BioPak CEO Gary Smith wins 2024 EY Australian Entrepreneur of the Year award

BioPak co-founder and CEO Gary Smith has been awarded the title of 2024 Australian EY Entrepreneur of the Year, recognising his efforts in the compostable packaging industry.

Smith took the top spot in the annual competition on Wednesday night, with judges acknowledging his long entrepreneurial career and BioPak’s successful alternatives to plastic food service items.

“Thanks to Gary’s inventiveness, dedication and relentless enthusiasm for positive change, BioPak has revolutionised the foodservice packaging industry and accelerated its movement toward the circular economy in Australia, New Zealand and beyond,” said Russell Phillips, program leader for the Australian EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards.

Founded in 2006 by Smith and Richard Fine, BioPak now produces a wide range of cups, plates, trays, and utensils from compostable and renewable materials.

Its products are used in cafes and restaurants nationwide, along with stadiums, and major chains like McDonald’s, KFC, and 7-Eleven.

Judges noted that BioPak is one of nine businesses Smith has helped to found since leaving school at the age of 17.

Smith also won the event’s Industry category award.

He will now attend EY’s global entrepreneurial competition in Monaco in June.

Fellow category winners included ReadyTech co-founder and CEO Marc Washbourne in the Technology category; Anthony Routledge, managing director of AVI, in the Service category; and Rachel Brimblecombe, founder and MD of Better Rehab, in the Emerging category.

Nominees included a who’s who of the Australian entrepreneurial scene, including Who Gives A Crap‘s Simon Griffiths, Circonomy‘s Yasmin Grigaliunas, and Ultra Violette founders Rebecca Jefferd and Ava Chandler-Matthews.