Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards

August 2026 Winners

Emerging and Micro Business

Sponsored by Homecorp

Vela Estate

Vela Estate designs and customises luxury gifts for real estate agencies and corporate clients across Australia. Vela Estate was created in 2024 by siblings Mathew Stubbs and Tani Bloudell. Within its first 12 months, Vela Estate generated more than $1 million in revenue and within 18 months the company produced and delivered more than 30,000 customised gift boxes.

Family Business

Sponsored by Queensland Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business

Goldies Bake Shop

Goldies Bake Shop has served the Gold Coast with pies, pastries, cakes and treats for more than 80 years. Originally named Goldsteins, the business began in 1944 as a small bake shop in Brisbane. Goldies Bake Shop now operates across eight Gold Coast stores and one central bakehouse. A third generation of the Goldstein family is now at helm of the family-owned business.’

Retail, Wholesale and Distribution

Sponsored by Westpac

Bushwakka Adventure Gear

Bushwakka Adventure Gear is an Australian-owned 4WD and camping brand focused on creating practical and easy to use camping products. The company’s range includes rooftop tents, awning walls, camping chairs, sleeping gear, water storage solutions, recovery equipment, camping accessories and Hybric Camper Vans. The company’s products are now exported to Canada, South Africa and a growing number of countries across Europe.

Construction and Trades

Sponsored by Optus

Stratum Civil

Stratum Civil is a family-owned civil construction firm that serves clients across Queensland. Established in 2020, the Yatala-headquartered business now employs more than 100 full-time and part-time staff and has a growing fleet of equipment. The company has delivered nearly 100 infrastructure projects of all sizes, both residential and industrial since its founding.

Mayor's Innovation GC

Sponsored by City of Gold Coast

AAC ID Solutions

AAC ID Solutions is a Gold Coast manufacturer, specialising in top-tier identification and branding solutions, as well as its CrowdFlo integrated event management platform. With more than 25 years in the industry, the second-generation family business offers an extensive range of cutting-edge products, from wristbands and lanyards to ID cards and event technology.

Manufacturing

Sponsored by GCBEA

Digga Australia

Now in its 45th year of operation, Digga designs and manufactures earthmoving and agricultural attachments, mini loaders, and gearboxes across seven global facilities. A two-time Gold Coast Business of the Year winner, the company serves contractors, equipment manufacturers, and more than 950 dealers in over 50 countries. Digga remains family-owned, with second-generation leader Zoe Conde now serving as CEO.

Professions and Services

Sponsored by Walker Corporation

Australian Property Scout

Australian Property Scout is a strategy driven, Australia-wide Buyers Agency specialising in investment property acquisition. Founded by award-winning buyer’s agent
Sam Gordon, the Bundall-based business now employs more than 80 people nationally. The business serves everyday Australians looking to build wealth through property, no matter their starting positions.

Health and Wellbeing

Sponsored by Australian Retirement Trust

Centre of Movement

Centre of Movement supports children with disabilities through weekly intensive therapy programs. Launched in 2019 by Stephen and Emily Pennisi, the company now employs 27 people at state-of-the-art clinics on the Gold Coast, Rotorua and Christchurch. Families now travel from across Australia and internationally to access Centre of Movement's services.

IT and Digital Business

Sponsored by Griffith University

Clarity Technology Group

Clarity Technology Group is a Managed IT Services Provider delivering strategic IT support, cybersecurity and governance to high-performing small and medium businesses across South East Queensland and Northern Rivers, with national offices supported remotely. Founded in 2019 by Brodon Hirst and Drew Pollock, Clarity focuses on providing 100 per cent Australian support, higher cybersecurity level as standard and strategy-led IT for businesses.

Education, Training and Employment

Sponsored by Invest Gold Coast

NGO Training Centre

The NGO Training Centre delivers compliance and education solutions for Disability, Aged Care, Youth and Indigenous organisations across Australia. With a cutting-edge Learning Management System and a diverse range of courses on offer, the business serves 70,000 learners and 1500 organisations to achieve excellence.

Tourism, Hospitality and Events

Sponsored by Village Roadshow Theme Parks

Sogno Group

Sogno Group owns and operates three Italian restaurants, Sogno Italiano Mermaid Waters, Sogno Italiano Burleigh Waters and Oro by Sogno Italiano at Broadbeach. Founded by chefs Sushil Maharjan and Prajwol Maharjan, the business serves the Gold Coast community and visitors alike, combining traditional Italian recipes with premium ingredients.

Environment and Sustainability

Sponsored by SEE Group

Sweep Superyachts

Sweep Superyachts meets the needs of the growing superyacht industry while reducing the environmental impact of maintenance and refit works. Recently the company built the largest on-water encapsulation system ever used in Australia. The structure allowed the full respray of a 240ft superyacht in the water while preventing paint, debris, dust and other contaminants from entering waterways.