News & Views

NECA SA would like to congratulate and acknowledge Jenny Paradiso, the founder of Adelaide-based renewable energy company, Suntrix, for her recent award as South Australia's Top Entrepreneur in the Emerging Industries category.

Accounting firm Ernst & Young unveiled its regional winners for their annual Entrepreneur of the Year awards, a respected honour that sees national finalists compete in Monaca every year.

Ms Paradiso said the award was a tremendous honour and an amazing surprise.

“We created Suntrix because we wanted to provide clear answers for consumers and businesses looking for renewable energy, and that has driven our business for the last five years,” she said.

“When you are named a finalist in Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, you suddenly realise how many good business people we produce in South Australia, each thinking innovatively to build something new.

“To be named among these people is a great honour; they are all role models for success.”

Suntrix was last year named Telstra’s South Australian Business of the Year, an honour recognizing the achievements of the business.

Ms Paradiso said this personal honour was a testament to the hard work of those around her.

“My husband David and I started this business from our kitchen table and it was a terrifying time. We had just had our first child and were trying to balance a part-time job with new parenthood and building a new business – it wasn’t ideal,” she said.

“But receiving this honour is fantastic. It’s a testament to our staff, family and friends who helped us get this far.”

She said Suntrix, which last year turned over more than $10 million and now employs more than 20 people, would continue to focus on innovation to build smart solutions for smart clients.

“We really want to thank Ernst & Young for this opportunity. We highly recommend the process to every entrepreneur – taking the time to review Suntrix stopped us working in the business to work on the business,” she said.

Suntrix last year also won the electrical industry’s highest award for excellence and professionalism across the country from the National Electrical and Communications Association.

Congratulations to Jenny Paradiso and Suntrix from the NECA SA team for this prestigious award and fantastic work.