How our awards work - Embracing Innovation
Embracing Innovation category
Many of Australia’s most prominent businesses started out small. This category is for small and medium businesses innovating with technology to develop solutions for challenges faced by modern Australia.
Who can apply in this category?
If you’re fulfilling one or more of the following category examples, consider nominating and entering your business for this Award.
Problem solving
For businesses using technology to help solve problems at customer, social or environmental levels.
Technology advancement
For businesses actively creating or developing technological advancements that will benefit every Australian.
Increasing accessibility
For businesses helping to make technology more accessible by creating more affordable and scalable products and services.
Enhancing efficiency
For businesses providing technology solutions that enhance the efficiency of business-critical tasks or essential services.
Comtrac
2025 National Embracing Innovation Winner
Comtrac is a pioneering investigation management platform that transforms how law enforcement and regulatory agencies conduct investigations, manage evidence, and deliver enforcement outcomes. Unlike traditional case management systems that focus solely on administration, Comtrac is built to drive operational efficiency, streamline complex workflows, and support frontline investigators with AI-powered tools.
Clinrol
NSW Winner
Clinrol uses smart technology to make it easier for people to find and join clinical trials. Its AI-driven platform automatically identifies eligible participants, pre-screens them in real time and connects them with the right research teams.
KNOWBY
TAS Winner
KNOWBY is a software company on a mission to make it simple for anyone, anywhere, to follow expert instructions and do things the right way. Built for simplicity and speed, KNOWBY helps teams across manufacturing, agriculture, utilities and office environments reduce training costs, improve safety and deliver consistent performance.
StoryBox Hub
VIC Winner
StoryBox Hub is a digital platform, delivering high-quality literacy and storytelling resources for children, educators, libraries and families across Australia and beyond. With a passion for storytelling at its heart, StoryBox Hub provides curated content designed to connect, engage, inspire and educate the next generation of readers and storytellers.
Eligibility criteria
To enter, the following eligibility criteria must be met. Each category also has specific requirements. If you have any questions about these conditions, please contact us.
- Reside in Australia
- Have a registered Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Have been operating in Australia for at least 12 months at the time you submit your Stage 1 entry
- Be more than 60 percent Australian-owned, with the owner(s)/founder(s) responsible for making the key management decisions
- Be a small-to-medium business that’s a sole trader, partnership, incorporated, NFP, social enterprise or franchise whose franchisor is 60 percent Australian owned and not a listed company
- Earn more than $50,000 in annual revenue
- Have under 200 full-time equivalent staff at the time you submit your Stage 1 entry
- Operate in an ethical manner with suppliers, distributors and contractors
- Supply financials when requested. All financials will remain confidential and will not be shared or used outside the purposes of judging the business’ performance, success and viability.
- Be a listed company, franchisor, a club, co-operative, or a Telstra licensee
- Be affiliated with Telstra through investments, donation or reselling
- Be more than 50 percent owned by another business
- Be a government agency
- Have filed for bankruptcy in the prior 5 years or been subject to court proceedings in the prior 12 months – including in the business owner or founder’s personal capacity – at the time you submit your Stage 1 entry
- Be a recipient of significant ongoing government funding (excluding temporary government relief or support packages, such as Jobkeeper or disaster recovery)
- Have been a contracted commercial supplier of Telstra in the last 3 years
- Enter the same category where the business has previously won at State or National level at the Telstra Best of the Business Awards in the past 3 years
- Have a staff member that has applied and/or Have a staff member that has been a State or National judge in the Telstra Best of Business Awards for any category in the past 3 years
- Enter the awards if a staff member or owner has applied to be a judge in the same awards program year.
Our program dates
Our 2026 Program
Stay tuned for the announcement of our 2026 program dates.
Nominations open
All year round
We accept nominations all year round. If you know an exceptional business moving Australia forward, nominate them today.
How our Awards work
Explore our award categories, application process, selection criteria and eligibility.
Need help?
Have a question?
Find answers to your frequently asked questions.
Contact us
Speak with our Awards Team and call 1800 AWARDS Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm (AEDT).
Terms of entry
Ensure you're eligible to enter by viewing our official terms and conditions.