Indigenous Business Month Awards

The Indigenous Business Month Awards showcase the outstanding achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and provides national and local role models to inspire all Australians.

These annual awards recognise outstanding achievements across a range of categories, spotlighting Indigenous business excellence, leadership, innovation and collaboration.

Key dates

  • Applications for the 2025 Awards have now closed.
  • Award applications closed – 31 August 2025
  • Winners notified – Late September 2025
  • Award Announcement Event – 1 October 2025 (Sydney)

Congratulations to the 2025 Award Recipients

I2I Award

Nathan Lovett, Aus Native Foods

For Indigenous businesses strengthening the sector by buying from or supplying to fellow Indigenous businesses.

Aus Native Foods / Naway Yila Buradja meaning “Today brings Tomorrow” in the Dhurga language is a 100% Aboriginal-owned native foods business connecting Aboriginal growers with Australia’s hospitality and food industries. Founded to bridge the gap between chefs and Aboriginal suppliers, Aus Native Foods grows and sources native produce, while mentoring Aboriginal businesses and communities across Western NSW to build sustainable enterprises in growing, supply, and food production.

“An award like this is recognition of what we can achieve when we are all working together for the benefit of our communities. I’m looking forward to continuing to grow the network of growers and native food businesses that I work with around the country and into the export market where I am now a licenced exporter.”

Nathan Lovett, Aus Native Foods.

Indigenous Digital Inventiveness Award

Brett Leavy, Virtual Songlines Digital Twin

For outstanding cultural creativity and business acumen powered by technology.

Virtual Songlines Digital Twin is an innovative platform that reclaims First Nations narratives by embedding stories, language, and songlines into interactive digital Country. More than a map, it is a living cultural archive – preserving heritage, educating future generations, and challenging the legacy of erasure. By combining ancient knowledge with cutting-edge technology, it connects communities, fosters collaboration, and demonstrates the power of Indigenous digital inventiveness to shape a stronger, self-determined future.

“I really love providing a new technology for an ancient culture. There is nothing better than empowering our First Nations communities with digital enablement.”

Brett Leavy, Virtual Songlines

Indigenous Ingenuity Award

Tyson Carmody, Kings Narrative

Celebrating businesses tackling community challenges through innovative models.

Kings Narrative is guided by Arrernte cultural values, to deliver culturally grounded solutions and innovative programs such as the Barber Blak Kings Program, Trauma Training Workshops, Angkentye Cultural Camps for men, and Cross-Cultural Awareness Training across Central Australia and beyond. With a focus on Aboriginal leadership, employment, and healing, Kings Narrative is re-imagining how programs are delivered and proving the power of Aboriginal ingenuity to drive social and economic change.

“We are excited to leverage this recognition to showcase not just the work of Kings Narrative, but also what the impact looks like when Aboriginal people are leading this work in Aboriginal communities.” 

Tyson Carmody, Kings Narrative

Regional Indigenous Business Award

Kantesha Ward (nee Takai), Lola Digital
Recognising impactful contributions to regional economies.

Lola Digital is a Torres Strait–based creative business blending cultural responsibility with commercial excellence. Operating for six years with strong recent growth, the company delivers digital and creative services while building Indigenous supply chains, outsourcing to First Nations creatives and suppliers, and giving back through pro-bono community support. Lola Digital champions digital inclusion, strengthens local economies, and creates opportunities for Torres Strait Islanders to thrive on Country while engaging with global markets.

“It is truly an honour to be recognised with the 2025 Regional Indigenous Business Award. We are privileged to live, work and grow Lola Digital on Waiben in Zenadth Kes. We are driven by our community and our success isn’t possible without the support of our community, our team and our clients in the region and abroad. So where we can, we give back, share our knowledge and support mepla people in the journey towards building a stronger Indigenous business economy in Zenadth Kes.”

Kantesha Ward, Lola Digital

Award categories

The Award categories seek to highlight Indigenous businesses in four categories.

I2I Award

Indigenous businesses buying from and/or supplying to fellow Indigenous businesses build an interconnected and strong Indigenous business sector by supporting each other. Instances of mentoring and peer-to-peer support or development of new ventures and/or initiatives are encouraged in this category. This award celebrates the commitment by Indigenous businesses to strengthen and grow our sector through trading and working together.

Criteria:

  • Number of Indigenous businesses in supply chain
  • Percentage of expenditure with other Indigenous businesses
  • Relationships/testimonials from those Indigenous businesses in your supply chain
  • Exemplar instances of mentoring, peer-to-peer support
  • Shared developments of new ventures and/or initiatives to support each other’s business

Indigenous Digital Inventiveness Award

Indigenous digital inventiveness is maturing in Australia. Communities are more connected than ever through digital expression (emails, instant messaging and texting) and at a much larger scale through digital enterprise (business operations and technology). This award celebrates the intersection between cultural creativity, business acumen and technology.

Criteria:

  • An innovative digital product/service proposition that solves customer problem
  • Uses technology to take their business to the next level
  • Leverages technology to connect with customers, optimise operations and foster collaboration

Indigenous Ingenuity Award

Indigenous business has a role to play in using business models to confront challenging community issues. This award celebrates an Indigenous business who is working hard to solve challenges in partnerships with Indigenous communities.

Criteria:

  • An innovative product/service proposition that solves problems in Indigenous communities
  • Uses ingenuity to take their business to the next level
  • Makes a measurable impact on Indigenous communities
  • Relationships/testimonials from those Indigenous communities the business is playing a part in

Regional Business Award

Indigenous regional businesses contribute in very impactful ways to the economy and to the local community in which they are based. This award celebrates Indigenous regional businesses – their vision, their business savvy and their local contributions.

