Backing Business. Celebrating the South
The Grand Business South Awards are our moment to stop, take a breath, and celebrate something we sometimes overlook, the sheer drive, creativity, and resilience that define business in the South.
This year, we received more than 140 entries across 16 categories each telling a story of ambition and community spirit. These awards are not just about who wins on the night, they are about recognising the mahi that keeps our economy strong.
At Business South, our purpose is simple: Backing business. Backing the South. Like all businesses we too are evolving in how we do that. By moving beyond traditional support into a more connected, proactive led model. Listening to the needs of business and using smart tools across these insights, we are helping businesses accelerate their potential by matching them to the right expertise, funding, and opportunities so they become more efficient and productive.
We’re also proud to lead Invest Ōtepoti Dunedin, a long-term plan to attract investment, new business, talent, and innovation into our city and wider region. It’s about shaping a thriving, sustainable economy where business success and community wellbeing go hand in hand.
The businesses recognised at these awards embody that future. They show what is possible when southern ingenuity meets collaboration and belief. Whether you are a finalist, a sponsor, or a supporter you are part of something bigger. A collective effort to make our region stronger, more connected, and more confident on the national and global stage.
And finally, a personal thank you.
To everyone who continues to back Business South, our members, partners, and the wider business community thank you for your trust and support. It’s your belief in what we do that allows us to stand tall for the South and keep building a stronger future, together.
Ngā mihi nui
Mike Collins, CEO, Business South
Grand Casino congratulates all finalists
Grand Casino’s board, staff, and management are proud to be the major sponsor of the Grand Business South Awards of 2025.
These awards support innovation, entrepreneurism, and business excellence throughout Otago and Southland, and as a proud Otago based business we love celebrating success.
As a sponsor, we are continually surprised and excited by the caliber of businesses that have entered these awards. The awards allow us to recognise the finalists and their team’s dedication, ingenuity, creativity, resilience, and drive to deliver business excellence on a national or global scale, all the while remaining local within Otago and Southland.
We congratulate the Otago Daily Times for creating this publication so that we can share with you our finalists’ stories. I’m sure you too can be proud of our region and hopefully be inspired to share your business’ success in the future.
The Grand Casino congratulates all the finalists and wishes them all the best of luck at the Grand Business South Awards on November 20, 2025.
Dominique Dowding, CEO, Grand Casino
