Otago YES Regional Finals

We're looking forward to a night celebrating our amazing Young Enterprise (YES) students!

In just over 6 months they've set up and run real businesses, completing 4 business challenges.

To manage capacity this is an invite only event.

Regional Finalists and Excellence Award winners - a number of seats have been allocated for your team and your friends, families, and supporters. Please use your access codes to RSVP for your team and supporters. (Instructions sent via email from your RC).

Sponsors, teachers, and guests invited by YES - are welcome to RSVP at the link.

Please RSVP for catering and seating purposes by Thursday 15 October.

We look forward to celebrating with you, thanks to the generous support of our amazing sponsors!

For enquiries, contact jessica.black@youngenterprise.org.nz

Follow along @yesotago on Insta

On the night:

• Live pitches from our top teams - they'll pitch their business to a panel of expert judges - competing for the title of Otago Company of the Year and advancing them to the YES Nationals in Wellington in December.

• Crowning our Young Enterprise Otago Company of the Year, proudly sponsored by the University of Otago Business School.

• Celebrating our Regional Excellence Award Winners, and Emerging Leaders.

• Recapping the highlights of the YES year, sponsor and mentor acknowledgements.

Refreshments/a light dinner will be provided. Attendees are welcome to purchase drinks at the bar upon arrival and during the break.

Event Schedule

5:30pm – Doors Open, Nibbles and drinks

6:00pm – Welcome & Kick-Off

6:10pm – Business Pitches by the top teams

7:30pm – Break - Warm food/platters

8:00pm – Awards Ceremony

8:30/9:00pm – Event Concludes 

YES Otago Awards 2026

Financial & Strategic Excellence – Sponsored by Polson Higgs

Excellence in Sales & Marketing - Sponsored by Otago Polytechnic

Most Audacious Award – Sponsored by Startup Dunedin

Excellence in Commercialisation (Central Otago/Queenstown Lakes) – Sponsored by Deloitte

Mayor's Award for Commercialisation Excellence (Dunedin) – Sponsored by Dunedin City Council

Sustainability Award – Sponsored by Polson Higgs

Individual Awards

Emerging Leader – Sponsored by Business South

Regional Champion

Young Enterprise Otago Company of the Year 2026 – Sponsored by the University of Otago, Business School.