The Veteran Industry Portal
Australia’s Digital Front Door to Veteran-Owned Capability
VetCon26 Veteran Business Awards
Nomination Criteria
The VetCon26 Veteran Business Awards recognise exceptional individuals, businesses, and organisations demonstrating leadership, innovation, resilience, and contribution across the Veteran Business Community.
The awards celebrate those who have successfully transitioned from military service into business leadership, creating impact through entrepreneurship, innovation, and community contribution across Australia.
To reflect the breadth of achievement across the veteran business ecosystem, the awards are structured across four major categories. Each category contains a number of specific award titles recognising excellence in different areas of business and community contribution.
For example, the Leadership Awards category includes Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year and Veteran Family Entrepreneur of the Year, recognising outstanding leadership from both individual founders and family-led businesses connected to the veteran community.
Each of the four categories highlights a different dimension of success — from leadership and community impact to commercial performance and industry excellence — ensuring the awards recognise the full spectrum of achievement across the Veteran Business Community.
Eligibility & How to Nominate
Eligibility
The Veteran Business Awards are open to individuals who have served in the military (Australian or international) and are now Australian citizens or permanent residents.
Where an award recognises a business, the organisation must be veteran-owned, veteran-led, or strongly connected to the veteran community, unless otherwise stated.
Nominees may be self-nominated or nominated by others. Judges may request additional supporting information where required.
Preparing your nomination
Before you submit, we recommend:
- Choosing the award category that best fits the nominee.
- Gathering key facts: dates, milestones, growth, and major achievements.
- Preparing 2–3 short stories that clearly show impact, leadership, or innovation.
- Including data where possible (revenue, jobs created, people supported, etc.).
Recognising leadership and influence
Recognising individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership and influence within the Veteran Business Community.
Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year
Recognises a veteran business leader who has demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial capability, strategic leadership, and commercial success. The recipient will have built a business that reflects strong vision, disciplined execution, and a commitment to excellence.
Judging considerations may include:
- Demonstrated leadership and entrepreneurial vision
- Evidence of strong and sustainable business performance
- Ability to inspire and lead teams through growth or challenge
- Contribution to the veteran business ecosystem or broader community
Veteran Family Entrepreneur of the Year
Recognises a family-led business where a veteran, partner, or spouse plays a key role in leadership and success. It celebrates the unique resilience and collaboration often found in family enterprises connected to the veteran community.
Open to partners and spouses of veterans and currently serving military members.
Judging considerations may include:
- Demonstrated shared leadership within the family business
- Evidence of resilience, adaptability, and long-term commitment
- Business growth, stability, or innovation
- Positive contribution to the veteran or local community
Recognising impact beyond profit
Recognising individuals and organisations creating meaningful impact beyond commercial success.
VBC Member of the Year
Recognises a member who has made an exceptional contribution to the growth, culture, and success of the Veteran Business Community. The recipient embodies collaboration, service, and leadership within the network.
Judging considerations may include:
- Active and consistent engagement within the VBC
- Supporting and mentoring fellow members
- Leadership within community initiatives
- Contribution to strengthening the veteran business ecosystem
Community Impact Award
Awarded to a VBC member business demonstrating outstanding contribution to a segment of the Australian community. Recognises organisations that use their platform, resources, or expertise to create meaningful social impact.
Judging considerations may include:
- Demonstrated community engagement or social impact initiatives
- Measurable outcomes or benefits delivered to the community
- Long-term commitment to community development
- Alignment between business values and community contribution
Veteran Procurement Champion
Recognises a government organisation, corporate, or business leader demonstrating outstanding commitment to engaging veteran-owned businesses within their supply chain. Celebrates procurement leadership that strengthens the veteran business ecosystem.
Judging considerations may include:
- Demonstrated procurement from veteran-owned businesses
- Programs, policies, or initiatives supporting veteran suppliers
- Advocacy for veteran business inclusion within supply chains
- Measurable outcomes or engagement with the veteran business community
Recognising outstanding business performance
Small Business of the Year
Recognises a small veteran-owned business demonstrating strong commercial performance, operational excellence, and sustainable growth.
