iiNet founder Michael Malone has become the second Western Australian businessman in as many years to be named Ernst & Young's Australian Entrepreneur of the Year.
Mr Malone will go on to represent Australia at the World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Monte Carlo Next year.
Navitas' Rod Jones took home the top gong last year.
Judging panel chair Raymond Spencer said Mr Malone was the “role model of an entrepreneur.”
“Like so many entrepreneurs, he started the business in his garage and with determination and entrepreneurial spirit grew it to take on established market players,” Mr Spencer said.
The full list of 2011 Entrepreneur Of The Year national category winners announced last night were:
Emerging – Brian Siemsen, The Siemsen Group
Industry – Naomi Simson, RedBalloon
Services – David McMahon, McMahon Services
Technology – Matt Barrie, Freelancer.com
Listed – Michael Malone, iiNet
Social entrepreneur – Melinda Cruz, Miracle Babies Foundation
