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Breakthrough now

Breakthrough Insights, Strategies, Creativity and Culture for now

From redefining how we traverse space to harnessing creativity and brand authenticity, the 2024 Breakthrough Sessions featured a powerhouse lineup...

12 November, 2024
Brand Equity in M&As

How to unlock the intangible in brand equity with 4P’s

In a dynamic and ever-evolving business landscape, the financial power of brand equity is increasingly recognised as a critical factor...

29 October, 2024
Rose Herceg

Why creativity and imagination will save the world

At the Breakthrough Sessions 2024, George Hedon, Founder of Pause Fest & Awards, hosted an in-depth conversation with Rose Herceg,...

22 October, 2024
NASA

How NASA’s new AR tech will take astronauts to the next frontier

In an era when space exploration is venturing into uncharted territories, NASA engineers are pushing the boundaries of innovation by...

11 October, 2024
Office 2

How to build authentic workplace culture

At Breakthrough Sessions 2024, hosted by George Hedon, Founder of Pause Fest & Awards, industry experts discussed strategies for maintaining...

7 October, 2024
Founder Finance

How to balance business growth with personal wealth

In the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, founders face unique challenges. Juggling personal finances, business growth, and mental well-being is no...

24 September, 2024
Dreams

A time to dream big with Kristina Karlsson

How often do we stop to reflect on our dreams? In today’s fast-paced world, dreaming big might seem like a...

16 September, 2024
storytelling

The purpose of gatekeepers in authentic brand storytelling

In a world flooded with content, the need for gatekeepers in brand storytelling has never been more crucial. Authenticity is...

6 September, 2024
Jasmine Batra

Jasmine Batra’s Breakthrough Moment

Introducing Jasmine Batra, the winner of the Pause Awards 2023 in the ‘Future Builder’ category under Operators Category Track.  An...

24 June, 2024
WithYouWithMe

WithYouWithMe’s Breakthrough Moment

Introducing WithYouWithMe, the winner of the Pause Awards 2023 in the ‘Out of the Garage’ category under Growth Category Track. ...

24 June, 2024
Paz Pisarski

Paz Pisarski’s Breakthrough Moment

Introducing Paz Pisarski, the winner of the Pause Awards 2023 in the ‘Ecosystem Star’ category under Operators Category Track.  Paz...

20 June, 2024
UpoStock

UpStock’s Breakthrough Moment

Introducing UpStock, the winner of the Pause Awards 2023 in the ‘Design first’ category under Growth, and ‘Down under’ under...

20 June, 2024
Inke Packaging

Inke’s Breakthrough Moment

Introducing Inke Packaging, the winner of the Pause Awards 2023 in the ‘Design first’ category under Growth Category Track. Experience...

6 June, 2024
ReSource

ReSource’s Breakthrough Moment

Introducing ReSource, the winner of the Pause Awards 2023 in the ‘Circular pioneer’ category under Good Category Track. ReSource is...

3 June, 2024
Marcella Romero

Marcella Romero’s Breakthrough Moment

Introducing Marcella Romero, Founder & CEO at Arriba Group, the winner of the Pause Awards 2023 in the ‘Women in...

9 May, 2024
Music Health

Music Health’s Breakthrough Moment

Introducing Music Health, the winner of the Pause Awards 2023 in the ‘B-Good’ category under Good Category Track.  Music Health’s...

2 May, 2024
Chau Le

Chau Le’s Breakthrough Moment

Introducing Chau Le, the winner of the Pause Awards 2023 in the ‘Women in business’ category under Excellence Category Track. ...

30 April, 2024
Tanck

Tanck’s Breakthrough Moment

Introducing Tanck, the winner of the Pause Awards 2023 in the ‘On the rise’ category under Excellence Category Track.  Tanck...

26 April, 2024
Macro Mike

Macro Mike’s Breakthrough Moment

Introducing Macro Mike, the winner of the Pause Awards 2023 in the ‘Hammer’ and ‘I’d wish I’d done that’ category...

