The competition is looking fierce again this year, with another line up of incredible young entrepreneurs fueled by passion, purpose and profit set to pitch their businesses to a panel of judges.

We would love your help to celebrate Aotearoa's top young entrepreneurs at our 2025 YES Nationals Awards Dinner in Wellington on December 4th. Grab your tickets (or donate a ticket!) here.

All friends, family, alumni, sponsors and supporters of Young Enterprise are invited! Don't miss out on an evening that will be sure to leave you incredibly impressed, inspired and well-fed.

Check out the companies who are in the running for YES Company of the Year 2025:

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Otago Regional Finalist: Natures Prime, St Hildas College

Nature’s Prime is a leather care business dedicated to producing industry-leading, premium-quality, all-natural leather care products. Their flagship product, Leather Restore, is designed to prolong the life of leather goods, combining effective performance with a commitment to sustainability. Available online and stocked in several local retailers, Leather Restore has already attracted bulk B2B orders from clients such as Property Brokers Real Estate and Polson and Higgs, highlighting its appeal for corporate gifting. Committed to supporting rural communities, the company donate 5% of all profits to the Rural Support Trust. With a dedicated team of four, Nature’s Prime has generated almost $13,000 in sales revenue, combining innovation, quality, and social responsibility in the leather care market.

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Canterbury South Regional Winner: Fix, Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery

Fix is a multisensory word-stitcher game designed to significantly enhance students’ understanding of words and their structures. With Fix’s engaging, interactive gameplay, students have the opportunity to refine their skills in recognising and matching words, building a deeper comprehension of language, vocabulary, and literacy. The company’s mission is to support students struggling with literacy learning disorders who often fall through the cracks in intermediate school, by using a fun, hands-on learning approach that targets essential linguistic concepts and foundational skills. Sole trader Ruby-Grace’s vision has already received strong support, with $10,000 of sponsorship from Square One and $5,000 of seed funding from the Kings Trust, showing belief in the game’s potential to make a meaningful impact.

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Tariawhiti Regional Winner: TUAKIRI, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Horrouta Wananga

Tuakiri exists to honour the legacy of the 28th Māori Battalion, Te Hokowhitu a Tū, ensuring their courage, sacrifice, and stories are never forgotten. Their signature creation, a classic army green fedora, is more than just headwear; it’s a tribute to tīpuna and whakapapa. Featuring the Battalion’s embroidered emblem, a remembrance poppy, and the C Company House badge, each pōtae carries deep kōrero and mana. Through custom-made kākahu that embody history, symbols, and aroha, Tuakiri helps whānau wear their identity with pride and keep the Battalion’s spirit alive for future generations. With every purchase, 100% of profits are dedicated to C Company House, supporting the preservation of this taonga. Crafted from sustainable natural fibres and biodegradable packaging, each hat reflects Tuakiri’s respect for both people and taiao, offering a timeless keepsake of remembrance, connection, and honour.

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Nelson/Marlborough Regional Winner: Zensha, Nelson College

Zensha is a pioneering New Zealand wellness brand, creating the country’s first matcha-infused protein powder. Their Matcha Protein blends premium Japanese matcha with New Zealand vanilla whey protein to deliver clean energy, mental focus, and high-quality protein for muscle recovery. With matcha sourced directly from three hand-picked farms in Japan, ranked among the top 5%,Zensha combines tradition, quality, and convenience in every scoop.

Driven by a mission to inspire healthier, more energised lives, Zensha has quickly built strong local demand, selling out five times at the Nelson Market and generating $10,000 in sales within three months. With a vision to become a household name for matcha protein in New Zealand, their product is stocked online via The Matcha Company, in several local retailers, and supplied to coffee carts and loved at wellness event collaborations.

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Auckland South Regional Winner: Breath of Pacific, De La Salle College

Breath of Pacific creates unique car air fresheners from upcycled plywood, transforming the standard air freshener into a sustainably crafted, culturally meaningful product. Each wooden air freshener is imbuedwith a range of scents and features Polynesian patterns that celebrate and integrate multiple cultures. These designs serve as visual reminders of the cultural significance embedded in Polynesian heritage, delivering products that stand the test of time both physically and culturally. Committed to sustainability, authenticity, and community impact, the team uses high-quality, sustainably sourced materials and precision laser cutting to apply each design, ensuring durability while minimising environmental harm. Breath of Pacific blends craftsmanship, culture, and environmental responsibility to create functional art that resonates with people and communities alike.

