About

Pause Awards recognises the most ambitious and effective companies in Australia, powered by over 60 independent senior experts who set an industry benchmark for evaluation criteria annually. We only award the real people that do real things.

We recognise innovative Australian companies for their excellence, performance and effectiveness. The awards has also been the breeding ground for Australia’s circle of golden business, and it has influenced and connected entrepreneurs to powerful mentors and clients such as: MrYum, Verve Super, Quad Lock, Linktree, Airwallex and Heaps Normal to name a few.
Pause Awards are highly competitive and honour under five key Category Tracks: Growth, Excellence, Operators, Good and Culture. You can become Finalist and win: People’s Choice, Winner, Grand Prix, Hall of Fame, Champion and Diamond award, our highest accolade – the best in show!

We expect to honour only the most outstanding business achievements each year, we hope that yours is one of them, and for that reason we don’t have a set number of winners per category. So, let’s be obnoxiously bold and absurdly courageous!

We are an independent innovation agent established in 2018 as a part of Pause Fest, the world’s leading festival for business and creativity in Australia.

For over a decade, recognising the top achievers and keeping the high standards was always in line with the Pause Fest ethos as the innovation catalyst and flagship event in Australia. Pause Awards became a natural extension of the Pause movement.

Not all awards are
created equal™

We believe that success is not just about what you have, but it’s about what you’re searching for. It’s about your journey towards personal and professional growth, and it’s about having the bravery and strength to make your dreams come true.

We know that success is not just about fulfilment, but it’s also about what’s missing. It’s about the moments of pause, the breaks and the interruptions in the transmission that allow you to cultivate your mind, feed your soul, and progress towards your higher goals.

At Pause Awards, we understand that success is not just about the galaxies and the stars, it’s about you, your choices, and your decisions. It’s about having the courage to take that next step to overcome obstacles, and to push through your limits.

We believe that success is about infinite tomorrows, but it’s also about learning from your past and using that knowledge to create a brighter future. We know that success is about the now, about seizing the moment and making the most of every opportunity.

Remember, success is not just about what you do, but it’s also about how you do it. So, choose to present yourself in the best possible way, cultivate your mind, and never stop searching for what you need to succeed. 

Never stop searching for greatness.

Be the epicentre for the most ambitious and effective companies in Australia, set a standard of business excellence to champion the relentless pursuit for greatness and inspire collective growth.

Manifesto from the Founder

“We envision Pause Awards as more than just an accolade or an event. We are a movement. A collective force of passionate, innovative and visionary industry leaders united by the common goal of propelling Australia to the forefront of global innovation. We are mentors, trailblazers, entrepreneurs, investors and pioneers, committed to shaping the future of our nation.

Our purpose is to empower, energise and elevate the companies that dare to dream big. We believe in nurturing talent, sharing knowledge and fostering an environment where innovation thrives. Pause Awards is a dynamic and ever-evolving platform, adapting to the needs of our community and setting the stage for the extraordinary.

Together, we are an unstoppable force for progress. We invite you to be part of this transformative journey. Your participation, ideas and insights are not only vital to our mission, they are the driving force behind the success of Pause Awards.

Our community grows stronger with each new entry, judge, ambassador or partner. Join us in making history and shaping the future of Australian innovation.”

Pause Awards Founder

The Home for Champions is where Pause Awards winners gather, connect with other top performers, share their insights, and access exclusive resources and experiences. It’s a community built on excellence, where individuals who strive for greatness can come together to inspire the next generation of leaders and learn from each other. Our values are simple: Community first, and then ecosystem.

Why do we care about the tech and innovation ecosystem? Because it’s everything. It gives us the purpose to live, create, care and belong. Our definition of an ecosystem is national, as a country, within we follow niches, states, cities and industries.

The Australian ecosystem is booming! The Startup Genome 2022 report says the Sydney ecosystem is now worth US$68 billion (A$102bn) and Melbourne’s at US$17bn (A$25bn), which almost doubled in a year.

Startup funding in Australia experienced a decline of 30% in 2022 ($10.6 billion – to $7.4 billion), according to the second annual edition of The State of Australian Startup Funding report by Cut Through Venture and Folklore Ventures. 

Early-stage funding reached record levels with a growing number of founders backed in 2022. The top three funds Airtree, Blackbird and Square Peg raised $2.4 billion in new funds last year, with Blackbird raising Australia’s first $1 billion VC fund. Read more.

Aesop exited with whooping US$3.7 billion deal to L’Oreal, Cloud Guru sold to Pluralsight for US$2 billion as well as Square’s purchase of Afterpay for US$29 billion, it is safe to say that Australian tech businesses have now, more than ever, become attractive acquisitions for established overseas players.

We think that rigorous business awards programmes like Pause Awards could contribute in stirring the companies into the right direction, without sugarcoating, in an authentic peer to peer scoring, so that they can be soaring to success in the long-term.

Awarding real people
that do real things™

If you’re Tech-Innovator, Eco-Warrior, Empowering-Leader or belong to any other future tribe, this home for champions is built for you.

Not everyone wins! That’s the catch. Only less than 30% make it through two rounds of rigorous peer judging, the first round is done independently and the second is a debate. Judges are: 36% C-Suite, 39% Snr. Executives and 25% Founders looking for actual, tangible results. It’s highly competitive – but it’s worth the challenge!

