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Pause Awards program honours innovation breakthroughs, evaluated by over 70 industry experts in two rounds, to recognise the most ambitious and effective companies and individuals in Australia.


Who we are

The Pause Awards are an annual programme that recognises and celebrates the most ambitious and effective companies and individuals in Australia. Birthed from Pause Fest, the flagship festival for business and creativity in Australia, we’ve been celebrating the pioneers and innovators since 2010, and started awarding since 2018.

Rather than focusing solely on revenue growth, future projections or vanity metrics, we take a more holistic approach by submitting your breakthrough moment to measure how ambitious and effective your company is. 

Our evaluation is powered by over 60 independent senior industry experts hailing from Australia’s leading companies, including Medibank, Westpac, Airtasker, Birchal, Mastercard, Google, The Guardian and Kmart. Their collective wisdom informs our annual criteria and sets an industry benchmark that is truly unparalleled.

The Pause Awards, over the years, have become the home for champions for Australia’s golden circle of business, connecting ambitious entrepreneurs with powerful mentors and clients. Names like MrYum, Verve Super, Quad Lock, Linktree, Airwallex, and Heaps Normal have all benefited from our awards platform.

We honour only the most exceptional achievements, those that carve out real success and redefine what’s possible, not the intangible. There’s no set number of winners per category, reflecting our philosophy of celebrating genuine innovation over filling quotas. 

Pause Awards are highly competitive and honours under five key Category Tracks: Growth, Excellence, Operators, Good and Culture. With less than 30% success rate, 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!

At Pause Awards, it’s all about audacity, boldness, and the courage to dare greatly. If that sounds like you, then you might just be our next winner!

“Winning the ‘Company of Year’ award really put us on the map and was very unexpected!”
David McLaughlin
CTO, BODD

How it started

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.

Pause Awards 2019
MC's Emma Forster left and Jeanette Cheah at Pause Awards '19

Mission

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


George Hedon, founder and CEO, Pause Fest & Awards

George Hedon

Pause Awards Founder & CEO

Armed with a degree from Melbourne’s Swinburne School of Design, George Hedon embarked on a career journey that led him through design studios and advertising agencies in Melbourne, London and Belgrade. He carried a decade of experience into his third entrepreneurial venture – Pause Fest, which he grew into a world’s leading festival for business and creativity, attracting over 80,000 visitors in only eleven years.

The pioneering flagship Australian event, catalysed the Victorian tech ecosystem and attracted both, the top innovators and emerging startups, and had the largest speaker representation in the country from Airbnb, Canva, Netflix, Google, BBC, Pixar, Amazon and NASA, to name a few out of 1,200.

George’s influence has been recognised with many accolades, including recent awards from Melbourne Design, RedDot and Good Design Australia. He’s crafted a $412B ecosystem with Pause Awards participants in six years.

A speaker, mentor, judge, cyclist and coffee addict, no wonder why they call him the ‘Enabler of Awesome’. George’s track record clearly illustrates a career committed to innovation, leadership and playful experimentation.


The home for champions

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.

Pause Awards Winner 2023
Group shot of winners at Pause Awards Night '22

Awarding real people
that do real things™


Advisory

Introducing the global pioneers of tech and innovation landscape!

Our Mentors, Advisory Board, and Ecosystem Activators are the driving force behind the Pause Awards. With mentors generously offering their invaluable guidance to our winners, the Advisory Board steering strategic direction, and Ecosystem Activators catalysing local engagement, we collectively champion the spirit of innovation and business excellence across Australia.


Never Stop Searching

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.


Award levels

Pause Awards has seven award levels, with Diamond and Champion being the best in show, introduced in ‘23.


  • Diamond

    Diamond award is the best-in-show, given to the single best winner amongst all five Category Tracks. 

    Winning includes:

    • One esteemed Diamond Trophy, free of charge 
    • 30 min mentoring session with one Pause Ambassador
    • Two official Pause Awards certificates, free of charge 
    • Investable Score certificate, free of charge 
    • Specially designed TrophyNFT, free of charge 
    • Speaking opportunity in partner events and interviews
    • Global exposure across mainstream and industry media
    • Featured in the online global Winner’s gallery and Pause Index


  • Champion

    Champion award is given to the single best winner in the Category Track. (i.e. Culture or Excellence etc.)

    Winning includes:

    • One esteemed Diamond Trophy, free of charge 
    • 30 min mentoring session with one Pause Ambassador
    • Two official Pause Awards certificates, free of charge 
    • Investable Score certificate, free of charge 
    • Specially designed TrophyNFT, free of charge 
    • Speaking opportunity in partner events and interviews
    • Global exposure across mainstream and industry media
    • Featured in the online global Winner’s gallery and Pause Index


  • Hall of Fame

    Hall of Fame is privately decided by the Judging Board and elected by Chair for their lifetime achievement.

