Why Pause Awards
Fortune favours the brave, and Pause Awards champions the power of community, breakthroughs and gold-standard.
“Winning the ‘Company of Year’ award really put us on the map and was very unexpected!”
Why enter
If you’re a trailblazer in tech, a champion for sustainability, a leader who empowers, or part of any forward-thinking tribe, the Pause Awards is your arena.
It’s more than an award; it’s a validation of your innovation, a chance to stand among peers who are reshaping the future.
This isn’t just about recognition; it’s about joining an ambitious community, enhancing your influence, and elevating your mission. Here, less than 30% triumph in a rigorous judging process by industry leaders. Winning means not just an accolade but a testament to your impact, a boost for your team, and an opportunity to attract talent and clients.
Ready to be celebrated for your breakthrough?
Who should enter
Entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders from SMBs, Scaleups, Startups and Corporate entities who are steering their organisations towards remarkable achievements are the ideal candidates for the Pause Awards. If your venture has pioneered innovative solutions, driven significant market change, or displayed exceptional growth and strategic leadership, these awards are your platform to shine.
Specifically, we invite entries from:
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Startups
Disruptive newcomers with groundbreaking products or services.
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Scaleups
Rapidly growing companies expanding their market reach, influence and seeking new funding rounds.
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Small and medium businesses
Small and medium businesses that have made notable impacts in their niche.
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Tech Innovators
Companies and individuals at the forefront of technological advancement and digital transformation.
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Sustainable Enterprises
Large businesses leading with eco-friendly initiatives and sustainable practices.
No matter the size or industry, the Pause Awards celebrate the spirit of progress and innovation. If your company aligns with these values, we welcome your entry.
What’s the value
Entering the Pause Awards aligns you with a vibrant community of forward-thinkers, offering a platform for significant promotion, valuable networking, and extensive media exposure. The awards are more than a competition; they are an investment in your network’s worth, providing opportunities for mentorship, speaking engagements, and featuring your achievements across newsletters and meetups.
“Pause is the community of amazing innovators, and we are thrilled to be recognised for the third year running.”
“Entrepreneurship is all about the community. Otherwise it can be a very isolated experience. So being part of the ecosystem is everything.”
“To have LVLY recognised as an innovative company was reaffirming and felt a bit like a pat on the back from our peers.”
How does it work
- Enter into one or more categories
Submit your application in the relevant award categories, showcasing your achievements and innovation to be considered. - We approve your entry
Our team reviews your submission for eligibility and completeness before it progresses to the judging phase. - Judging and Public Voting starts
An expert panel and public voters assess and deliberate on the entries across two rounds to ensure a fair and comprehensive evaluation. - Voting ends, finalists announced
Following the closure of voting, the highest-scoring entrants are shortlisted and announced as finalists in each category. - Tickets to Awards Night & Afterparty
Secure your spot at the prestigious Awards Night ceremony where industry leaders and innovators gather. - Awards Night, winners announced
A celebratory evening where the winners of each category are revealed and honoured for their contributions. - Trophy ordering and shipping
Winners can order the hand-made Pause Awards trophy, which will be shipped directly to them as a symbol of their accomplishment.
How it helps you
Participating in the Pause Awards can significantly benefit challenger brands, startups seeking investor appeal, and innovative companies aiming to showcase their creativity, regardless of revenue size.
It’s an opportunity for brand exposure, attracting talent and funding, it positions your venture within a narrative of breakthroughs, and a moment for self-reflection on your achievements. Especially for those fitting specific categories, it’s a chance to highlight how you excel and stand out in your field.
Meet WeMoney, founded by Dan Jovevski, the Pause Awards 2023 winner in ‘Wildfire’ category and the first Diamond, the best-in-show! Also the winners of ‘The company of the year’ and ‘Defiant ones’.
“Pause Awards last year brought a significant amount of attention to WeMoney, helped us with hiring and also helped us secure other business initiative’s — to this end, I CANNOT thank you enough for all your kind words to support the WeMoney, the start-up community and more importantly the positive impact this had on the team.”
What WeMoney got from winning at Pause Awards:
- News with Mastercard
Discussing the progress of Open Banking and getting into the Start Path Program. - New senior executive
Hire of Ben Preston from Fintech Unicorn Cover Genius. - Another Award
Win at the 9th Annual Fintech Awards where WeMoeny took out the “Best Fintech/Bank App” in Australia!
How we differ
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Community Champions Platform
Celebrating the interconnectedness and innovative drive of local entrepreneurs and leaders within the community.
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Breakthrough Spotlight
Honouring significant breakthroughs that showcase the power of innovation beyond mere financial success.
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Rigorous, Independent Judging
Our two-tiered evaluation process, led by a panel of esteemed judges, ensures that only the most deserving innovations are celebrated. This rigorous scrutiny underlines our commitment to meritocracy and integrity.
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Celebrating Creativity and Impact
We believe in the power of innovation beyond financial metrics. Our awards recognise the creative spirit, the courage to innovate, and the impact of your work, regardless of your organisation’s size and turnover.
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Selective–Winner™ Recognition
The Pause Awards uphold their prestige by awarding only the entries that surpass their high standards, ensuring exclusivity and true meritocracy in recognition.
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Designer Trophy™ — A Symbol of Excellence
Our designer trophies are not mere objects; they are symbols of innovation excellence, hand-crafted to commemorate your achievements and inspire continuous innovation.
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Ambitious Innovators Feature on Pause Index
Winners get a beautifully designed company page on Pause Awards website indexing their commitment to excellence and innovation and providing them a valuable back-linking.
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Investable Score™ Certificate
This innovative concept involves judges placing virtual bets on entries, signalling the entrants’ potential and promise.
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Pause NomiGPT™ — Smart Chatbot Helper
Debuting in 2024, Nomi will streamline the entry process, aiding entrants with submission drafting and category selection, marking a new era of accessibility for the Pause Awards.
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Growth Mentors Board
A board of seasoned experts offers top winners exclusive mentorship, unlocking unparalleled opportunities for growth and valuable networking.
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Walking–Dance™ Ritual
The awards night is further enlivened by a unique celebratory ritual, augmenting the excitement and significance of the winners’ revelation.
The impact of winning
Our ambitious winners have achieved smashing results in their businesses.
Want cold hard proof (in cold hard cash)? Let’s look at in capital raising:
- Female-led Circle In raised $3M
- evee overfunded 500% on Birchal to reach $1.6M
- Great Wrap raised $25M
- Birchal raised $3m in 63 min $3M
- BODD closed $5M
- Heaps Normal bagged $8.5M
- Midnight Health closed Series B with $24M
The list is endless and so on. You could be the next!
What do winners get
Winning catapults you into the limelight, offering unparalleled promotion through our expansive newsletter database, spotlight interviews and speaking engagements, ensuring your story resonates widely. You’ll gain access to exclusive meetups and mentorship opportunities with industry vanguards, enriching your journey with invaluable insights and connections.
You also get exclusive access to the Growth Mentors Board, where industry titans offer guidance and insights to elevate your business to new heights. Along with this, winners are awarded the InvestableScore™ certificate, highlighting your venture’s potential and promise to investors.
The recognition also comes with a meticulously crafted Designer Trophy™, a symbol of your innovation excellence. Moreover, the celebratory highlight is the chance to showcase your unique Walking-Dance™ on the red carpet at the Pause Awards Night, making your victory not just a moment of pride but an unforgettable experience.