Here are a few reasons why you should consider:

Recognition and validation: Be acknowledged by your peers and the ecosystem.

Networking opportunities: Foster valuable partnerships and collaborations that will help your business thrive.

Personal and professional growth: Learn from the experiences of other industry leaders, enhancing your skills.

Champion company’s cause: Showcase your company’s efforts and inspire others to follow you.

Amplify your message: Increase your brand’s visibility and reach a wider audience, further promoting your purpose.

Enhance credibility: Solidify your reputation as an industry leader to attract potential investors and customers.

Advocate for quality: Raise awareness about your innovative solution.

Drive positive change: Inspire other stakeholders to adopt more effective practices.

Gain exposure and support: Secure much-needed funding, resources, and partnerships, enabling you to expand and grow.

This one’s for the team: Boost the team and company morale and attract new talent and clients.

Our ambitious winners go on to raise capital with smashing results! Female-led Circle In landed $2M, evee overfunded 500% on Birchal $1.6M, Great Wrap raised $25M, Birchal raised in 63 min $3M, BODD closed $5M, Heaps Normal bagged $8.5M, and so on.

The real benefit is in getting your industry peers (over 60 diverse and 50/50 gender split judges) from companies like Google, Mastercard, PwC, IBM, Adventure Capital, Startupbootcamp, Xero, Futuredeluxe, Accenture Song, Wise, Shipeezi, Birchal and many more thumbs of approval, that’s priceless!

The awards are not rigged by anyone, and judges are not pressured into feeling they have to award anyone to fill the numbers.

Your privacy and security is important to us and we would never sell or share your data or contacts without your consent to anybody!

Entering awards is good for focusing you on the key aspects of your business so you can understand your brand value better. 

You are not $5k out of pocket per entry and additional $5k for the award ceremony table, and sometimes another $3k for the trophy itself, at the premium award programmes.

We’re not interrogating your entire company to produce snapshot reports, or ask you to produce special presentations, film pitch video or upload any specific images.

Judges love learning how companies are bringing to life their brand purpose and reimagining experiences for their customers and people.

Our purpose is all about recognising the champions in the Australian ecosystem, celebrating success and setting a national standard for the best in business – annually.

We’ll provide you with a lifetime profile page on our website, award-winning award trophy and throw the classy Awards Night & Afterparty where you don’t fall asleep.

Essentially, we’re the independent, authentic and industry driven awards programme that recognises incredible people to help build better ecosystems.

And finally, we’ll call you a champ even if you don’t win.

Introducing our elite Ambassadors: The global pioneers of tech and innovation landscape!

Our Ambassadors are dedicated champions of progress, as they tirelessly drive our ecosystem forward. These six industry titans are generously offering their invaluable mentorship to the top few winners of the Pause Awards. Prepare to be matched with the finest minds in the business.

Paul Bassat

SEEK & SquarePeg

The staple of every award competition is its trophy. Pause Awards are very different and our trophy is the creation of love for design and innovation representing our community.

You can become Finalist and win: People’s Choice, Winner, Grand Prix, Champion, Hall of Fame and Diamond award trophy at Pause Awards.

People’s Choice award is decided by public vote, awards are judged in two rounds, Grand Prix, Champion, Hall of Fame and Diamond are all ‘best of the best’ accolades decided by the Judging Board with Chair in 2nd Round.

For more information and detailed levels of awarding with benefits please visit the trophy page.

Introducing the world’s first TrophyNFT, part of Pause Awards. This digital certificate of authenticity complements your physical trophy and is perfect for those who love exploring new tech. 

The TrophyNFT is a unique and valuable asset that can be displayed, traded, or collected and represents your commitment to the Pause Awards community. Dive into the world of blockchain, web3 and the metaverse with your Pause TrophyNFT.

We’ve set few trademarks…

​​The Home for Champions™
The Pause Awards are more than just an annual event – they’re a home for champions. This is where innovators, disruptors, and leaders converge to be recognised for their trailblazing initiatives. Whether you’re a startup founder, an experienced executive, or a digital nomad, Pause Awards is the place where your daring efforts are acknowledged and celebrated.

Only for the Most Ambitious™
Pause Awards are not for everyone. Our platform is designed for those with an insatiable appetite for success, an unwavering passion for creation, and an unyielding commitment to pushing boundaries. This is not a participation trophy; it’s a testament to tenacity, a nod to your nerve, and an affirmation of your ambition.

Not All Awards Are Created Equal™
Not all awards are created equal, and the Pause Awards stand testament to that. We maintain our independence and integrity by honestly appraising each entry, unconcerned by who the entrant is. The Pause Awards serve as an unbiased industry agent, committed to recognising genuine merit over everything else.

Awarding Real People That Do Real Things™
In a landscape littered with awards that set a low bar for success, Pause Awards stands out. We only award real people doing real things, setting a high standard of achievement. We celebrate those who are authentically improving their industries and making a tangible impact.

Building Better Ecosystems™
Through our rigorous evaluation process, the Pause Awards is committed to building better ecosystems. By recognising those truly deserving, we contribute to the growth and sustainability of our business ecosystem. We believe in the power of innovation and ambition to drive change and inspire others.