More than 4,000 people are expected at the country's biggest Indigenous business event in August, with plenty to celebrate including Supply Nation's Supplier Diversity Awards.

The Connect 2025 Gala Awards Dinner will be held at ICC Sydney, on Gadigal Land.

Supply Nation chief executive, proud Awabakal woman Kate Russell, said there's much to celebrate; with the growth, diversity, and social value of the Indigenous business sector.

Supply Nation now has over 5,700 verified Indigenous businesses listed on its national database, Indigenous Business Direct, and more than 850 corporate, government and non-profit members.

Indigenous-owned businesses are contributing $16 billion to the Australian economy each year and paying $4.2 billion in wages.

Ms Russel noted that "despite the success, challenges remain from both domestic and international drivers".

"Indigenous entrepreneurs still find it difficult to access capital to support start-ups or expansion. There is a need for more support around building business knowledge and skills as well as accessing support services and grants," she said.

"Unconscious and conscious bias negatively impacts the potential of businesses. The Connect 2025 Knowledge Forum aims to address and discuss some of these obstacles.

"In addition to the Tradeshow hosting hundreds of Indigenous exhibitors across all industries, the Supplier Diversity Awards recognise Blak excellence and highlight corporate and government organisations that are committed to diversified procurement and the benefits of these policies and practices."

11 finalists have been announced for Supply Nations' honours:

- Certified Supplier of the Year: Ethan Indigenous, Hardy Fencing Australia, Pipeline Talent

- Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year: Amy Crookes – EY, Sam Muir – Coles Group,Shinead Coleman – Transport for NSW

- Corporate Member of the Year: BAE Systems Australia, CPB Contractors, Woolworths Group

-Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year: Jadah Pleiter – Panku Safety Solutions, Nicole Appleton – NLA Logistics, Tammy O'Connor – KingKira Group

- Registered Supplier of the Year: Jabil Commercial Diving, Mob Jobs, TVN On-Country

- Procurement Professional of the Year: Mark Harrington – CPB Contractors, Matthew Plichta – Rio Tinto, Samuel Hampson – Sodexo Australia

- Government Member of the Year: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Department of Defence, Main Roads Western Australia and the Transport Portfolio Aboriginal Engagement (TPAE) branch

- Sam Tjengala Reuben Award recognising Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Associate Professor Rick Macourt – First Nations Economics, Steven Fordham – Blackrock Industries, Tara Croker – Yaala Sparkling

- Indigenous Exporter of the Year: Complete Business Solutions (Australia), Kakadu Organics. WV Technologies

- Supplier Diversity Partnership of the Year: ARA Indigenous Services and Woolworths Group, Djinda Produce and Cater Care Group, MobReady and Ventia

- Dr Dean Jarrett Award recognising Outstanding Impact: Winner from finalists across categories listed.

Major sponsors of the event and the awards include: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (Gala Awards Dinner), Woolworths Group (Indigenous Business Tradeshow) and BHP (Gala Awards Dinner).