Innovation Awards 2025
Celebrating the most innovative Australian companies of the year.
Meet the Nominees
8Seats
8Seats is developing a dynamic messaging system that allows communication within a matrix of recipients, enabling flexible conversation configurations. Designed to accommodate complex messaging needs, 8Seats’ innovative platform revolutionises group communication with endless recipient combinations.
Acora
Acora has been in business for more than 55 years of developing and delivering quality engineering design, fabrication, and delivery of sawmill equipment to the forestry industry. Acora brings know-how to every new client or project to ensure the best possible solution is offered for their customers.
Advent Atum
Advent Atum is shaping the future of autonomous technology across all domains. By developing and improving threat detection and engagement in autonomous vehicles, Advent Atum is leading the way in autonomous systems, machine learning, and defence technology, with applications that lie beyond the defence industry.
AIRDOCS
AIRDOCS offers a cloud-based Customer Engagement Management platform that enables businesses to deliver targeted communications from any device or location. With no need for costly on-site software, AIRDOCS simplifies enterprise communication, driving efficiency and customer satisfaction globally.
Arneg
Arneg is an international leader in the design, production, and installation of refrigeration equipment for the retail sector. Their innovative designs of the new waterloop CO2 cooling system will provide more efficient and environmentally friendly refrigeration than that used in commercial refrigeration.
Astute Systems
Astute Systems develops AI mission systems, software and products for defence, robotics, autonomy, transport and mining. With experience in both hardware and software, Astute Systems is committed to delivering high-quality solutions that excel in reliability, performance, and durability.
Bare Media
Bare Media revolutionises the International Driver Permit application process with their kiosk system, combining bespoke hardware and software. Automating permit issuance, they reduce time and errors, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency. Bare Media positions itself as a leader in automated permit systems.
Barham Avocados
Barham Avocados uses advanced greenhouse technology to grow pesticide-free avocados. By improving water efficiency and crop yield, they ensure consistent quality and size. Barham’s commitment to innovation guarantees every avocado delivers great taste without bruising or damage.
Barrel Brokers
Barrel Brokers has become a beacon of excellence in the world of aging spirits, beer, and wine. With a steadfast commitment to quality, Barrel Brokers scour the globe to source only the finest barrels, ensuring that each one tells a story of unparalleled artistry and dedication.
Board Pro
Board Pro is designing new and innovative products for the construction industry, focusing on improving safety compliance and operational efficiency. Through software and hardware solutions, Board Pro is providing safety, efficiency and improvements to standard workflows within the industry.
BuildSmartt
BuildSmartt envisions a world where the environment adapts to our needs and seeks to humanise our spaces through technology to create intelligent living and working spaces. With applications ranging from residential homes to commercial spaces, mobile homes, pubs, assisted living, and education, BuildSmartt integrates IoT devices seamlessly, ensuring security, accessibility, and smart energy resourcing.
Canngea
Canngea is a leading medical cannabis manufacturer and distributor, providing B2B services across Australasia. By collaborating with top industry professionals, Canngea ensures its products meet high medical and scientific standards, offering comprehensive solutions through its global supply network.
CAP-XX
CAP-XX is developing the world’s thinnest supercapacitors with the best in-class power and energy density. With applications from personal electronics to aerospace, CAP-XX’s products are powering the products of the future.
Carrington Associates
Carrington Associates Asia Pacific partners with IBM to deliver custom solutions in AI, cloud, and mobility. Founded in Sydney, the company now operates across Australia, New Zealand, and India, offering cognitive computing tools that help businesses streamline operations and drive innovation.
Circulis
Circulis is developing “reverse vending machines”, a unique solution for collecting and recycling container waste. By providing safe and accessible recycling solutions, Circulis is helping to reduce the carbon footprint for the production and disposal of common products we need every day.
