The Australian tech industry witnessed a remarkable evening of celebration and recognition at the Pause Awards 2023, held in Melbourne. Now in its sixth year, the awards night shone a spotlight on the most ambitious and innovative companies in Australia, emphasising their dedication to not just financial success but also impactful innovation. Hosted by Megan Flamer and George Hedon, the evening celebrated the breakthroughs in technology and innovation across the country. The involvement of VicGov and sponsorship from Blackmagic Design further underlined the significance of this event in the Australian tech community. Quick stats: - X3 Triple Wins, X3 Double Wins and X3 Grand Prix - Out of 63 Finalists we have 32 Winners - Victoria’s entries increased by 20%, NSW by 2%, QLD dropped 40% - Average Founder age was 38 and funding $18M - Most entered under 100 people companies This year’s Pause Awards was a testament to the indomitable spirit of innovation that drives the Australian tech industry. The event also featured the announcement of special prizes, including 4 tickets to the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix 2024, courtesy of Quad Lock. Drawing 63 finalists across five Category Tracks – Growth, Excellence, Operators, Good, and Culture – the competition was fierce. Out of these, 32 victors emerged, predominantly from Victoria and New South Wales, showcasing a vibrant diversity in sectors like Health, Financial Services, Web/Internet, Marketing/Advertising, and Computer Technology. WeMoney led the accolades with three awards, underlining its excellence in the financial sector. Following closely were Kollektive and Origin Energy, with notable wins by Macro Mike, Upstock, and Quad Lock. These companies exemplify the spirit of the Pause Awards, valuing innovation and ambition above all. The data revealed a 20% increase in Victorian entries in 2023, indicating a shift towards critical industries like Health and Financial Services. However, the gender disparity, with 63% male entries, highlighted an area for improvement. Lee Tonitto, the departing Chair of the Judging Board, emphasised that the winning entries evoke admiration and envy, embodying true innovation. The new Co-Chairs for 2024, Sonia Clarke and Ben Fintech Ford, are set to continue this legacy. The introduction of Champion winners and the Diamond award levels marked a new chapter in the Pause Awards. Kollektive’s win in the Small Team Culture and Brittany Garbutt’s triumph in Women in Business highlighted the commitment to diversity and empowerment. Origin Energy and InvestorHub were recognized for their environmental consciousness and adaptability, respectively. WeMoney, the Diamond winner, was lauded for its groundbreaking work in the Wildfire category. The People’s Choice awards, with winners like Wevolt, AirTree Ventures, and Michelle Mannering, added a democratic element, reflecting public admiration for these innovators. A new Investable Score™, assessing the investment potential of entrants, and the introduction of the Growth Mentors Board, featuring industry giants, signified a commitment to nurturing future innovators. The Pause Awards 2023 was more than an event; it was a celebration of the relentless spirit of Australian entrepreneurs. With a focus on innovation, impact, and excellence, the Australian tech industry is poised for a bright and groundbreaking future. This article was originally published by Pause Awards.
Pause Awards ‘23, unlocking unprecedented growth and transformative insights for the next generation of innovators. The world of innovation doesn’t just need pioneers; it thrives on the guidance of legends who’ve treaded the path before. This year, the Pause Awards takes a leap beyond mere recognition, offering winners an exclusive chance at mentorship by industry trailblazers. The fusion of honor with unparalleled learning is set to make this year’s edition truly unforgettable. Meet The Mentors Paul Bassat stands as a beacon of entrepreneurial prowess. As the Co-Founder of SEEK, he altered the landscape of job search, subsequently leveraging his insights to establish a global investment firm, Square Peg. His wide-spanning contributions extend from the boardrooms of giants like Wesfarmers to the fields of the Australian Football League. Delving deeper into the fintech domain, Dom Pym, a name synonymous with groundbreaking ventures, graces our panel. His journey is laden with successes, be it the establishment of Australia’s first all-in-one online payments platform, Pin Payments, or co-founding Ferocia, a leading software company. His latest feather in the cap, Up Bank, has become Australia’s most coveted digital bank. Rampersand’s co-founder, Paul Naphtali, embodies the spirit of fostering innovation. After absorbing the cutting-edge environment of Silicon Valley, he returned home to bridge the funding gap for Aus/NZ founders, making him an invaluable asset to our panel. Rounding off this group is the fierce and indomitable Kellie Morton. From the bustling streets of New York and London as an M&A lawyer to the helm of Birchal, Australia’s top equity crowdfunding platform, her journey is a testament to her versatility and passion. The dynamic Kate Gooden leads the pack with her two-decade-long pursuit of perfection in digital and voice experiences. As the Head of Product for Amazon Alexa ANZ, she’s at the cutting edge, transforming the way we perceive AI and smart devices. Juxtaposing creativity with commerce, Jocelin Abbey stands tall as the Director of Growth at The Guardian AU/NZ. With her vast experience spanning global media, she brings to the table a nuanced understanding of storytelling, underpinned by a commitment to inclusivity. As the Pause Awards unfold, the Growth Mentors Board brings with them a tank full of experience, insights, and a commitment to excellence. Their involvement ensures that the accolades conferred resonate with authenticity, relevance and foresight. The Process and the Final Call to Enter Pause Awards To become the prospect of unparalleled mentorship, here’s what you need to do. The doors to this opportunity close on the 1st of September. That’s right, in just two weeks! So, if you’re on the fence about entering, now is the time to take the leap. Not only could you gain recognition for your innovations, but you could also unlock access to expertise that can shape your enterprise’s future. With legends at the helm, the future looks not just promising, but transformative for every participant. Step into the world of Pause Awards, where legends guide legends to new horizons of growth and success. Pause Awards is sponsored by the Victorian Government. Extended Entry Deadline, 15 September at midnight AEST.Enter today.
