Mr Dalla-Riva said we-do-IT of Melbourne thoroughly deserved to win the 2011 Emerging Exporter Award which highlighted companies that had made their mark in the global economy.

"It represents a very distinguished, formal recognition of what started as ‘a good idea’ 30 years ago and progressed into award-winning innovation through scientific examination, early prototypes, commercialisation and now export into the US, Canada and South America – all of it self-funded," Mr Hesse said.

Dr Hesse said the commercial success of the company owed much to establishing a presence in the US city of Denver and close cooperation with international sales partners.

"Products offered by we-do-IT were developed entirely in Victoria and overcame some unique challenges for geospatial utility network information systems. The company has also developed special service delivery, which offers the choice of in-house processing or outsourcing to we-do-IT," Mr Hesse said.

Mr Dalla-Riva said we-do-IT would now be entered into the 49th Australian Export Awards, to be presented in Brisbane on Thursday 8 December 2011.

"I wish we-do-IT every success at the national awards, and hope it helps open the door to further export opportunities," Mr Dalla-Riva said.

Media contact: Kate Walshe 0411 472 299