Smart50 is SmartCompany’s premier award program that elevates and celebrates exceptional innovation, growth and the community of small and medium businesses across Australia.
This year, we're upping the ante. We’re celebrating Australia’s best and brightest at an unforgettable sit-down dinner alongside some of the country’s most prominent founders and business builders. Have a look at the lineup for this year’s finalists.
You’ve done the hard work. Now it’s time to celebrate!
Join us for a glamorous evening at a sit-down dinner at Metropolis Events in Melbourne. Celebrate your achievements, rub shoulders with Australia’s most prominent founders and business builders, and raise your glasses to those who will make it on this year’s Smart50 list.
“We’ve expanded our retail footprint across Australia, continued our growth in the US market with strong momentum, and launched some of our most ambitious product innovations to date.”
ATHAN DIDASKALOU
Co-founder, July
Winner of the Smart50 Awards 2022
“It [Smart50] provided invaluable third-party endorsement, drawing increased attention to our platform and mission.”
GRANT AUSTIN
CEO, pay.com.au
Winner of the Smart50 Awards 2024
“Every award we win is a win for our entire network, validating the hard work of our Laundry Ladies and Lads and giving them a sense of pride in being part of an innovative and growing business.”
SUSAN TOFT
Founder and CEO, The Laundry Lady
People Power and Marketing Award winner at the Smart50 Awards 2024
What you get as a Smart50 winner
For the #1 business on the Smart50 list:
A $10,000 advertising package
You will get the opportunity to reach over 150,000 SmartCompany readers each month via onsite and newsletter ad placements.
For all businesses on the Smart50 list:
National brand exposure
Put your business in the spotlight through SmartCompany articles, interviews and social features.
Recognition alongside past winners like Mr Yum, Adore Beauty, July and more.
Credibility
Open countless doors to investors, top talent and future partners.
An unforgettable celebration
Celebrate your win at a sit-down dinner with Australia's best founders and business builders.
This giveaway is open to all completed Smart50 entries. Entrants do not need to be ranked on the Smart50 list or win a category award to be eligible for this giveaway.
Includes a reason why they entered the Smart50 Awards.
Deadline
First entry deadline: Friday, September 5
Last entry deadline (with late fee): Friday, September 12
How to win?
All eligible entries will be judged on the basis of originality and the creative merit of their LinkedIn post. So, get creative when answering why you entered the Smart50 Awards!
When will the winner be announced?
The winner will be announced during the Smart50 Awards night in Melbourne on November 13, 2025.
Yes. The application saves your information so you’ll only need to provide your answer to the additional question associated with each award category.
5. The Smart50 list ranks the fastest growing businesses across Australia, how do you calculate this growth?
Applicants are asked to submit their company's revenue growth for three consecutive years. We then calculate the average growth rate across this three-year period and use it to rank the 50 fast-growing companies.
