Celebrating Excellence: South Asian Women Business Awards Illuminate the Power of Community and Enterprise

In a historic celebration on 7 June 2025, the South Asian Foundation Australia (SAFA) proudly hosted the inaugural South Asian Women Business Awards (SAWBA) a first-of-its-kind event honouring the entrepreneurial excellence of South Asian women across Australia.

This landmark evening marked a global milestone: the world’s first awards program dedicated solely to recognising the innovation, resilience, and leadership of South Asian women business owners. With more than 120 nominations, the judges faced the difficult task of selecting just 18 winners, a powerful indication of the depth and talent within the community.

Breaking Barriers, Building Futures

Founded by Vithyaa Thavapalan, SAFA was built from the roots of Brown Boss Babes, a small community space that has evolved into a national organisation advocating for visibility, equity, and empowerment across the South Asian diaspora.

“For too long, tradition dictated that we remain confined to domestic spheres or with traditional professional roles,” said Vithyaa. “Yet these extraordinary women refused to accept those limitations. They launched businesses, led industries, and built communities.”

Beyond the awards themselves, the night was a vibrant celebration of South Asian culture and achievement, complete with red carpet glamour, traditional fashion, and electric energy on the dance floor. It signalled not just recognition, but a declaration: that South Asian women in Australia are rewriting the rules and reclaiming their place in business and society.

2025 South Asian Women Business Award Winners

Major Awards

• Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Pragaa Ganesh Finalists: Krish Waje, Hamna Baloch, Yesha Patel

• Business Woman of the Year: Manpreet Sekhon Finalists: Anusha Haran, Helani Sarath Kumara, Uppma Virdi

• Global Business Woman of the Year: Jaspreet Dhillon Finalists: Megha Tripathi, Gayesha Vidushini Sadees Kumar

  
  

Industry Awards

• Beauty Business of the Year: Lajeen Artistry

• Education & Training Business of the Year: Get Fit Janani

• Fashion Business of the Year: Gather & Stitch Couture

• Food Business of the Year: Sangee’s Kitchen

• Health Business of the Year: Umeed Psychology

• Not-For-Profit of the Year: Pink Sari Inc

• Performing Arts Business of the Year: Chandralaya School of Dance

• Professional Business of the Year: DG Dreams

• Real Estate & Property Business of the Year: JK Buyers Advocate

• Retail Business of the Year: Behue Beauty

• Social Enterprise of the Year: Goods 4 Good

• Specialised Business of the Year: Sai Garlands

• Sustainable Business of the Year: Kifaayat

• Technology & Innovative Business of the Year: Foboh

• Wellness Business of the Year: Mindkshetra

Powered by Community Support

The event was made possible by generous support from sponsors, including Commonwealth Bank (Platinum and Title Sponsor) and Gold Sponsors: Australian Backpackers, AI Consulting Group, Community Migrant Resource Centre, Improve Your Move Physio, Punar, Crino Design & Print, Shutter 360, Serava Marketing and Forensic Origin and Cause Investigations.

A New Era of Representation

With the launch of SAFA and the success of the SAWBA, a new chapter begins, one where South Asian women are not just part of the conversation but leading it. These awards are not just a moment in time; they’re a movement.

As Vithyaa said, “These Awards are more than trophies and certificates; they are a declaration to the world that the cultural and gender norms that once confined women no longer define or stop us and that as South Asian women, we are strong and capable of anything.”