<table class="mcnTextBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"> <table class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 18px 9px;" valign="top"> <p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; line-height: 24px;">Welcome to our latest edition of <em>Inside the DIF</em> where we feature events for you to attend, news about the industry and opportunities for you to be a part of this year’s DIF2023 Festival. <br /><br />Looking ahead, <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://bit.ly/43BYSYm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">May</a> is busy and we feature some events below but there are hundreds of events across the state every day - so make sure you take a few minutes to check the calendar on the <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="http://dif.vic.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DIF Online Hub</a>. <br /><br />Awards season is well underway with the <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/article/11105-a/enter-the-iawards-2023-bring-your-tech-innovation-to-the-big-stage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">iAwards 2023</a> closing 10 May and <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/18312632-a/pause-awards-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PauseAwards</a> opening 17 May. Get ready for gala celebrations for the <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/17839301-a/australian-not-for-profit-technology-awards-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian Not-for-Profit Tech Awards</a> on 11 May and <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/18001907-a/2023-techdiversity-awards-gala-dinner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TechDiversity</a> 29 May. Then May will wrap up with <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/article/11233-a/finalists-announced-for-the-7th-annual-fintech-business-awards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Finnies</a> at the Forum on 31 May. <br /><br />The DIF2023 Festival program is starting to take shape, with many events returning and new partners keen to #maketheDIF this year. If you are thinking of hosting an event, you can <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/page/start-here" target="_blank" rel="noopener">start here</a>. Make sure you <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=vqAuchw-EUutb5QB1oVuJLAyB_mn-lVOgQ4FHAS6PHlUNkVSRUxUU1ZTVjNCTEhHVVJJSzZONlRVRS4u&utm_source=EDM_ITD&utm_medium=MSform&utm_campaign=EOI+2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">submit your expression of interest</a> early and attend our next <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/17839775-a/dif2023-festival-community-call" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DIF Community Call</a> on 18 May. <br /><br />As always, if you have a question, a story to share or an offer to make, please contact us.<br /><br /></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnButtonBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnButtonBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnButtonBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px 18px 18px;" align="center" valign="top"> <table class="mcnButtonContentContainer" style="border-collapse: separate !important; text-size-adjust: 100%; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #000000;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnButtonContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; padding: 15px;" align="center" valign="middle"><a class="mcnButton " style="text-size-adjust: 100%; display: block; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; text-decoration-line: none; color: #ffffff;" title="Submit your DIF2023 Expression of Interest now" href="https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=vqAuchw-EUutb5QB1oVuJLAyB_mn-lVOgQ4FHAS6PHlUNkVSRUxUU1ZTVjNCTEhHVVJJSzZONlRVRS4u&utm_source=EDM_ITD&utm_medium=MSform&utm_campaign=EOI+2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Submit your DIF2023 Expression of Interest now</a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnDividerBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed !important;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%; padding: 10px 18px;"> <table class="mcnDividerContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%; border-top: 2px solid #eaeaea;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnImageBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px;" valign="top"> <table class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><a class="" style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/editorials/none/none/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="mcnImage" style="border: 0px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 1000px; padding-bottom: 0px; display: inline !important;" src="https://mcusercontent.com/8dbcb95e4285fdcd0a5507985/images/3a482eba-c6c3-2c8a-6933-5ac5fcbe384d.gif" alt="" width="600" align="center" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnTextBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"> <table class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 18px 9px;" valign="top"> <p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: 24px; text-align: center;">DIF News features award-winning leaders, digital trends, and opportunities from across Victoria’s tech ecosystem. See the latest stories below or read some more online.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnTextBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"> <table class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px; padding: 0px 18px 9px;" valign="top"> <h3 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #ff3399; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px;">+ <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="Cremorne Digital Hub boosts Victoria’s global tech status" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/article/11042-a/cremorne-digital-hub-boosts-victorias-global-tech-status">Cremorne Digital Hub boosts Victoria’s global tech status</a><br />+ <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="Finalists announced for the 7th annual FinTech business awards" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/article/11233-a/finalists-announced-for-the-7th-annual-fintech-business-awards">Finalists announced for the 7th annual FinTech business awards</a><br />+ <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="Be a part of Melbourne