2024 Sydney Business Awards: Finalists revealed after a record amount of entries

More than 150 of the best businesses – along with outstanding leaders and employees – have been revealed as finalists in the 2024 Sydney Business Awards. See the full list.

Finalists have been announced in the 2024 Sydney Business Awards.

From international business to outstanding employees, the best of the best across Sydney has been revealed.

The 2024 Sydney Business Awards has released its list of more than 150 finalists.

Viewed as the “Oscars of Small Business” the awards – started by Business NSW – have showcased the highest level of innovation, resilience and dedication of businesses across Sydney for more than 10 years.

This years awards attracted a record 193 entries, a 37 per cent increase from 2023.

Business NSW chief executive officer Daniel Hunter.

Business NSW CEO Daniel Hunter said the standard of entries was “incredibly high”.

“We’ve received an overwhelming response to this year’s awards program and I congratulate all entrants, but particularly our finalists,” he said.

“Businesses across the Sydney region have showcased their commitment to excellence, sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and leadership.”

Concord West business owner Daniel Ucchino is a finalist in the Outstanding Business Leader category.

Mr Ucchino is owner of The Athletic Buddah, a family gym and kids club that aims to make training a part of their customers’ everyday lives.

Daniel Ucchino doing a home workout with his wife Mika, and kids Zen, Lotus and Bodhi.

He said becoming a finalist showed they are doing the right thing by their community.

“We love what we do, we pride ourselves on service sometimes even to the detriment of profit,” he said.

“This award lets us know we are doing good things for or community and that we are ticking the right boxes.”

Danielle Capaldi, from the The Athletic Buddha Kids, is a finalist in the Outstanding Employee category.

Finalist for the Micro Business Award, and owner of Glass and Brush in Engadine, Tracey Hobbs, was ecstatic to hear the news and said that winning the award would be the “highlight” of her working career.

Tracey Hobbs owns Glass and Brush which runs painting parties.

Glass and Brush classes.

“I’ve been a sole trader for four years and nominated for local competitions but not this one yet so hearing the news was exciting,” she said.

“It would be a dream come true if I won this award, I think I would cry a little bit.

“All the hours of hard work and dedication, it’s nice to have some recognition for it.”

Another finalist Australian UAV Service is up for Excellence in Innovation. The service provides shark surveillance with the use of drones across 50 locations along the NSW Coastline. The program runs during the school holiday periods to ensure the safety of water-users during the busiest periods.

Australian UAV Service manager Paul Hardy said the business felt immense pride in the award short-listing as it showed hard work paid off.

Australian UAV Service crew flying one of their drones

“We have over 250 drone pilots who feel a lot of pride working for Surf Life Saving and award nominations like this show them that we are proud of them and believe in them,” he said.

Paul Hardy of Australian UAV Services.

Paul Hardy was also nominated for Outstanding Young Business leader which he said gave him a chance to reflect on “why” he was chosen.

“It’s an honour to be recognised in the 2024 Business NSW Awards, alongside other great NSW people,” he said.

“Being a finalist in the Business Awards is truly honouring, and is a great chance to share that story and why with more people.”

FINALISTS

Outstanding Employee

The Award recognises an inspirational employee who has demonstrated a passion for their role and a commitment to their workplace and the community. See the list below.

■ Danielle Capaldi, The Athletic Buddha Kids, Concord West.

■ Hayley Roberts, Excelerate Marketing, Sydney.

■ Honor Munro, STUDIO MIMI Pty Ltd, Surry Hills.

■ Indu Ponnusamy, Softlabs, Ultimo.

■ Mario Oporto, Commnia, Sydney.

■ Marion Bell, Blue Visions Management PL, North Sydney.

■ Rosano Martinez, Kolour by Kaz Pty Ltd. Darlinghurst.

■ Sameer Maharjan, Commnia, Sydney.

■ Samra Suljovic, Earlwood Dental Care, Earlwood.

■ Stavros Isyhos, CNF and Associates, Sydney.

■ Tasia Hutama, Blue Visions Management PL, North Sydney

Outstanding Young Business Leader

The Award recognises an inspirational business leader aged 35 or under at the time of entry who has demonstrated a commitment to their workplace, industry, and the community through leadership.

■ Anna Rosa, Cato Logistics Pty Ltd, Marrickville.

■ Annabella Dao, Management Commercial Engineering (MCE) Pty Ltd, Sydney.

■ Annalise Knight, Brother Nature Build, Brookvale.

■ Cealan Macdonnell, Cato Logistics Pty Ltd, Marrickville.

■ Emma Reeves, Excelerate Marketing, Sydney.

■ Jacob Muller, Work Ventures, Alexandria.