    Winning includes:

    • One esteemed Diamond Trophy, free of charge 
    • Two official Pause Awards certificates, free of charge
    • Specially designed TrophyNFT, free of charge
    • Speaking opportunity in partner events
    • Global exposure across mainstream and industry media
    • Featured in the online global Winner’s gallery and Pause Index

  • Grand Prix

    Grand Prix award is given to the single best entry in one category unanimously decided by the Judging Board. (i.e. Hammer or B-Good)

    Winning includes:

    • The opportunity to purchase a Grand Prix Trophy 
    • Two official Pause Awards certificates in Pro Winner Pack
    • Investable Score certificate in Pro Winner Pack
    • Specially designed TrophyNFT in Pro Winner Pack
    • Speaking opportunity in partner events
    • Global exposure across mainstream and industry media
    • Featured in the online global Winner’s gallery and Pause Index

  • Winner

    Pause Awards winner is judged by 50+ diverse industry experts in Australia and overseas. 

    Winning includes:

    • The opportunity to purchase a Trophy
    • Two official Pause Awards certificates in Pro Winner Pack
    • Investable Score certificate in Pro Winner Pack
    • Specially designed TrophyNFT in Pro Winner Pack
    • Global exposure across mainstream and industry media
    • Featured in the online global Winner’s gallery and Pause Index

  • People’s Choice

    To be People’s Choice winner, you can rally your troops to vote for you. There can be only one winner in this category.

    Winning includes:

    • The opportunity to purchase a Trophy
    • Two official Pause Awards certificates in Pro Winner Pack
    • Investable Score certificate in Pro Winner Pack
    • Specially designed TrophyNFT in Pro Winner Pack
    • Global exposure across mainstream and industry media
    • Featured in the online global Winner’s gallery and Pause Index

  • Finalist

    The Finalist is still considered as a great achievement as you need to score an average of 7 points to qualify.

    It includes:

    • The opportunity to attend Pause Awards Night
    • The opportunity to become Community member
    • Download and promote with Finalist badges

With less than 30% of entries receiving Pause Awards, getting the national recognition of ‘the most ambitious company in Australia’ has a profound effect on those fortunate enough to get it.

The Home for
Champions™


The Australian 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$68B (A$102B) and Melbourne’s at US$17B (A$25B), which almost doubled in a year.

Startup funding in Australia experienced a decline of 30% in 2022 ($10.6B – to $7.4B), 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 $2.4B in new funds last year, with Blackbird raising Australia’s first $1B VC fund. Read more.

Aesop exited with whooping US$3.7B deal to L’Oreal, Cloud Guru sold to Pluralsight for US$2B as well as Square’s purchase of Afterpay for US$29B, 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.

Dom Pym, UP
'C-Suite' winner Dom Pym, Co-founder of UP at Awards Night 2021

Building better
ecosystems™


Past winners

“Winning the ‘Company of Year’ award really put us on the map and was very unexpected!”
David McLaughlin
CTO, BODD
“Entrepreneurship is all about the community. Otherwise it can be a very isolated experience. So being part of the ecosystem is everything.”
Jirra Harvey
Founder, Kalinya
“Being able to network with entrepreneurs, founders, learn and be part of that ecosystem has been fantastic for us.”
Dean Cherny GAICD
Founder & MD, SocialQ
“Being recognised by the industry for the work you do for the industry gave this award so much meaning.
Dianna Somerville
Chair, Riverina
“Pause is the community of amazing innovators, and we are thrilled to be recognised for the third year running.”
Matt Vitale
Co-Founder, Birchal
1 / 6

Past partners


Awards trophy

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.

Pause Awards - Standard Trophy
This is the standard Trophy that’s won at the Pause Awards.
Pause Awards - Grand Prix Trophy
The Grand Prix is best in category and is only given if the judging board agrees unanimously that the entry stands above the rest.
Pause Awards - Hall of Fame Trophy
Hall of Fame is pickled by the Judging Board for their lifetime achievement, and impact on society for pushing the industry forward.

Pause Awards Night

The Pause Awards Night is a highly anticipated event that unites the entire Australian innovation ecosystem in celebration of the year’s outstanding achievements. Attendees will have the opportunity to mingle with prominent figures in the business world, including winners, judges and our partners.

The ticket encompasses the Welcome Reception, Pause Awards Night, Official Afterparty and will be available for purchase on 23 October ‘23 from our website. If you require additional tickets for your team, friends or family – VIP Booths, Tables or Rooms can also be purchased.

We encourage small teams who are uncertain about where to hold their end-of-year Christmas celebrations to join the Pause Awards Night as part of the ecosystem.

On the night, the winners will be announced, and trophy samples will be available for winners to take pictures with. Champion and Diamond winners will take home trophies on the night courtesy of Pause Awards.


See who won Pause Awards '23


Read more

Category tracks



Creating an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture is essential for success and growth. Entries should demonstrate how this transformation has been achieved across core business functions, that showcase expertise, leadership, and vision in delivering a positive impact and growth for the business, staff, stakeholders and customers.

Recognising outstanding business success in the marketplace, regardless of company size, and celebrating the impact made on the industry. Entries should showcase exceptional expertise, leadership and vision in the execution of business strategies that have left a significant impression.

