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.



Related posts

1Visionary Behind the Bionic Ear Honoured in 2024 Pause Awards Hall of Fame
3 December, 2024

Australia’s boldest innovators announced and new chapter for 2025
3 December, 2024

Top five winners score the most invaluable encounter
19 November, 2024

How Ally Watson is pioneering tech careers for women
15 November, 2024

Breakthrough Insights, Strategies, Creativity and Culture for now
12 November, 2024

Life lessons on ownership and how to keep creative control
6 November, 2024

How to unlock the intangible in brand equity with 4P’s
29 October, 2024

Why Bunnings feels like home: trust, community and genuine care
23 October, 2024

Why creativity and imagination will save the world
22 October, 2024

How Canva transformed a simple idea to become global leader
15 October, 2024

How NASA’s new AR tech will take astronauts to the next frontier
11 October, 2024

How to build authentic workplace culture
7 October, 2024

How to balance business growth with personal wealth
24 September, 2024

A time to dream big with Kristina Karlsson
16 September, 2024

The purpose of gatekeepers in authentic brand storytelling
6 September, 2024

It’s here, a final call to enter the Pause Awards this year
3 September, 2024

Join a free 7-week online learning on the go
3 September, 2024

Pause Awards partners with Ticker for exclusive broadcast coverage
6 August, 2024

Calling Melbourne — a significant player to enter!
6 August, 2024

Calling Hobart — an emerging hub to enter!
26 July, 2024

Calling Canberra — with most daring new ideas to enter!
16 July, 2024

Meet final judges and why they love Pause Awards
15 July, 2024

Meet even more judges and why they love Pause Awards
8 July, 2024

Meet more judges and why they love Pause Awards
5 July, 2024

Calling Adelaide — dynamic centre for innovation to enter
4 July, 2024

Meet the judges and why they love Pause Awards
1 July, 2024

Maybe those shouldn’t have been there in the first place
27 June, 2024

Calling Perth — an emerging innovator to enter!
25 June, 2024

Read a thrilling mid year predictions by the judges
24 June, 2024

Jasmine Batra’s Breakthrough Moment
24 June, 2024

WithYouWithMe’s Breakthrough Moment
24 June, 2024

Paz Pisarski’s Breakthrough Moment
20 June, 2024

UpStock’s Breakthrough Moment
20 June, 2024

Calling Brisbane — a rising star to enter!
19 June, 2024

How to choose the right category for the Pause Awards?
17 June, 2024

Success stories of past Pause winners
17 June, 2024

Your guide to the Pause Awards entry process
17 June, 2024

Understanding the breakthrough question
17 June, 2024

Top 10 tips on how to enter Pause Awards
17 June, 2024

Calling Sydney — a powerhouse of opportunity to enter!
6 June, 2024

Inke’s Breakthrough Moment
6 June, 2024

ReSource’s Breakthrough Moment
3 June, 2024

Brittany Garbutt’s exchange with Paul Bassat on building and sustaining a business empire
21 May, 2024

Entering Pause Awards for the first time?
21 May, 2024

Inside the Pause Awards 2024: A universe of possibility
14 May, 2024

What’s a Pause Awards breakthrough?
14 May, 2024

Marcella Romero’s Breakthrough Moment
9 May, 2024

Music Health’s Breakthrough Moment
2 May, 2024

Chau Le’s Breakthrough Moment
30 April, 2024

Tanck’s Breakthrough Moment
26 April, 2024

Macro Mike’s Breakthrough Moment
23 April, 2024

Birchal’s Breakthrough Moment
18 April, 2024

Tixel’s Breakthrough Moment
16 April, 2024

Redefining success with Angus and Neil of Tanck
15 April, 2024

Quad Lock’s Breakthrough Moment
12 April, 2024

Origin Energy’s Breakthrough Moment
10 April, 2024

Mel Stubbing’s breakthrough moment
5 April, 2024

Brittany Garbutt’s breakthrough moment
2 April, 2024

InvestorHub’s Breakthrough Moment
28 March, 2024

Kollektive’s Breakthrough Moment
26 March, 2024

Talking robots and AI Agents, two insane demos
25 March, 2024

Fight Club and Zombie VCs
25 March, 2024

WeMoney’s breakthrough moment
20 March, 2024

Addressing gender inequality with 21.7% discount for female-led companies
8 March, 2024

How Entertainment Brands are winning hearts and minds
5 March, 2024

2023 packed a punch
17 January, 2024

The power of relationships with Dom Pym at Pause Awards Night
19 December, 2023

Six years of celebrating the Australian most ambitious innovators
5 December, 2023

M&A green shoots & scandal central
10 November, 2023

Announcing the 63 ambitious finalists, 3 winners and Pause Awards Night
30 October, 2023

