FAQ

We are thrilled to have you as a first-time participant. At Pause Awards, we pride ourselves on awarding innovation, not just revenue and fairytales. Our two rounds of judging ensure that only the best entries come out on top. Unlike other awards, we do not limit the number of winners per category – we believe in rewarding merit and excellence. So rest assured, your hard work and innovation will be recognised at Pause Awards.

“It’s all about the community, not just the awards,” declares our Co-chair, Sonia Clarke. Together, we come together to break-through barriers, learn, share ideas, connect and move forward. We celebrate your innovation and sophisticated solutions to complex problems — you are not simply a name on a list. We are dedicated to meritocracy and integrity, setting the gold standard on a national level. Previous winners have reaped numerous valuable business opportunities, aiding in funding, recruitment, content creation, media exposure, expansion into international markets and ultimately achieving success! However, at the core of our community lies a spirit of fun fueled by creativity.

We are excited to introduce our Pause NomiGPT™ chatbot, designed to assist you in creating your first entry for the Pause Awards. This chatbot requires OpenAI’s ChatGPT paid version 4 to operate effectively. According to our recent survey on LinkedIn, 70% of participants reported having this version installed and using it regularly.

We invite you to give it a try as it is equipped with all necessary categories, eligibility requirements, criteria, and entry questions to guide you through the process. The chatbot can generate a draft within minutes based on your web address, and providing additional information will result in even more accurate results. We encourage you to experiment with the chatbot and believe it will streamline the entry process, allowing you to engage with your team and secure approvals more efficiently.

For any inquiries regarding entering the Pause Awards and for personalised assistance, we highly recommend reaching out to the Pause Awards support team. Additionally, we host weekly Info Sessions that can be booked on our website to address any questions you may have about the entry process.

It’s about simple and elegant solutions to the challenging business problems, well executed that resulted in a positive market adoption that brought you success. It is more about the incremental updates than leaps and bounds inventing the next big thing. But if you did, we definitely want to know about it!

In the context of the Pause Awards, a breakthrough refers to an innovation, elegant solution or achievement that represents a significant advancement or a new approach within a particular field or industry, setting new standards or opening up new possibilities​​​​​​.

At the Pause Awards, innovation is evaluated based on criteria such as the uniqueness of the idea, its execution, the concrete results it has delivered, and its overall influence on the market or society. Our judging process includes evaluating entries for their creativity, efficacy, and the transformative impact they have, as well as the investment potential of the company.

We have a broad range of entrants, but we are very specific about what we recognise and how we celebrate. We honour innovation, breakthroughs and elegant solutions to challenging business problems that have tangible results and impact. Our unique trademarks, such as Pause NomiGPT™, Investable Score™, Walking-Dances™, and Designer Trophy™, set us apart from others in the industry.

We prioritise community and collective success, with a solid network of experts, your peers judging in two rounds for added authenticity. This sets us apart from competitions that only have one round of judging. For more information on how we differentiate ourselves, please visit our Why Pause Awards page.

The judges at Pause Awards are senior industry experts with 5 to 20 years of experience. The judges represent a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise in various roles, including heads of Growth, Product, Innovation, C-Suite executives, and Founders.

Evalato is a software platform utilised by the Pause Awards for handling registrations and the judging process. It streamlines the management of entries and supports the judging procedure, making the entire process more efficient and organised for participants.

Yes, you can enter multiple categories within a single application through Evalato. This feature allows for a more convenient submission process where you can select and pay for several categories simultaneously, and get Entry Bundle discounts applied automatically to your account.

Once you sign into your Evalato account, you have the ability to add or delete categories with ease. This allows you to efficiently manage the categories you wish to enter without the need to create multiple accounts.

Updating registration details, such as name or email, after submission is not currently supported by Evalato. If you need to update your personal information, you will need to contact us to do it for you. But you can’t update your submission.

The Pause Awards are open to individuals and companies from all industries in Australia, including entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders from SMBs, Scaleups, Startups and Corporate entities who are steering their organisations towards remarkable achievements are the ideal candidates for the Pause Awards.

To submit an entry for the Pause Awards, you need to choose the categories you wish to enter, register an account, and then complete the application process. This involves providing detailed information and answering specific questions in approximately 1000 words related to your entry.

To be eligible for the Pause Awards, the achievements or projects you are entering should have been executed in the marketplace between 1 January 2023 and 15 May 2024, ensuring that entries are recent and relevant. For full criteria please How to Enter page.

For a successful entry, please ensure following:

• Clarity is Key: Use straightforward language to articulate your entry, making it accessible and understandable, ensuring that the essence of your innovation shines through.
• Narrate Your Journey: Describe the challenge your company faced and the pivotal breakthrough moment that led to significant progress or transformation.
• Demonstrate Impact: Showcase the tangible effects your company has had on the market and its stakeholders, underlining the real-world significance of your work.

