Mayne Pharma – South Australian Business of the Year Award: sponsored by William Buck
Mayne Pharma is an ASX-listed specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to making medicines safer, better, and more accessible for patients around the world. With over 40 years of innovation in oral drug delivery systems, their technologies are behind numerous products still sold globally today. Tracing its heritage back to FH Faulding and Co, Mayne Pharma has grown into one of South Australia’s most prominent public companies. With more than 400 staff worldwide, they continue to lead the way in developing complex oral and topical medicines, including highly potent and modified-release products.
Almondco Australia – South Australian Exporter of the Year Award: sponsored by Thomas Foods International
Almondco has been supplying premium almond products globally since 1944 and is recognised for its consistent quality, especially as demand for plant-based foods rises. As a grower co-operative, it represents over 80% of Australia’s almond growers, fostering strong B2B relationships focused on exceeding consumer expectations. The company operates a vertically integrated model, pooling member harvests to produce over 100 almond products at its award-winning facility in Renmark, South Australia.
Praetorian Aeronautics – UniSA Australian Centre for Business Growth Scholarship
Praetorian Aeronautics is an Australian company pioneering the future of autonomous aerial systems, delivering advanced UAS and AI-driven software to meet evolving defence and civil challenges. Their modular, attritable systems are designed for rapid deployment and operation in complex, multi-domain environments, offering resilience, precision, and adaptability. Focused on scalable, low-cost manufacturing and national sovereignty, Praetorian empowers operators to counter threats like drone swarms and extend operational reach. With a mission to redefine aerial dominance, the company is reshaping how nations protect and defend through intelligent, next-generation systems.
KWY Aboriginal Corporation – Indigenous Business of the Year Award: sponsored by Maxima
KWY Aboriginal Corporation is a not-for-profit organisation that works to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through economic, social, and cultural development initiatives. They focus on improving access to services, creating employment opportunities, and preserving cultural heritage. Through various programs and partnerships, KWY aims to empower Indigenous communities, promote cultural awareness, and ensure long-term sustainability. Their efforts are guided by a commitment to reconciliation, education, and social justice for Indigenous Australians.
Seonix Bio – Small Business of the Year Award: sponsored by Westpac
Seonix Bio was founded by leading ophthalmologists and researchers who understand the impact of glaucoma vision loss on people’s lives. Building on many years of research and access to some of the world’s largest glaucoma datasets, they identified thousands of genetic variants that increase an individual’s risk of glaucoma and developed this into a genetic risk score. Seonix is now a growing company committed to bringing the benefits of improved genetic risk prediction information to eye health professionals, individuals, and researchers.
Barossa Veterinary Service – Medium Business of the Year Award: sponsored by AHT Group
Barossa Veterinary Service offers comprehensive care for pets, livestock, and farm animals in the Barossa Valley region. The clinic provides a wide array of veterinary services, including routine check-ups, emergency care, surgical procedures, and diagnostic testing. Known for their compassionate and knowledgeable team, Barossa Veterinary Service is committed to providing the highest standard of care for all animals. They also offer farm management services to help livestock owners maintain healthy herds and flocks, focusing on disease prevention, breeding management, and overall animal welfare.
Mayne Pharma – Large Business of the Year Award: sponsored by Boost IT
Mayne Pharma is an ASX-listed specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to making medicines safer, better, and more accessible for patients around the world. With over 40 years of innovation in oral drug delivery systems, their technologies are behind numerous products still sold globally today. Tracing its heritage back to FH Faulding and Co, Mayne Pharma has grown into one of South Australia’s most prominent public companies. With more than 400 staff worldwide, they continue to lead the way in developing complex oral and topical medicines, including highly potent and modified-release products.
Blue Lake Milling – Regional Business of the Year Award: sponsored by ElectraNet
Proudly 100% Australian and established back in 1863, Blue Lake Milling has grown into a leading producer of premium oat and grain products. Built on dedication, innovation, and a commitment to quality, they’re best known for their flagship rolled, quick and instant oats — along with an extensive range of cereals, flakes, bran, flours and premixes. What truly sets Blue Lake Milling apart is their flexible, customer-first approach — partnering with retailers and food brands around the globe to deliver outstanding products at competitive prices.