Canterbury Regional Winner: Cattle Credit, Cashmere College

Cattle Credit is leading the agricultural industry into anew era of sustainability by helping farmers reduce methane emissions from their livestock, particularly cattle burps, and meet both government and international standards. Using space-based technology, Cattle Credit provides innovative solutions that enable farmers to accurately monitor and manage methane emissions, ensuring compliance with national regulations and benchmarks set by global customers. Their mission is to make space technology a key toolin agricultural sustainability, empowering farmers to future-proof their operations while protecting the environment. Committed to innovation,transparency, and impact, Cattle Credit, led by founder and CEO, Cairo, alongside his executive team, are redefining how the farming sector approachesenvironmental responsibility and sustainability in Aotearoa and beyond.

Bay of Plenty Regional Winner: Buzz’n’Buff, Aquinas College

Buzz’n’Buff is a premium, all-natural shoe polish crafted specifically for New Zealand cadets, a product that serves cadets, supports communities, and protects the environment. Designed to meet official uniform standards, it offers an affordable, safe, and high-quality alternative to mainstream brands. With a strong understanding of cadet uniform requirements and customer preferences, Buzz’n’Buff stands out through its commitment to practicality, performance, and purpose. Every component, from raw materials to packaging, is locally sourced from New Zealand suppliers, reinforcing the brand’s dedication to sustainability and community impact. Buzz’n’Buff delivers a polished finish in every sense, helping cadets look sharp while contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable Aotearoa.

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Rotorua/Taupo Regional Winner: Go Able, Taupō-nui-a-tia College

After years of facing daily challenges accessing places and activities many take for granted, Taupō-based wheelchair user Daisy Hoe is transforming her experience into action through Go Able, a tech platform designed to revolutionise accessibility across Aotearoa. Go Able is a map-integrated, review-driven website that empowers wheelchair users with reliable, user-generated accessibility information. Featuring colour-coded routes, authentic reviews, and real-world accessibility insights, it helps users plan the easiest path to their destination. A unique business leaderboard rewards venues that lead in accessibility, encouraging positive change nationwide. As the first platform of its kind in New Zealand, Go Able provides a holistic tool to improve independence, inclusion, and quality of life for people within the accessibility community.

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South Canterbury Regional Winner: Neoma, Roncalli College

Neoma is passionate about improving women’s health, drawing on her firsthand experience with polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis, and period pain. Frustrated by the inconvenience of using heat packs at school, work, or while running errands, Neoma have developed New Zealand’s first leggings designed specifically to aid period pain. These innovative leggings feature a discreet internal front pocket and full-length back pockets that securely hold hot or cold gel packs, delivering targeted pain relief while allowing freedom of movement. Double-lined pockets provide a safe barrier against extreme heat, minimising the risk of burns, while the soft, breathable, and stretchy material ensures comfort throughout the day. Neoma’s design empowers women to manage pain confidently and comfortably while going about their everyday lives.

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Taranaki Regional Winner: AquaMesh, Taranaki Diocesan School

AquaMesh is an innovative fishing solution designed to prevent bait from falling off hooks, helping anglers catch more fish while saving money. Their unique bait bags are crafted from upcycled fishing nets and old washing bags, combining functionality with sustainability. Born from first-hand frustration with bait loss and fish stealing catches, AquaMesh provides an environmentally friendly alternative that tackles ocean pollution by recycling materials that would otherwise go to waste. As the first product of its kind, AquaMesh embodies the values of environmental protection, sustainability, and innovation, solving a common fishing problem while promoting conscious, eco-friendly fishing practices.

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Waikato Regional Winner: Strap’n’stroll, Sacred Heart Girls' College

Strap’n’Stroll sell removeable black backstraps that easily attach to Birkenstock sandals using Velcro, providing a secure fit for all foot sizes. In New Zealand, students are required to wear sandals with backstraps, meeting the needs of New Zealand school students who are required to wear sandals with backstraps, enabling for them to wear their Birkenstocks known for comfort, foot support and popularity.

Making Birkenstocks school compliant during the week while allowing students to easily remove the strap for casual weekend wear, crating a versatile, long-lasting and practical footwear option.

With their detachable straps, they are on a mission to transform every paid of back strapless sandals into school approved footwear. Committed to reducing waste with sustainable materials while giving students a simple solution that supports both their lifestyle and the environment. Strap’n’Roll have gained strong media attention with over 500k views on a TikTok video showcasing demand.

