Accenture Australia Product Innovation Award
Winner: Blue Carbon
Blue Carbon is a Brisbane-based climate tech company pioneering solutions at the intersection of ocean sustainability and innovation. Its patented oPod™ system – designed and built locally – uses AI-powered sensors to cool, oxygenate, and restore marine ecosystems while enabling sustainable aquaculture and carbon sequestration. With the scalable oPod Mini, it transforms ocean risk into economic opportunity for Queensland, supporting jobs, environmental resilience, and global climate leadership. Backed by government, industry, and research partners, Blue Carbon is spearheading the blue economy revolution – developing export-ready technology that positions Brisbane as a hub for climate-smart innovation.
Special Mention: AI Carer
AiCarer is a Brisbane-based health technology company built for carers – the family members, friends, support workers and organisations who look after someone vulnerable. The AiCarer app provides smart early alerts when changes may signal a problem, giving carers peace of mind and the chance to act before issues escalate. By reducing stress and uncertainty, AiCarer helps carers focus on what matters most – supporting independence and quality of life. Proudly created in Brisbane, AiCarer combines innovation with compassion to transform preventative care and strengthen communities across Queensland and beyond.
ANZ High-Growth Business Award
Winner: Attekus
Attekus is an Australian software company helping communities thrive by transforming how shared spaces are accessed, managed and experienced. Its enterprise platform, Bookable, empowers local government, education and government entities to deliver seamless bookings, event management, registrations, ticketing and appointments. Purpose-built with and for its users, Bookable supports vibrant community life - from cultural festivals to sports programs and support groups. With nearly one million connections made across Australia and New Zealand, Attekus helps turn underused facilities into hubs of activity and connection. More than just software, it’s a trusted partner in building smarter, more inclusive community services.
Special Mention: Airport Retail Group Australia
George Drivas is the Founder and Managing Director of Airport Retail Group Australia (ARGA), a company redefining airport dining across Brisbane and Sydney Airports. Since opening its first venue in 2008, ARGA has grown to 13 locations and a team of over 300 staff. With stylish interiors, warm service, and chef-prepared meals featuring more than 50% local produce, ARGA creates spaces that set the perfect tone for every journey.
Australia Pacific LNG Business Transformation Award
Winner: Priestley's Gourmet Delights
Priestley’s Gourmet Delights began in Queensland in 1996, when Founder Marilyn Jones followed her dream to craft irresistible desserts. Today, Priestley’s is Australia’s largest wholesale bakery, with Marilyn’s niece Xanny Christophersen as the CEO and MD. From it’s new Brisbane bakery, Priestley’s produces 270,000 cakes weekly, supplying over 27,000 cafes, restaurants, hotels and pubs nationwide. The $53 million AI-powered Acacia Ridge facility drives innovation, efficiency and safety through robotics and AI, while maintaining its hand-finished touch and people focus. With innovation at its core, Priestley’s continues to inspire delight and craft amazing desserts for all of Australia to enjoy.
Special Mention: Sharpe Engineering
Sharpe Engineering is a Queensland-based, family-owned advanced manufacturer supporting Australia’s Oil & Gas, Mining, Defence, and Resource sectors. Established in Roma in 1995, Sharpe now operates primarily from a large-scale Brisbane facility. With end-to-end capability – from engineering design to final assembly – Sharpe specialises in advanced machining, welding, coating and testing of products including drilling tools, pressure control equipment, and its proprietary TorqStopper®. Sharpe holds an extensive suite of certifications – API Q1, 6A, 16A, 16D, 5CT, 7-1, ISO 9001, ISO 45001 – and is Australia’s only licensed manufacturer of API 16D BOP Control Systems. This achievement is supported by a highly skilled workforce, strategic partnerships and ongoing investment in Industry 4.0 technologies.
BDO International Business Award
Winner: The Equine Practice Company
Dr. Olivia James is a specialist equine veterinary dentist and educator. After graduating from the University of Sydney, she built and sold a successful equine practice before founding The Equine Practice Company, an award-winning education business now serving veterinarians in over 65 countries worldwide. As Founder and CEO, she leads the delivery of innovative, expert-led online programs that strengthen skills, confidence and career fulfillment. With a strong focus on reducing burnout, expanding access to high-quality training, and improving practice profitability, Olivia is redefining professional development for equine veterinarians across the globe.
