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Terms & Conditions

How to enter
  1. Pause Awards is presented by Pause Festival Australia Pty Ltd (ACN: 622 294 946). By completing and submitting the online entry form contained at https://www.pauseawards.com and paying the Entry Fees, the applicant acknowledges receipt of and agrees to these Terms and Conditions.
  2. The individual submitting the entry on behalf of the entrant acknowledges and agrees that they hold the necessary authority to bind the entrant to these Terms and Conditions and agrees that an express agency relationship exists between the individual and the entrant.
  3. Once you have created an account, you agree to receive any and all promotional material from Pause Fest & Awards and any partners or sponsors of Pause Awards in accordance with Pause Awards’s Privacy Policy contained at https://www.pauseawards.com/privacy/ . You may unsubscribe from these at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” button contained in relevant correspondence.

Eligibility

4. Entry to Pause Awards is open to Australian residents who are over the age of 14 years and businesses and companies registered in Australia.

5. Certain Prize Categories have certain eligibility criteria which must be met separately to those contained in clause 4.

Entry Requirements

6. All entries must be submitted on behalf of an individual or a company using the online awards entry form located at pauseawards.com/enter. All written work must be submitted in English.

  1. The following information will be required from every applicant:
    (a) Personal details of entrant;
    (b) Company and business details;
    (c) Background of the business and story to date;
    (d) Business results between 1 July 2022 and 1 June 2023.
  1. An entrant may enter as many categories as they are eligible to enter, however the same application cannot be used in subsequent Pause Awards.

Competition Dates

9. Entry to the competition will commence on 17 May 2023 and close: 

  1. for Launch Entrants at 11:59 pm on 19 May 2023;
  2. for Early Entrants at 11:59 pm on 16 June 2023; 
  3. for Standard Entrants at 11:59 pm on 18 August 2023; and 
  4. for Late Entrants at 11:59pm on 1 September 2023.

10. All entries must be received before 11:59 pm Australian Daylight Savings Time on 1 September 2023 to be considered.

11. Short-listed entrants will be announced by 2:00 pm on 23 October 2023 and contacted by email.

12. Winners will be announced at the Pause Awards Night in person and on pauseawards.com.

13.The awards party is scheduled to occur on 4 December 2023 at BOND Melbourne, subject to change.

14. Public Voting to start on 4 September 2023 online.

Entry Fees

14. The entry fees are dependent on date of entry, as set out on the Pause Awards website. Any entrant deemed to have acted dishonestly when registering their entry will be contacted and may result in disqualification. Upon registration, entrants should ensure they enter the correct information.

15. Payment must be made through the online payment system on the Pause Awards website. Entrants will receive confirmation that their entry or entries have been successfully received via email once payment has been made. No other payment method will be accepted except at the discretion of Pause Fest.

Prize Categories

16. Pause Awards has five Category Tracks in which entrants can submit their applications. They are: Culture, Excellence, Good Growth and Operators. Under each track there are a number of individual categories with specific requirements.

17. CULTURE: Creating an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture is essential for success and growth. 

  1. 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. 

18. Culture champion* – For the best in Culture Category Track. 

  1. This award recognises the best entry out of all winning entries in the track that have created a thriving culture.
  2. This award will be open to winning entries from Companies.
  3. There will be one winner selected for this award category. 
  4. Winner will be decided internally.

19. Diverse Co. – For nurturing an inclusive environment. 

  1. This award recognises a workplace that has successfully and intentionally encouraged innovation among diverse employees.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

20. Large team culture – For fostering innovation. 

  1. This award recognises a workplace with over 1000+ employees that has outpaced their cohort in fostering a culture of innovation.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

21. Medium team culture – For fostering innovation. 

  1. This award recognises a workplace with 21-999 employees that has outpaced their cohort in fostering a culture of innovation.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

22. Small team culture – For fostering innovation. 

  1. This award recognises a workplace with less than 20 employees that has outpaced their cohort in fostering a culture of innovation
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

23. Work sweet work – For a great workplace culture. 

  1. This award recognises a company that has managed to improve or attain outstanding levels of employee engagement, retention and satisfaction.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

24. EXCELLENCE: Recognising outstanding business success in the marketplace, regardless of company size, and celebrating the impact made on the industry. 

  1. Entries should showcase exceptional expertise, leadership and vision in the execution of business strategies that have left a significant impression.

25. Company of the Year – For the best company. 

  1. This award recognises a company leadership, success, ambition to excel against all odds with the solid future development plans.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There will be one winner selected for this award category. 

26. Defiant ones – For new tech breakthroughs. 

  1. This award recognises a company that defines the future of the industry they play in.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

27. Excellence champion* – For the best in Excellence Category Track. 

  1. This award recognises the best entry out of all winning entries in the track that have executed to a highest standard.
  2. This award will be open to winning entries from Companies.
  3. There will be one winner selected for this award category. 
  4. Winner will be decided internally.

