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Mike Schneider

Why Bunnings feels like home: trust, community and genuine care

At the recent SXSW Sydney conference, a focal point of discussion was the intricate and evolving concept of trust in...

23 October, 2024
Pause Awards 2024

How to choose the right category for the Pause Awards?

Entering the Pause Awards is an exciting opportunity to showcase your business’s achievements. But with so many categories to choose...

17 June, 2024
Square Peg and Pretzel

Brittany Garbutt’s exchange with Paul Bassat on building and sustaining a business empire

In an illuminating exchange filled with raw emotion and seasoned advice, Brittany Garbutt, the energetic founder of Pretzel Australia, sat...

21 May, 2024
Tanck

Redefining success with Angus and Neil of Tanck

Meet Angus Crowther and Neil Pharaoh, the dynamic co-founders of Tanck, a consultancy that has swiftly carved a niche in...

15 April, 2024
Addressing Gender Gap

Addressing gender inequality with 21.7% discount for female-led companies

In an era where the pursuit of equality in the workplace is more vital than ever, the Pause Awards takes...

8 March, 2024
Dom Pym, Co-Founder, Euphemia

The power of relationships with Dom Pym at Pause Awards Night

As the founder of the Pause Awards and an advocate for innovation and entrepreneurship, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing...

19 December, 2023
Pause Awards Night 2023 - Winners

Six years of celebrating the Australian most ambitious innovators 

The Australian tech industry witnessed a remarkable evening of celebration and recognition at the Pause Awards 2023, held in Melbourne....

5 December, 2023
Ecosystem leaders

Strong commitment needed to run tech events in Australia revealed at GEC23

Australia’s top ecosystem builders share their experiences, challenges, and opportunities in organising large-scale tech events at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress...

24 September, 2023
Pause Awards Growth Mentors Board

Tech legends unite to guide growth and foster innovation

Tech industry legends come forward to mentor winners at Pause Awards ‘23, unlocking unprecedented growth and transformative insights for the...

22 August, 2023
Brand experience

Experience is a new frontier for brands

Explore the intersection of brands and digital spaces, drawing insights from industry experts, aka Pause Awards judges. We’re talking about...

18 August, 2023
Twitter to X

Twitter to X: a rebrand to challenge tech giants and empower users

Twitter is now X — and the one thing marketing gurus and contrarians have in common is their condemnation of...

4 August, 2023
Lisa Chesterfield Director of Strategy, Innovation & Ventures, Monitor Deloitte Consulting

Discover the latest tech predictions of 2023

Delivering the top tech trends and forecasts for the rest of 2023 from the leading industry experts. Delve into the...

1 August, 2023
Pause Fest 2020

Pause Fest’s BREAK–THROUGH SESSIONS will keep you scaling

Join the Pause Fest BREAK-THROUGH SESSIONS for an online growth festival like no other! Explore the latest in digital marketing,...

12 July, 2023

How to choose the right awards for your business

Learn how to pick genuine awards that truly recognise your accomplishments. Discover the importance of authenticity, key aspects to look...

5 July, 2023
Pause Awards Judges

The new faces of Pause Awards in strategy and leadership

The stellar lineup of judges keeps expanding to include: Stephen Foxworthy, Alan Kirszner, Jessica Williams, Damon Pezaro, Eneko Bilbao, Jodette...

4 July, 2023
Midnight Health

Midnight Health secures $24 million funding boost

Digital health provider Midnight Health announced today that it secured $24 million in Series B funding from nib holdings limited...

21 June, 2023
Championing breakthrough

Championing breakthroughs in today’s business world

Discover the transformative journey of the Pause Awards, a unique business accolade that propels Australian innovation to the global stage....

21 June, 2023

Pause Awards vs Webby’s, Cannes Lions and Effies

Dive into an in-depth comparison of the Pause Awards with other prestigious awards such as the Webby’s, Cannes Lions, and...

18 June, 2023
Pause Awards Judges 2

The new faces of Pause Awards in startup, product and experience

Meet the stellar lineup of judges, champions in their own right, including: Ashwin Ramachandran, Nikki Shah, Warwick Peel, Craig Gillam,...

15 June, 2023
How does it work, Pause Awards

Inside out of Pause Awards

Experience the prestige and advantage of Pause Awards, Australia’s leading recognition programme for innovative businesses. Learn how our rigorous and...

5 June, 2023
Pause Awards Judges

The new faces of Pause Awards in strategy, growth and innovation

This year’s prestigious judge lineup includes: Monique Alvis, Trevor Townsend, Doug Rathbone and Stuart B Richardson from the ‘Growth &...

30 May, 2023
Pause Awards - The Australian benchmark for business excellence

Where business recognition gets a paradigm shift

Delve into the uniqueness of Pause Awards, an exceptional platform that recognises ambition, innovation, and real-world achievements in Australia’s business...

24 May, 2023
Jodette Cleary Chief People & Culture Officer, hipages Group

Industry leaders predict a transformative year ahead

Pause Awards ’23 brings together top industry experts predicting a transformative year ahead. Judges from Mastercard, Google, AWS and more...

17 May, 2023
Investable Score

Shaking it up with new Investable Score™

Pause Awards ’23 revolutionises Australian business recognition with introduction of an Investable Score™, new award levels and an improved platform....

17 May, 2023
Aesop

Designing global empires:
How local brands can conquer the world

Discover how Melbourne brands like Aesop, JULY, Memo Bottle, ThankYou, Blackmagic Design, Quad Lock and Bellroy are transforming the global...

10 April, 2023
ChatGPT

Deep dive with ChatGPT about Aussie tech ecosystem

My next guest is a true leader in the field of artificial intelligence. ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is a cutting-edge...

17 January, 2023
Breakfast with Champions AWS Startups

Learning from mistakes and how to tackle the upcoming headwind

We know that mistakes propel us forward, but how do we make them recognize them and learn from them ss...

14 December, 2022
Pause Awards Winner 2023

Women and purpose led businesses take the most wins at Pause Awards ‘22

The annual business awards programme for the most ambitious and forward-thinking companies, Pause Awards has announced 50 bold winners for...

6 December, 2022
Professor Fiona Wood

Professor Fiona Wood – The pioneer of ‘Spray-on-Skin’ technique, ReCell.

Scientific brilliance and technological innovations make news on the daily – but often the stories that lead to them don’t...

6 December, 2022
Prof. Martin Green, father of solar cell, innovator

Professor Martin Green
– The father of solar cells

A world that’s struggling to solve climate change is more than ever in need of smart solutions and green energy,...

10 July, 2022
Dr John O'Sullivan, inventor of WiFi, CSIRO, Pause Awards Hall of Fame 2020 winner

Dr John O’Sullivan
– The inventor of modern WiFi

You may or may not have already heard of our very first Hall of Fame winner. And oh boy, was...

10 July, 2022
Pause Awards, the Porsche of awards for innovation

The Porsche of awards programmes with community at its heart

When it comes to growth, there are rebrands, and then there are rebirths. The new avatar of Pause Awards can...

21 June, 2022
Pause Awards 2021 event walking dance

This is how we celebrate innovation champions

The 2021 Pause Awards Night may have concluded months ago, but we’re still reeling high from that unforgettable evening. And...

15 December, 2021

Dane O’Shanassy on Patagonia’s moral compass and commercial success

When it comes to identifying as an “activist company”, Patagonia walks the talk. And it does it so bloody well....

6 November, 2019

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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