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Call for Entries
opens on 17 May ‘23

1 March, 2023
Call for Entries <br>opens on 17 May ‘23 | News | Pause Awards
George Hedon, founder and CEO, Pause Fest & Awards
George Hedon
1 March, 2023
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We’re thrilled to announce the highly anticipated launch of the sixth edition of Pause Awards, the premier innovation awards program in Australia.

We’re on the lookout for the most ambitious and forward-thinking companies and individuals who are driving innovation and transformation across various industries in the country.

The entries for the Pause Awards ‘23 will open on 17 May, and we have a special two-day Launch Entry fee, so mark your calendars and be ready to grab the absolute best rate. You can signup now to be reminded for the launch.

Call for Entries '23, Pause Awards, categories
Pause Awards '23

Since its inception, the Pause Awards have recognized over 250 bold companies and individuals as an independent innovation agent, comprising 60 local and international industry experts. Our awards program is highly competitive, and we only award the highest scorers in each category. Our judging board doesn’t fill the spots for the sake of it; instead, we award only the most deserving winners.

Call for Entries '23, Pause Awards
Pause Awards '23

This year, we’re introducing a few exciting updates to the awards program. 

  • Awards program opens earlier this year on 17 May ‘23
  • New Launch Entry Fee ($295) will allow you to grab the absolute best rate in 48 hours!
  • Six award levels, including Finalist, Public, White, Grand Prix, Champion and Diamond
  • New this year: Champion is the best in a Category Track and Diamond is the best of all Champions – all entrants will go automatically into the draw, and if successful, they will receive a free trophy to take home at the Awards Night.
  • Entry and Trophy fees will be slightly adjusted
  • New trophy colour for the Champion and Diamond winners
  • Few new categories are in the making
  • New Entry Bundles: 1x free when you buy 5; 2x free when you buy 10 and 3x free when you buy 15 entries
  • Discounts: Repeat entrants get 10% off entries, and for successful invites 20% off before you pay and submit your entry

We’re currently looking for new judges to join our esteemed panel of local and international industry experts, so watch out for the notifications in the next couple of weeks.

Call for Entries '23, Pause Awards
Pause Awards '23

Sponsors and partners, we have some exciting new opportunities to engage with this year, so please get in touch if you’d like to support Australian champions in business.

If you’re new to the Pause Awards, check out our 2022 winners and watch Pause Awards Night ‘22 & Afterparty Aftermovie to get an idea of what awaits you. If you’re a winner from last year, you can still order a trophy. Contact us if you have any questions.

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to showcase your innovative ideas and be recognised as a leader in your industry. Start your entry on 17 May ‘23 and take advantage of the special Launch Entry fee. We look forward to celebrating with you!


Congrats to all winners at Pause Awards '22!
Pause Awards - Standard Trophy
2022 Hall of Fame winner – Prof. Fiona Wood
Pause Awards '23 entries open on 17 May
Pause Awards Trophy

Big shout to all Pause Awards '22 winners!


READ MORE

Category tracks



Creating a safe and open space in which everyone thrives and the collaboration flows through all levels and titles with the power of the one team. The entries should demonstrate how the transformation has been achieved across core business functions, that have delivered a positive impact and growth for business, staff, stakeholders and customers. Judges will only refer to written entries during the evaluation process. No additional research will be undertaken, and for this reason, we recommend you give detailed and sharp answers.

Celebrating commercial effectiveness through success in the marketplace by leaving a dent in the universe, no matter what the size of the company. The entries should demonstrate the highest levels of expertise, leadership and vision in the application of their business strategies. Judges will only refer to written entries during the evaluation process. No additional research will be undertaken, and for this reason, we recommend you give detailed and sharp answers.

Standing up for your purpose and going beyond together as a team aligned on the single mission to positively impact 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. Judges will only refer to written entries during the evaluation process. No additional research will be undertaken, and for this reason, we recommend you give detailed and sharp answers.

Only awarded to a single entry in each category track, Grand Prix is the highest accolade in Pause Awards. To win the Grand Prix, the entire Judging Board must unanimously agree that the entry deserves the accolade of being the best in class.

​​Focusing on the productivity and elegance of execution to deliver impactful ideas to a market (or many) 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. Judges will only refer to written entries during the evaluation process. No additional research will be undertaken, and for this reason, we recommend you give detailed and sharp answers.

Elevating every voice in the ecosystem is not just important for its collective success, industry development but also for the future growth. 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. Judges will only refer to written entries during the evaluation process. No additional research will be undertaken, and for this reason, we recommend you give detailed and sharp answers.


Categories


  • Diverse Co.

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


  • 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.


  • 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


  • 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.


  • 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.


  • Defiant ones

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


  • 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.


  • Hammer

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


  • I wish I'd done that

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


  • Indi

    For new and First Peoples. This award recognises a successful company with its founders from indigenous or ethnic heritage that gained success in the market.


  • On the rise

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


  • Prodigy

    For being exceptional. This award recognises a young person with exceptional qualities or abilities.


  • Women in business

    For breaking the mould. This award recognises a successful female leader and entrepreneur who is paving the way forward for the 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.


  • Circular Pioneer

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


  • 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.


  • You've got ethics

    For the 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.


  • Design first

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


  • Inception

    For visionary thinkers. This award recognises a person that came up with the transformative idea that can change the world for better.


  • Out of the garage

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


  • Unexpected twist

    For a great pivot. This award recognises a company that has taken an unexpected pivot in their business or career.


  • 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.


  • Backbone

    For backing the future idea. 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.


  • Brave 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.


  • C-Suite

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


  • Do you know who I am

    For the silent achiever. This award recognises a person that has been responsible for the success of their company from the backstage.


  • 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.


  • Hottest hub

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


  • Launch pad

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


  • Super connector

    For being the community champ. This award recognises a person for a significant contribution to the success of their clients or the community.

Pause Awards '23 is launching on 17 May
00d : 00h : 00m : 00s
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