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Greater Wellington Regional Winner: Choclight, St Oran's College

Choclight is redefining how we celebrate life’s special moments. Born from the realisation that traditional candles can drip wax onto cakes and harm the environment, Choclight has created a delicious alternative, edible chocolate candles. These innovative candles act as a candle, cake topper, and sweet treat all in one, offering both a standard chocolate option and a luxurious gold glitter design. Guided by a mission to make celebrations more fun, memorable, and sustainable, Choclight is committed to reducing the environmental impact of traditional paraffin candles. Their biodegradable, waste-free candles ensure every milestone can be celebrated with joy, without compromising the planet. With a vision to become the new standard in celebration candles, Choclight combines creativity, sustainability, and sentimentality to make every occasion a little brighter, and a little sweeter.

Wellington City Regional Winner: LCM Games, Homeschool

LCM Games is dedicated to creating fun, family-friendly card games that spark connection, laughter, and meaningful memories. Their first game release, Christmas Chaos, is a fast-paced game full of mayhem, mischief, and Christmas spirit, the perfect way to bring families together during the holidays. Following its success, LCM Games is preparing to launch its second game, Halloween Havoc. The company has proudly secured a distribution agreement with The Warehouse, selling 2,000 copies of Christmas Chaos for Christmas 2025.Committed to giving back, LCM Games donates 5% of its profits to the Christmas Joy Store. Guided by values of connection, fun, and wellbeing, LCM Games is on a mission to foster whanaungatanga, helping families grow closer, share laughter, and create lasting bonds through play.

Auckland Central Regional Winner: SleepSafe, King's College

SleepSafe is on a mission to protect people of all ages from the harmful effects of mobile phone radiation. Their innovative product is a3D-printed, durable sleep box designed to safely hold and charge mobile devices overnight while shielding users from EMF radiation. Made from natural thermoplastic polyester derived from renewable resources, the box features a copper and nickel-based lining that effectively blocks radiation in a cost-efficient way. Uniquely combining functionality and style, SleepSafe’s product is the only one of its kind, sleek, practical, and designed to complement any bedroom. With a strong commitment to sustainability, the company uses eco-friendly materials such as recycled plastic, corn starch, and sugar cane in their filament production. SleepSafe’s vision is to make nighttime safety effortless, providing peace of mind and a healthier sleep environment for everyone.

Auckland East Regional Winner: License to Win, Pakuranga College

License to Win is New Zealand’s only learner license card game, transforming the way Kiwis study the road code. Designed to make learning fun, social, and engaging, the game uses real NZTA questions in a competitive format that builds confidence and knowledge among new drivers. Unlike traditional textbooks or online quizzes, License to Win turns road rule study into an interactive experience perfect for friends, classrooms, or families. Manufactured in Shenzhen, with boxes and playing pieces, 3D printed by the team, the game is both innovative and affordable. Since launching, License to Win has built strong national recognition, selling out 200 games in seven minutes following a TV appearance, and another 300 soon after. Dedicated to giving back, the company donates 10% of profits to Students Against Dangerous Driving (SADD), helping create safer, more confident young drivers across Aotearoa.

Auckland North Regional Winner: Flextify, Kingsway School

Flextify is redefining the lunchbox with a sustainable, practical, and innovative design that blends style with functionality. Using 3Drendering and printing technology and recycled materials, Flextify has created a modern food vessel that combats the flaws of traditional lunchboxes. Their unique 2x3 grid system allows users to customise compartments using modular inserts of varying sizes, perfect for different meals, cuisines, and portion needs. Designed to promote healthy, balanced eating, the inserts encourage variety across food groups and support portion control. With environmental sustainability at the forefront, Flextify uses recycled 3D-printable filament to minimise waste and avoid virgin plastics, ensuring durability and longevity. Combining sleek design, flexibility, and eco-conscious innovation, Flextify is paving the way for a new era of lunchboxes that are better for people and the planet.

Auckland West Regional Winner: Cocao Bliss, Waitakere College

Cocoa Bliss specialises in handcrafting luxurious hot chocolate bombs, glossy orbs of tempered chocolate filled with rich cocoa mix, mini marshmallows, and carefully selected flavours to suit every taste. Designed to transform a simple cup of milk into a decadent experience, Cocoa Bliss brings joy, comfort, and indulgence to everyday moments. Each product is made with the freshest, highest-quality ingredients and crafted with care, reflecting the company’s values of quality, tikanga, and kaitiakitanga. With a mission to make every cup an interactive and memorable experience, Cocoa Bliss is expanding its range to include gluten-free, vegan, and sugar-free options, as well as personalised hot chocolate bombs for weddings, gifts, and special events. Committed to giving back, they donate 5% of profits to KidsCan, supporting children across Aotearoa. Cocoa Bliss is reinventing the classic hot chocolate, making it fun, inclusive, and full of heart.