■ Kyearn Ngoi, Kyearn Architecture, North Sydney.

■ Lyndsey Green, Luna Park Sydney, Milsons Point.

■ Paul Hardy, Australian UAV Service, Belrose.

■ Scott Bidmead, ApproveAll Town Planning Pty Ltd, Zetland.

Outstanding Business Leader – 20 Employees and Under

The award recognises an inspirational business leader aged 36 years or over at the time of entry who has demonstrated a commitment to their workplace.

■ Alison Lennard, Philosophy Australia Pty Ltd, Willoughby.

■ Anita Gover, TechAbility, Stanmore.

■ Charles Liu, Cubic Promotions Pty Ltd, Sydney.

■ Daniel Ucchino, The Athletic Buddha, Concord West.

■ Florian Dieterle, CaSE & Pike Design, North Sydney.

■ Gina Yazbek, Commnia, Sydney.

■ Kavita Herbert, BackBone Global Services Pty Ltd, Greenwich.

■ Kim Stewart-Smith, Stewart & Smith Advisory, Mosman.

■ Michelle Kvello, Lantern Partners, Lane Cove.

■ Michele Miller, Robokids, Curl Curl.

■ Nabil Chammas, BTG International Services Pty Ltd, Sydney.

■ Nicholas Armstrong-Smith, Century 21 Armstrong-Smith, Bondi Junction.

■ Sanjay Sethi, Kismet Mechanical Pty Ltd, Leichhardt.

Outstanding Business Leader – 21 Employees and Over

■ Aileen Wang, AOJI Education Australia, Sydney.

■ Jodie Wainwright, Milk Crate Theatre, Alexandria.

■ Kieran Cato, Cato Logistics Pty Ltd, Marrickville.

■ Rebecca Ullman, Link Business Brokers Sydney St Leonards.

Excellence in International Business

The award recognises a business that exports its products or services internationally, in order to build a positive reputation for Australian products and services.

■ 2stay, Rosebery.

■ LegalVision, Surry Hills.

■ The Whiskey Project Group Ltd, Belrose.

Employer of Choice – Under 20 Employees

The award recognises a business that has implemented strategies and initiatives to create a stimulating and supportive workplace environment.

■ Brother Nature Build, Brookvale.

■ CaSE Contractors, North Sydney.

■ Management Commercial Engineering (MCE) Pty Ltd, Sydney.

■ TechAbility, Stanmore.

Employer of Choice – 21 Employees and Over

■ BDO Group Holdings Limited, Sydney.

■ Corporate Techology Services Pty Ltd, Sydney.

■ TalentWeb, Sydney.

Excellence in Innovation

The award recognises a business that has implemented innovative solutions for new and existing needs through the introduction or improvement of a product, technology, or application that impacts the wider community.

■ Australian UAV Service, Belrose.

■ Big Splash Media (Sydney Travel Guide), Potts Point.

■ Brother Nature Build, Brookvale.

■ BTG International Services Pty Ltd, Sydney.

■ Commnia, Sydney.

■ Cybermate, Paddington.

■ EduTech Australia Pty Ltd, Sydney.

■ Guni Sms, Sydney.

■ Intergy Consulting, North Sydney.

■ Milk Crate Theatre, Alexandria.

■ Link Business Broker Sydney, St Leonards.

■ NanoGel Pty Ltd, Lane Cove West.

■ National Institute of Dramatic Art, Kensington.

■ NeedleCalm, Church Point.

■ Pebl Payments, Sydney.

■ Rebooter Group, St Leonards.

■ RelayPay, Barangaroo.

■ RevMax, Menai.

■ Theratrak Pty Ltd, Wollstonecraft.

■ Waterstons Pty Ltd, Macquarie Park.

■ Zigtal Pty Ltd, Sydney.

Excellence in Sustainability

The award recognises a business that has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable business practices and is working to reduce the impact of its operations on the environment.

■ Cubic Promotions Pty Ltd, Sydney.

■ Cyclone Global Pty Limited, Botany.

■ House of Samara, Allambie Heights.

■ National Institute of Dramatic Art, Kensington.

■ Steensen Varming Australia Pty Ltd, Sydney.

■ The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust, Sydney.

Outstanding Community Organisation

The award recognises an organisation that works to improve the social, cultural, or environmental well-being of the community.

■ Biennale of Sydney Ltd, The Rocks.

■ Brand X Productions Incorporated, Darlinghurst.

■ Bus Stop Films Ltd, Carlton.

■ Easts Group & Sydney Roosters, Moore Park.

■ KARI Foundation, Woolloomooloo.

■ Lifeline Australia, Sydney.