Consunet – Innovative Business of the Year Award: sponsored by NAB
Consunet is an Australian enterprise recognised and trusted by the Australian Defence and Intelligence sector for its capabilities in Electromagnetic Warfare, Spectrum Management, Cyber & DevSecOps and Logistics. Headquartered in a secure facility in the Adelaide CBD, they have operations in Adelaide, Edinburgh (SA) and Brisbane, where their 130-plus Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cyber specialists design, develop, deploy and support high-assurance software solutions that deliver enduring benefits to their customers. Consunet’s objective is to create new, disruptive opportunities for wireless communications and autonomous systems. They lead with the vision to build the cyber and spectrum security future.
De Stefano & Co – Beyond Borders Business of the Year Award: sponsored by Bunge
De Stefano & Co is a defence-focused management and security consultancy, supporting businesses across Australia and around the globe to navigate the complexities of the defence industry. Since its beginnings in 2015, the company has grown into a team of 23 highly skilled professionals, each bringing deep expertise across defence and security. Today, De Stefano & Co is recognised as a trusted partner for organisations looking to break into — and succeed in — one of the world’s most challenging and competitive sectors.
Santos – ESG Business of the Year Award
Santos is a global energy company operating across Australia, PNG, Timor-Leste, and the USA, supplying vital fuels like oil, gas, and LNG — particularly to the Asian market. Alongside energy production, Santos is investing in carbon capture and storage (CCS), renewables, and emissions reduction to support a lower-carbon future. With a resilient portfolio and a Climate Transition Action Plan, the company aims to sustainably grow its oil and gas operations while developing a commercial carbon management business. For 70 years, Santos has partnered with local communities and remains focused on delivering reliable energy and long-term value for shareholders.
VALAI – Emerging Business of the Year Award: sponsored by Pitcher Partners
VALAI is reshaping the property and valuation finance sector by combining advanced analytics, behavioural science and financial insights to simplify both energy action and property investment. Their data-driven technologies empower major businesses to better engage homeowners, driving practical sustainability decisions that make a real difference. With a team of creative technologists, sustainability experts and property valuers, VALAI is devoted to building a future beyond net zero.
The Hospital Research Foundation Group – Not-for-Profit Business of the Year Award: sponsored by KPMG
For 60 years, The Hospital Research Foundation Group has been dedicated to improving the health and well-being of South Australians. What began as support for a single hospital has grown into funding research and patient care in over 60 disease areas across multiple hospitals, research institutions, and throughout the community. With a strong leadership in healthcare innovation, they demonstrate consistency in delivering pioneering research outcomes, evidence-based community-driven solutions, strong partnerships, and innovative funding strategies.
CME Group – Family Business of the Year Award: sponsored by Coopers Brewery
CME is a family-owned South Australian company with nearly four decades of experience, specialising in energy, electrical, and broadcast-standard stadium lighting. In 2024, they completed a landmark LED upgrade at Adelaide Oval, using an innovative rope-access method to overcome challenging conditions and tight deadlines, earning six major industry awards. The company has undergone strategic restructuring to strengthen operations and ensure sustainable growth while fostering a culture of resilience and transparency. CME is also committed to inclusion, developing programs like PowerHER to create pathways for women in trades, supported by government recognition.
Pisani Group – Workplace Culture and Wellbeing Award: sponsored by The Woohoo Company
Pisani Group is proud to set the standard for innovation, integrity, and client-centric service in the accounting and financial services industry. Pisani Group believes that the new norm within the industry needs a strong focus on workplace practices and patterns by ‘thinking outside the box’ and implementing tangible and non-tangible practices. They have a clear Company Mission, Vision statements and strong Company Core Values that are committed to supporting a healthy work environment.