The Critical Slide Society
The Critical Slide Society blends surf culture, fashion, and sustainability, creating eco-friendly clothing from organic and recycled materials. Known for their award-winning boardshorts, the brand champions a laid-back, environmentally conscious lifestyle rooted in authentic coastal culture.
CryoDry
CryoDry revolutionises preservation with advanced freeze-drying and vacuum dehydration technologies. Their innovative designs boost efficiency by automating processes, optimising temperature uniformity, and increasing drying speed. These innovations enhance sustainability and operational excellence across multiple industries.
Dresden Vision
Dresden Optics puts the glasses-wearer at the centre of everything. Dresden Optics is on a mission to bring high-quality, sustainably made prescription glasses to anyone in the world, no matter where they live and how much money they have. Dresden’s goal is to transform people’s lives through better vision – enabling them to learn, work and be independent.
eReflect
eReflect is a world leader in EdTech apps and is trusted by over 1.5 million active users across 182 countries. They continue to design and develop cutting-edge educational apps able to be used for learning aids across all types of environments.
Fabra
Fabra is at the forefront of innovation in the product design industry, offering a user-friendly 3D product design tool so that even those without trained product experience can design and develop professional grade products in 3D easily. Driven by its mission to simplify and make product design more accessible, Fabra’s tool is specialised for the fashion industry.
Factory.App
Factory.App creates software for a highly underserviced and global market, small-to-medium sized manufacturers, in order to help them create orders, collaborate on work, track jobs and communicate with customers from one location. Factory.App has established a suite of features that help to drive increased productivity, improved business growth and ultimately deliver happier staff and customers.
Feezy
Feezy aims to modernise the global education market by creating a dynamic marketplace for education providers and agents. Feezy connects education agents with tertiary education institutions, and through its platform offers a responsive, real-time deal-making environment that improves outcomes for all parties involved.
Fibre Boats
Fibre Boats is developing the F5, Australia's leading Electric Hydrofoil. Designed to lift your boat above the water, hydrofoils reduce drag and increases efficiency from regular boats by up to 75%.
Frasé Skin
Frasé Skin was created by two tradies from Dubbo looking for a solution for men’s skincare, and work with renowned cosmetic companies in Australia to formulate top of the line products aimed specifically at men and their unique needs.
Freckleberry
Freckleberry is a Geelong based business that specialises in creating delicious and innovative packaged chocolate products. Once you try Freckleberry’s Belgian chocolate blend, you won’t ever go back to compound chocolate ever again.
Gather By
Gather By produces premium Manuka honey through partnerships with Australian beekeepers and indigenous landholders. Their closed-loop system ensures sustainability, and their honey’s therapeutic qualities drive global demand. Gather By’s innovative approach is reinvigorating Australia’s honey industry.
GCCM
Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard is creating new parasailing vessels with higher speeds and passenger volume, suitable for high-end commercial operations. These next-generation vessels will replace outdated 30-year-old models with modern, high-performance products with reliability and proven success.
Hyro
Hyro is developing an all-natural hydration supplement tailored for consumers with dietary restrictions and chronic illnesses. Free of added sugars, their product meets diverse needs while targeting the growing global hydration market. With a scalable business model and innovative offerings, Hyro is poised to capture a significant market share.
The Imagination Collaborative
The Imagination Collaborative is providing end-to-end design services for event producers, utilising advanced modelling and drone technology to create hyper realistic 3D renders of event environments. By providing unparalleled visualisation and simulation solutions, they are revolutionising the event industry.
Inside Out
Inside Out is an almond and oat milk company creating natural, healthy products with a unique twist, using a high percentage of whole almonds and oats. They offer non-dairy milks, including barista-friendly options and varieties with added benefits like Collagen, Calcium, and Prebiotics. Proudly supporting and sourcing most of their ingredients from local Australian farmers.
Keune
Keune specialises in delivery premium, high-quality, cruelty-free hair care products, offering a diverse range of products to cater to the specific needs of individual hair types and styles. Keune is empowered by a passion for helping others through the Keune Foundation, which aids families with children facing life-threatening illnesses.
