Native Secrets takes home major First Nations award
Skincare and wellness company Native Secrets Australia, based in Dubbo, NSW, has won the First Nations category in the 2026 KPMG Nature Positive Challenge and will receive a share of a $250,000 pool of tailored advisory services to help scare their business.
The annual KPMG Challenge champions and supports innovative eco startups to build scalable businesses that have a positive impact on nature and the environment. This year the Challenge focused on two fast-growing sectors within the nature positive ecosystem: AI enabled solutions and startups supporting the circular economy.
The First Nations award aims to highlight the ongoing and significant contribution that Indigenous knowledge brings to our natural ecosystems.
“Native Secrets is a highly deserving winner of the First Nations award,” Andrew Yates, CEO, KPMG Australia said.
“The company stood out for its ability to blend deep cultural knowledge with cutting-edge practices to deliver great skincare products while protecting and revitalising our natural landscapes and providing employment opportunities for their local community.
“Running for a second year, the First Nations Award celebrates the leadership, wisdom, and innovation of Indigenous entrepreneurs who are deeply committed to caring for Country. This award is not just recognition; it’s a commitment to amplifying Indigenous voices and creating opportunities for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.”
Native Secrets was founded on Wiradjuri Country by Cherie and Phil Thompson. The company makes a range of skincare and wellness products using native botanicals derived from cultural harvesting cycles that protect land and support ecosystem regeneration.
“Winning the First Nations Category is a proud moment for Native Secrets and our community,” said Cherie Thompson.
“Indigenous knowledge has always been nature-positive. It’s grounded in responsibility to Country, sustainable practice and long-term stewardship.
“This recognition helps us accelerate our impact – strengthening ethical sourcing, supporting biodiversity outcomes, and building an Indigenous-owned brand that proves sustainability and commercial growth can move together.”
From 75 applicants, Native Secrets was one of five finalists in this year’s Nature Positive Challenge.
Queensland ocean-restoring climate-tech company Blue Carbon took home both the top $100,000 Prize and the $20,000 People’s Choice Prize at this year’s Challenge.
The five finalists for the Challenge were:
Blue Carbon (Brisbane, QLD) – a climate-tech company restoring ocean ecosystems and decarbonising marine industries through AI-enabled, nature-positive innovation.
BlockTexx (Loganholme, QLD) – an award-winning Australian cleantech company that recycles textiles and clothing, transforming waste into high-value raw materials.
Native Secrets Australia (Dubbo, NSW) – maker of skincare and wellness products using native botanicals derived from cultural harvesting cycles that protect land and support ecosystem regeneration.
Newera Bio (Sydney, NSW) – pioneering the development of high-performance, bio-based dyes and binders to replace toxic and fossil-fuel-based dyes used in the textiles and beauty industry.
Syenta (Eveleigh, NSW) – makes ultra-fine wiring inside computer chips, called interconnects, which are much smaller and denser, allowing data to move faster and more efficient for next generation computing.
Last year’s winner of the First Nations award was Native Botanical Brewery, a family business producing native beverages while actively restoring local ecosystems by propagating native food species.
About the KPMG Nature Positive Challenge
The Nature Positive Challenge is designed to encourage and support the growth of innovative startups and impact ventures working on ideas, solutions and technologies that tackle complex environmental challenges associated with protecting nature and restoring biodiversity.