Showcase a company's commitment to their purpose and mission to create a positive impact on the environment, people and community. The entries should demonstrate ideas intended to change the world; work which sets out to positively impact ingrained gender inequality, social imbalance or injustice.

Awarded to a single entry in a category, Grand Prix is the top accolade in that category. To win the Grand Prix, the entire Judging Board must unanimously agree that the entry deserves the accolade of being the best in that category.

​​Focusing on the productivity and elegance of execution to deliver impactful ideas to a market with the power to cut through the noise. Entries should demonstrate how the innovation and optimisation of the customer journey led to scaled consumer engagement and commercial success.

Elevating every voice in the ecosystem is crucial for the collective success and growth of the industry. The entries should demonstrate ingenuity which leads to the creation of new products and services, through leadership, by elevating the internal culture and communities they serve.


Categories


  • Culture champion New

    For the best in Culture Category Track. This award recognises the best entry out of all winning entries in the track that have created a thriving culture.

    WHO: The top winners from all categories in Culture.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for the sole winner that can proudly represent the track demonstrating exceptional leadership, results and impact in their field.


  • Diverse Co.

    For nurturing an inclusive environment. This award recognises a workplace that has successfully and intentionally encouraged innovation among diverse employees.

    WHO: Diversity and inclusion managers, HR professionals, company founders, team leads, and talent acquisition specialists.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that demonstrate a purposeful, innovative approach to nurturing an inclusive environment and empowering diverse employees.


  • Large team culture

    For fostering innovation. This award recognises a workplace with over 1000+ employees that has outpaced their cohort in fostering a culture of innovation.

    WHO: CEOs, CTOs, COOs, HR directors, and team leads in organisations with 1000+ employees.

    WHAT: Judges seek evidence of a workplace that has excelled at fostering a culture of innovation, surpassing peers in the large team cohort.


  • Medium team culture

    For fostering innovation. This award recognises a workplace with 21-999 employees that has outpaced their cohort in fostering a culture of innovation.

    WHO: CEOs, CTOs, COOs, HR directors, and team leads in organisations with 21-999 employees.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to highlight the company's success in fostering a culture of innovation that outperforms others within the medium team cohort.


  • Small team culture

    For fostering innovation. This award recognises a workplace with less than 20 employees that has outpaced their cohort in fostering a culture of innovation

    WHO: CEOs, CTOs, COOs, HR directors, and team leads in organisations with less than 20 employees.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that demonstrate exceptional success in fostering a culture of innovation, outpacing their small team cohort.


  • Work sweet work

    For a great workplace culture. This award recognises a company that has managed to improve or attain outstanding levels of employee engagement, retention and satisfaction.

    WHO: HR directors, employee engagement managers, company founders, and team leads.

    WHAT: Judges will assess entries that show significant improvement or attainment of outstanding levels of employee engagement, retention, and satisfaction.


  • Company of the Year

    For the best company. This award recognises a company leadership, success, ambition to excel against all odds with the solid future development plans.

    WHO: CEOs, COOs, CTOs, company founders, and general managers.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to demonstrate exceptional leadership, success, ambition to excel, and solid plans for future development.


  • Defiant ones

    For new tech breakthroughs. This award recognises a company that defines the future of the industry they play in.

    WHO: CEOs, CTOs, company founders, product managers, and innovation leads.

    WHAT: Judges seek entries that showcase groundbreaking technology that redefines the industry they operate in.


  • Excellence champion New

    For the best in Excellence Category Track. This award recognises the best entry out of all winning entries in the track that have executed to a highest standard.

    WHO: The top winners from all categories in Excellence.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for the sole winner that can proudly represent the track demonstrating exceptional leadership, results and impact in their field.


  • Hall of fame

    For a lifetime achievement. This award recognises a game-changer who paved the way by breaking new grounds and inventing new categories.

    WHO: Judging Board will privately nominate and pick the winner.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for the sole winner to award for their lifetime achievement.


  • Hammer

    For nailing it. This award recognises a company’s success – on their own terms – in the market.

    WHO: CEOs, COOs, company founders, sales directors and market strategists.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to highlight the company's unique success in the market on their own terms.


  • I wish I'd done that

    For sheer brilliance. This award recognises a company’s simple and clever idea in a niche market.

    WHO: Company founders, CEOs, CTOs, product managers and niche market strategists.

    WHAT: Judges will assess entries that showcase a simple, clever, and innovative idea within a niche market.


  • New & first

    For new and First Peoples. This award recognises a successful company with its founders from indigenous, migrant or ethnic heritage in Australia.

    WHO: Indigenous, migrant, or ethnic heritage founders, CEOs, company founders and entrepreneurs.

    WHAT: Judges seek entries from successful companies led by founders from diverse backgrounds, making an impact in Australia.


  • On the rise

    For early stage mavericks. This award recognises an early stage startup that has done well in its first three years.