23 April, 2024
Birchal

Birchal’s Breakthrough Moment

Introducing Birchal, the winner of the Pause Awards 2023 in the ‘Hammer’ category under Excellence Category Track. Birchal is Australia’s...

18 April, 2024
Tixel

Tixel’s Breakthrough Moment

Introducing Tixel, the recipient of the Pause Awards 2023 in the ‘Defiant ones’ category under Excellence Category Track.  Tixel is...

16 April, 2024
Quad Lock

Quad Lock’s Breakthrough Moment

Introducing Quad Lock, the winner of the Pause Awards 2023 in the ‘Movement’ and ‘Work sweet work’ category.  Quad Lock’s...

12 April, 2024
Origin Energy

Origin Energy’s Breakthrough Moment

Introducing Origin Energy, the Pause Awards 2023 winner in ‘Going green’ category which was elevated to best in Good Category...

10 April, 2024
Mel Stubbings

Mel Stubbing’s breakthrough moment

Introducing Mel Stubbings, Development Lead at Hide and Seek Digital, winner of the ‘Top coder’ category at the Pause Awards...

5 April, 2024
Brittany Garbutt

Brittany Garbutt’s breakthrough moment

Introducing Brittany Garbutt, the owner and Director of Pretzel Australia. She was the recipient of the Pause Awards 2023 in...

2 April, 2024
InvestorHub

InvestorHub’s Breakthrough Moment

Meet InvestorHub, founded by Rhys Davies and Ben Williamson, the Pause Awards 2023 winner in ‘Great pivot’ category for which...

28 March, 2024
Kollektive

Kollektive’s Breakthrough Moment

Meet Kollektive, founded by Melinda Farley, the Pause Awards 2023 winner in multiple categories Out of garage, Woman in business...

26 March, 2024
WeMoney

WeMoney’s breakthrough moment

Meet WeMoney, founded by Dan Jovevski, the Pause Awards 2023 winner in ‘Wildfire’ category and the first Diamond, the best-in-show!...

20 March, 2024

See who won in 2023

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Category tracks

The Culture track seeks entries that exemplify the development of an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture, crucial for organisational success and growth. Submissions should illustrate transformative strategies implemented across core business functions, reflecting expertise, leadership, and a clear vision. These strategies should demonstrate a positive impact on the business, its employees, stakeholders, and customers, showcasing how a nurturing culture contributes to overall growth and innovation.

The Excellence track celebrates businesses that have demonstrated remarkable success and impact within their industry, regardless of their size. Entries for this category should illustrate how the business's strategic execution, guided by visionary leadership and exceptional expertise, has significantly influenced the industry. The focus will be on the tangible outcomes of these strategies, highlighting the company's ability to innovate, lead, and leave a lasting impression in its field.

The Good track is focused on recognising companies dedicated to their mission of creating a positive societal impact. Entries should highlight innovative solutions aimed at addressing global challenges such as environmental sustainability, social equity, and community well-being. Successful submissions will demonstrate how their initiatives contribute to significant changes, tackling issues like gender inequality, social imbalance, and injustice, thereby setting a precedent for responsible and impactful business practices.

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.

The Growth track is about showcasing how businesses have enhanced productivity and execution to make a significant impact in their market. Entries should highlight innovative strategies that have optimised the customer journey, leading to increased engagement and commercial success. This track is for those who have effectively used their understanding of the market and customer needs to scale their business and achieve notable growth.

The Operators track seeks entries that showcase leadership in fostering innovation within their ecosystems. Ideal submissions will highlight how your initiatives have catalysed the creation of new products or services, bolstered by a culture that uplifts internal teams and the wider community. This track celebrates those who drive progress by empowering voices and forging transformative connections in their industry.

Categories

  • Always Evolving New

    Acknowledges a culture of continuous learning and improvement within a company, encourages employee development, and always looks for ways to optimise and innovate operations.

  • Big & Mighty Culture New

    Recognises companies (51-1000 employees) for their exceptional efforts in cultivating a culture that champions innovation.

  • Diverse Co.

    Celebrates workplaces dedicated to fostering innovation through a vibrant tapestry of diverse talents and perspectives.