International Games Week " href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/article/11329-a/be-a-part-of-melbourne-international-games-week">Be a part of Melbourne International Games Week</a><br />+ <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/article/11043-a/startups-start-here-campaign-showcases-states-thriving-91b-ecosystem" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Startups Start Here campaign showcases the $91b ecosystem</a><br />+ <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="Be part of the 6th edition of Pause Awards" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/article/11106-a/be-part-of-the-6th-edition-of-pause-awards">Be part of the 6th edition of Pause Awards</a><br />+ <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="Virtual Reality Technology to Make Firefighting Safer" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/article/11137-a/virtual-reality-technology-to-make-firefighting-safer">Virtual Reality Technology to Make Firefighting Safer</a></h3> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnButtonBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnButtonBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnButtonBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px 18px 18px;" align="center" valign="top"> <table class="mcnButtonContentContainer" style="border-collapse: separate !important; text-size-adjust: 100%; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #000000;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnButtonContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; padding: 15px;" align="center" valign="middle"><a class="mcnButton " style="text-size-adjust: 100%; display: block; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; text-decoration-line: none; color: #ffffff;" title="Let us know if you have a story to share" href="mailto:dif@ecodev.vic.gov.au?subject=We%20have%20a%20story%20to%20share..." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Let us know if you have a story to share</a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnDividerBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed !important;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%; padding: 10px 18px;"> <table class="mcnDividerContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%; border-top: 2px solid #eaeaea;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnImageBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px;" valign="top"> <table class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><a class="" style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/search-results/all/none/none/0/0/5/none/none/none/date/all/none/none/false/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="mcnImage" style="border: 0px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 1000px; padding-bottom: 0px; display: inline !important;" src="https://mcusercontent.com/8dbcb95e4285fdcd0a5507985/images/59433354-d990-3284-aa94-f611695c2bc0.gif" alt="" width="600" align="center" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnTextBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"> <table class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 18px 9px;" valign="top"> <p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: 24px; text-align: center;">Whether you work in a <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/events/entrepreneurs-startups">startup</a>, <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/events/business-industry">industry</a> or <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/events/community_public-sector">local government</a> there are many opportunities across Victoria’s vibrant tech ecosystem. Events on <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/events/emerging-technology">emerging technology</a>, <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/events/future-jobs">future jobs</a>; <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/events/digital-inclusion">digital inclusion</a>, <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/events/online-business">online business</a> and more. We feature some below but there are hundreds of events online and in-person across the state every day.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnImageBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px;" valign="top"> <table class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><a class="" style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/events/emerging-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="mcnImage" style="border: 0px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 1000px; padding-bottom: 0px; display: inline !important;" src="https://mcusercontent.com/8dbcb95e4285fdcd0a5507985/images/31d62cbb-8825-ac43-62e6-d6b2570d7de3.png" alt="" width="600" align="center" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnCaptionBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnCaptionBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnCaptionBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 9px;" valign="top"> <table class="mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" border="0" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnCaptionBottomImageContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px 9px 9px;" align="center" valign="top"><a class="" style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/18265727-a/from-ancient-agriculture-to-the-future-of-agtech" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="mcnImage" style="border: 0px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 541px;" src="https://mcusercontent.com/8dbcb95e4285fdcd0a5507985/images/2b7508f8-8cfd-14e3-4a6c-ae04bf28109d.png" alt="" width="264" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 9px;" valign="top" width="282"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="Hall & Wilcox" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/search-results?category=all&keywords=%22Hall%20%26%20Wilcox%22&location=none&latitude=0&longitude=0&postcode=none&state=none&suburb=none&proximity=5&page=1&sortType=Relevance&eventTags=none">Hall & Wilcox</a><br /> </div> <h2 class="null" dir="rtl" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; line-height: 27.5px;"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><strong>Spotlight on Financial Services: Digital Assets</strong></span></h2> <div><br />Where are we at, and where are we headed with digital asset regulation in Australia? The opening event of the inaugural Spotlight on Financial Services week will bring together industry leaders to discuss the latest developments in this dynamic industry.