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The Pause Awards resource hub is designed to help you make the most of your accolades. Get valuable promo tips and ways to promote your win on social media, download our logo packs and more.

Pause Awards Night

Join the most ambitious innovators in the country and meet the vibrant Aussie tech ecosystem.

Experience an evening with ambitious innovators, exclusive networking, vibrant celebrations, and a touch of glamour. 

The upcoming Pause Awards Night & Afterparty promises to be a premium, must-attend event.

This Pause Awards Night & Afterparty is not just an event; it’s an experience. Prepare to be dazzled, inspired and supatertained in a night that celebrates excellence, creativity and unforgettable moments.

Don’t miss out on this signature occasion – secure your tickets now for a night to remember!

Date and time: Monday 2nd December from 6pm to 11pm
Venue: Pandora, South Melbourne
Format: Casual: Speed Networking Style
Dress code: Manhattan Cocktail

A Gathering of Luminaries

Join us on Monday, December 4th for an evening that crowns the ambitious champions of Australian innovation. It’s not just an award ceremony; it’s a networking goldmine, a place where finalists, entrants, and the wider tech community converge.

The Celebratory Twist

We transformed the traditional awards night into an experience! Picture yourself amidst the pulsating energy of our signature Walking-Dances, whilst DJ Hijack drops classic tunes for your showpiece dance as you finish it off with a 10-Word-Speech — the hallmark of celebration!

Distinguished MCs: Megan Flamer & George Hedon

Our hosts, Megan Flamer and George Hedon, are set to dazzle. Megan, the mindfulness and startup advisor maestro, and George, the visionary behind the Pause Fest & Awards, will guide you through an evening of inspiration, fun and acclaim.

Classic Beats by DJ Hijack

Feel the pulse of Melbourne’s nightlife with the scratch superstar, DJ Hijack. He usually supports artists like: Timbaland, Paul Oakenfold, Craig David, Redman and Method Man, GZA, DJ Premier and Calvin Harris to name a few, but on the night you’ll be the superstar.

Exclusive Media & Influencer Moments

Capture your moments with professional photos by the renowned Jess Middleton from Mod Creativ and take home memories crafted by the lens of excellence. Indulge in the aftermovie and vox-pops with NeonSheep Films, and discover the influencer within you with Blackmagic Design.

More Than Just an Awards Night

The evening is packed with extras — from the immersive 360 video experience to the exclusive Pause Terra game. New trophy design unveiled and limbo is unofficially being recommended. Plus, we’re honoured to host Dom Pym, the luminary Co-founder of UP, who’ll be sharing some of his stories with us.

Gastronomic Delights & Bottomless Elegance

Savour our selection of premium canapés and enjoy the luxury of bottomless drinks all night. We’re setting the bar high — in every sense. Be part of the narrative that shapes our industry’s forward.

Secure Your Spot

This is a night of opulence, inspiration, celebration, and it’s open to you. Book group tickets for your team now and benefit from up to 10% discounts. Oh, and did we mention we’re also open to hosting a small team shared Xmas party.

This is your moment to shine amidst the stars of Australian innovation and let’s raise a glass to the brilliance that is our ecosystem. Don’t let this chance slip away.

Here’s to a night of grandeur, inspiration and community.

P.S. Remember to dress in your best Black Tie/Cocktail attire and let us know of any dietary requirements. This isn’t just an event; it’s a memory in the making. See you at the red carpet!

Secure your tickets now

For winners

Congratulations on winning Pause Awards! Now you should tell the world about it. This is definitely a career-defying milestone as you were one among the 30% or less that won and if you hold a Grand Prix that’s less than 10% of all winners. Definitely enough to brag shamesly about it!

Here are few tips that you can do to maximise your promotions:

  • Launch a campaign

    Nothing should stop you now. We recommend shooting from all tops, but it’s essential to prepare a good strategic campaign first. Winning a Pause Award is kind of a big deal, big enough to take your business leap to the next level.

    But don’t just take our word for it: past winners said, winning has put them on the map, gave them meaning, feel they are on the right track, belong to the ecosystem and help them drive new business and partnerships post awards.

    We’ve prepared some ammo for you.

  • Create a media plan

    Being a winner at Pause Awards is a good reason to garner some serious press in the broadcast, print, radio, online, podcast, media, and blogs. It’s a good time to share your business success story and of course that you won the Pause Award for it.

    We’ve created a simple Press Release here to download. If the media need official photos and videos, you’ll find those in the Pause Awards media room.

  • Make content

    These days it is so easy to just pick up the phone and shoot a short video or take a photo. Think about writing a blog post or even run a Facebook ad, but don’t forget to tag us.

  • Put it on the website

    Download our official winner logo and badge and post it to your homepage. Here is the link.

  • Thank the support network

    Send the email to your best and closest friends, family, colleagues and clients to let them know of great news.

  • Go to socials

    If you don’t say it, it didn’t happen. Don’t forget to post about it on you preferred social media channels by using our hashtag #PauseAwards and tagging us with @PauseAwards. It’s the best way to get some instant kudos.

  • In the packaging

    If you have a physical product, and it makes sense, you can include a special packaging Pause Awards Winner logo on your product packaging as well.

  • Thank the support network

    Send the email to your best and closest friends, family, colleagues and clients to let them know of great news.

  • Grace your email signature

    It’s one of the easiest things to do in the world, and still very impactful. Make it a highlight in your email signature.

Essential downloads for winners

Download 2024 Winners Promo Kit
Download 2024 Winners Press Release

For finalists

Here are few promo tips you can use.

