With award categories spanning innovation, sustainability, high-growth, transformation and more, the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards recognise excellence across 11 distinct areas of impact.
Whether you’re a start-up founder shaking up your sector, a small business owner creating meaningful community impact, or an industry leader exporting Brisbane’s innovation, talent and products to the world - there’s a category for your story.
For businesses creating game‑changing products, services or processes that put Brisbane on the national or global map.
Recognising businesses that have developed new or significantly improved products, services or processes that deliver real-world impact. Whether it’s a breakthrough product, or a smarter way of delivering services, this category recognises innovation that creates competitive advantage and meaningful outcomes.
Applicants should demonstrate how their innovation:
Solves a clear problem or meets a market need
Delivers measurable commercial, workforce, industry or community impact
Differentiates the business locally, nationally or globally
For businesses creating value by rethinking how they operate, compete or serve customers.
Recognising businesses that have successfully navigated change to strengthen performance, resilience and long‑term sustainability. Transformation may involve technology, customer experience, operating models, culture, workforce capability or strategy.
This category is for businesses that can clearly show how transformation:
Responded to a significant challenge or opportunity
Created tangible improvements in performance, capability or customer outcomes
For outstanding small businesses proving that excellence isn’t about size – it’s about how well you’re run.
Celebrating privately owned Brisbane businesses with 5–20 employees that demonstrate excellence in leadership, customer value and day‑to‑day operations. It’s designed for businesses that compete intentionally, deliver strong results and create meaningful local impact relative to their resources.
Judges look for businesses that:
Are well‑run, resilient and commercially sound
Deliver clear value to customers and stand out in competitive markets
Show intentional positioning, differentiation and adaptability
For businesses leading Brisbane’s transition to a cleaner, greener and more resilient future.
Recognising businesses delivering measurable sustainability outcomes that benefit Brisbane’s environment, economy and community. Applications may focus on a single high‑impact initiative or a whole‑of‑business sustainability strategy.
Eligible initiatives may include:
Low‑carbon action and climate resilience
Waste reduction, circular economy and resource recovery
Clean energy, transport or water innovation
Biodiversity protection, urban greening or sustainable development
For Brisbane businesses scaling fast and building momentum for the future.
Recognising businesses that have achieved rapid and sustained growth over the past three years, demonstrating strong commercial performance, strategic execution and the ability to scale successfully. Celebrating businesses that are growing significantly in domestic and/or international markets.
High‑growth businesses typically demonstrate:
Average annualised growth of more than 20% over three years, measured through revenue, customer numbers, workforce growth or market expansion
A clear and compelling value proposition driving demand and traction
A credible pathway to sustain and fund future growth
For purpose‑driven businesses using enterprise as a force for good.
The Social Enterprise Award recognises businesses that exist primarily to deliver positive social, cultural or environmental outcomes, while operating as commercially sustainable enterprises.
This category celebrates organisations that:
Have a clearly defined mission embedded in their core business
Generate the majority of income through trade
Reinvest profits to maximise community benefit
Deliver demonstrated, measurable impact through their operations
For businesses backing Brisbane’s future with confidence and ambition.
Celebrating businesses that have made a strategic investment in Brisbane during the 2024/25 or 2025/26 financial years, demonstrating long‑term commitment to the city as a place to grow, innovate and compete.
For Brisbane businesses succeeding on the global stage.
Celebrating organisations that have successfully expanded into international markets, achieving measurable growth, competitive advantage and global recognition.
This category recognises businesses that:
Have strategically expanded into international markets, including exports, partnerships, overseas offices, or global service delivery
Demonstrate strong performance in overseas markets
Differentiate themselves through innovation, quality or positioning
For mighty micro businesses punching above their weight.
Recognising sole traders and businesses with up to four employees that demonstrate excellence in how they run their business and the impact they create. It’s not about scale – it’s about intent, ingenuity and quality of execution.
This award celebrates micro businesses that:
Show strong fundamentals and smart decision‑making
Deliver clear customer value and stand out in crowded markets
Demonstrate resilience, adaptability and measurable performance
For Brisbane’s next generation of business leaders.
Recognising an outstanding individual aged 35 or under who demonstrates exceptional achievement, leadership and impact relative to their career stage. This may be for a single initiative or for consistent excellence within their leadership position
Applicants should showcase:
Significant achievements or standout initiatives
Leadership, ambition and values‑driven decision‑making
A compelling trajectory for future leadership and influence
For leaders whose vision and impact have shaped Brisbane’s business success.
Celebrating an outstanding business leader whose leadership, values and achievements have made a significant contribution to Brisbane’s economy, industries and reputation as a great place to do business.
This award celebrates individuals who demonstrate:
The ultimate recognition of business excellence in Brisbane.
Presented to the most outstanding overall category winner, the Optus Platinum Award celebrates a business that exemplifies leadership, impact and excellence across all judging dimensions.
This award is not open for application.
Not sure where you fit? We’re here to help. For all questions, please submit an enquiry and our team will be in touch.
The Lord Mayor’s Business Awards are a celebration of the success of Brisbane businesses and businesspeople, from growing start-ups to those leading on the global stage.