<br /> </div> <h4 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px;">Mon 8 May, 12:30 - 2:00 PM<br />Hall & Wilcox, Collins St, Melbourne<br /><br /><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal;" href="https://hallandwilcox.com.au/event/spotlight-on-financial-services/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FIND OUT MORE</strong></a><br /><br /></h4> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" border="0" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="right"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnCaptionBottomImageContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px 9px 9px;" align="center" valign="top"><a class="" style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/17821387-a/masterclass-4-investment-documentation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="mcnImage" style="border: 0px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 545px;" src="https://mcusercontent.com/8dbcb95e4285fdcd0a5507985/images/276dec29-d85b-7b2f-dd0c-d7a3e9deced5.png" alt="" width="264" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 9px;" valign="top" width="282"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="Melbourne Angels" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/search-results?category=all&keywords=%22Melbourne%20Angels%22&location=none&latitude=0&longitude=0&postcode=none&state=none&suburb=none&proximity=5&page=1&sortType=Relevance&eventTags=none">Melbourne Angels Masterclass</a><br /> </div> <h2 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; line-height: 27.5px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Angel Investment Processes & Documentation</span></h2> <p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: 24px; text-align: center;"><br />Are you a startup founder or an Angel investor? Demystify terms and conditions commonly used in funding early-stage entrepreneurs. This workshop will introduce many of the terms available for use in Angel deals so you can facilitate in-depth investment discussions.</p> <h4 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px; text-align: center;">Sat 10 Jun, 9:15 AM - 4:30 PM</h4> <h4 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px; text-align: center;">Stone & Chalk. King St, Melbourne </h4> <h4 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px; text-align: center;"><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/17821387-a/masterclass-4-investment-documentation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FIND OUT MORE</strong></a></h4> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnDividerBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed !important;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%; padding: 10px 18px;"> <table class="mcnDividerContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%; border-top: 2px solid #eaeaea;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnImageBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px;" valign="top"> <table class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><a class="" style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/events/entrepreneurs-startups" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="mcnImage" style="border: 0px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 1000px; padding-bottom: 0px; display: inline !important;" src="https://mcusercontent.com/8dbcb95e4285fdcd0a5507985/images/cab78ffd-045b-820b-5a81-0f498b438f66.gif" alt="" width="600" align="center" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnCaptionBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnCaptionBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnCaptionBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 9px;" valign="top"> <table class="mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" border="0" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnCaptionBottomImageContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px 9px 9px;" align="center" valign="top"><a class="" style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/18353917-a/digital-innovation-pitch-night-faculty-of-information-technology-monash-university" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="mcnImage" style="border: 0px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 496px;" src="https://mcusercontent.com/8dbcb95e4285fdcd0a5507985/images/07abbdc6-4273-3ec5-9d68-5c215f287912.jpeg" alt="" width="264" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 9px;" valign="top" width="282"> <h3 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #ff3399; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Silicon Beach Australia Pitch Night</span></h3> <h2 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; line-height: 27.5px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Digital Innovation</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"><br />Calling researchers, scientists & engineers - are you a future startup founder? <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="Silicon Beach Australia" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/search-results?category=all&keywords=%22Silicon%20Beach%20Australia%22&location=none&latitude=0&longitude=0&postcode=none&state=none&suburb=none&proximity=5&page=1&sortType=Relevance&eventTags=none">Silicon Beach Australia</a> and the Monash University Faculty of IT invites you to pitch the results of your hard work to a panel of industry experts, ecosystem stakeholders and investors. We want to hear and see you pitch live on stage with Australia's most friendly and supportive startup community. We love big ideas and world-changing ambitions! <div> </div> <h4 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px;"><strong>Thu 11 May, 5:00 - 7:30 PM<br />Monash University Clayton</strong><br /> </h4> <h4 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px;"><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/18353917-a/digital-innovation-pitch-night-faculty-of-information-technology-monash-university" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FIND OUT MORE</strong></a><br /><br /></h4> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" border="0" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="right"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnCaptionBottomImageContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px 9px 9px;" align="center" valign="top"><a class="" style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/18375048-a/student-founder-pitch-night" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="mcnImage" style="border: 0px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 871px;" src="https://mcusercontent.com/8dbcb95e4285fdcd0a5507985/images/382a86b8-05b8-58cd-0879-b2199e66317a.jpg" alt="" width="264" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 9px;" valign="top" width="282"> <h3 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #ff3399; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Start With HEX Pitch Night</span></h3> <h2 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; line-height: 27.5px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Student Founders</span></h2> <div> <p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: 24px; text-align: center;">Join us for a pitch night showcasing innovative ideas from Melbourne's brightest student founders! <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://draperstartuphouse.