An Aboriginal-owned construction company building trade pathways for First Nations workers has been recognised for its social impact across Western Australia.

Key points:

• 30 businesses are finalists in five categories, including Indigenous economic empowerment

• WA's social enterprise sector has grown to more than 1,000 businesses

• New report shows rapid growth in Aboriginal capital investment in WA, now between $4b-$6b

Kardan Construction is a finalist in the major category at next month's 2026 WA Social Enterprise Awards, hosted by peak representative body WA Social Enterprise Council (WASEC).

The Aboriginal-owned construction company was recognised for building apprenticeship and trade pathways for Indigenous people and other under-represented workers, being shortlisted for the event's top award, WA Social Enterprise of the Year.

With more than 1,000 social enterprises now operating across the state, this year's 30 finalists - including nine Indigenous-owned organisations - exemplified the positive impact they create.

Kepa Kwab - profits from the native-botanical soft drink company help fund food education and employment pathways for young Aboriginal people - is a finalist in the emerging social enterprise of the year honour.

Three Indigenous businesses are in the running for the regional impact award, which recognises a social enterprise making significant, positive difference in regional, rural, or remote WA.

Blak Tapas - an an Indigenous-owned cafe in Kununurra serving bush foods, locally roasted coffee and platters and picnic boxes in the community and surrounds, while creating local hospitality jobs and traineeships.

Camera Story - the Broome-based charity supports First Nations people across the Kimberley build independence through photography training and commercial skills.

FISH Outback Stores - the retail store provides training and employment for local Aboriginal people, with revenue going back to Kimberley community initiatives.

New Indigenous business recognition

Black Tapas was among five finalists in the recently-added First Nations social enterprise award, for Indigenous organisations making significant, positive differences for Aboriginal people, culture, and Country in WA.

Gather Foods - the Aboriginal-owned food and catering company produces Native ingredients through retail products, manufacturing and various public events.

Ngarranggarni Civil and Mining - the Kimberley civil construction company delivers infrastructure projects, that help provide training and job pathways for remote community members.

Self Made Indigenous Corporation - runs mentoring and development programs to support Indigenous youth in remote and rural communities.

Wyndham Arts Collective - the Aboriginal-owned creative arts hub in the east Kimberley supports local artists through workshops, exhibitions and skills development. Local creatives collaborate on upcycled, culturally diverse, and wearable art projects.

New business focus on social impact

The focus on social impact of businesses has gained momentum in boardrooms across the country, with a WA-focused report in November last year highlighting growth in investment for social and environmental causes.

The state-specific industry report - the first analytical snapshot of the WA market - revealed the corporate sector's focus on social enterprise was growing, particularly from Aboriginal capital investing in regional ventures.

Almost $60 million was invested in the past two years, with analysts forecasting a further $123m in the pipeline.

The Investing with Purpose report by Impact Seed assessed current and future capital flow, investor sentiment and policy and market recommendations from industry data and surveys of the WA investment market.

The study also showed demand for deals was strong but development was being hindered by little government support, brokering capacity and market transparency.

More than half of the businesses surveyed in WA said social impact was just as important in the coming five years as financial outcomes.

Gelganyem chair and Gija woman Kia Dowell, from Warmun Community (Turkey Creek) in the East Kimberley, said social investment in First Nations organisations across WA's remote communities leverage better results.

Ms Dowell, who was head of strategy and impact at Indigenous Business Australia after 15 years with organisations such as Rio Tinto and Tourism WA, said sustainable initiatives that provided shared social and environmental value, particularly in the Indigenous business space, were now crucial.

"Investors back companies... right now investors aren't backing Aboriginal companies or organisations to lead the environmental restoration of Country," she said.

"I have hope in a way that I didn't have five years ago... primarily because of the work, resilience and strength of Traditional Owners."

For example, mine closures across WA due to declining profits or resources did not mean the end of opportunities for Traditional Owners and communities.

"For Traditional Owners, it's the start of our ability to fulfil our relationship with Country and the responsibility and rights that must be upheld," Ms Dowell said.

WA Social Enterprise Council CEO Olivia Chapman said businesses honoured at next month's ceremony were innovative in how they targeted issues of importance.

"Each of our finalists saw a problem, and found a business model that would solve it, at the same time lifting up people often locked out of opportunity ... such as young Aboriginal people in remote communities," she said

Ms Chapman hoped the awards helped the public appreciate the role social enterprise plays in the economy, and cement WA's position as a national leader in the space.

"Western Australia has the resources, talent and a genuine appetite for community-led solutions," she said.

The full list of finalists and more event information is available online.

Winners will be announced at the WA Social Enterprise awards dinner on Thursday August 13 at The Westin Hotel, Boorloo/Perth.