    WHO: Early-stage startup founders, CEOs, CTOs, and entrepreneurs.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to demonstrate significant success within the first three years of operation.


  • Prodigy

    For being exceptional. This award recognises an under 30 year old person with exceptional qualities or abilities.

    WHO: Under-30 entrepreneurs, CEOs, CTOs, COOs and innovators.

    WHAT: Judges seek entries that showcase exceptional qualities or abilities of individuals under 30 years old.


  • Singularity New

    For an artificial intelligence business. This award recognises a company for developing ai services or those who have successfully integrated ai in their systems to deliver new products and services.

    WHO: AI company founders, CEOs, CTOs and product managers.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for companies developing AI services or successfully integrating AI into their systems to deliver new products and services.


  • Trendsetter New

    For influencer led business. This award recognises a person that has built their own business or a product through their followers' reach in social media.

    WHO: Social media influencers, content creators, entrepreneurs, and company founders.

    WHAT: Judges will assess entries that demonstrate successful businesses or products built through the reach of their social media followers.


  • Women in business

    For levelling the playing field. This award recognises a successful female leader and entrepreneur who is paving the way forward for the future generations.

    WHO: Female entrepreneurs, CEOs, company founders and business leaders.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to highlight the achievements of successful female leaders paving the way for future generations.


  • B-Good

    For a good business. This award recognises a company that has done well to change our economic system to positively impact all stakeholders through their commercial practice.

    WHO: CEOs, company founders, corporate social responsibility managers and sustainability directors.

    WHAT: Judges seek entries that demonstrate positive impact on stakeholders through ethical and sustainable commercial practices.


  • Circular Pioneer

    For making a real difference. This award category recognises a company that is pioneering their circular efforts.

    WHO: CEOs, company founders, sustainability directors, environmental managers and circular economy strategists.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for companies that excel in implementing and pioneering circular economy efforts.


  • Fame for good New

    For a celebrity driven social impact. This award recognises a company that broke into the market by a famous person using its fame for the right cause and purpose.

    WHO: Celebrity-founded companies, CEOs, social impact leads and philanthropic entrepreneurs.

    WHAT: Judges will assess entries that demonstrate the effective use of fame for driving social impact and purpose.


  • Going green

    For delivering impact at scale. This award recognises a company that is actively leading and delivering impact and scale through sustainable efforts in clean energy, climate change, healthy environment, social and economic justice etc.

    WHO: CEOs, COOs, company founders, sustainability directors and environmental managers.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to showcase leadership in sustainable efforts in clean energy, climate change, healthy environments, social, and economic justice.


  • Good champion New

    For the best in Good Category Track. This award recognises the best entry out of all winning entries in the track that have displayed great impact in society.

    WHO: The top winners from all categories in Good.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for the sole winner that can proudly represent the track demonstrating exceptional leadership, results and impact in their field.


  • You've got ethics

    For leadership in environmental social governance. This award category recognises a company that is promoting accountability, good governance, leadership in Corporate Social Responsibility and solving societal problems.

    WHO: CEOs, COOs, company founders, CSR managers and sustainability directors.

    WHAT: Judges seek entries that highlight leadership in environmental social governance, accountability, and solving societal problems.


  • Design first

    For design led products. This award recognises a company that is using design to drive product innovation with the entire company onboard.

    WHO: CEOs,CTOs, company founders, design leads and product managers.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to showcase how design drives product innovation within the company.


  • Great pivot

    For a sudden change in direction. This award recognises a company that has taken a pivot, based on insights, to deliver exceptional products.

    WHO: Company founders, CEOs, CTOs, COOs and product managers.
    WHAT: Judges will assess entries that showcase successful pivots based on insights, resulting in exceptional products.


  • Growth champion New

    For the best in Growth Category Track. This award recognises the best entry out of all winning entries in the track that have displayed incredible success.

    WHO: The top winners from all categories in Growth.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for the sole winner that can proudly represent the track demonstrating exceptional leadership, results and impact in their field.


  • Movement New

    For an event experience. This award recognises a company that has delivered an innovative event, conference, campaign or brand activation that emotionally moved people, delivered great social impact or vent viral.

    WHO: Event organisers, conference planners, marketing directors and brand activation leads.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that demonstrate innovative events or campaigns that have emotionally moved people, created significant social impact, or went viral.


  • New model New

    For the new business model. This award recognises a company that has developed an elegant business model which is eating up the market itself.

    WHO: CEOs, company founders, COOs, business strategists and innovation leads.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to highlight an elegant business model that is transforming the market.


  • Out of the garage

    For scaling globally. This award recognises a company’s global growth, expansion, and success.

    WHO: Company founders, CEOs, CTOs and international expansion leads.

    WHAT: Judges seek entries that showcase successful global growth, expansion and impact.


  • Pioneer New

    For the first to market. This award recognises a company that has broken into the market with a new product line never seen before, creating a new category.

    WHO: CEOs, CTOs, company founders, product managers and innovation leads.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that demonstrate groundbreaking, first-to-market product lines that created a new category.


