Syd's businesses to enter bold new frontier: lord mayor

The lord mayor will be joined on stage by Ron Allum, who co-designed Cameron's Deepsea Challenger submersible, providing groundbreaking engineering solutions to the extreme depths of the Mariana Trench in the Western Pacific.

Allum will tell business owners how he literally conquered overwhelming pressure with his pressure sphere designs, allowing the internationally acclaimed film-maker to travel 11kms down to the world's deepest sea bed.

The lord mayor said Allum, who pulled together a number of Sydney companies to help build the Deepsea Challenger, was an inspiration to businesses and retailers looking to push the boundaries.

"The innovative thinking and expertise from Ron and his team represent the creativity and trailblazing approach our Business Awards celebrate – new ideas which push the boundaries and create new frontiers and markets," Clover Moore said.

"The City's Awards unearth the hidden gems of Sydney's small-to-medium businesses and put them in the spotlight for all to see.

"They provide vital support to our 18,000 small to medium businesses, which contribute more than $40 million to the economy every year. The City works hard to support our small and medium businesses, spending millions every year on sponsorship, grants, seminars and workshops.

The City of Sydney Business Awards celebrate excellence, innovation and leadership across 22 small business categories, including small bars, retail fashion, restaurants and cafes, cultural and creative services, tourism, bicycle businesses, health and fitness, and IT. Last year's competition saw 640 nominations and 67,000 votes from the public, with participation more than doubling in the past five years.

Every independently owned business with fewer than 200 employees is invited to enter. Whether a fledgling business or a much-loved, established favourite, the awards are a platform to boost markets and build loyal followings.

"I encourage business owners to get involved and follow in the footsteps of previous finalists and award winners, who have used the Awards to launch even greater success, expanding into markets both at home and overseas," the lord mayor said.