Why Pause Awards
Fortune favours the brave, and Pause Awards champions the power of community, breakthroughs and gold-standard.
“Winning the ‘Company of Year’ award really put us on the map and was very unexpected!”
Why enter
If you’re a trailblazer in tech, a champion for sustainability, a leader who empowers, or part of any forward-thinking tribe, the Pause Awards is your arena.
It’s more than an award; it’s a validation of your innovation, a chance to stand among peers who are reshaping the future.
This isn’t just about recognition; it’s about joining an ambitious community, enhancing your influence, and elevating your mission. Here, less than 30% triumph in a rigorous judging process by industry leaders. Winning means not just an accolade but a testament to your impact, a boost for your team, and an opportunity to attract talent and clients.
Ready to be celebrated for your breakthrough?
Who should enter
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. If your venture has pioneered innovative solutions, driven significant market change, or displayed exceptional growth and strategic leadership, these awards are your platform to shine.
Specifically, we invite entries from:
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Startups
Disruptive newcomers with groundbreaking products or services.
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Scaleups
Rapidly growing companies expanding their market reach, influence and seeking new funding rounds.
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Small and medium businesses
Small and medium businesses that have made notable impacts in their niche.
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Tech Innovators
Companies and individuals at the forefront of technological advancement and digital transformation.
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Sustainable Enterprises
Large businesses leading with eco-friendly initiatives and sustainable practices.
No matter the size or industry, the Pause Awards celebrate the spirit of progress and innovation. If your company aligns with these values, we welcome your entry.
What’s the value
Entering the Pause Awards aligns you with a vibrant community of forward-thinkers, offering a platform for significant promotion, valuable networking, and extensive media exposure. The awards are more than a competition; they are an investment in your network’s worth, providing opportunities for mentorship, speaking engagements, and featuring your achievements across newsletters and meetups.
“Pause is the community of amazing innovators, and we are thrilled to be recognised for the third year running.”
“Entrepreneurship is all about the community. Otherwise it can be a very isolated experience. So being part of the ecosystem is everything.”
“To have LVLY recognised as an innovative company was reaffirming and felt a bit like a pat on the back from our peers.”
How does it work
- Enter into one or more categories
Submit your application in the relevant award categories, showcasing your achievements and innovation to be considered. - We approve your entry
Our team reviews your submission for eligibility and completeness before it progresses to the judging phase. - Judging and Public Voting starts
An expert panel and public voters assess and deliberate on the entries across two rounds to ensure a fair and comprehensive evaluation. - Voting ends, finalists announced
Following the closure of voting, the highest-scoring entrants are shortlisted and announced as finalists in each category. - Tickets to Awards Night & Afterparty
Secure your spot at the prestigious Awards Night ceremony where industry leaders and innovators gather. - Awards Night, winners announced
A celebratory evening where the winners of each category are revealed and honoured for their contributions. - Trophy ordering and shipping
Winners can order the hand-made Pause Awards trophy, which will be shipped directly to them as a symbol of their accomplishment.
How it helps you
Participating in the Pause Awards can significantly benefit challenger brands, startups seeking investor appeal, and innovative companies aiming to showcase their creativity, regardless of revenue size.
It’s an opportunity for brand exposure, attracting talent and funding, it positions your venture within a narrative of breakthroughs, and a moment for self-reflection on your achievements. Especially for those fitting specific categories, it’s a chance to highlight how you excel and stand out in your field. Here are few success stories:
WeMoney‘s Breakthrough Year
Dan Jovevski, Founder & CEO of WeMoney, shares that winning the ‘Wildfire’ category and becoming the first-ever Diamond best-in-show winner at the Pause Awards in 2023 was a game-changer. It not only enhanced their hiring capabilities but also bolstered their business initiatives. Their victory led to a new senior executive hire and a partnership with Mastercard, highlighting their advancement in Open Banking and participation in the Start Path Program .
Envato‘s Monumental Success
Envato, led by Collis and Cyan Ta’eed, celebrated a landmark exit selling to Shutterstock for a whopping $US245 million. Their journey, punctuated by a Pause Award in the B-Good category in 2021 and an earlier win by Cyan in 2018 for the Unexpected Twist category, underscores the value and pride derived from our recognitions. Cyan’s reflections on the award underline the personal and professional pride that comes with such accolades.
Midnight Health‘s Growth like Wildfire
In August 2022, Midnight Health secured a significant $24 million in Series B funding from nib holdings limited (ASX: NHF), with an initial $15 million investment and an additional conditional $9 million tied to FY24 performance targets. This round brought Midnight Health’s total funding since 2021 to $40 million, highlighting its strong market presence and growth potential. This financial milestone followed their 2022 win in the Wildfire category at the Pause Awards, recognising their rapid impact and expansion in the healthcare sector.