Industry peer acknowledgement is all it matters, right! Being the finalist at Pause Awards is a significant achievement granted to only 40% of the entries in this year’s competition. It’s worth tweeting about!

Here are few tips of what you can do to maximise your promotions:

  • Promote being a finalist

    You’re not the winner yet, but being a finalist is one step closer to the win. Take this opportunity to show the world why your business is awesome and why you’re selected. We’ve prepared some ammo for you below.

  • Put it on the website

    Get our official finalist logo and badge from Downloads and post it to your homepage. Download links are below.

  • Go to socials

    If you don’t say it, it didn’t happen. Don’t forget to post about it on you preferred social media channels by using our hashtag #PauseAwards and by tagging us with @PauseAwards. It’s the best way to get some instant kudos.

  • Grace your email signature

    It’s one of the easiest things to do in the world, and still very impactful. Make it a highlight in your email signature for everyone to see.

  • Thank the support network

    Send the email to your best and closest friends, family, colleagues and clients to let them know of great news.

  • Make content

    These days, it is so easy to just pick up the phone and shoot a short video or take a photo. Think about writing a blog post or even run a Facebook ad, but don’t forget to tag us. Promote yourself and your business.

  • Create a media plan

Essential downloads for finalists

Download 2024 Finalist Promo Kit

For judges Promo Kit

If you’re a judge, here you can find specific promo material to use in your promotions.

There are two folders for download, one general about Pause Awards and other for Judges. Each Judge has it’s own folder with personalised ready to post written copy, and five branded images. If you can’t find yours, chances are it’s not ready yet or your high quality photos are missing. For other questions, get in touch.

Download now

Your website profile

One of the best things about Pause Awards is that we give free personal profiles and landing business pages to our champions. We’ve decided to do this because we thought no awards are doing it, and we’re into building better ecosystems so people and businesses need to be highlighted.

We’ve created the most beautiful awards website on the market with great functionalities so we think you’re going to love coming back, using and sharing it. It’s like a curated version of your LinkedIn profile. Once you set it up, your profile doesn’t need much updating, unless you get new professional photos or want to update your bio.

You don’t need much to create your profile, just a professional photo, short bio and couple of other answers. Please make sure you have a good quality profile photo at the right resolution. We understand that some people don’t understand what’s the right resolution and what pixel sizes mean, but if your photo is pixelated, it’s not good.

Download Image Upload Guidelines

  • Preparing your images for website

    Used on your index profile within a large image carousel. These images should be business or product shots that look great. Do not include your logo. Can include only 1, but preferable to have 2-4.

    Used on your index profile within a large image carousel. These images should be business or product shots that look great. Do not include your logo. Can include only 1, but preferable to have 2-4.

    Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (Landscape)
    Resolution: 3000 x 1687px
    File Size: max. 600kb
    Format: .jpeg

    Used as a tile image wherever your business profile is displayed on the site in a grid, list or carousel. This image is the one that will be shown wherever your business is displayed on the website as a tile, so make it your best one. Do not include your logo.

    Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (Square)
    Resolution: 1600 x 1600px
    File Size: max. 300kb
    Format: .jpeg

    Use www.tinypng.com to compress images before uploading.

  • Writing your bio

    Your bio is capped at 50 words so you’ll have to be short, punchy and only put the summary of your best achievements. Please stay away from buzz terms such as Innovation Guru or Self Evangelist etc. Other professionals will read and it just never resonates well.

  • Pause Index profile

    These are created as you enter Pause Awards, there will be a segment which will ask you to enter three pieces of information, once you’ve done that and uploaded images you are done. It should not take more than 15 minutes to complete the profile.

    Please make sure that you have high quality images that represent your business, they can be anything but we suggest having a photo of the Founder/ CEO, product and people in the office. You can upload up to four images.

    Just keep in mind that the Business Index on Pause Awards is an editorial style of content and we want to make sure that everything looks classy and it’s up to date.

  • Judges, Mentor and Ambassador profile

Contributing Writer

Got a tech breakthrough that’s not a million-dollar headline yet? We want it.


If you’re part of the Pause Awards Alumni family, we’re your megaphone. No sales fluff – just pure innovation, wisdom and visionary opinions. Get featured. Get heard. Get writing. Your voice is our next big story!

Submit your article here

Convince the boss

Hey Boss, we need to be at the Pause Awards Night ’23!

We’ve talked about elevating our game, and the Pause Awards Night & Afterparty is our golden ticket. Imagine us, not just attending but absorbing the ethos of “Only for the Most Ambitious.” This event is the epicenter of brave ideas where ambition turns into reality.

Let’s not do what we’ve always done – for once! By connecting with industry titans, we can spark transformative business opportunities. It’s a unique platform where networking transcends mere exchanges – it’s about forging lasting legacies.

We risk missing out on unparalleled opportunities and partnerships. Our presence there could mean tapping into a diverse spectrum of business mastery, positioning ourselves at the forefront of innovation.

This isn’t just another night; it’s a catalyst for our growth and team building. I know we haven’t entered, but they have opened a limited number of tickets for us to join in. Let’s not just watch the future unfold; let’s be a part of shaping it.

Sending a small team could mean bringing back a wealth of knowledge and connections. The potential ROI is enormous.

Let’s seize this moment, Boss. It’s an investment in our future.

Downloads

Various downloads to help you enter Pause Awards or promote it.

Company entry template

Download Company Entry Template

See 2024 Winners

Read more

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.

Drag

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.