Nominations for the Inaugural CICTA Pearcey Rising Star Award have closed for 2025.
Join us for the announcement of the Award at an inspiring evening celebrating innovation, leadership, and emerging talent in Queensland’s digital technology sector.
Date: Wednesday, 22 October 2025
Time: 6:30pm arrival for a 7:00pm start
Venue: Garden Marquee, Victoria Park
Address: 309 Herston Road, Herston
We’ll be announcing the recipients of:
- 2025 Pearcey Queensland Entrepreneur Award
- Inaugural CICTA Rising Star Award
The evening will feature a keynote address from The Hon. Andrew Powell, Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Minister for Science and Innovation.
Our MC for the night is Iyari Cevallos, CEO and Co-Founder of Nucleo Group and Chair of Women in Technology.
Enjoy pre-dinner drinks and canapés, followed by a three-course sit-down dinner with wine, beer, and soft drinks included.
EARLY BIRD TICKETS (close 7 October)
Single Ticket – $140
Table of 10 – $1,260
STANDARD TICKETS (close 13 October)
Single Ticket – $150
Table of 10 – $1,350
About the Award
The CICTA Rising Star Award recognises an early-career individual who has demonstrated exceptional promise and made significant contributions to the Australian digital technology sector. This award is designed to spotlight emerging leaders who are shaping the future of the digital technology sector through innovation, leadership, and impact.
The Rising Star Award celebrates those who are still early in their career journey yet are already making waves, individuals who inspire peers, disrupt conventional thinking, and embody the entrepreneurial spirit of Australia’s digital economy.
Conditions of Entry
– The nominee must be an individual based in Queensland, Australia.
– The nominee should be early-career, generally within the first 10 years of their professional journey (exceptions allowed in cases of career breaks or non-linear paths).
– Open to individuals from startups, corporates, academia, non-profits, or government who are contributing to the ICT/digital tech space.
– Nominations can be made by colleagues, mentors, employers, or peers. Self-nominations are also accepted.
Selection Criteria
Nominees will be assessed based on their:
Impact and Achievement
– Demonstrated contributions to digital technology through projects, products, research, or leadership.
– Clear evidence of the value, innovation, or societal impact created.
Innovation and Creativity
– Ability to think differently and solve problems in new ways.
– Involvement in innovative digital solutions, emerging technologies, or entrepreneurial ventures.
Leadership and Influence
– Demonstrated leadership potential, even in junior or non-executive roles.
– Ability to inspire and influence others, either through community involvement, mentoring, or team impact.
Growth and Trajectory
– Strong potential for future leadership and influence in the sector.
– A trajectory that indicates ongoing impact and advancement.
Values and Contribution to the Ecosystem
– Commitment to positive change, collaboration, diversity, or sustainability in tech/digital.
– Engagement with the broader tech/digital community (e.g. speaking, mentoring, volunteering, etc.).
How to nominate
Nominators must submit:
A short response (max. 200 words) to each of the five selection criteria. Ensure all selection criteria are addressed.
The nominee’s CV or LinkedIn profile.
Optional: Supporting material (e.g., media, project links, testimonials).
Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for an interview or to provide further documentation.
Judging Process
The judging panel will consist of 4–6 representatives selected to reflect a diverse and balanced view of the sector.
Nomination Submission
All nominations must include a supporting statement, nominee CV or LinkedIn profile, and optional supporting materials.
Initial Assessment & Shortlisting
Judges will independently score nominations using a structured rubric based on the criteria above. Top-ranked candidates will proceed to the next stage.
Panel Deliberation
The judging panel will meet to review and discuss the shortlisted candidates, ensuring that scoring is balanced with qualitative insight.
Interviews (Optional)
Shortlisted nominees may be contacted for a short interview or asked to submit a short video or written reflection to support final evaluation.
Final Decision & Announcement
One winner will be selected, and commendations may be made at the panel’s discretion. The award will be formally announced during the CICTA Awards event or a relevant industry gathering.
Recognition
The winner will be formally recognised at the alongside the Qld Pearcey ICT Entrepreneur Award at an Awards Ceremony and Dinner in Brisbane on 22 October.
Deadline
All applications must be submitted via the online submission form by 5pm AEST on Monday 22 September 2025 to finalise the application.
Make sure to save your responses to the selection criteria elsewhere as a backup.
For any enquiries or questions, please contact Debra Krause on secretariat@cicta.org.au or on 0468 443 868.