The University of Adelaide (WPDN) – Governor’s Award for Business Achievement in Gender Equity: sponsored by Government House
The University of Adelaide’s Women’s Professional Development Network (WPDN) is a unique and dynamic grassroots network designed to support the professional and personal development of professional staff women employed by the University of Adelaide through activities that have been shown to promote leadership, personal job satisfaction, positive work attitude and career advancement. The WPDN was established in 1995 as a volunteer network to support women in their professional development. Now in its 30th year, the WPDN demonstrates its marked and influential contributions to achieving gender equity.
Munda Wines – First Nations Exporter Award: sponsored by Department of State Development
Munda Wines is a proud First Nations-owned premium wine company. They craft benchmark expressions of each variety in its rightful home — wines of integrity and refinement that capture the singular munda of each region. By acknowledging Traditional Countries through wine, they hope to offer something both accessible and meaningful: a conversation that begins in the glass, but reaches far beyond it.
The Yoghurt Shop – Agribusiness, Food and Beverages Export Award: sponsored by Flinders Port Holdings
The Yoghurt Shop is a proud South Australian, family-owned business creating premium Greek-style yoghurt with fresh local milk and traditional techniques. Their signature double-strained single-serve cups come with real fruit or dessert toppings, alongside family-sized tubs and multipacks. With no cream, thickeners or preservatives, just milk and time, they’ve built a reputation for quality, authenticity and indulgence that health-conscious consumers love.
Foxie Games – Creative Industries Export Award
Based in Adelaide, Foxie Games turns local creativity into global mobile gaming success, reaching over 100 million players worldwide. They design and operate original free-to-play multiplayer open-world games that cater to niche communities, providing safe and engaging digital spaces for fans of unique interests. Their titles emphasize teamwork, critical thinking, and social connection, fostering meaningful experiences for players. With strong international sales, top app store rankings, and widespread global reach, Foxie Games has established itself as a leader in delivering quality gaming experiences across key markets like the US, Europe, and Brazil.
Château Tanunda – South Australian Wine Exporter Award
Château Tanunda is a renowned winery located in the Barossa Valley, one of Australia’s most iconic wine regions. Established in 1890, it is one of the oldest wineries in the region, producing a diverse range of premium wines from its historic vineyards. The winery is celebrated for its rich heritage, exceptional winemaking techniques, and high-quality wines, including Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenache. Château Tanunda’s commitment to sustainable farming practices ensures that their wines reflect the region’s unique terroir, while offering visitors an immersive wine-tasting experience.
Foil Drive – e‑Commerce Export Award: sponsored by Mayne Pharma
Foil Drive is an Australian engineering company that pioneered “hybrid foiling” with a patent-pending electric propulsion kit that attaches to any hydrofoil mast, providing a boost for take-off while preserving natural wave energy. All research, assembly, and quality control take place in Adelaide, with parts sourced globally. Since launching its second-generation platform, Foil Drive has sold nearly 2,700 kits in the current fiscal year, with over 70% of revenue from exports to the US and Europe, distributed through a global network of dealers. The company is expanding with a new headquarters in South Australia to enhance manufacturing and innovation, continuing to lead the foil-assist market through advanced engineering, strong customer support, and community engagement.
Balco Australia – Sustainability and Green Economy Export Award: sponsored by Adelaide Airport
Balco Australia is a leading force in the hay export industry, setting the standard for product innovation, improved processes, and global market exploration. Committed to their community, the company fosters employment, safety, and professional development. Alongside growers, Balco Australia sets the benchmark for quality standards, fostering long-term relationships with international buyers with a profound understanding of their clientele and utilising the expertise of its in-house agronomy team.
Noora Solutions Pty Ltd – Emerging Exporter Award: sponsored by The Advertiser
Founded in 2021 in Adelaide, Noora Solutions Pty Ltd builds on over two decades of manufacturing expertise to deliver electronic custom solutions for industry and advanced laboratories. Specialising in high-quality, industrial-grade devices, the company addresses critical challenges in advanced testing environments —particularly lifetime testing — by ensuring precise, repeatable, and disturbance-free data. With a focus on innovation, reliability, and client partnership, Noora Solutions Pty Ltd is committed to solving complex problems, exceeding expectations, and helping clients achieve accurate, traceable results that stand the test of time.