Can optimism and curiosity win the battle with Ai
20 October, 2023

Looking at 100 years from now in Solar, EVs and MedTech
20 October, 2023

What does the Australia’s VC landscape look like in 2050
19 October, 2023

Do we want to live in a Black Mirror world?
17 October, 2023

Four new emerging directors envision sustainable future beyond 2050
6 October, 2023

Visible Founders puts a spotlight on migrant entrepreneurs
28 September, 2023

Always be closing & IPO, no?
24 September, 2023

Strong commitment needed to run tech events in Australia revealed at GEC23
24 September, 2023

iPhone 15 event: everything about Apple’s new product line
14 September, 2023

Discover the colourful world of oral hygiene with Dsmile’s new range
13 September, 2023

How to build a company culture in dynamic market
8 September, 2023

The valuable startup lessons hidden in the film Oppenheimer
7 September, 2023

Meet the new addition to the Judging Board ‘23
4 September, 2023

Advice on Design Thinking for stellar product development
1 September, 2023

How Pause Awards can put your brand on the map
30 August, 2023

Seize the moment: New Extended Entry Deadline
30 August, 2023

I got 99 problems
26 August, 2023

Is AI the new frontier of creativity and business
25 August, 2023

Tech legends unite to guide growth and foster innovation
22 August, 2023

The new faces of Pause Awards in business and the product officers
21 August, 2023

Don’t miss out on the last chance to join champions
21 August, 2023

Experience is a new frontier for brands
18 August, 2023

How to grow an idea into a great product
11 August, 2023

Good storytelling and trust will fuel startup and brand growth
4 August, 2023

Twitter to X: a rebrand to challenge tech giants and empower users
4 August, 2023

Discover the latest tech predictions of 2023
1 August, 2023

Elevate your business with Stephen Hunt’s success secrets
31 July, 2023

Lean into digital marketing trends now and in 2024
28 July, 2023

The new faces of Pause Awards from agency and media innovation
25 July, 2023

Hit it, DJ! and other local newsings
24 July, 2023

Female-led ethical fintech Verve raises $3M for Verve Money
21 July, 2023

How to better tune into your success journey
21 July, 2023

Pause Fest’s BREAK–THROUGH SESSIONS will keep you scaling
12 July, 2023

How to choose the right awards for your business
5 July, 2023

The new faces of Pause Awards in strategy and leadership
4 July, 2023

We’re building the community for the most ambitious people
27 June, 2023

It was worth waiting for these unique features
26 June, 2023

Mapping the future of fit and function
23 June, 2023

Midnight Health secures $24 million funding boost
21 June, 2023

Championing breakthroughs in today’s business world
21 June, 2023

OpenAI’s Sam Altman says hai
19 June, 2023

Top 5 compelling reasons why you should enter
18 June, 2023

Pause Awards vs Webby’s, Cannes Lions and Effies
18 June, 2023

The new faces of Pause Awards in startup, product and experience
15 June, 2023

A tour of 11 new categories
12 June, 2023

Inside out of Pause Awards
5 June, 2023

Aim for the Diamond: Understanding the Different Categories
1 June, 2023

The new faces of Pause Awards in strategy, growth and innovation
30 May, 2023

Where business recognition gets a paradigm shift
24 May, 2023

Industry leaders predict a transformative year ahead
17 May, 2023

Pause Awards grows to $412 Billion ecosystem
17 May, 2023

Shaking it up with new Investable Score™
17 May, 2023

Tap into your inner powerhouse
5 May, 2023

Life in the fast (tech) lane
24 April, 2023

evee rides the electric wave
18 April, 2023

Big win for the female-led business Circle In, lands $2 Million
14 April, 2023

Designing global empires:
How local brands can conquer the world
10 April, 2023

A passionate pursuit for Healthcare reinvention
4 April, 2023

The game-changing sessions at SXSW Sydney
30 March, 2023

Top AI tools you need to try now
29 March, 2023

A journey to revolutionising healthy school lunches
28 March, 2023

Panic! at the SVB & metrics that matter
16 March, 2023

Call for Entries
opens on 17 May ‘23
1 March, 2023

Startup funding in decline, but early-stage hits peak in Aus
10 February, 2023

Music for wellbeing:
The healing power of sound
20 January, 2023

Deep dive with ChatGPT about Aussie tech ecosystem
17 January, 2023

How it started; How it’s going 2022
17 December, 2022

Learning from mistakes and how to tackle the upcoming headwind
14 December, 2022

Claiming your PauseNFT trophy
13 December, 2022

Women and purpose led businesses take the most wins at Pause Awards ‘22
6 December, 2022

Professor Fiona Wood – The pioneer of ‘Spray-on-Skin’ technique, ReCell.
6 December, 2022

