Pemba Summit Awards 2025

Recognising outstanding performance across six sectors and rewarding excellence in sustainable growth, leadership and ambition.

The Summit Awards was launched in 2024 by Pemba Capital Partners and sponsored by Gilbert + Tobin, to celebrate Australia and New Zealand’s inspiring founders and incredible businesses.

Among last year’s standout winners were trailblazing companies like Catapult, Lab3, Vantari VR.

Sector Awards

Awards will be presented to the leading company in each of the six sectors below, selected based on a blend of criteria including exceptional revenue growth, notable achievements, and bold ambition.

Software

Specialist IT Services

Healthcare

Financial Services

Business Services

Education & Training

Specialist Awards

In addition, there are three sector agnostic awards

Leader of the Year: Highlighting an individual who has showcased extraordinary leadership in the face of challenges and opportunities. This leader can be anyone within the business. We are looking for examples of how this leader has taken ownership of an exciting product launch, motivated key staff, negotiated critical outcomes, or led a transformational business process.
Innovation Award: We are looking for innovation (whether that is technology, product or service) and to reward a company that pushes for evolution beyond their sector.
One to Watch: Focused on recognition of a smaller, emerging business which has the potential to become a leader within their sector within the next few years.

Full description of the awards and criteria are found below.

Why enter?

check - Pemba Summit Awards

Recognition amongst a community of high performing Australia and New Zealand SMEs

check - Pemba Summit Awards

Opportunity to elevate your brand profile and reach of your business to potential customers and partners

check - Pemba Summit Awards

Exclusive prizes for winners in each awards segment

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Invitation to an exclusive awards evening in Sydney with top sponsors, networking opportunities and engaging panel discussions

Winners of the Pemba Summit Awards will be announced at the Awards presentation evening in Sydney on 25 September 2025, with shortlisted candidates invited to attend.

Speakers

Kris Satish

CEO & Founder Oolio Group

To be announced

Entry criteria

To be eligible for entry into the Summit Awards, each company must meet the following criteria:

Be an Australian or New Zealand headquartered company
Have revenue of above A$2m in the current financial year (FY25)
The majority of this revenue must not be from one customer or from government grants.

To prepare for your nomination, please have the following information on hand:

Company details (name, address, ABN, contact information)
Brief description of the company
Reasons for nomination
Revenue for FY23, FY24 and FY25 (can be an estimate, actuals to be requested in due course). This is not required for the Specialist Awards

Key Dates:

Awards applications open: 10 June 2025
Awards applications close: 29 August 2025
Summit Awards 2025 event in Sydney: 25 September 2025

FAQ

What does it cost to enter?

Entering the Summit Awards is free of charge.

What are the six sectors eligible to enter? How do I know which sector I fall into?

Your company must operate in one of the six sectors: i) Software, ii) Healthcare, iii) Financial Services, iv) Business Services, v) Specialist IT Services or vi) Education & Training.

For the Sector Awards, what is the methodology used to rank companies to determine the winners?

Revenue Growth: We use a 3-year Compound Annual Growth Rate (‘CAGR’) to determine the fastest growing companies. This is based on actual revenue from FY23, FY24 and an estimate for FY25. Winners will be asked for actual FY25 revenue once confirmed.

All data is securely stored and will not be shared with anyone outside of Pemba.

Key Achievements: Achievements and milestones accomplished by the company during their growth will be assessed as part of the Sector Award criteria.

Note: this information is not required upon submission and will be requested from shortlisted applicants.

Growth Plans: High-level plans for growth initiatives such as; international expansion, expansion into new clients segments etc.

Note: this information is not required upon submission and will be requested from shortlisted applicants.

Can I nominate a company or a leader?

Self-nomination or third-party nomination are accepted for each awards category, via the application form on our website listed below.

How are Specialist Award winners selected?

Specialist Award winners will be selected based on the key criteria given to the judging panel.

Who do I contact for further questions or clarifications?

Contact the awards team at events@pemba.com.au

Disclaimer

Application Disclaimer

Participation in the Summit Awards is subject to evaluation and approval by Pemba. Pemba retains full and exclusive authority to review, accept, or decline any application at its discretion. At any point during the program, Pemba also reserves the right to remove or disqualify any nominee or participant without prior notice.

Application Form

"*" indicates required fields

Company Name*

ABN

Brief description of company

Company Website*

Your Name*

Position*

Email*

Contact Number*

Sector Awards

To apply for our Sector Awards, please provide a brief overview of the business, revenue figures for FY23–FY25, and a short rationale for the nomination, including key achievements and growth ambitions. All information will be securely stored and kept confidential within Pemba.

Which categories would you like to enter:

Healthcare

Software

Specialist IT Services

Financial Services

Business Services

Education & Training

When entering for a sector award entrants must submit the last 3 financial years revenue (CAGR).

FY23 Revenue*

FY24 Revenue*

FY25 Revenue*

Specialist Awards

Our Specialty Awards are designed to recognise targeted achievements in three key areas critical to business growth. We are seeking companies and leaders who have delivered exceptional outcomes or overcome significant challenges. Judging will focus on how entrants have demonstrated a clear vision, executed their strategy, differentiated themselves from competitors, and shown resilience throughout the process. For each award you wish to apply for, please include a short statement (100–500 words) explaining how you meet the criteria. You may apply for multiple awards, and shortlisted entrants may be contacted for further information.

Judging will be based on four key criteria: Vision, Execution, Differentiation, and Resilience, each weighted equally at 25%. For each award you apply for, please include a short statement (100–500 words) explaining how you meet these criteria. You may apply for multiple awards. Shortlisted entrants may be contacted for further information.

Leader of the Year

Innovation Award

One to Watch

Why should the nominee be considered for Leader of the Year Award?

Please share how this individual has demonstrated exceptional leadership within the business. Include examples of how they’ve taken charge during key moments, such as leading a successful product launch, inspiring and motivating staff, negotiating critical outcomes, or driving transformational change. This person can be in any role, as long as their leadership has made a meaningful impact.

Why should the nominee be considered for the Innovation Award?

In your submission, please describe how the company is driving innovation, whether through technology, product development, or service delivery. Highlight how they are challenging norms and pushing boundaries beyond what’s expected in their sector, and share examples of their forward-thinking approach and impact.

Why should the nominee be considered for the One to Watch Award?

In your submission, please include a short overview of the business, what makes it unique in its sector, and why you believe it has the potential to become a future industry leader. Highlight any standout achievements, innovative approaches, or signs of strong growth and vision that set this business apart.

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News &
Insights.

02Oct

Pemba Summit Awards 2025

Sponsored by:

Recognising outstanding performance across six sectors and rewarding excellence in sustainable growth, leadership and ambition.

Sector Awards

Software

Specialist IT Services

Healthcare

Financial Services

Business Services

Education & Training

Specialist Awards

In addition, there are three sector agnostic awards

Why enter?

Recognition amongst a community of high performing Australia and New Zealand SMEs

Opportunity to elevate your brand profile and reach of your business to potential customers and partners

Exclusive prizes for winners in each awards segment

Invitation to an exclusive awards evening in Sydney with top sponsors, networking opportunities and engaging panel discussions

Winners of the Pemba Summit Awards will be announced at the Awards presentation evening in Sydney on 25 September 2025, with shortlisted candidates invited to attend.

Speakers

Kris Satish

Kris Satish

To be announced

To be announced

Entry criteria

To be eligible for entry into the Summit Awards, each company must meet the following criteria:

To prepare for your nomination, please have the following information on hand:

Key Dates:

FAQ

Disclaimer

Application Form

Sector Awards

Specialist Awards

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