Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton announced 21 Industry New Zealand Enterprise awards this week.
"It is impressive that the number of applications for enterprise awards is increasing,"he said.
Anderton said the standard of applications was much higher than in the first rounds.
"New Zealand has thousands of innovative businesses and we need to
celebrate these."
Entrepreneurs or small to medium-sized business owners can receive up to $20,000 from an Industry New Zealand Enterprise Award.
The awards can be used to pay for up to 50 per cent of the cost of development projects.
There have been 460 awards totalling $3.96 million since September 2000.
The latest recipients from the Auckland region are:
* Aeroqual, for prototype design and intellectual property protection.
* Automation Products, to assist with testing for emissions.
* Body Drying Systems, for prototype development.
* Brookby Herbs, to develop an organic herbal supplement range for animals.
* Creative Business Systems, to develop a prototype rugged manhole data collection device.
* DNA Clothing, for market research and strategic planning.
* Energy Management Consultants, for intellectual property protection.
* Ripple Effects, to develop anti-virus software.
* RMSD, to assist with international quality standard compliance.
* Topcatch, for product development and market research into a long-life fishball.