Yes, it’s possible to submit entries on behalf of multiple companies or clients. You can manage this by registering an account and entering each entity separately, but please ensure you enter their details not yours.

Company and individual categories are differentiated by their respective forms, allowing entrants to address the specific criteria and questions relevant to each type of entry.

You are allowed to edit your entries even after making the payment, up until the final submission deadline, providing flexibility to update your submission as needed.

International companies are welcome to enter only in a specific category for international entries called ‘Down Under,’ designed for products or businesses launching or entering the Australian market, broadening the scope of the competition.

Payment for entries is required to participate, with the option to pay upfront on signup when selecting categories, ensuring that participants secure the best rates or after before the final deadline, and we also allow for bank transfer by invoice.

Entry fees vary, starting from $295 for a Launch Entry to $495 for a Late Entry, we suggest entering early to get the best prices.

Entry Bundles on 3, 5 and 10 entries activate automatically when you select and submit entries for multiple categories in a single application. The system applies discounts based on the number of categories chosen, providing a cost-effective way for entrants to participate in various categories.

In business, each year presents unique challenges. You are welcome to enter the same project as long as you present different problems showcasing the diverse solutions you have developed.

Attachments are not required for Pause Awards, only written submissions. There is no need for extra presentations, videos to record, or additional work. We simply ask that you provide written answers to specific sets of questions.

While entries can be withdrawn, all fees are non-refundable, aligning with the terms and conditions accepted at the time of registration.

Upon completing your entry and the acceptance of your payment, you will receive a confirmation from Elevato’s email address, ensuring you are informed of the successful submission of your entry.

There are various categories for different stages and aspects of your business. They are categorised into five tracks, including Culture, Excellence, Growth, Good and Operators.

The judging process involves diverse industry experts evaluating entries based on innovation, tangible results, overall impact, and investability, with specific criteria and expectations for different categories.

Winning catapults you into the limelight, offering unparalleled promotion through our expansive newsletter database, spotlight interviews and speaking engagements, ensuring your story resonates widely. You’ll gain access to exclusive meetups and mentorship opportunities with industry vanguards, enriching your journey with invaluable insights and connections.

You also get exclusive access to the Growth Mentors Board, where industry titans offer guidance and insights to elevate your business to new heights. Along with this, winners are awarded the InvestableScore™ certificate, highlighting your venture’s potential and promise to investors.

The recognition also comes with a meticulously crafted Designer Trophy™, a symbol of your innovation excellence. Moreover, the celebratory highlight is the chance to showcase your unique Walking-Dance™ on the red carpet at the Pause Awards Night, making your victory not just a moment of pride but an unforgettable experience.

Winning a Pause Award can significantly increase your chances of securing funding opportunities, as proven by previous winners who have successfully raised substantial funds. Additionally, we provide an Investable Score™ certificate to give you insight into how judges perceive the investability of your business.

Winners of Diamond and Champion award levels are offered mentorship from Pause Awards Ambassadors, which includes prominent figures in the Australian innovation scene, providing valuable insights and guidance.

We offer downloadable Promo Kits for finalists or winners to proudly showcase their achievements across social media and other media platforms. You can utilise official finalist or winner logos and badges on your website, social media channels and email signature to highlight your success. In addition, reaching out to the media for interviews, sharing press releases, and creating engaging content like blog posts, videos, and targeted ads can help amplify your achievement even further. Don’t hesitate to tag us #PauseAwards and @PauseAwards when sharing your success!

Winners have the option to order a trophy as part of the Winners Pack PRO, which includes two certificates, a trophy, and an Investable Score™. The cost of the trophy varies depending on the size of the company. For those who choose not to order, they will still receive benefits from the Winners Pack Starter.

The key distinction lies in the tangible value that comes with the Pause Awards — Designer Trophy™, stamped certificates, and an Investable Score™. These assets not only serve as a reminder of your success, but also help you showcase and promote it effectively. By opting for the Starter pack, you will receive comprehensive support in terms of promotion, listing, content creation, and interviews.

Attending the Pause Awards ceremony is a must for anyone in the innovation ecosystem in Australia. Not only will you make valuable industry connections, but you will also have the opportunity to witness and participate in our signature Walking-Dances™, showcase your black-tie outfit, have your profile photos taken on the Media Wall, and be included in the aftermovie. There are plenty of reasons to attend, so make sure to invite your entire team too!

Winners can order their Wieners Pack Pro following the Pause Awards Night, with a recommendation to place orders by 15th December to ensure timely delivery. Additional trophies can also be purchased for a separate flat fee and third one is on us, allowing winners to obtain multiple trophies for their team, office, or as gifts for key contributors to their project or achievement​​.

We frequently host events, and while predicting them can be challenging, the best course of action is to subscribe to stay connected and receive notifications about upcoming events.