From sports safety and aviation to pioneering climate technology and award-winning animation, the city’s most exciting entrepreneurs and businesses are in the running for the 2025 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards.
Now in their 20th year, the Awards recognise and celebrate the visionaries, innovators and game-changers shaping Brisbane’s future and propelling its success as one of the fastest-growing urban economies in Australia and the Asia Pacific.
This year, 31 businesses and eight business leaders across all sectors and industries – from grassroots start-ups to established global players – are finalists in the 11 categories.
Among this pool of local talent are start-ups offering renewable energy and safety innovation solutions, tourism initiatives improving our visitor economy, hospitality companies serving the best of Brisbane to the world, and organisations on the cutting-edge of MedTech and health breakthroughs.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the 2025 event would celebrate two decades of local businesses driving innovation and fuelling Brisbane’s economic momentum.
“Brisbane has grown and flourished over the past 20 years because entrepreneurs and enterprises have driven bold ambition and helped Brisbane’s economy surpass $200 billion.
“I congratulate this year’s finalists, all of whom have made their mark on Brisbane and on national and international stages.
“Beyond individual recognition, the Awards showcase the collaborative nature of doing business in Brisbane.
“We are home to a thriving and supportive business community, and finalists represent diverse, fast-growing industries such as sustainability, urban development, MedTech, hospitality, tourism and social enterprise.
“Brisbane’s momentum accelerates across key sectors including advanced manufacturing, logistics and knowledge industries. These businesses drive that growth and make Brisbane an even better place to live and work.”
According to Brisbane Economic Development Agency’s 2025 State of the City report, the Brisbane economy has topped $200 billion, a $28 billion – or 16% – uplift since 2020. Additionally, employment has surged by 22% in the same period.
Brisbane is also home to Australia’s fastest-growing experience economy, with a record $13.7 billion visitor spend and domestic growth three times higher than the next capital.
Since its inception in 2006, the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards has honoured more than 180 local businesses and change-makers.
The 11 category winners, culminating in the Optus Platinum Award, will be announced at the 2025 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards gala on Thursday 6 November at Brisbane City Hall.
For more information, visit lmba.com.au
Accenture Australia Product Innovation Award
ANZ High-Growth Business Award
Australia Pacific LNG Business Transformation Award
Carers Queensland Small Business Award
Dentsu Environmental Sustainability in Business Award
Hutchinson Builders Social Enterprise Award
International Business Award
ISPT Investment in Brisbane Award
oOh!Media Micro Business Award
Port of Brisbane Young Business Person of the Year Award
The Courier-Mail Business Person of the Year Award