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Draper Startup House</a>, <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://www.startwithhex.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">HEX</a>, <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://www.skalata.co/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Skalata</a>, <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://www.rmit.edu.au/partner/hubs/activator" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">RMIT Activator</a> and <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/Pages/home.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">City of Melbourne</a> have partnered to host a showcase students who are on a mission to change the world. If you've ever been looking for inspiration to become a founder, learn what makes an epic pitch, or want to meet people from the Melbourne startup ecosystem, then this is the perfect event for you.</p> <h4 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px; text-align: center;"><strong>Mon 8 May, 5:30 - 7:30 PM<br />RMIT Activator Carlton</strong></h4> </div> <h4 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px; text-align: center;"><br /><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/18375048-a/student-founder-pitch-night" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FIND OUT MORE</strong></a></h4> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnDividerBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed !important;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%; padding: 10px 18px;"> <table class="mcnDividerContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%; border-top: 2px solid #eaeaea;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnImageBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px;" valign="top"> <table class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><a class="" style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/events/emerging-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="mcnImage" style="border: 0px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 1000px; padding-bottom: 0px; display: inline !important;" src="https://mcusercontent.com/8dbcb95e4285fdcd0a5507985/images/73e50c27-fa4f-f6d9-8696-00991a246a96.png" alt="" width="600" align="center" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnCaptionBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnCaptionBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnCaptionBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 9px;" valign="top"> <table class="mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" border="0" width="250" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnCaptionBottomImageContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px 9px 9px;" align="center" valign="top"><a class="" style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/18311850-a/innovate-to-grow-cyber-security-and-digital-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="mcnImage" style="border: 0px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 544px;" src="https://mcusercontent.com/8dbcb95e4285fdcd0a5507985/images/bbeb800e-ed3c-7290-5cec-e3310e58b888.jpeg" alt="" width="264" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 9px;" valign="top" width="282"> <h2 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; line-height: 27.5px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/18311852-a/innovate-to-grow-cyber-security-and-digital-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Innovate to Grow</strong></a></span></h2> <h4 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px; text-align: center;"><br />Cyber Security & Digital Technology</h4> <div> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">CSIRO's Innovate to Grow is a free 10-week virtual, self-paced learning program for SMEs to investigate new R&D opportunities related to cyber security and digital technology. The course provides tools and information to help you better understand what's involved with R&D and key things you need to consider at each step of the process. You'll be able to apply this knowledge to advance your innovation journey.<br /> </div> <h4 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px; text-align: center;">Applications close 15 May<br />Course starts 8 June<br /><br /><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/18311852-a/innovate-to-grow-cyber-security-and-digital-technology?mc_cid=62e8dca951&mc_eid=UNIQID" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FIND OUT MORE</strong></a><br /><br /></h4> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" border="0" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="right"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnCaptionBottomImageContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px 9px 9px;" align="center" valign="top"><a class="" style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/18381347-a/australian-cyber-conference-melbourne-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="mcnImage" style="border: 0px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 755px;" src="https://mcusercontent.com/8dbcb95e4285fdcd0a5507985/images/4d3e6b91-4773-8d38-1474-305b0e53cb6b.png" alt="" width="264" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 9px;" valign="top" width="282"> <h2 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; line-height: 27.5px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/18381347-a/australian-cyber-conference-melbourne-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>AISA CyberCon 2023</strong></a></span></h2> <h2 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; line-height: 27.5px; text-align: center;"> </h2> <h4 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px; text-align: center;">Australian Cyber Conference Melbourne Edition</h4> <div style="text-align: center;"><br />Join the Australian cyber security community at CyberCon in Melbourne this October. Gain insights and best practices from the industry’s top experts, network with practitioners to help you better understand and manage current threats, as well as identify and prepare to meet emerging challenges. An interactive format provides the opportunity to network with experts and exhibitors alike.