Two ACT companies – Penten and Wildbear Entertainment – have taken home awards in their respective categories at the Australian Export Awards 2021, while Canberra-based Aspen Medical has been inducted into the Export Awards Hall of Fame.

In what has been another challenging year for businesses in Canberra and around the world, ACT exporters are competing successfully on the world stage against the best in Australia.

Canberra-based cyber technology company Penten was the winner of the Emerging Exporter category in 2021, while factual entertainment company Wildbear Entertainment took home the award in the Creative Industries category.

Aspen Medical was inducted into the Hall of Fame, a recognition given to exporting companies that have been consistently successful over several years. The company had previously won the Health and Biotechnology Award in 2011, 2013 and 2018 when they also won the Australian Exporter of the Year.

Founded in 2003 by Glenn Keys AO, Aspen Medical is an Australian-owned, multi award-winning, global provider of guaranteed and innovative healthcare solutions across a diverse range of sectors and clients including defence, mining and resources, oil and gas, government and humanitarian.

Aspen Medical Group CEO Bruce Armstrong said: “The world sees us as an exporter of healthcare expertise. But when it all boils down to it, what we believe we export is Australian compassion – making healthcare better for people where others can’t. Being inducted into the Hall of Fame lets our team know that what they do every day matters, wherever they are around the world.”

Mr Armstrong also encouraged Canberra businesses that want to export to be courageous and welcome the opportunity to export.

“Our first contracts were awarded overseas. Be brave, you can start life as an exporter not just grow into it.”

Canberra Business Chamber manages the ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards program in partnership with the ACT Government. Chamber CEO Graham Catt said “Canberra is a small city, but once again we have shown that our businesses punch well above their weight when it comes to making their mark in global markets.”

Founded in 2014, Penten is a multi-award winning Australian-based cyber technology company focused on innovation in secure mobility, applied AI (artificial intelligence) and tactical communications security. The company, led by CEO Matthew Wilson, work close with clients to deliver new defence and security technologies.

Wildbear Entertainment was formed in 2014 by the merger of Wild Fury and Bearcage Productions. Led by CEO Michael Tear, the company brings together expertise in both domestic and international industry experience of more than fifty years. With offices in three Australian capital cities as well as Dunedin Aotearoa (New Zealand), the company is the product of two distinctive yet complimentary businesses encompassing film and television production as well as media for the government, corporate and educational sectors, and stock footage supply.

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