28. Hall of fame – For a lifetime achievement. 

  1. This award recognises a game-changer who paved the way by breaking new grounds and inventing new categories.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There will be one winner selected for this award category. 
  4. Winner will be decided internally.

29. Hammer – For nailing it. 

  1. This award recognises a company’s success – on their own terms – in the market.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

30. I wish I’d done that – For sheer brilliance. 

  1. This award recognises a company’s simple and clever idea in a niche market.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

31. New & First – For new and First Peoples. 

  1. This award recognises a successful company with its founders from indigenous, migrant or ethnic heritage in Australia.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

32. On the rise – For early stage mavericks. 

  1. This award recognises an early stage startup that has done well in its first three years.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

33. Prodigy – For being exceptional. 

  1. This award recognises an under 30 year old person with exceptional qualities or abilities.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

34. Women in business – For levelling the playing field. 

  1. This award recognises a successful female leader and entrepreneur who is paving the way forward for the future generations.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

35. GOOD: Showcase a company’s commitment to their purpose and mission to create a positive impact on the environment, people and community. 

  1. The entries should demonstrate ideas intended to change the world; work which sets out to positively impact ingrained gender inequality, social imbalance or injustice. 

36. B-Good – For a good business. 

  1. This award recognises a company that has done well to change our economic system to positively impact all stakeholders through their commercial practice.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

37. Good champion* – For the best in Good Category Track. 

  1. This award recognises the best entry out of all winning entries in the track that have displayed great impact in society.
  2. This award will be open to winning entries from Companies.
  3. There will be one winner selected for this award category. 
  4. Winner will be decided internally.

38. Circular Pioneer – For making a real difference. 

  1. This award category recognises a company that is pioneering their circular efforts.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

39. Going green – For delivering impact at scale. 

  1. 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.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

40. You’ve got ethics – For leadership in environmental social governance. 

  1. This award category recognises a company that is promoting accountability, good governance, leadership in Corporate Social Responsibility and solving societal problems.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

41. ​​GROWTH: Focusing on the productivity and elegance of execution to deliver impactful ideas to a market with the power to cut through the noise. 

  1. Entries should demonstrate how the innovation and optimisation of the customer journey led to scaled consumer engagement and commercial success.

42. Design first – For design led products. 

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

43. Growth champion* – For the best in Growth Category Track. 

  1. This award recognises the best entry out of all winning entries in the track that have displayed incredible success.
  2. This award will be open to winning entries from Companies.
  3. There will be one winner selected for this award category. 
  4. Winner will be decided internally.

44. New model* – For the new business model. 

  1. This award recognises a company that has developed an elegant business model which is eating up the market itself.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

45. Out of the garage – For scaling globally. 

  1. This award recognises a company’s global growth, expansion, and success.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

46. Pioneer* – For the first to market. 

  1. This award recognises a company that has broken into the market with a new product line never seen before, creating a new category.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

47. Great pivot* – For a sudden change in direction. 

  1. This award recognises a company that has taken a pivot, based on insights, to deliver exceptional products.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

48. Wildfire – For conquering a marketplace. 

  1. This award recognises a company that has made a significant impact on the marketplace in the shortest amount of time.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

49. OPERATORS: Elevating every voice in the ecosystem is crucial for the collective success and growth of the industry. 

  1. 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.

50. Space activator* – For the event engagement. 

  1. This award recognises a company that has delivered innovative event experience with a great impact to their community.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

51. Venture Cap* – For backing the future business. 

  1. 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.
  2. This award will be open to entries from individuals.
  3. There will be one winner selected for this award category. 
  4. Winner will be decided through Public Vote.

52. Angel* – For early stage support. 

  1. This award recognises an angel investor that has garnered a portfolio of companies and has a good track record of helping founders succeed.
  2. This award will be open to entries from individuals.
  3. There will be one winner selected for this award category. 
  4. Winner will be decided through Public Vote.

53. C-Suite – For the best leadership. 

  1. This award recognises the highest-ranking executive that has impeccable leadership, management and interpersonal skills.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Individuals.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

54. TopCoder* – For the cleanest code. 

  1. This award recognises a developer with excellent technical skills, writing a clean code and being a team player.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Individuals.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

55. Growth hacker* – For the growth marketing experts. 

  1. This award recognises a marketing specialist focused on the rapid growth of a company through data mining and experimentation.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Individuals.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

56. Silent achiever* – For those that do the heavy lifting. 

  1. This award recognises a person that has exceeded expectations, executed and delivered flawlessly projects from the backseat.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Individuals.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

57. Future builder – For grit to start a new venture. 

  1. This award recognises a founder at any level and life stage who has decided to start jumping the hoops of their own business.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Individuals.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

58. Hottest hub – For the best community. 

  1. This award recognises a co-working space that provides boutique experience, world class facilities with community management.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

59. Launch pad – For activating the support systems. 

  1. This award recognises an accelerator or incubator with a good reputation in providing the best startup program and industry connections.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Companies.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category. 

