of the world’s leading
entrepreneurial minds, including Sir Richard Branson, Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Wozniak, LinkedIn managing director
Cliff Rosenberg and Talent International founder and managing director Richard Earl, among others. Talent Unleashed
recognises big technology ideas that have the power to transform lives and businesses. talentunleashed.co
About Talent International:
Talent International is a unique, innovative and multi-faceted, global technology recruitment and IT services company.
Passionate about technology and actively supporting the people who work in the IT and digital sector, Talent International finds and places great talent and delivers initiatives that help the industry
to grow and succeed. Independent and privately owned and operated, founder and managing director Richard Earl launched
Talent International from his home in Perth in 1995 and since then he has grown the business into a global network with
15 offices across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and the UK. Talent International also owns Agile Logic,
an IT consulting business that specialises in project management, business intelligence and services, and digital
enablement . talentinternational.com
ENDS