  • Wildfire

    For conquering a marketplace. This award recognises a company that has made a significant impact on the marketplace in the shortest amount of time.

    WHO: CEOs, company founders, market strategists and sales directors.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to highlight significant, rapid impact on the marketplace.


  • Angel

    For early stage support. This award recognises an angel investor that has garnered a portfolio of companies and has a good track record of helping founders succeed.

    WHO: Angel investors, venture capitalists and early-stage startup mentors.

    WHAT: This is a free entry and will be evaluated by the public as the People's Choice award.


  • C-Suite

    For the best leadership. This award recognises the highest-ranking executive that has impeccable leadership, management and interpersonal skills.

    WHO: CEOs, CFOs, CTOs, COOs and executive leaders.

    WHAT: Judges will assess entries that demonstrate impeccable leadership, management and interpersonal skills.


  • Down under New

    For launching in the Australian market. This award recognises an international company who is looking to expand into the Australian market and build recognition in the local ecosystem.

    WHO: International company founders, CEOs, market entry strategists and business development leads.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to showcase successful expansion into the Australian market and local ecosystem recognition.


  • Ecosystem star

    For being the community champ. This award recognises a person for their tireless energy in organising, engaging and advocating to their community, business or network.

    WHO: Community managers, ecosystem leaders, network builders and advocacy leads.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that highlight tireless energy in organising, engaging, and advocating for their communities, businesses or networks.


  • Future builder

    For grit to start a new venture. This award recognises a founder at any level and life stage who has decided to start jumping the hoops of their own business.

    WHO: Startup founders, entrepreneurs, and business owners at any level or life stage.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to showcase the grit and determination required to start and grow a new venture.


  • Game changer New

    For an elite athlete turned entrepreneur. This award recognises an athlete for starting their side hustle and turning it into a small empire.

    WHO: Elite athletes turned entrepreneurs, company founders and CEOs.

    WHAT: Judges will evaluate entries that demonstrate successful side hustles turned into thriving businesses.


  • Growth hacker New

    For the growth marketing experts. This award recognises a marketing specialist focused on the rapid growth of a company through data mining and experimentation.

    WHO: Growth marketing experts, data analysts and digital marketing specialists.

    WHAT: Judges seek entries that showcase rapid company growth through data mining and experimentation.


  • Hottest hub

    For the best community. This award recognises a co-working space that provides boutique experience, world class facilities with community management.

    WHO: Co-working space operators, community managers and facility managers.

    WHAT: Judges will assess entries that demonstrate boutique experiences, world-class facilities and exceptional community management.


  • Launch pad

    For activating the support systems. This award recognises an accelerator or incubator with a good reputation in providing the best startup program and industry connections.

    WHO: Accelerator and incubator managers, program directors and startup mentors.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that showcase a strong reputation in providing the best startup programs and industry connections.


  • Mind&Body New

    For the best wellness provider. This award recognises a business that provides self-care services or apps, retreats, getaways, gyms, clubs, tiny house stays and healthy retailers.

    WHO: Wellness service providers, app developers, retreat organisers, gym owners and healthy retailers.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to demonstrate excellence in providing self-care services, products or experiences that promote well-being.


  • Operators champion New

    For the best in Operators Category Track. This award recognises the best entry out of all winning entries in the track that have displayed impeccable leadership.

    WHO: The top winners from all categories in Operators.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for the sole winner that can proudly represent the track demonstrating exceptional leadership, results and impact in their field.


  • Silent achiever

    For those that do the heavy lifting. This award recognises a person that has exceeded expectations, executed and delivered flawlessly projects from the backseat.

    WHO: Project managers, team leads, operations managers and product managers.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that demonstrate exceeding expectations and flawless execution of projects from a behind-the-scenes role.


  • TopCoder New

    For the cleanest code. This award recognises a developer with excellent technical skills, writing a clean code and being a team player.

    WHO: Developers, software engineers and technical leads.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that showcase excellent technical skills, clean code writing and strong teamwork abilities.


  • Venture cap

    For backing the future business. This award recognises a VC firm with a portfolio of companies that have made a significant contribution to the growth and success of the AU economy.

    WHO: Venture capital firms, investment managers and portfolio managers.

    WHAT: This is a free entry and will be evaluated by the public as the People's Choice award.


  • Champion

    Awarded to a single entry in all five Category Track, Champion is the top accolade from all categories in that track. To win the Champion, you need to be at Grand Prix level or score the most points.


  • Diamond

    Awarded to a best-in-show, Diamond is the highest accolade at Pause Awards. To win the Diamond, you need to be one of the five Champion winners.


  • Grand Prix

    Awarded to a single entry in a category, Grand Prix is the top accolade in that category. To win the Grand Prix, the entire Judging Board must unanimously agree that the entry deserves the accolade of being the best in that category.

Category tracks



Creating an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture is essential for success and growth. Entries should demonstrate how this transformation has been achieved across core business functions, that showcase expertise, leadership, and vision in delivering a positive impact and growth for the business, staff, stakeholders and customers.

