Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Regional Final & Awards

Young Enterprise (YES) sponsors, mentors, family and supporters along with Southland Business Chamber members' are invited to this showcase event to celebrate the achievements of the 2022 Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) students.

Nationally over 4,000 YES students set up and run their own business. In addition, YES businesses take part in a regional and national competition.

Throughout the year, YES businesses complete five challenges, each worth a certain number of points that add up to 100 total points. The six top businesses will be invited to pitch to a panel of judges at the Southland Regional Final, with the best business being named The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Southland Company of the Year sponsored by Southern Institute of Technology.

The YES Southland Company of the Year is then invited to pitch at the National Final in December, with two company members being flown to Wellington to pitch and attend the Lion Foundation National Awards Gala Dinner.

Following the YES business pitches, guests will enjoy a buffet lunch prior to the Award presentations. Awards to be presented include:

Southland Excellence Awards

Award for Innovation sponsored by Findex
Award for Social Enterprise sponsored by South Port NZ Limited
Award for Primary Industries sponsored by VetSouth
Know your Why Award sponsored by COIN South
Award for Sales & Marketing sponsored by New Zealands Aluminium Smelter (NZAS)
Award for Resilience sponsored by SBS Bank
Murihiku Mover & Shaker Award sponsored by Invercargill Licensing Trust (ILT)