60. Operators champion* – For the best in Operators Category Track. 

  1. This award recognises the best entry out of all winning entries in the track that have displayed impeccable leadership.
  2. This award will be open to winning entries from Companies.
  3. There will be one winner selected for this award category. 
  4. Winner will be decided internally.

61. Ecosystem star* – For being the community champ. 

  1. This award recognises a person for their tireless energy in  organising, engaging and advocating to their community, business or network.
  2. This award will be open to entries from Individuals.
  3. There are no set number winners selected for this award category.

62. Additional internally decided awards are:

  1. People Choice Award; and
  2. Diamond, the best in show

63. The competition will be conducted during the competition period from 12:00 am on 18 September 2023.

Prize

64. The Prize will consist of: 

  1. Winner packs: Starter and Pro;
  2. In (free) Starter: Lifetime listing in Pause Index, Unlimited trademark, Public voting, Partner benefits, Promo badges and photo/ video
  3. In (paid) Pro: All from Starter, plus: Pause Awards Trophy, TrophyNFT, two certificates, winner interview and content upload.
  4. All Finalists get opportunity to purchase tickets to the Pause Awards Night & Afterparty

65. Additionally, Prize Winners may be invited to:

  1. speak at Pause Awards related partner events; or 
  2. provide media interviews.

Judges

66. Pause Awards will appoint 60+ senior industry experts as judges from Australia, and abroad to judge in their segment of expertise. Judges will be split into two groups, the first 55+ judges will decide upon the Finalist entrants with the remaining five judges, in the Judging Board with a Chair, to select the winners from the Finalist entrants.

  1. Names, biographies, and portraits of judges will be made public on the awards website, and everyone will have their personal profile page.
  2. Pause Awards will organise, select and manage the judges, which will be instructed to act without bias or favour. If a judge faces a potential conflict of interest, they will be assigned to a different category. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding their decisions or decision-making processes.

Judging Process

67. Judging will take place in three distinct stages.

  1. The Qualify-Stage will be completed by Pause Awards staff to confirm eligibility of each entrant for each category, noting that certain Prize Categories have certain eligibility criteria which must be met or perhaps some information is missing (for example, a company cannot be selected for an individual award).
  2. The 1st Round of short-listing will be completed by a panel of 55+ judges, who will assess each entry independently and anonymously against a predetermined and consistent criteria for the relevant prize category and assign a score between 1 and 10 to each entrant. This scoring will identify suggested award winners.
  3. The 2nd Round for finalists will be completed by a panel of 5 judges in the Judging Board with a Chair who will assess the short-listed entrants against the scoring in the short-listing stage and ratify, amend or confirm the scoring in an open dialogue.

Marketing Rights

68. By submitting an entry to Pause Awards, the entrant grants Pause Awards the right to promote its association with the entrant.

Revocation of the Pause Award

69. Pause Awards may, in its sole discretion and without reference to a Prize Winner, revoke any entry which has been awarded if Pause Awards believes that the conduct, business practices, or association with the Prize Winner has become detrimental to Pause Awards.

70. Pause Awards may choose to issue any release, press release, statement or otherwise engage in the public domain in respect of any Prize Winner without reference to that Prize Winner if in the sole discretion of Pause Awards, to not do so would cause irreparable harm to the Pause Awards brand.

Intellectual Property Rights

71. By submitting an entry to Pause Awards, the entrant grants Pause Awards a royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive and fully sub-licensable licence to use, reproduce, publish, distribute, perform, or display the entrant’s image, logo, trademarks, and marketing material for any purpose, in whole or in part, in any form, including for the promotion of Pause Awards, and to allow third parties to publish this content where they do so in association with Pause Awards.

Limitation of Liability

72. Pause Awards reserves the right to cancel or amend Pause Awards and these terms and conditions at any time.

  1. Pause Awards will not be liable to applicants for any consequential losses (i.e. loss of revenue, loss of business, loss of goodwill, loss or damage to data or information) arising out of, or in connection with, the provision of the service of publishing your entry on the Pause Awards website.
  2. Pause Awards may assert its rights or obligations under these terms at any time. You may not assert your rights or obligations under these terms without Pause Awards’s prior written consent. Pause Awards will not be liable for failure to meet its obligations under these terms if it is prevented from doing so due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control.

73.The Pause Awards accepts no responsibility for late, lost, incomplete, incorrectly submitted, delayed, illegible, corrupted or misdirected entries, claims or correspondence whether due to error, omission, alteration, tampering, deletion, theft, destruction, transmission interruption, communications failure or otherwise. The Pause Awards has no control over communications networks or services, the internet, or computer or telephone networks or lines and accepts no responsibility for any problems associated with them. The Pause Awards is not liable for any consequences of user error including (without limitation) costs incurred. Any form of automated entry using any device software is invalid.

Privacy Policy74. Entrants acknowledge and agree that their personal information will be handled in accordance with Pause Awards’s Privacy Policy located at pauseawards.com/privacy

See who won Pause Awards '23

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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.

Drag

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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