Recognising outstanding business success in the marketplace, regardless of company size, and celebrating the impact made on the industry. Entries should showcase exceptional expertise, leadership and vision in the execution of business strategies that have left a significant impression.

Showcase a company's commitment to their purpose and mission to create a positive impact on the environment, people and community. The entries should demonstrate ideas intended to change the world; work which sets out to positively impact ingrained gender inequality, social imbalance or injustice.

Awarded to a single entry in a category, Grand Prix is the top accolade in that category. To win the Grand Prix, the entire Judging Board must unanimously agree that the entry deserves the accolade of being the best in that category.

​​Focusing on the productivity and elegance of execution to deliver impactful ideas to a market with the power to cut through the noise. Entries should demonstrate how the innovation and optimisation of the customer journey led to scaled consumer engagement and commercial success.

Elevating every voice in the ecosystem is crucial for the collective success and growth of the industry. The entries should demonstrate ingenuity which leads to the creation of new products and services, through leadership, by elevating the internal culture and communities they serve.


Categories


  • Culture champion New

    For the best in Culture Category Track. This award recognises the best entry out of all winning entries in the track that have created a thriving culture.

    WHO: The top winners from all categories in Culture.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for the sole winner that can proudly represent the track demonstrating exceptional leadership, results and impact in their field.


  • Diverse Co.

    For nurturing an inclusive environment. This award recognises a workplace that has successfully and intentionally encouraged innovation among diverse employees.

    WHO: Diversity and inclusion managers, HR professionals, company founders, team leads, and talent acquisition specialists.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that demonstrate a purposeful, innovative approach to nurturing an inclusive environment and empowering diverse employees.


  • Large team culture

    For fostering innovation. This award recognises a workplace with over 1000+ employees that has outpaced their cohort in fostering a culture of innovation.

    WHO: CEOs, CTOs, COOs, HR directors, and team leads in organisations with 1000+ employees.

    WHAT: Judges seek evidence of a workplace that has excelled at fostering a culture of innovation, surpassing peers in the large team cohort.


  • Medium team culture

    For fostering innovation. This award recognises a workplace with 21-999 employees that has outpaced their cohort in fostering a culture of innovation.

    WHO: CEOs, CTOs, COOs, HR directors, and team leads in organisations with 21-999 employees.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to highlight the company's success in fostering a culture of innovation that outperforms others within the medium team cohort.


  • Small team culture

    For fostering innovation. This award recognises a workplace with less than 20 employees that has outpaced their cohort in fostering a culture of innovation

    WHO: CEOs, CTOs, COOs, HR directors, and team leads in organisations with less than 20 employees.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that demonstrate exceptional success in fostering a culture of innovation, outpacing their small team cohort.


  • Work sweet work

    For a great workplace culture. This award recognises a company that has managed to improve or attain outstanding levels of employee engagement, retention and satisfaction.

    WHO: HR directors, employee engagement managers, company founders, and team leads.

    WHAT: Judges will assess entries that show significant improvement or attainment of outstanding levels of employee engagement, retention, and satisfaction.


  • Company of the Year

    For the best company. This award recognises a company leadership, success, ambition to excel against all odds with the solid future development plans.

    WHO: CEOs, COOs, CTOs, company founders, and general managers.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to demonstrate exceptional leadership, success, ambition to excel, and solid plans for future development.


  • Defiant ones

    For new tech breakthroughs. This award recognises a company that defines the future of the industry they play in.

    WHO: CEOs, CTOs, company founders, product managers, and innovation leads.

    WHAT: Judges seek entries that showcase groundbreaking technology that redefines the industry they operate in.


  • Excellence champion New

    For the best in Excellence Category Track. This award recognises the best entry out of all winning entries in the track that have executed to a highest standard.

    WHO: The top winners from all categories in Excellence.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for the sole winner that can proudly represent the track demonstrating exceptional leadership, results and impact in their field.


  • Hall of fame

    For a lifetime achievement. This award recognises a game-changer who paved the way by breaking new grounds and inventing new categories.

    WHO: Judging Board will privately nominate and pick the winner.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for the sole winner to award for their lifetime achievement.


  • Hammer

    For nailing it. This award recognises a company’s success – on their own terms – in the market.

    WHO: CEOs, COOs, company founders, sales directors and market strategists.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to highlight the company's unique success in the market on their own terms.


  • I wish I'd done that

    For sheer brilliance. This award recognises a company’s simple and clever idea in a niche market.

    WHO: Company founders, CEOs, CTOs, product managers and niche market strategists.

    WHAT: Judges will assess entries that showcase a simple, clever, and innovative idea within a niche market.


  • New & first

    For new and First Peoples. This award recognises a successful company with its founders from indigenous, migrant or ethnic heritage in Australia.

    WHO: Indigenous, migrant, or ethnic heritage founders, CEOs, company founders and entrepreneurs.

    WHAT: Judges seek entries from successful companies led by founders from diverse backgrounds, making an impact in Australia.


