Applications are now open for the 2025 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards in Brisbane. This year’s event will celebrate 20 years of showcasing Brisbane’s startups, entrepreneurs and business leaders.
The annual event, delivered by Brisbane Economic Development Agency, aims to recognise innovation, growth, and impact across sectors, from startups to global enterprises. Winners join an alumni network and gain access to new business opportunities in Brisbane and beyond.
“Winning has been an absolute gamechanger”
Nicole Dyson, founder of Future Anything and winner of the event’s 2024 Social Enterprise Award, encouraged other founders to apply: “Winning has been an absolute gamechanger for Future Anything. It helped us grow our impact and unlock bold new partnerships,” she said.
“This recognition helped us scale our work, unlocking bold new partnerships with organisations stepping up to ‘sponsor a school’ in their communities.” Nicole added: “If this is you, don’t overthink it – just apply. What have you got to lose?”
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said this year marks a major milestone for the event. “This year marks two decades of celebrating the bold thinkers and big ideas shaping our city. From local startups to global success stories, these awards showcase the talent, drive and innovation which help make Brisbane, and the world, a better place to live.”
Schrinner added that the city’s economic growth was on track to reach AU$275bn by 2041. “Our business community is critical to our economic growth,” he said. “These awards are a great way to celebrate their ideas.”
Applications close 27 June 2025
Brisbane-based businesses and individuals can apply via lmba.com.au. Categories include:
Business categories
Accenture Australia Product Innovation Award ANZ High-Growth Business Award Australia Pacific LNG Business Transformation Award Carers Queensland Small Business Award International Business Award Dentsu Environmental Sustainability in Business Award Hutchinson Builders Social Enterprise Award ISPT Investment in Brisbane Award oOh!media Micro Business Award
Individual categories
Port of Brisbane Young Business Person of the Year Business Person of the Year
Overall winner (not open to entry)
Optus Platinum Award
The awards are supported by major partners including Accenture Australia, ANZ, Optus, oOh!media and Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd.
