Now in its 21st year, the Awards celebrate excellence and achievement across Brisbane’s diverse business community, recognising organisations and leaders making an impact across sectors including technology, health and life sciences, social enterprise, advanced manufacturing, retail and the creative industries.

Across 11 categories, culminating in the Optus Platinum Award, this year's finalists are driving growth across local, national and international markets, creating jobs, attracting investment, and strengthening Brisbane's reputation as a city of innovation and opportunity.

The breadth of this year's finalists reflects the ambition and ingenuity of Brisbane's business community, from technology designed to detect cancer earlier through a specialised blood test to pioneering new approaches to scaffolding systems and helping connect companies to AI infrastructure and cloud services in under a minute.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the 2026 finalists showcased the outstanding talent and innovation across the city.

"Brisbane is home to so many incredible businesses and entrepreneurs making their mark at home and abroad," Cr Schrinner said.

"Whether they’re detecting cancer earlier, restoring marine habitats or taking Brisbane-born technology to the world, this year’s finalists are writing our city’s next chapter.

"It’s an honour to recognise these finalists who are making a real impact across their industries and helping shape Brisbane’s future.

"These businesses are building more than successful enterprises. They’re helping make Australia’s lifestyle capital an even better place to live and work."

Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) CEO Anthony Ryan said the Awards are a celebration of the visionaries, innovators, and changemakers whose ambition is helping shape Brisbane’s future.

“The Lord Mayor’s Business Awards shine a light on the bold ideas, courageous leadership, and extraordinary determination driving Brisbane forward,” Mr Ryan said.

“Every finalist represents something special about our city – creating opportunity, generating prosperity, solving challenges, and inspiring confidence in Brisbane’s future.

“What excites me most is not only what these businesses have achieved, but what their ambition says about where Brisbane is heading. Together, they are building a city that is more dynamic, more innovative, and more globally connected than ever before.

“That’s the power of a thriving business community, and it’s something truly worth celebrating.”

As Brisbane's economy surpasses $200 billion, this year's Lord Mayor's Business Awards finalists demonstrate the innovation, ambition and entrepreneurial spirit driving the city's continued growth.

The LMBAs have celebrated Brisbane’s business community for more than two decades, with over 200 local business owners and industry leaders honoured since 2006.

The winners will be announced at the 2026 Awards Ceremony on Friday 30 October at Brisbane City Hall.

For more information, visit lmba.com.au