Karen Cariss named Australian Young Entrepreneur!

Karen Cariss named Australian Young Entrepreneur of the Year!

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - November 28, 2008

Karen Cariss, PageUp People CEO was named the Ernst and Young 2008 Australian Young Entrepreneur of the Year at a gala event last night.

Cariss, one of 83 regional finalists and 30 national finalists, was recognised for her entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, personal integrity/influence, financial performance, strategic decision and national/global impact in building PageUp People into what it is today.

Held at Wharf 8 in Sydney, the ceremony brought together finalists from across Australia to announce the national winners of 5 key categories; Products, Services, Technology and Emerging Industries, Young Entrepreneur and Social Entrepreneur.

Having started PageUp People in 1997 as a university student with her now husband Simon Cariss, Karen has been instrumental in the rapid growth of the business.

Throughout the last decade, PageUp People has grown from being a small software development firm to now providing integrated talent management solutions to some of the world's largest organisations and competing on a global scale.

The last year alone saw Cariss execute several radical business strategies, including the opening of several international offices, signing a partnership agreement in China, an acquisition, diversifying the core offering and personally, celebrating the birth of her first child.

Despite being humble in receiving the award, Cariss was thrilled to be recognised in such a style.

"I feel honoured to be in the same company as the other national finalists and am just thrilled to receive this award. The award means a lot to me personally and I would like to use this stage as a chance to thank my family and friends, staff and clients for their support over the last 10 years."

PageUp People has received numerous accolades in the last decade, including being listed on the BRW fast 100 for three consecutive years, receiving the B3000 Innovation Award, SmartCompany50 Awards and Karen has personally been listed on the BRW Top 50 Female Entrepreneurs.

Karen joins an impressive list of Ernst and Young Australian Young Entrepreneurs of the Year winners, including Carolyn Creswell of Carman's Fine Foods (2007), Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar of Atlassian (2006), Shelley Barrett of ModelCo (2005) and Sonia Amaroso of Cat Media (2003).

About Entrepreneur of the Year

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.

About PageUp People

PageUp People assists organisations to acquire and retain the best talent through the development and integrated delivery of innovative talent management systems and solutions. Established in 1997, PageUp People has successfully built upon its beginnings as a custom software developer to create an extensive suite of integrated talent management web-based tools and consulting solutions which are now delivered to some of the world's largest organisations on a global scale. PageUp People is at the forefront of innovation in talent management solutions with global best-practice research underpinning all consulting practices and Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions. Visit the company website at www.pageuppeople.com .

For further information contact the PageUp People Marketing Department on +61 3 8677 3777.