Criteria:

  • Demonstrate the region and local town/community located in
  • Contribution of product/service to regional economy
  • Relationships and testimonials from the town/local community in which the business is located

Platinum sponsors

Gold sponsors

Silver sponsor

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Previous winners

2024

121 Award

Riley Callie Resources Pty Ltd

Riley Callie Resources provide education resources to bring First Nations culture and perspectives into classroom through the inclusion of authentic resources which celebrate and showcase Indigenous Australia. www.rileycallieresources.com.au

Indigenous Digital Inventiveness Award

Empower Digital

Empower Digital digital training and support services Australia-wide, specialising in digital commerce on the Shopify platform. Empower Digital’s work to empower businesses to take control of their own online presence, overcoming barriers and gaining sustainable outcomes for their long-term success. www.empowerdigital.com.au

Indigenous Ingenuity Award

Project Net Zero

Project Net Zero is a 100% Indigenous owned and operated business, providing national de-fit services to corporates, companies and businesses for both loose furniture and fixed assets, along with make good services. www.projectnetzero.com.au

Indigenous Regional Award

Townsville CBD Electrical Pty Ltd.

Owned and operated by Michael Prien Townsville CBD Electrical is qualified for both residential and commercial electrical services. They provide fast, efficient and friendly electrical, refrigeration and energy efficient services for residential, commercial and industrial markets in the Northern region and surrounding areas.

2022

I2I Award

Bridgeman

Originally founded in 1997 as a metal manufacturing company, Bridgeman has transitioned into one of Australia’s most trusted and respected multi-faceted solutions providers. Operating primarily across metal manufacturing and construction, lead by ex-Socceroo and Yidinji man Adam Sarota. www.bridgeman.com.au

Indigenous Ingenuity Award

Aboriginal Carbon Foundation

Aboriginal Carbon Foundation (AbCF) is a 100% Aboriginal owned not-for-profit established in 2010 to create economic independence for First Nations peoples through a variety of innovative solutions, including carbon farming opportunities and cultural fire credits. www.abcfoundation.org.au

Indigenous Regional Award

South Coast Seaweed

Cultural seaweed foraging eco-tourism celebrating Aboriginal saltwater Country knowledge, passed down through generations. 100% Aboriginal owned business founded by proud Yuin man James Thomas and am a proud Gamilaraay/ Gamilaroi woman Sarah Gorst. www.southcoastseaweed.com.au

PwC MURRA Boost Initiative

Healthy Dreaming

Healthy Dreaming is a social, health and community care service, providing culturally safe care and support for community and NDIS participants. 100% Aboriginal owned and operated from Port Augusta, South Australia. www.healthydreaming.com.au

2021

I2I Award

Jessie Lloyd

Jessie Lloyd is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musician, educator, and cultural storyteller dedicated to preserving Indigenous music, supporting teachers, and empowering communities through songs, storytelling and education. www.jessielloyd.com

Indigenous Digital Inventiveness

EJ Garratt, Buying Black

BuyingBlack is an online channel and directory created by Story teller EJ Garrett, supporting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business community. www.buyingblack.com.au

Indigenous Ingenuity Award

Pipeline Talent Pty Ltd

We’re 100% Indigenous owned and 100% committed to changing Australia’s employment landscape. Pipeline Talent provides support, training and career development opportunities for current and emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders. www.pipelinetalent.com.au

Indigenous Regional Award

Murris on the Move

Murri’s on the Move Driving School is dedicated to providing the transfer of safe driving skills and driver education to Murri youth and other members of the Sunshine Coast and Caboolture community. www.motm.org.au

2020

I2I Award

Shawn Andrews, SupplyAus

Indigenous Digital Inventiveness

Alan Holmes, Towcha Technology

Indigenous Ingenuity Award

Joanna Agius AO, Deaf Aboriginal Services

PwC MURRA Boost Initiative

GWS Engineering and Construction

2019

I2I Award

Mitchell Ross, Muru Office Supplies

Muru Office Supplies was founded in 2012 by Mitchell Ross, a proud Bidjigal man from La Perouse. Muru Office Supplies is a purpose-driven, community-focused organisation that contributes a percentage of all profits to education, employment and health and well-being initiatives that support Indigenous communities. www.muruoffice.com.au

Indigenous Digital Inventiveness

Luke Brisco, IndigiLab

Indigenous Ingenuity Award

Serena Bara, Bush Medijina

Bush Medijina is a First Nations-led skincare social enterprise based in Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory. Proudly using recipes passed down to us by our mothers, aunties and grandmothers, we hand-make our products. We harvest local bush produce and combine it with natural and sustainable ingredients sourced from the most reputable suppliers across Australia. www.bushmedijina.com.au

PwC MURRA Boost Initiative

BlackCard

The Australian BlackCard (BlackCard) is a specialist consultancy providing cultural capability training and consultancy services to enable people and organisations to work effectively with members of the Aboriginal community. BlackCard’s purpose is working with people, not for people, with the genius of Aboriginal Knowledge. www.theblackcard.com.au

Kakadu Tiny Tots

Kakadu Tiny Tots is a wholly Australian owned company that creates authentic Aboriginal clothing, accessories and artwork. All of their designs originate and are uniquely handcrafted in remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory of Australia. www.kakaduorganics.com.au