Carers Queensland Small Business Award
Winner: Like a Photon Creative
Multi-award-winning studio Like a Photon Creative (LAPC), founded by Nadine Bates and Kristen Souvlis, creates and produces original IP for major media companies including Disney, Sesame Street USA, and Universal Content Group. Since 2017, LAPC has financed and produced nine 3D animated feature films for worldwide theatrical release, including the original Sanctuary City multiverse for Universal Content Group. Its next film, The Pout-Pout Fish – based on the New York Times Best Selling picture book – will be released globally in January 2026. LAPC excels at creating exceptional content and pioneering new business models.
Special mention: The Equine Practice Company
Dr. Olivia James is a specialist equine veterinary dentist and educator. After graduating from the University of Sydney, she built and sold a successful equine practice before founding The Equine Practice Company, an award-winning education business now serving veterinarians in over 65 countries worldwide. As Founder and CEO, she leads the delivery of innovative, expert-led online programs that strengthen skills, confidence and career fulfillment. With a strong focus on reducing burnout, expanding access to high-quality training, and improving practice profitability, Olivia is redefining professional development for equine veterinarians across the globe.
Dentsu Environmental Sustainability in Business Award
Winner: Tom's Pallets
Tom’s Pallets is a Brisbane-based business specialising in the supply, repair, and recycling of timber pallets. A Pivotal player in Queensland’s circular economy, Tom’s Pallets helps over 1000 of its customers manage their pallet needs efficiently and sustainably by offering a full-service solution of buying, selling, collecting, repairing, and delivering pallets across the state. In its 15 years of operation, Tom’s Pallets has recycled over three million pallets, diverting thousands of tonnes of timber from landfill. In recent years, the company has ramped up efficiency by installing infrastructure to automate processes at scale, and in turn recycle more pallets
Special Mention: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Established in 1927, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary. Home to over 100 koalas and 75 species of native wildlife, Lone Pine offers guests the unique opportunity to connect with Australia’s most iconic animals in a beautiful, natural setting. From meeting koalas, hand-feeding kangaroos, and encountering platypus, dingoes, wombats, and more, Lone Pine is a beloved destination for both local and international guests. Dedicated to conservation, education, and research, Lone Pine plays a vital role in protecting Australia’s biodiversity. Its immersive, family-friendly experiences inspire appreciation for wildlife and foster awareness of environmental challenges.
Hutchinson Builders Social Enterprise Award
Winner: Help Enterprises
Help is a social enterprise supporting people with disability to lead fulfilling and independent lives. For nearly 60 years, it’s created a network of employment services, NDIS supports, and social enterprises – creating positive ripple effects for families, employers, and communities. Help provides tailored, high-quality employment support in a values-driven environment, helping participants achieve their goals. It works with businesses to create inclusive job opportunities, foster workplace diversity, and promote inclusive practices. Through its social enterprises, it provides manufacturing, warehousing and logistics, packaging, catering and horticulture to help organisations bring their ideas to life – while creating opportunities for employees with disability.
Special mention: Happy Paws Happy Hearts
Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) is a national social enterprise transforming lives by connecting vulnerable people with rescue animals through purpose-driven programs. Supporting people with disabilities, veterans, older Australians, and youth-at-risk, HPHH helps participants move from social isolation to connection, confidence and wellbeing. Each week, 500 people take part across nine locations, including 270 at its Brisbane headquarters. Hosted in animal shelters like RSPCA Queensland, programs provide hands-on learning where people and animals heal together. Participants gain skills, friendships, and renewed purpose, with many moving on to volunteering, education and employment while improving their mental health and wellbeing.
ISPT Investment in Brisbane Award
Winner: Valenhold
Valenhold is a Brisbane-based company that designs, manufactures, and rebuilds critical wheel motor components for heavy mining equipment. Founded in 2015, the company has grown into a global supplier, supporting some of the world’s largest miners across 14 countries. From its Tingalpa headquarters, Valenhold delivers smarter, longer-lasting alternatives to traditional supply chains, helping reduce downtime and extend equipment life. Its vision is to be the go-to provider for Mining Haul Truck drive systems - trusted to deliver innovation, support and performance in every environment - while proudly investing in local talent and showcasing Brisbane expertise to the world.
