Innovation Award winners prove TNQ is a hub of business ingenuity

Here's your exclusive first look at the winners of today's TNQ Innovation Awards.


Local business trailblazers delivering new twists on old products have scooped the top gongs at this afternoon’s 2016 Tropical North Queensland Innovation Awards.

A unique food product made from bananas, a bike helmet with cameras and wi-fi capabilities and an app designed to help manage water supplies on remote communities were among the winners.

Popular SMS voucher system cherrygift won the coveted People's Choice Award, with 1769 people in total voting online for their favourite innovation.

The full list of eight winners, announced at the Tanks Arts Centre this afternoon, were:

  • Best Pipeline Product - Cyclevision
  • Best Proven Product - Natural Evolution
  • Best Pipeline Process - Innovation in Education
  • Best Proven Process - JCU Internet of Things
  • Indigenous Innovation - The Water App
  • Eco Innovation - Portagrid
  • Mayor’s Inspire - Storyboard Social
  • People’s Choice - cherrygift

Mayor Bob Manning said the awards were important to the region, supporting and recognising local businesses investing in innovation.

“These awards celebrate local trail-blazers who demonstrate the spirit of ingenuity and innovation,” he said.

“It provides an outlet to promote their products and concepts and an opportunity to showcase their innovations investors, business experts and potential consumers.

“Council has a strong commitment to helping foster a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and we want to recognise those who are doing new things.

“Innovation is about going the extra step – doing something that hasn't been done and having the confidence to think outside the box.

“The depth of creativity and calibre of innovation unearthed through the awards process is truly inspirational.

"Every one of the 68 entrants and our category winners can feel very proud of their achievements.”