Judging considerations may include:
- Financial performance and growth
- Leadership and organisational culture
- Customer impact and market reputation
- Evidence of innovation, efficiency, or operational excellence
Medium / Large Business of the Year
Recognises a veteran-owned organisation achieving scale, impact, and operational maturity.
Eligibility requirement: Businesses must employ more than 15 employees.
Judging considerations may include:
- Demonstrated business scale and operational capability
- Consistent commercial performance
- Leadership, culture, and team development
- Industry influence or market leadership
Fastest Growing Business of the Year
Recognises a veteran-owned business that has achieved exceptional growth and market expansion.
Eligibility requirement: Growth must be demonstrated over a minimum two-year period.
Judging considerations may include:
- Revenue, customer, or market growth
- Strategic execution supporting rapid expansion
- Scalable business model
- Leadership capability during periods of accelerated growth
New Business of the Year
Recognises an emerging veteran-owned business demonstrating early traction, innovation, and strong future potential.
Eligibility requirements:
- The business must have commenced after 1 July 2024
- The business must be less than two years old
Judging considerations may include:
- Evidence of early market traction or demand
- Innovation in business model, product, or service
- Strength of vision and leadership capability
- Potential for long-term growth and impact
Recognising sector excellence and innovation
Recognising excellence across key sectors where veteran-led businesses are creating impact.
Technology, Software and Innovation
Awarded to a veteran-led business delivering innovative technology, software, or digital solutions that create clear commercial or operational impact.
Examples may include SaaS platforms, data solutions, cybersecurity, automation tools, or digitally-enabled products and services.
Judging considerations may include:
- Originality and strength of the technology or innovation
- Commercial impact or adoption (customers, contracts, growth)
- Scalability and future potential of the solution
- Contribution to advancing capability within the target industry
Trades and Construction
Recognises a veteran-led business delivering excellence in trades, construction, or field services, with a strong focus on quality, safety, and professionalism.
Judging considerations may include:
- Quality of workmanship and project delivery
- Safety performance and risk management
- Client satisfaction and reputation in the market
- Innovation in methods, materials, or project execution
Professional Services
Awarded to a veteran-led business providing outstanding advisory, consulting, or professional services that deliver measurable value to clients.
Judging considerations may include:
- Depth of expertise and quality of client outcomes
- Strength of client relationships and referrals
- Innovation in service design, delivery, or pricing models
- Reputation and influence within the professional services sector
Defence Industry / Defence Estate
Recognises a veteran-owned or veteran-led business contributing to Australia’s defence capability or the support and management of the defence estate.
Judging considerations may include:
- Contribution to defence capability, readiness, or resilience
- Delivery of projects or services within complex, regulated environments
- Security, compliance, and performance standards
- Collaboration with Defence, primes, or key industry partners
Consumer Retail Product
Awarded to a veteran-led business delivering a high-quality consumer product with strong brand, customer engagement, and market traction.
Judging considerations may include:
- Product quality, design, and differentiation
- Sales performance, distribution, or online traction
- Customer feedback, loyalty, or community around the brand
- Strength of brand story and alignment with veteran values
Health, Fitness and Wellness
Recognises a veteran-led business improving health, wellbeing, or performance through products, programs, or services.
Judging considerations may include:
- Impact on physical, mental, or social wellbeing
- Quality and evidence base of programs, products, or services
- Reach and accessibility (including for veteran or regional communities)
- Innovation in approach to health, fitness, or wellness
Agriculture and Rural Community
Awarded to a veteran-led business demonstrating excellence and impact within agriculture, agribusiness, or rural and regional communities.
Judging considerations may include:
- Quality and sustainability of agricultural or regional operations
- Innovation in production, supply chain, or land management
- Contribution to local employment, community, or regional development
- Resilience in the face of environmental or market challenges
How nominations are assessed
All nominations will be assessed by an independent panel of judges drawn from respected leaders within the Veteran Business Community and the broader Australian business sector.
Judges will assess nominations against the published criteria, considering factors such as leadership, impact, innovation, business performance, and contribution to community. Finalists may be asked to provide additional information to support their nomination.
Need help with your nomination?
If you’re unsure which category best fits your nominee, or what to include in your submission, please contact the Veteran Business Community team for guidance before you submit.