King Island Marine Research
K.I. Marine Research is developing new aquaculture techniques for the southern Rock Lobster. They aim to improve larval health, growth, and survival rates through experimental development and refinement of culture protocols. The research focuses on optimising environmental conditions and feed rates to enhance the resilience and tolerance of the larvae.
LifeBid
LifeBid is attempting to fix the burdened life insurance industry with its custom-built software solutions. Through integrations and collaborations with the biggest insurer providers, LifeBid’s automated life insurance system is of great importance.
Milieu Labs
Milieu Labs' range of Smart Thermostats seamlessly control air conditioning and gas heating systems, while monitoring air quality, lighting, sound and humidity. It provides solutions to design an ideal indoor space at any time, from anywhere.
Objective Leader
Objective Leader drives personal growth through AI-powered coaching tools. Using a bespoke software stack, their system offers emotionally responsive coaching, automated reporting, and session scheduling via a dynamic portal and mobile app. OL’s innovation boosts coaching efficiency and engagement, revolutionising the personalised coaching experience.
Playable
Playable is driven by its mission to optimise video marketing through AI driven technology, increasing engagement and return-on-investment for marketing efforts by embedding interactive videos into email campaigns.
Property Credit
Property Credit aims to simplify property transactions by removing limitations, offering various finance solutions for agents, agencies, property managers, and property owners. Property Credit’s fast and affordable bridging facility can be offered at any stage of the property sale, from pre-sales improvements, advertising, staging costs, through to a deposit for the next property.
Rapiscan
Rapiscan is a global leader in security screening products, and continues to improve systems for threat detection in baggage, cargo and vehicles.
Saucie Bottles
Saucie Bottles is a unique concept designed to store any type of sauce: tomato, BBQ, mustard, mayonnaise. Saucie bottles was designed to recreate the traditional sauce bottle into a stylish design suitable for any table from casual to fine dining. Saucie Bottles are refillable to reduce waste, dishwasher safe, and can be taken straight from fridge or cupboard to the table.
Scent Central
Scent Central combines traditional scenting with aromatherapy to provide commercial scenting with therapeutic applications. With the development of new scenting techniques and diffusing methods, Scent Central aims to bring the effectiveness of natural oils in a convenient and effective way.
Sharon AI
Sharon AI designs, builds and operates data center infrastructure for AI GPU Compute, HPC & Cloud Storage. They partner with technology leaders across the globe to deliver cloud based media technology utilising On-Demand GPU As A Service infrastructure.
Smiths BBQs
Smith's BBQs designs premium, portable stainless steel barbecues with versatile accessories. Their Pizza Dome turns the BBQ into a pizza oven, and the Hood Extender adds roasting space and wind protection. Compact solutions like the 250mm Balcony Box fit small spaces, while multi-coloured options let customers customise their BBQ for a unique look.
Source Wellness
Supersia is a purpose-driven business that believes ‘food is medicine’. Curating botanical ingredients, crafting tasty, synergistic wellness blends that enrich people’s daily lives. The diverse range covers energy, relaxation, gut health, and digestion to enhance overall well-being. Supersia’s mission is to enhance holistic health through the power of nature.
Tarkine
Tarkine was founded by Australian runners with a team of industry veterans, with a focus on creating shoes that can rival and exceed competitors with a focus on eco-friendly materials and a comprehensive recycling program.
Trendpac
Trendpac is creating new personal care and cleaning products with improved performance, stability, and are environmentally friendly. By reducing the amount of bleach, chlorine and preservatives in cleaning products, Trendpac allows for more sustainable manufacturing processes within the industry.
UtiliOS
UtiliOS offers bespoke SaaS for smart water and energy metering, providing intuitive data access through a customisable portal. Clients can monitor assets, improve demand management, receive alerts, streamline billing, and enhance operational efficiency for better usage insights and maintenance.