  • On the rise

    For early stage mavericks. This award recognises an early stage startup that has done well in its first three years.

    WHO: Early-stage startup founders, CEOs, CTOs, and entrepreneurs.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to demonstrate significant success within the first three years of operation.


  • Prodigy

    For being exceptional. This award recognises an under 30 year old person with exceptional qualities or abilities.

    WHO: Under-30 entrepreneurs, CEOs, CTOs, COOs and innovators.

    WHAT: Judges seek entries that showcase exceptional qualities or abilities of individuals under 30 years old.


  • Singularity New

    For an artificial intelligence business. This award recognises a company for developing ai services or those who have successfully integrated ai in their systems to deliver new products and services.

    WHO: AI company founders, CEOs, CTOs and product managers.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for companies developing AI services or successfully integrating AI into their systems to deliver new products and services.


  • Trendsetter New

    For influencer led business. This award recognises a person that has built their own business or a product through their followers' reach in social media.

    WHO: Social media influencers, content creators, entrepreneurs, and company founders.

    WHAT: Judges will assess entries that demonstrate successful businesses or products built through the reach of their social media followers.


  • Women in business

    For levelling the playing field. This award recognises a successful female leader and entrepreneur who is paving the way forward for the future generations.

    WHO: Female entrepreneurs, CEOs, company founders and business leaders.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to highlight the achievements of successful female leaders paving the way for future generations.


  • B-Good

    For a good business. This award recognises a company that has done well to change our economic system to positively impact all stakeholders through their commercial practice.

    WHO: CEOs, company founders, corporate social responsibility managers and sustainability directors.

    WHAT: Judges seek entries that demonstrate positive impact on stakeholders through ethical and sustainable commercial practices.


  • Circular Pioneer

    For making a real difference. This award category recognises a company that is pioneering their circular efforts.

    WHO: CEOs, company founders, sustainability directors, environmental managers and circular economy strategists.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for companies that excel in implementing and pioneering circular economy efforts.


  • Fame for good New

    For a celebrity driven social impact. This award recognises a company that broke into the market by a famous person using its fame for the right cause and purpose.

    WHO: Celebrity-founded companies, CEOs, social impact leads and philanthropic entrepreneurs.

    WHAT: Judges will assess entries that demonstrate the effective use of fame for driving social impact and purpose.


  • Going green

    For delivering impact at scale. This award recognises a company that is actively leading and delivering impact and scale through sustainable efforts in clean energy, climate change, healthy environment, social and economic justice etc.

    WHO: CEOs, COOs, company founders, sustainability directors and environmental managers.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to showcase leadership in sustainable efforts in clean energy, climate change, healthy environments, social, and economic justice.


  • Good champion New

    For the best in Good Category Track. This award recognises the best entry out of all winning entries in the track that have displayed great impact in society.

    WHO: The top winners from all categories in Good.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for the sole winner that can proudly represent the track demonstrating exceptional leadership, results and impact in their field.


  • You've got ethics

    For leadership in environmental social governance. This award category recognises a company that is promoting accountability, good governance, leadership in Corporate Social Responsibility and solving societal problems.

    WHO: CEOs, COOs, company founders, CSR managers and sustainability directors.

    WHAT: Judges seek entries that highlight leadership in environmental social governance, accountability, and solving societal problems.


  • Design first

    For design led products. This award recognises a company that is using design to drive product innovation with the entire company onboard.

    WHO: CEOs,CTOs, company founders, design leads and product managers.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to showcase how design drives product innovation within the company.


  • Great pivot

    For a sudden change in direction. This award recognises a company that has taken a pivot, based on insights, to deliver exceptional products.

    WHO: Company founders, CEOs, CTOs, COOs and product managers.
    WHAT: Judges will assess entries that showcase successful pivots based on insights, resulting in exceptional products.


  • Growth champion New

    For the best in Growth Category Track. This award recognises the best entry out of all winning entries in the track that have displayed incredible success.

    WHO: The top winners from all categories in Growth.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for the sole winner that can proudly represent the track demonstrating exceptional leadership, results and impact in their field.


  • Movement New

    For an event experience. This award recognises a company that has delivered an innovative event, conference, campaign or brand activation that emotionally moved people, delivered great social impact or vent viral.

    WHO: Event organisers, conference planners, marketing directors and brand activation leads.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that demonstrate innovative events or campaigns that have emotionally moved people, created significant social impact, or went viral.


  • New model New

    For the new business model. This award recognises a company that has developed an elegant business model which is eating up the market itself.

    WHO: CEOs, company founders, COOs, business strategists and innovation leads.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to highlight an elegant business model that is transforming the market.


  • Out of the garage

    For scaling globally. This award recognises a company’s global growth, expansion, and success.

    WHO: Company founders, CEOs, CTOs and international expansion leads.

    WHAT: Judges seek entries that showcase successful global growth, expansion and impact.


  • Pioneer New

    For the first to market. This award recognises a company that has broken into the market with a new product line never seen before, creating a new category.

