Discover trailblazing Finalists of Pause Awards 2024 in Australia

Pause Awards has unveiled its 79 trailblazing finalists for the 7th annual Pause Awards 2024. 

The event continues to celebrate the boldest breakthroughs and entrepreneurial spirit across Australia, with winners to be announced at a glamorous event in Melbourne’s Club Pandora on December 2.

Quick Facts:

• 79 finalists announced across tech, health, and real estate sectors
• 44% of finalists are from VIC, 38% from NSW, and 10% from QLD
• Average funding per finalist: $8.4M
• Gender split: 58% male, 42% female
• Average age of founders: 39

“These finalists are proving their resilience in an era marked by economic challenges and the rise of AI,” states George Hedon, Founder & CEO of Pause Awards. “Despite a 53.3% dip in funding, we’ve seen a 12% increase in applications from female founders. It’s clear that these businesses are breaking through, demonstrating their capacity to innovate and adapt.”

A Spotlight on Disruption and Innovation

The 2024 awards focus on disruptive ideas and innovations that challenge norms and exceed expectations. Categories like Defiant Ones, Customer Obsessed, and I Wish I’d Done That showcase the shift toward customer-centric and impact-driven business models. The Women in Business and On the Rise categories highlight the growing influence of female entrepreneurs and emerging leaders within Australia’s thriving startup landscape.

This year’s entrants demonstrate the growing momentum in Australia’s innovation sector, particularly within technology, health, and real estate. The competition has attracted a diverse mix of industries, with the finalists showing average funding of $8.4 million and a gender split of 58% male to 42% female.

Sonia Clarke, Chair of the Judging Board and Principal of Clever Manka, commented on the quality of the entries: “The calibre of applicants this year was exceptional, and the winners were especially challenging to select. The most impressive entries solved genuine problems creatively and made a measurable impact. Some of this year’s winners are on a path to becoming household names.”

Industry Trends and New Talent

A major trend among this year’s finalists is the shift towards tech-driven and sustainable solutions. Emerging ventures like Atticus, Applied EV, and Goldee are setting new benchmarks for innovation, reflecting the industry’s growing focus on environmental sustainability and tech advancement. In contrast to last year’s established finalists, such as Quad Lock and WeMoney, 2024 emphasises fresh talent that is poised to redefine industry standards.

The People’s Choice Awards

This year’s People’s Choice categories, decided through public voting, recognised standout achievements in the Angel and Best Overall Entry categories. Build Buddy won the Angel category, while Bill Fairies claimed the coveted I Wish I’d Done That award, reflecting the dynamic nature and creativity of Australia’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Melbourne’s Premier Awards Night

On December 2, Pause Awards will transform Club Pandora into a hub of innovation and celebration. The night promises a dynamic mix of networking opportunities, a cabaret performance, and an 80s disco set by the DJ, ensuring a night of fun, inspiration, and community. Finalists, judges, and tech leaders will gather for a memorable evening featuring canapés, bottomless drinks, and a media wall for the perfect photo op.

Dom Pym, Co-Founder of UP Bank, emphasised the event’s unique networking value: “The connections you make here often evolve into future collaborations, friendships, and partnerships.” Philip Fierlinger, Co-CEO of Upstock, added, “You have to experience it to understand the energy and opportunities that Pause Awards create.”

2024 Awards: A Night Not to Miss

With Chanie Hyde, Chief Ramplifier at Rampersand, as this year’s MC, attendees can expect an evening full of surprises and spontaneity. Key sponsor WeMoney and broadcast partner Ticker News add to the event’s prestige, underscoring its reputation as a must-attend for anyone in Australia’s startup ecosystem.

For those looking to join Australia’s visionary leaders and breakthrough entrepreneurs for a night of celebration, inspiration, and connection, tickets are now available via Luma.

Full List of Finalists:

• 1Breadcrumb – On the Rise
• AECO Energy – Going Green
• Applied EV – Going Green, Defiant Ones, Going Global (new), Collab (new), New Model
• Atelier – New Model
• Atticus – Small & Mighty culture (new), Customer Obsessed (new), Going Global (new)
• Bare – Customer Obsessed (new)
• Bill Fairies – Collab (new), On the Rise, I Wish I’d Done That
• Caring Lotus – On the Rise
• Classe365 – Going Global (new)
• Driveschool Enterprises – Defiant Ones, Singularity
• East Brunswick Village/Banco Group – B-Good
• EnergyFlex – I Wish I’d Done That, Going Green, Defiant Ones
• Ethical Property Investments – B-Good
• Evan Buist, Founder & MD, Melodie – Creative Maverick (new)
• Galilee Group – Defiant Ones
• Goldee – Singularity > Design first
• Goodbye Gas – On the Rise
• Greener – Going Green, I Wish I’d Done That, On the Rise, Defiant Ones
• Health Focus Manufacturers – Ethical Leadership (new)
• Heatseeker – I Wish I’d Done That, Company of the Year, On the Rise, Pioneer
• Kismet – On the Rise, I Wish I’d Done That, Defiant Ones
• Lisa Skaife, Founder & CEO, Driveschool Enterprises – Creative Maverick (new)
• Managed – I Wish I’d Done That
• Matthew Blode, Co-Founder, Fingertip – Prodigy
• Melodie – I Wish I’d Done That, Circular Pioneer, Hammer, Small & Mighty culture (new), Defiant Ones
• memobottle – I Wish I’d Done That
• Mentwell – On the Rise
• NightCafe Studio – Singularity, Going Global (new)
• Oliver Hoffman, Co-Founder, Fingertip – Prodigy
• Open – Defiant Ones, Wildfire, Collab (new), Design First, Next Level (new)
• Paz Pisarski, Co-Founder, The Community Collective – Ecosystem Star
• Peeplcoach – Hammer, I Wish I’d Done That
• Positive Good – Company of the Year, B-Good
• Seedling Giving – B-Good
• Social Change Central – B-Good
• Sophie Walker, CEO & Founder, Australian Birth Stories – Women in Business
• Spoony – Customer Obsessed (new)
• Taskforce Australia – Customer Obsessed (new), Defiant Ones, New Model
• Teamified – Hammer, On the Rise
• Time Under Tension – Company of the Year, New Model, Singularity, I Wish I’d Done That
• Verity Tuck, Co-Founder, Goldee – Women in Business
• ZEEP – Hammer, Small & Mighty culture (new)

For more information and ticket details, visit Luma.