Hawkes Bay North Regional Winner: Culture Quest, Sacred Heart College Napier

Culture Quest is an educational company dedicated to helping children learn about different cultures in a fun and engaging way. Their multicultural flashcards feature greetings, traditional foods, clothing, and cultural symbols from communities across Aotearoa, including Māori, NZ European, Punjabi, Samoan, and Filipino. Each card offers a hands-on learning experience that fosters curiosity, inclusivity, and cultural pride from a young age.

Culture Quest’s mission is to make learning about diversity simple, enjoyable, and meaningful. By encouraging children to celebrate and respect different backgrounds, the team aims to create a more understanding and considerate New Zealand. They value the importance of cultural awareness and are driven to break down barriers, reduce ignorance, and connect people. Through their thoughtfully designed flashcards, Culture Quest hopes to inspire the next generation to embrace diversity and build a more inclusive future one card at a time.

Hawkes Bay South Regional Winner: Baril, St Johns College

Baril is a sustainable design company transforming discarded wine barrels and oil drums into handcrafted furniture with character and purpose. Each piece is carefully designed and completely unique, carrying a story from the vineyard or workshop it once belonged to, through the hands that restored it, to the home where it finds new life.

Baril’s mission is to give forgotten materials a second chance, creating durable, high-quality furniture that blends practicality with rustic charm. Their creations aren’t just furniture; they’re works of art that customers can proudly showcase each one reflecting craftsmanship, sustainability, and creativity.

Driven by a commitment to reducing waste and celebrating individuality, the Baril team has mastered the art of upcycling with care and intention. Every Baril piece is built to last, designed to be loved, and made to remind us of the beauty that can emerge when sustainability meets craftsmanship.

Manawatū/Whanganui Regional Winner: Accessential, Horowhenua College

Accessential is the creator of the innovative Accessential Phone Holder, a universal trolley attachment designed to enhance the supermarket shopping experience. Combining “Access” and “Essential,” the company’s name reflects its mission to give shoppers better access to essential tools in today’s digital world. The phone holder helps customers manage their budgets, shopping lists, and digital apps with ease while navigating the aisles. Currently improving the experience of over 8,000 daily shoppers across two supermarkets, Accessential is transforming the way people shop, making it more efficient, enjoyable, and stress-free. With two major supermarket contracts secured, the company continues to develop practical, sustainable, and tech-friendly solutions for modern shoppers balancing digital devices, children, and everyday distractions.

Canterbury West Regional Winner: Deluxe Detailing, Rangiora High School

Deluxe Detailing is a mobile vehicle detailing business dedicated to restoring vehicles to optimum condition. Proudly based in Canterbury, the team comes fully equipped with premium chemicals and professional tools to deliver fast, efficient, and high-quality results. Offering five service tiers from standard cleans to advanced diamond ceramic coatings, Deluxe Detailing provides protection, shine, and care that lasts. Their mission is to build a culture of regular vehicle maintenance, aiming to become Canterbury’s leading mobile detailing fleet. As a relationship-focused business, they take pride in forming ongoing connections with clients. Backed by proven marketing success, including over 50,000 views on Facebook and 1,200Instagram views in just one-month, Deluxe Detailing continues to polish both vehicles and customer experiences.

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Southland Regional Winner: The Lost Larder, St Peter's College

The Lost Larder is a boutique marketing company helping New Zealand food producers transform overlooked ingredients into premium products. Rooted in a deep respect for Aotearoa as a rich food basket, The Lost Larder takes forgotten flavours and shares their stories with the world. Their first project, a premium Waituna Eel Pâté developed with Southland chef Ethan Flack, showcased their creative vision, earning a place on the menu at the Southland Business Excellence Awards and gaining strong local partnerships and sponsorship. With a mission to celebrate the wild, foraged, and forgotten, The Lost Larder aims to spark curiosity, inspire pride, and champion sustainable, small-batch craftsmanship. Each product is ethically sourced and designed to minimise waste while maximising flavour. By helping producers capture more profit at home, The Lost Larder is building a vibrant domestic food culture where New Zealand’s unique ingredients are truly valued and celebrated.