    WHO: CEOs, CTOs, company founders, product managers and innovation leads.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that demonstrate groundbreaking, first-to-market product lines that created a new category.


  • Wildfire

    For conquering a marketplace. This award recognises a company that has made a significant impact on the marketplace in the shortest amount of time.

    WHO: CEOs, company founders, market strategists and sales directors.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to highlight significant, rapid impact on the marketplace.


  • Angel

    For early stage support. This award recognises an angel investor that has garnered a portfolio of companies and has a good track record of helping founders succeed.

    WHO: Angel investors, venture capitalists and early-stage startup mentors.

    WHAT: This is a free entry and will be evaluated by the public as the People's Choice award.


  • C-Suite

    For the best leadership. This award recognises the highest-ranking executive that has impeccable leadership, management and interpersonal skills.

    WHO: CEOs, CFOs, CTOs, COOs and executive leaders.

    WHAT: Judges will assess entries that demonstrate impeccable leadership, management and interpersonal skills.


  • Down under New

    For launching in the Australian market. This award recognises an international company who is looking to expand into the Australian market and build recognition in the local ecosystem.

    WHO: International company founders, CEOs, market entry strategists and business development leads.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to showcase successful expansion into the Australian market and local ecosystem recognition.


  • Ecosystem star

    For being the community champ. This award recognises a person for their tireless energy in organising, engaging and advocating to their community, business or network.

    WHO: Community managers, ecosystem leaders, network builders and advocacy leads.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that highlight tireless energy in organising, engaging, and advocating for their communities, businesses or networks.


  • Future builder

    For grit to start a new venture. This award recognises a founder at any level and life stage who has decided to start jumping the hoops of their own business.

    WHO: Startup founders, entrepreneurs, and business owners at any level or life stage.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to showcase the grit and determination required to start and grow a new venture.


  • Game changer New

    For an elite athlete turned entrepreneur. This award recognises an athlete for starting their side hustle and turning it into a small empire.

    WHO: Elite athletes turned entrepreneurs, company founders and CEOs.

    WHAT: Judges will evaluate entries that demonstrate successful side hustles turned into thriving businesses.


  • Growth hacker New

    For the growth marketing experts. This award recognises a marketing specialist focused on the rapid growth of a company through data mining and experimentation.

    WHO: Growth marketing experts, data analysts and digital marketing specialists.

    WHAT: Judges seek entries that showcase rapid company growth through data mining and experimentation.


  • Hottest hub

    For the best community. This award recognises a co-working space that provides boutique experience, world class facilities with community management.

    WHO: Co-working space operators, community managers and facility managers.

    WHAT: Judges will assess entries that demonstrate boutique experiences, world-class facilities and exceptional community management.


  • Launch pad

    For activating the support systems. This award recognises an accelerator or incubator with a good reputation in providing the best startup program and industry connections.

    WHO: Accelerator and incubator managers, program directors and startup mentors.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that showcase a strong reputation in providing the best startup programs and industry connections.


  • Mind&Body New

    For the best wellness provider. This award recognises a business that provides self-care services or apps, retreats, getaways, gyms, clubs, tiny house stays and healthy retailers.

    WHO: Wellness service providers, app developers, retreat organisers, gym owners and healthy retailers.

    WHAT: Judges expect entries to demonstrate excellence in providing self-care services, products or experiences that promote well-being.


  • Operators champion New

    For the best in Operators Category Track. This award recognises the best entry out of all winning entries in the track that have displayed impeccable leadership.

    WHO: The top winners from all categories in Operators.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for the sole winner that can proudly represent the track demonstrating exceptional leadership, results and impact in their field.


  • Silent achiever

    For those that do the heavy lifting. This award recognises a person that has exceeded expectations, executed and delivered flawlessly projects from the backseat.

    WHO: Project managers, team leads, operations managers and product managers.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that demonstrate exceeding expectations and flawless execution of projects from a behind-the-scenes role.


  • TopCoder New

    For the cleanest code. This award recognises a developer with excellent technical skills, writing a clean code and being a team player.

    WHO: Developers, software engineers and technical leads.

    WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that showcase excellent technical skills, clean code writing and strong teamwork abilities.


  • Venture cap

    For backing the future business. This award recognises a VC firm with a portfolio of companies that have made a significant contribution to the growth and success of the AU economy.

    WHO: Venture capital firms, investment managers and portfolio managers.

    WHAT: This is a free entry and will be evaluated by the public as the People's Choice award.


  • Champion

    Awarded to a single entry in all five Category Track, Champion is the top accolade from all categories in that track. To win the Champion, you need to be at Grand Prix level or score the most points.


  • Diamond

    Awarded to a best-in-show, Diamond is the highest accolade at Pause Awards. To win the Diamond, you need to be one of the five Champion winners.


  • Grand Prix

    Awarded to a single entry in a category, Grand Prix is the top accolade in that category. To win the Grand Prix, the entire Judging Board must unanimously agree that the entry deserves the accolade of being the best in that category.

Pause Awards launch on 15 May 2024!
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