  • Small & Mighty Culture New

    Applauds small teams of fewer than 50 employees for their remarkable ability to foster innovation and set new benchmarks in their domain.

  • Work Sweet Work

    Acknowledges companies that have achieved extraordinary employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention, creating an exemplary workplace culture.

  • Company of the Year

    Honours an outstanding company that not only showcases exemplary leadership and resilience but also demonstrates a clear, quantifiable impact over the past year.

  • Customer Obsessed New

    Applauds prioritisation, understanding and meeting the needs and expectations of their customers, including feedback, personalised services and ensuring high satisfaction.

  • Defiant Ones

    Recognises firms that lead technological innovation, setting new standards and defining the future of their industries.

  • Hammer

    Celebrates companies that have not only defined success on their own terms but have also concretely demonstrated their triumphs over the past year.

  • I Wish I'd Done That

    Applauds ingenious, simple solutions in niche markets that spark a universal sentiment of admiration.

  • On the Rise

    Celebrates early-stage startups, under 4 years, that have shown remarkable progress and success in their initial years.

  • Prodigy

    Recognises young visionaries under 30 with outstanding talents and achievements, setting them apart in their fields.

  • Singularity

    Highlights AI-driven companies that are pioneering new services or integrating AI to create innovative products.

  • Women in Business

    Celebrates female entrepreneurs and leaders who are forging paths for future generations by creating more equitable opportunities.

  • B-Good

    Recognises businesses that redefine commercial success by positively transforming our economic system for the benefit of all stakeholders.

  • Circular Pioneer

    Celebrates companies at the forefront of circular economy practices, making substantial and sustainable differences.

  • Ethical Leadership New

    Commends companies exemplifying leadership in environmental and social governance, setting standards in corporate responsibility and ethical practices.

  • Going Green

    Acknowledges companies leading large-scale sustainable initiatives, addressing critical areas like clean energy and environmental justice.

  • Collab New

    Honours strategic partnerships and alliances with other businesses to leverage complementary strengths, access new markets, and share resources for synergistic growth and innovation.

  • Design First

    Celebrates companies where design is the heartbeat of innovation, engaging the whole team in crafting groundbreaking products.

  • Going Global New

    Applauds companies that have expanded their reach globally, showcasing exceptional growth and international success.

  • Great Pivot

    Acknowledges companies that adeptly navigate change, leveraging insights to pivot towards delivering outstanding products.

  • Movement

    Recognises unforgettable event experiences that resonate emotionally, drive social change, or achieve viral status.

  • New Model

    Honours businesses revolutionising markets with elegant and disruptive business models.

  • Next Level New

    Applauds companies which had successful strategic acquisition and integration of another entity, staff or an asset that allowed them to further grow and scale their services.

  • Wildfire

    Celebrates companies that have rapidly and significantly impacted their marketplace, online and offline, setting new standards for success.

  • Angel

    Honours visionary angel investors who've significantly contributed to early-stage startups, guiding them toward success.

  • C-Suite

    Recognises exceptional leadership qualities in high-ranking executives, showcasing their management and interpersonal excellence.

  • Creative Maverick New

    Honours unconventional thinkers with exceptional abilities to execute typically unimaginable initiatives, expertly coordinate teams, secure funding or successfully launch multiple ventures.

  • Ecosystem Star

    Celebrates individuals who energise and nurture their communities, fostering engagement and advocacy.

  • Future Builder

    Recognises the determination and resilience of founders who've embarked on the challenging journey of starting their own ventures.

  • Quiet Achiever New

    Applauds the unsung heroes whose behind-the-scenes efforts have led to flawless project executions and exceeded expectations.

  • Splash Down Under New

    Acknowledges international companies making a noteworthy entrance into the Australian market, enriching the local business ecosystem.

  • TopCoder

    Recognises developers for their outstanding technical skills, clean code, and collaborative spirit.

  • Venture Cap

    Salutes venture capital firms with a track record of backing transformative businesses, contributing significantly to Australia's economic growth.

  • Visionary New

    Recognises effective leadership by setting a clear vision, motivating the team, and making strategic decisions that guide their business towards its goals.

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