Linktree‘s Stratospheric Rise
Linktree, a leader in social media link aggregation, has experienced phenomenal growth. Winning ‘Out Of The Garage’ in 2019 and 2021 and ‘Wildfire’ in 2022 at the Pause Awards were pivotal moments, significantly boosting their credibility. By May 2024, Linktree has surpassed 50 million users and launched a beta social commerce program, enhancing user engagement and revenue streams. Their consistent recognition at the Pause Awards highlights the transformative power of these accolades, driving their journey from humble beginnings to a global platform.
“Pause Awards 2023 brought a significant amount of attention to WeMoney, helped us with hiring and also helped us secure other business initiatives.”
MrYum‘s Collaborative Innovations
In November 2023, Mr Yum and me&u, leading innovators in food and restaurant technology from Melbourne and Sydney respectively, successfully merged. This union has formed a powerful entity processing over $2 billion in transactions across 6,000 venues in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the US, with projected revenues of US$25 million ($39 million). This merger highlights the significant growth and innovation celebrated at the Pause Awards, where Mr Yum had previously triumphed with three awards in 2021.
Quad Lock‘s Journey of Triumph
Since 2021, Quad Lock has consistently excelled, winning multiple awards annually and demonstrating their dominance in the market through evolving strategies. They leverage the Awards Night as a team-building event, annually bringing a quarter of their team to the ceremony. Their commitment to enhancing team spirit is further exemplified by rewarding four Pause winners with exclusive experiences at their brand activation at the Melbourne GP Formula 1. Globally, their success is amplified through strategic endorsements, notably securing Formula 1 rising star Oscar Piastri as an ambassador, which boosts their international visibility and underscores their innovative brand image.
TernX‘s Gateway to Global Recognition
For those aiming for international acclaim, look no further than TernX. After winning at the Pause Awards, TernX went on to shine at global platforms like the Red Dot Awards and Time Magazine’s Best Inventions. The Pause Awards are built on international standards, making them the perfect stepping stone for any company seeking global fame. By starting here, you’re positioning your innovations on a world stage, right from the start.
How we differ
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Community Champions Platform
Celebrating the interconnectedness and innovative drive of local entrepreneurs and leaders within the community.
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Breakthrough Spotlight
Honouring significant breakthroughs that showcase the power of innovation beyond mere financial success.
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Rigorous, Independent Judging
Our two-tiered evaluation process, led by a panel of esteemed judges, ensures that only the most deserving innovations are celebrated. This rigorous scrutiny underlines our commitment to meritocracy and integrity.
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Celebrating Creativity and Impact
We believe in the power of innovation beyond financial metrics. Our awards recognise the creative spirit, the courage to innovate, and the impact of your work, regardless of your organisation’s size and turnover.
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Selective–Winner™ Recognition
The Pause Awards uphold their prestige by awarding only the entries that surpass their high standards, ensuring exclusivity and true meritocracy in recognition.
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Designer Trophy™ — A Symbol of Excellence
Our designer trophies are not mere objects; they are symbols of innovation excellence, hand-crafted to commemorate your achievements and inspire continuous innovation.
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Ambitious Innovators Feature on Pause Index
Winners get a beautifully designed company page on Pause Awards website indexing their commitment to excellence and innovation and providing them a valuable back-linking.
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Investable Score™ Certificate
This innovative concept involves judges placing virtual bets on entries, signalling the entrants’ potential and promise.
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Pause NomiGPT™ — Smart Chatbot Helper
Debuting in 2024, Nomi will streamline the entry process, aiding entrants with submission drafting and category selection, marking a new era of accessibility for the Pause Awards.
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Growth Mentors Board
A board of seasoned experts offers top winners exclusive mentorship, unlocking unparalleled opportunities for growth and valuable networking.
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Walking–Dance™ Ritual
The awards night is further enlivened by a unique celebratory ritual, augmenting the excitement and significance of the winners’ revelation.
The impact of winning
Our ambitious winners have achieved smashing results in their businesses.
Want cold hard proof (in cold hard cash)? Let’s look at in capital raising:
- Female-led Circle In raised $3M
- evee overfunded 500% on Birchal to reach $1.6M
- Great Wrap raised $25M
- Birchal raised $3m in 63 min $3M
- BODD closed $5M
- Heaps Normal bagged $8.5M
- Midnight Health closed Series B with $24M
Benefits of Repeated Participation
Engaging with the Pause Awards year after year, like Quad Lock, is not just about accolades. It’s about being part of a community that grows with you. Each participation offers new insights, stronger networks, and better visibility. Companies that return regularly gain more than just trophies; they build lasting relationships and keep their teams motivated and focused on continuous improvement.
These stories of WeMoney, Envato, Guzman y Gomez, and others aren’t just tales of success; they are your potential future. By entering the Pause Awards, you’re not just competing for a trophy; you’re gaining an invaluable platform to catapult your business into the market and beyond.
Together, we break through.
What do winners get
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.