Vanable
Vanable is a top van conversion company, aiming to become Australia's go-to for all things Vanlife. What began as a viral post idea has evolved into a business known for high-quality custom builds and exceptional design. Their skilled team of plumbers, electricians, and carpenters ensures outstanding craftsmanship in every conversion.
Vestra
Vestra is breaking down barriers to private share investments with a transparent, efficient, and accessible investment management software for investors, issuers, and advisors. This new system enhances corporate lifecycle management and allows for simpler, easy-to-understand compliance checks.
Vilno Group
Vilno Group creates innovative manufacturing solutions, including robotics for automating the assembly of roofing and cable-hauling equipment. Committed to intelligent design, Vilno Group enhances safety and efficiency in industries such as construction and high-pressure hose safety.
Water Group
WaterGroup’s smart water metering solution offers water utilities and property managers insights into water loss, billing abnormalities and leaks. The aim is to allow for significant water savings throughout Australia for individual commercial and industrial users.
WorkRight
WorkRight Edge Protection Systems is the world’s first Edge Protection hire company that provides businesses on sites with the ability to work on the edge of a building harness free. Through its next generation edge protection systems, WorkRight is focused on providing a safer work environment for all construction workers working at heights.
Awards Categories
Start-Up
Selected by the panel of judges
Small Business
Selected by the panel of judges
Established Business
Selected by the panel of judges
People’s Choice
Elected by the community
Meet the Judges
Our expert panel of judges brings together years of experience and insight. Each judge has a proven track record of helping companies achieve outstanding results through innovative R&D.
James Linton
James Linton recently joined Macquarie University Incubator, Managing the diverse community of entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and expert mentors. With over a decade of experience, James previously held various roles at the Westmead Health and Innovation Precinct, focusing on research and innovation in the Biotech and MedTech sectors. James developed a passion for innovation while initially managing a neuroscience research laboratory, witnessing how research and innovation directly impact patients’ quality of life. Now as the leader of Macquarie Incubator, he is leveraging his skills and passion for innovation in STEM to support startups across diverse sectors. James supports inspiring company founders in fields such as healthtech, fintech, defense, software, manufacturing, and sustainability innovation.
Tony Shaw
Partner Patent Attorney at Allens Linklaters. Tony has significant experience as an Australian and New Zealand patent attorney specialising in biotechnology with a focus on the life sciences, healthcare, digital health and agribusiness sectors. He has significant experience advising clients on capturing, protecting, commercialising and enforcing their intellectual property (IP) rights. Local and foreign clients turn to Tony to advise on both contentious and non-contentious patent matters, including providing strategic IP advice on patent prosecution, patent validity and enforcement. Tony advises academic institutions, start-ups, and emerging companies. He is also responsible for managing the Australian and New Zealand IP portfolios for large multinationals. Tony is a Fellow of the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine (UK).
Marco Tallarida
Marco Tallarida is the Strategic Director and Principal Designer at B.Product. Marco has been actively involved with various design and manufacturing firms, with associated clients including Tapit Media, Virgin Mobile, Australian Museum, DPG Form Fitting’s, Sirianni Constructions and Abberfield Industries. Amongst specialising in plastic and sheet-metal design, he has a keen eye for the core of conceptual development right through to the end product. The majority of Marco’s work has involved designing and developing bathroom amenities, electrical housing componentry, revenue systems, furniture, lighting, exhibitions and more frequently advertising displays for digital NFC marketing campaigns. Marco’s collaboration with local and international industries has shaped his experiences and knowledge of material selection, mass manufacturing and “creative thinking” strategies to best suit the problem at hand.
Alan Baghdasarayan
Alan is the Government Grants & Incentives Director at BridgePoint Group. He has worked in the professional services sector for over 15 years. He began his career at PwC, moved on to Deloitte, and then transformed a fledgling boutique practice into a top 100 firm in Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Macquarie University and an MBA from Macquarie Business School.
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