PixelForce – Small Business Export Award
PixelForce is a leading Australian digital solutions studio that specialises in building high-performance web and mobile applications. With over a decade of experience and a project portfolio valued at more than $50 million, the team offers end-to-end services including UX/UI design, strategy, software development, and cloud infrastructure. All work is completed in-house, ensuring consistent quality, scalability, and security. Known for delivering award-winning platforms across industries such as health, fitness, e‑commerce, and enterprise, PixelForce is trusted globally for creating innovative, user-focused digital products.
Mayne Pharma – International Health Export Award: sponsored by CMAX Clinical Research
Mayne Pharma is a global pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving patient outcomes through high-quality, affordable treatments. Headquartered in South Australia, the company develops, manufactures, and commercialises both branded and generic medicines across oncology, dermatology, pain management and more. With world-class facilities certified by both the TGA and FDA, Mayne Pharma exports innovative oral and topical medicines to more than 16 countries, contributing to better health outcomes worldwide while showcasing South Australian capability on the global stage.
Novafast – Manufacturing and Advanced Materials Export Award: sponsored by Export Finance Australia
Founded in Adelaide in 1999, Novafast has grown from a local operation into a global leader in high-quality composite products and materials. With a strong reputation built on research, development, and exceeding client expectations, Novafast has delivered major projects across oil and gas, desalination, mining, waste management and environmental applications in Australia, Asia and the Middle East. Renowned for innovation and the ability to custom-design solutions for the most demanding environments, Novafast continues to play a key role in projects worldwide.
CMAX Clinical Research – Professional Services Export Award: sponsored by IP Partners
CMAX is one of Australia’s largest and most experienced early-phase clinical trial units. Centrally positioned in Adelaide, South Australia, CMAX is located opposite the Royal Adelaide Hospital and adjacent to the innovative Adelaide BioMed City precinct. As Australia’s longest-operating early phase unit, CMAX conducts successful world-leading research for local and international clients, specialising in a range of early-phase trials and first-time-in-human studies (FTIH). The team is proud that trials undertaken at CMAX have resulted in the advancement of global medicines and technologies, from cancer treatment and pain control to early warning bio-devices and hormone replacement therapies.
Almondco Australia – Regional Exporter Award: sponsored by Employers Mutual Limited
Almondco has been supplying premium almond products globally since 1944 and is recognised for its consistent quality, especially as demand for plant-based foods rises. As a grower co-operative, it represents over 80% of Australia’s almond growers, fostering strong B2B relationships focused on exceeding consumer expectations. The company operates a vertically integrated model, pooling member harvests to produce over 100 almond products at its award-winning facility in Renmark, South Australia.
Wilco Technologies – Resources and Energy Export Award
Wilco Technologies specialises in resin bolting, particularly in resin capsule installation, aiming to provide high-quality products that deliver effective solutions for underground strata control. The Trajectaflex* Resin Firing System was first tested at BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam mine site in February 2005, where it remains a standard practice. This innovation was driven by the need for enhanced efficiency and safety in resin set bolting cycle times. With nearly 40 years of experience in underground hard rock development mining, Wilco Technologies brings a wealth of expertise to the field.
MyVenue – Technologies Export Award: sponsored by Department of State Development
MyVenue is a next-generation point-of-sale (POS) provider designed specifically for food and beverage venues, delivering seamless ordering, increased efficiency, and sales growth. Fully cloud-hosted on Amazon Web Services, it’s trusted by major stadiums and hospitality venues across North America and the Asia-Pacific. The platform offers fast transactions, scalable deployment, mobile-first ordering, and real-time performance dashboards. Built on five core pillars, MyVenue ensures ease of use, high reliability, mobile accessibility, secure backend functionality, and actionable and real-time reporting.
