2026 Finalists Announced

Queensland’s most innovative and impactful social enterprises, entrepreneurs and changemakers have been recognised at tonight’s Queensland Social Enterprise Awards, celebrating organisations that are tackling some of the state’s most pressing social, environmental and economic challenges.

From creating jobs for people facing barriers to employment and supporting vulnerable families, to reducing textile waste, increasing access to safe drinking water and driving Indigenous-led solutions, this year’s winners demonstrate the power of business for good.

Adele Laughton, CEO of the Queensland Social Enterprise Council, said the awards showcase the extraordinary diversity and impact of social enterprise across the state.

“Every one of tonight’s winners has identified a challenge in their community and created a practical, sustainable solution that is changing lives.”

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate these social enterprise leaders and the positive difference they are making for Queenslanders every day.”

The Queensland Social Enterprise Awards recognise organisations and individuals creating meaningful impact through innovative business models that deliver positive outcomes for people, communities and the environment.

2026 Queensland Social Enterprise Award Winners

Social Enterprise of the Year Award
Lighthouse Care

Lighthouse Care was named Queensland’s Social Enterprise of the Year for its innovative and sustainable approach to food relief. Through discount grocery stores, an online shop and home delivery services, Lighthouse Care provides affordable groceries while funding free and subsidised food support for families experiencing hardship. Its self-funded model helps thousands of Queensland families each week with dignity and compassion.

Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Geoff Smith, Co-Founder & CEO, Australian Spatial Analytics

Geoff Smith was recognised for his leadership in creating employment pathways for autistic Australians through Australian Spatial Analytics (ASA). Since 2020, ASA has created more than 250 geospatial and digital engineering careers while delivering more than $20 million in projects, demonstrating how social enterprise can address both workforce shortages and social inequality.

Catalyst for Change Award
Social Impact Hub

Social Impact Hub was honoured for its significant contribution to growing Queensland’s impact economy. Since 2014, the organisation has delivered more than 600 advisory projects, supported over 290 social enterprises to become investment-ready and helped facilitate more than $28 million in capital, strengthening the state’s social enterprise ecosystem.

Environmental Impact Award
The Nest Community

The Nest Community received the Environmental Impact Award for its innovative circular economy model tackling textile waste. Through Queensland’s largest community-based textile recovery initiative, The Nest has diverted nearly 300,000 textile items from landfill over the past two years while engaging thousands of community members in reuse, repair and sustainability initiatives.

Impact Through Innovation Award
Happy Paws Happy Hearts

Happy Paws Happy Hearts was recognised for its unique model that strengthens both human and animal wellbeing. Through evidence-based programs delivered in partnership with animal shelters, the organisation supports people experiencing disability, mental health challenges and social disadvantage while improving outcomes for thousands of shelter animals.

Indigenous Social Enterprise of the Year Award
WV Technologies

WV Technologies was recognised for creating social impact through IT asset lifecycle services while supporting Indigenous youth through the Worldview Foundation. Revenue generated by the enterprise helps fund culturally led programs that build employment readiness, strengthen cultural connection, and create pathways into meaningful work.

Jobs-Focused Social Enterprise of the Year Award
Ability Enterprises

Based in Toowoomba, Ability Enterprises was recognised for providing full award-wage employment opportunities to people who have experienced barriers to work. Since 2012, more than 500 local people have been employed through the organisation, which has paid over $10 million in wages while delivering essential services across the Darling Downs and Lockyer Valley regions.

One to Watch Award
Aqua Ubique Systems

Veteran-founded social enterprise Aqua Ubique Systems was recognised for its innovative solution to water insecurity. Its technology generates drinking water directly from air, reducing plastic waste while improving access to safe drinking water. Through its “Drop4Drop” model, commercial deployments directly fund water access initiatives in communities such as Cherbourg.

Regional & Remote Impact Award
Strong Communities

Strong Communities was recognised for delivering place-based programs that strengthen children, parents and families across Central Queensland. The organisation works with families facing disadvantage, isolation and other challenges, providing early intervention programs that build resilience and long-term community wellbeing.

Youth-Led Social Enterprise of the Year Award
Futurum Education

Founded by first-generation university students Isuka Muthumuni and Aaron Smith, Futurum Education was recognised for improving educational equity by connecting high-achieving university students with school students through structured tutoring and mentoring programs, particularly supporting First Nations, regional and low socio-economic communities.

Building a Stronger Queensland Through Social Enterprise

The 2025 award winners collectively demonstrate the growing contribution of social enterprise to Queensland’s economy and communities. Through innovation, collaboration and purpose-driven business models, these organisations are creating sustainable solutions to challenges ranging from employment and education to environmental sustainability, Indigenous empowerment and food security.

Tonight’s awards celebrate not only individual achievements but also the strength and diversity of Queensland’s social enterprise sector and its capacity to create lasting positive impact across the state.

The inaugural Queensland Social Enterprise Awards are an initiative of Queensland Social Enterprise Council (QSEC) are made possible thanks to the support of partners including Queensland Government, The University of Queensland, Australian Social Value Bank, Cape York Partnerships, Future Anything, Hand Heart Pocket, QUT, Social Enterprise Finance Australia (SEFA), and The Connection Table.

For more information, visit:
www.queenslandsocialenterpriseawards.com.au