Rise and Demise
28 November, 2022

Let’s have breakfast with champions?
15 November, 2022

82 Bold Finalists Announced for the Pause Awards ‘22
10 November, 2022

Judge Sessions with Lumigo, Tribal DDB and Clipboard Hospitality
24 October, 2022

Judge Sessions with LongView, Fullstack and Art Processors
20 October, 2022

The first look at the new wearable trophy design
13 October, 2022

The Public Voting is open, go get them!
10 October, 2022

Cash to splash & other VC news
2 October, 2022

The Final Deadline Extended to midnight 14 October
30 September, 2022

Judge Sessions with Wavia, SEIKK and MedTech Actuator
26 September, 2022

Pause Awards Wins Australia’s International Good Design Awards for Design Excellence
19 September, 2022

Judge Sessions with Synergy Group, AOK Creative and i4 Connect
16 September, 2022

A word with Birchal’s Co-Founder – Matt Vitale
6 September, 2022

What can Pause Awards bring to your company
30 August, 2022

Google, Synergy Group, Spaces Interactive, Safari and By Jacs judges for Culture categories
24 August, 2022

Loyal VC, Media.Monks, AOK Creative, Storyfolk and Irene Lemon judges for Good categories
15 August, 2022

Fullstack, Lumigo, Netambition, MedTech Actuator and Unhedged judges for Operators categories
10 August, 2022

A word with Heaps Normal’s Head of Brand – Peter Brennan
9 August, 2022

Tribal DDB, We Are Unity, Bullfrog, BeautifulAgile and The Audacious Agency judges for your Excellence
2 August, 2022

Simply Wall Street, IBM, Forestlyn, CFOWorx and Accenture Song are this year Growth Judges
1 August, 2022

Venture snapshot: down but not out
26 July, 2022

Best equity crowdfunding year in Australia – $86m!
22 July, 2022

How to navigate the awards Entry Portal?
14 July, 2022

Startup Genome ecosystem report 2022 review
10 July, 2022

We’re giving a voice to our community with a stylish newsroom design
10 July, 2022

Professor Martin Green
– The father of solar cells
10 July, 2022

Dr John O’Sullivan
– The inventor of modern WiFi
10 July, 2022

14 New award categories under five tracks to highlight the ecosystem success
5 July, 2022

M&A on the rise & the EV SPAC demise
29 June, 2022

Our new vision:
The home for champions
27 June, 2022

Awards LIVE Briefing and Entry Kit
22 June, 2022

The Porsche of awards programmes with community at its heart
21 June, 2022

The Sheet Society
– Success Stories
17 June, 2022

We’re looking for our final few judges – could you be one?
8 June, 2022

Single Use Ain’t Sexy
– Success Stories
1 June, 2022

Afterpay
– Success Stories
24 May, 2022

This is how we celebrate innovation champions
15 December, 2021

The most ambitious and forward-thinking companies in Australia revealed
24 November, 2021

Pause Awards 2021 Finalists Skyrocket
17 November, 2021

Final Deadline is Looming
1 September, 2021

Get to know:
Carolyn Breeze – Judge
24 August, 2021

Get to know:
Will Hayward – Judge
17 August, 2021

Get to know:
Shamila Gopalan – Judge
10 August, 2021

Get to know:
Tom Leyden – Judge
3 August, 2021

Get to know:
Jules Brooke – Judge
26 July, 2021

Get to know:
Jamie Finnegan – Judge
18 July, 2021

Early Entries end This Week
12 July, 2021

Need Help Entering Pause Awards?
6 July, 2021

2021 Award Category Guide
1 July, 2021

How to Enter The Pause Awards in 7 min?
25 June, 2021

Get to know:
Melanie Rayment – Judge
24 June, 2021

Past winners:
where are they now?
24 June, 2021

Pause Awards 2021 opens for entries
9 June, 2021

New categories revealed for Pause Awards 2021
5 June, 2021

Meet the Judging Board 2021
13 May, 2021

The Reign in the North
1 February, 2021

What went into creating Vincent, a hyper-real digital human
21 January, 2020

Dane O’Shanassy on Patagonia’s moral compass and commercial success
6 November, 2019
Pause index

Safely
Out Of The Garage

Marketplacer
Hammer

Aussie Broadband
Hammer

Gilbert Guaring
Do You Know Who I Am

Single Use Ain’t Sexy
I Wish I'd Done That

Verity Tuck
Women In Business

Open Insurance
Defiant Ones, Collab, Next Level

Health Focus Manufacturers
Ethical Leadership

Melinda Farley
Women In Business

Slava Kozlovskii
Future Builder

Chelsea Newell
Do You Know Who I Am
