The Dunedin City Council's economic development unit (EDU) has been selected as a finalist in the 2012 AUT Excellence in Business Support Awards.
The EDU's Dunedin business internship programme is a finalist with four others in the government category.
The unit won the local government body award in 2009 for its $80,000 research support fund, which helped research organisations put together better applications.
The Dunedin business internship programme places and supports top students into Dunedin businesses to help with staff shortages and provide real experience for students seeking work opportunities after graduation.
Dunedin company Otago Innovation Ltd was also selected as a finalist in the business under $5 million turnover, management services category.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of the University of Otago, Otago Innovation Ltd has exclusive responsibility for the commercialisation of intellectual property arising from research within the university.
The winners will be announced on October 25, in Auckland.