Special mention: Aria Property Group
Aria Property Group is a privately owned property development company with more than 20 years of experience creating luxury residential and mixed-use projects in Brisbane. Vertically integrated across development, construction and property management, Aria has proudly been awarded ‘Best Residential Development in Queensland’ 12 times and ‘Best Residential Development in Australia’ 6 times. Beyond residences, Aria curates laneways, restores heritage buildings, integrates public art and fosters cultural connections within Brisbane’s arts precinct. Sustainability is central, from tree planting days to world-leading green buildings. Guided by Family, Passion & Legacy, Aria delivers projects that enrich communities and honour Brisbane’s cultural and environmental fabric.
oOh!Media Micro Business Award
Winner: Nadu
Nadu is a Brisbane-based respiratory health company on a mission to reimagine the way we breathe. Queensland-made, TGA-certified and patented, Nadu develops pharmacy-supported products for mask users, sinus sufferers and people seeking better sleep, focus and long-term health. Founded from lived experience, Nadu bridges medical rigour with design empathy offering barrier creams, nasal sprays and intranasal drug delivery solutions that prevent injury, reduce inflammation and improve therapy outcomes. With over 10,000 customers and expanding global certification, Nadu is proving that functional breathing isn’t just about survival - it’s the foundation for performance, cognition and everyday wellbeing. One breath at a time.
Special mention: Valere Health
Valere Health is Brisbane’s first and only dedicated exercise oncology clinic, founded by Dr Morgan Farley, a nationally recognised expert in cancer and exercise. Valere delivers evidence-based, personalised programs to help people live better and longer with and beyond a cancer diagnosis. Services are provided in person and online, ensuring accessibility while fostering a supportive community environment. Dr Farley has secured more than $1 million in national research funding, ensuring that Valere translates cutting-edge research directly into patient care. Through partnerships with cancer centres and non-profits, Valere expands access, drives advocacy and builds workforce capacity. Since inception, it has supported hundreds of survivors, reshaping cancer care in Brisbane and beyond since 2018.
Port of Brisbane Young Business Person of the Year Award
Winner: Rob Joseph, Anti Ordinary
Rob Joseph is the Founder and CEO of Anti Ordinary, a Brisbane-based company creating the world’s safest and most wearable helmets. Inspired by his own snowboarding accident, Rob combined his background in medical engineering with a passion for sport to develop and patent technology that makes helmets look and feel like beanies, while outperforming traditional designs in safety. Under his leadership, Anti Ordinary has grown into a global brand in just two seasons, selling into 51 countries, partnering with industry-leading brands, and earning recognition from cultural icons and industry leaders alike. Rob’s mission is shared with Anti Ordinary; to ‘Protect the People We Love’.
The Courier-Mail Business Person of the Year Award
Winner: Brett Clark AM, Chemist Warehouse
Brett is the co-founder of online healthcare brand ePharmacy and Chemist Warehouse QLD. He is also the current chair of Queensland Rugby Union, Queensland Ballet and a past Director of three years on the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With his wife Maria, he is also a Patron of the Mater Foundation. Brett was honoured with an AM for his significant service to community health, to the arts, and to sports organisations. Brett holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy and an MBA from The University of Queensland.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Michael Rayner AM, Blight Rayner Architecture
Michael is a renowned Queensland architect and director of Blight Rayner Architecture whose planning and architectural projects have profoundly shaped Brisbane’s urban and cultural landscape. Some of his practices’ past and present projects include One One One Eagle Street, the Kurilpa and Kangaroo Point Bridges, and the new Glasshouse Theatre at QPAC. His contributions to the city include advocacy, education and philanthropy, the latter including pro-bono design for homeless youth and victims of domestic violence. Michael is a Member of the Order of Australia, an Adjunct Professor at two universities and a member of Brisbane City Council’s Urban Future Board.
Optus Platinum Award
Winner: Priestley's Gourmet Delights
Priestley’s Gourmet Delights began in Queensland in 1996, when Founder Marilyn Jones followed her dream to craft irresistible desserts. Today, Priestley’s is Australia’s largest wholesale bakery, with Marilyn’s niece Xanny Christophersen as the CEO and MD. From it’s new Brisbane bakery, Priestley’s produces 270,000 cakes weekly, supplying over 27,000 cafes, restaurants, hotels and pubs nationwide. The $53 million AI-powered Acacia Ridge facility drives innovation, efficiency and safety through robotics and AI, while maintaining its hand-finished touch and people focus. With innovation at its core, Priestley’s continues to inspire delight and craft amazing desserts for all of Australia to enjoy.