■ Milk Crate Theatre, Alexandria.

■ Seed Planet, Point Piper.

■ Sydney School of Entrepreneurship Limited, Ultimo.

■ The Sydney Fringe Incorporated, Marrickville.

■ YCK Laneways Association Incorporated, Rozelle.

Outstanding New Business

The award recognises a start-up business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the potential to achieve future success.

■ ApproveAll Town Planning, Zetland.

■ Connie M Buyers Agent Pty Ltd, Seaforth.

■ Element Becroft Pty Ltd, Manly.

■ Hey Lemonade Pty Ltd, Potts Point.

■ Louisa Chan Creative, Sydney.

■ ONYX Gym Pty Ltd, Alexandria.

■ Pivot Point Pty Ltd, Kingsgrove.

■ Republic Building Corporation Pty Ltd, Alexandria.

■ TEN Fit, Bronte.

■ White Waratah Boutique Thai Massage and Infrared Sauna, Rozelle.

Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion

The award recognises businesses that address the needs of a diverse community.

■ Australian UAV Service, Belrose.

■ Blue Visions Management PL, North Sydney.

■ Dyirranga Ltd, Cromer.

■ RevMax, Menai.

■ Gusto’s Home Hub, Gordon.

■ Kolour by Kaz Pty Ltd, Darlinghurst.

■ National Institute of Dramatic Art, Kensington.

■ Seed Planet, Point Piper.

■ The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust, Sydney.

Excellence in Micro Business

The award recognises a business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience.

■ BackBone Global Services Pty Ltd, Sydney.

■ Blue Sky Career Consulting, Sydney.

■ CaSE Traffic & Transport, North Sydney.

■ CyberUnlocked, North Sydney.

■ Glass and Brush, Engadine.

■ Infodec Communications, Miranda.

■ Little Ripples Wine, Manly.

■ Magical Megs, Berowra.

■ Mark the Florist, Darlinghurst.

■ Osteopathy Services Pty Ltd, Potts Point.

■ Picture Me Sydney, Leichhardt.

■ Q Visual Communication, Riverwood.

■ Sophie B Photography, Bangor.

■ The Flute Academy, Milsons Point.

■ TurnKey Promotions, Gladesville.

Excellence in Small Business

The award recognises a business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience.

■ Active Property Investing Pty Ltd, St Leonards.

■ Amire, Manly.

■ AMZ Product Launcher, Lilyfield.

■ Bloom HR, Sydney.

■ Blue Visions Management PL, North Sydney.

■ BPMA Australia Pty Ltd, Sydney.

■ CaSE & Pike Design, North Sydney.

■ Cubic Promotions Pty Ltd, Sydney.

■ Earlwood Dental Care, Earlwood.

■ Excelerate Marketing, Sydney.

■ Exit Advisory Group. North Sydney.

■ Glow Collection, Sydney.

■ Groves & Partners, Sydney.

■ Kismet Mechanical, Leichhardt.

■ Kyearn Architecture, North Sydney.

■ Management Commercial Engineering (MCE) Pty Ltd, Sydney.

■ Minerva Partners, Sydney.

■ Mutual Paraplanning Services Pty Ltd, Sydney.

■ Nimbull Digital Marketing, The Rocks.

■ Philosophy Australia Pty Ltd, Willoughby.

■ Planetdwellers, Darlinghurst.

■ Sterling Results Fitness Club, Willoughby.

■ Synergy Asset Services, Crows Nest.

■ TaxAssisst Accountants, Surry Hills.

■ TechAbility, Stanmore.

■ The Athletic Buddha, Concord West.

■ The Shower Repair Centre, Brookvale.

■ The Strategy Group Pty Ltd, Bondi Junction.

■ The Studio Sydney Group, Caringbah.

■ Venetian Plaster Gallery Pty Ltd, Strathfield South.

Excellence in Large Business

The award recognises a business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience.

■ BDO Group Holdings Limited, Sydney.

■ BTG International Services Pty Ltd, Sydney.

■ Cato Logistics Pty Ltd, Marrickville.

■ EML NSW Pty Ltd, Sydney.

■ Green Light Worldwide, Sydney.

■ LegalVision, Surry Hills.

■ Link Business Brokers Sydney, St Leonards.

■ TalentWeb, Sydney.

Outstanding Local Chamber Award

The award recognises innovative projects undertaken in the past 12 months by a Local Chamber that aims to improve economic, environmental or social impacts.

■ Ku-ring-gai Chamber of Commerce, Pymble.

■ North Sydney Business Chamber, North Sydney.

■ Sutherland Shire Business Chamber, Miranda.

■ St George Business Chamber, Hurstville.