West Coast Regional Winner: Your Techxpert, John Paul ll High School

Your Techxpert is Hokitika’s trusted local tech repair and support service, dedicated to keeping the West Coast connected. Specialising in repairs for iPhones, iPads, and select Samsung devices, Your Techxpert combines technical expertise with genuine customer care. Beyond repairs, they offer hands-on tech support, from setting up new phones and installing software to helping customers navigate their devices safely and confidently. Understanding how essential technology is to everyday life, they provide a convenient pickup and drop-off service, along with device loan options so customers can stay connected while their devices are being repaired. With a mission to become Hokitika’s go-to tech company, Your Techxpert takes pride in offering reliable, accessible, and community-focused service. Whether it’s fixing a broken screen or solving a tricky tech problem, Your Techxpert is here to make technology simpler, safer, and stress-free for everyone on the West Coast.

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Northland Regional Winner: The Stripey Caterpillar, Homeschooled

Driven by a vision for a colourful world where people feel connected to nature, 14-year-old artist Milly creates hand-drawn mugs, art prints, giant canvases, greeting cards, and t-shirts that celebrate New Zealand’s butterflies, birds, and native flora. Her mission is to prove that young people can build businesses that matter but also fun, sustainable, and inspiring all at once. Guided by values of authenticity, creativity, kindness, and youth-led impact, Milly’s work goes beyond art. She dreams of opening Caterpillar Castle, an educational butterfly house offering interactive conservation experiences both online and in person. A portion of profits supports a grassroots fund established by Milly that helps others create butterfly-friendly gardens.

Wellington City Regional Winner: LCM Games, Homeschooled

LCM Games, founded by sole trader Lachlan Mead, is dedicatedto bringing families together through fun and meaningful gameplay. With avision to connect people through games, LCM Games creates experiences thatspark laughter, connection, and lasting memories across generations. Theirfirst release, Christmas Chaos, is a fast-paced festive card game filled withmayhem, mischief, and Christmas spirit, designed so everyone, from youngchildren to grandparents, can join in the fun. Following the success of LCM’sfirst game release, Lachlan has been working on the second game LCM’sportfolio, Halloween Havoc which is in its final stages of development, readyto bring more themed excitement to family game nights. In 2025, over 2,000copies of Christmas Chaos were sold through The Warehouse stores across NewZealand, with distribution secured throughout New Zealand and Australia untilApril 2026. Committed to giving back, 5% of profits are donated to theChristmas Joy Store. LCM Games proudly values connection, fun, and wellbeing ineverything they create.

Auckland North Regional Winner: Toi Rongoā, Westlake Girls

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Toi Rongoā is creating New Zealand’s first sign language colouring book, a simple yet powerful way to teach New Zealand Sign Language(NZSL) while celebrating culture and connection. Designed for children aged 7to 12, the book integrates English and Te Reo Māori translations, recognising all three of Aotearoa’s official languages. Toi Rongoā’s mission is to educate and inspire through inclusivity, creativity, and cultural respect. Each Kiwiana-themed illustration is hand-drawn by the company’s production manager, Olive, combining art and learning in a meaningful way. The book supports Deaf Aotearoa, helping to raise awareness and accessibility for the Deaf community. By blending language, art, and education, Toi Rongoā brings a unique approach to teaching NZSL, making learning interactive, fun, and culturally grounded, while fostering understanding and connection across New Zealand communities.

WIldcard Winner: Odor Guard, Woodford House

Odor Guard offers a simple, sustainable solution to unpleasant bin smells with its innovative reusable woollen pad de-odouriser. Designed to stick to the lid, side, or bottom of a household rubbish bin using suction cups, the pad absorbs essential oils that slowly release a pleasant scent while neutralising odours. Hand-cut and made from natural, sustainable materials, the pads are washable and reusable, helping to reduce unnecessary waste. Born from a desire to create an environmentally friendly solution to preventing and eliminating bin odor, Odor Guard partners with Wool. Life to repurpose offcuts from their garden matting products, creating a sustainable production process. Refill pads and essential oil bottles are available, encouraging long-term use and minimal environmental impact. Odor Guard has been showcased and sold at the Hawke’s Bay Home and Garden Show and is stocked locally at Chantal Shop. Their mission is simple, to eliminate bin odours while protecting the planet.

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