<br /> <h4 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px;">Tue17 - Thu 19 Oct<br />MCEC, South Wharf</h4> <h4 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px; text-align: left;"> </h4> <h4 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px;"><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/18381347-a/australian-cyber-conference-melbourne-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FIND OUT MORE</strong></a></h4> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnDividerBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed !important;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%; padding: 10px 18px;"> <table class="mcnDividerContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%; border-top: 2px solid #eaeaea;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnImageBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px;" valign="top"> <table class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><img class="mcnImage" style="border: 0px; outline: none; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 1000px; padding-bottom: 0px; display: inline !important;" src="https://mcusercontent.com/8dbcb95e4285fdcd0a5507985/images/0e1ad992-ba3a-1d6e-4bda-b27f86b2b63d.gif" alt="" width="600" align="center" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnCaptionBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnCaptionBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnCaptionBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 9px;" valign="top"> <table class="mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" border="0" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnCaptionBottomImageContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px 9px 9px;" align="center" valign="top"><img class="mcnImage" style="border: 0px; outline: none; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 600px;" src="https://mcusercontent.com/8dbcb95e4285fdcd0a5507985/images/dbcf8a12-879d-9bba-270e-105f619b2064.png" alt="" width="264" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 9px;" valign="top" width="282"> <h2 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; line-height: 27.5px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/article/11105-a/enter-the-iawards-2023-bring-your-tech-innovation-to-the-big-stage" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>iAwards 2023</strong></a></span></h2> <h4 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px; text-align: center;"><br /><strong>Bring your tech innovation to the BIG stage</strong></h4> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <h4 class="null" dir="ltr" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px; text-align: center;"> </h4> <p dir="ltr" style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: 24px; text-align: center;">The iAwards 2023 is a unique opportunity to showcase your innovation and to grow and expand your business for international success. This year marks 30 years of the Australian Information Industry Association’s (AIIA’s) iAwards program – Australia’s longest running innovation program.</p> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Entries Close 10 May <br />Victorian iAwards 26 July</strong></div> <h3 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #ff3399; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px; text-align: center;"><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/search-results/all/none/iawards/0/0/5/none/none/none/relevance/all/none/none/false/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FIND OUT MORE</strong></a><br /><br /></h3> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" border="0" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="right"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnCaptionBottomImageContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px 9px 9px;" align="center" valign="top"><a class="" style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/18312632-a/pause-awards-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="mcnImage" style="border: 0px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 800px;" src="https://mcusercontent.com/8dbcb95e4285fdcd0a5507985/images/e9c87da9-8da4-7330-259e-7913f3d95fe0.jpg" alt="" width="264" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 9px;" valign="top" width="282"> <h2 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; line-height: 27.5px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/18312632-a/pause-awards-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PauseAwards 2023</strong></a></span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <h4 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px; text-align: center;"><strong>Highlighting champions & unearthing secret gems</strong></h4> <div style="text-align: center;"><br />PauseAwards are on the lookout for the most ambitious and forward-thinking companies and individuals who are driving innovation and transformation across various industries in the country. Be part of the 6th edition of PauseAwards as they honour: Growth, Excellence, Operators, Good and Culture.<br /> </div> <div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Entries open 17 May<br />Entries Close 1 Sep</strong></div> </div> <h3 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #ff3399; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px; text-align: center;"><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/18312632-a/pause-awards-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FIND OUT MORE</strong></a></h3> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnDividerBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed !important;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%; padding: 10px 18px;"> <table class="mcnDividerContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%; border-top: 2px solid #eaeaea;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnImageBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px;" valign="top"> <table class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><img class="mcnImage" style="border: 0px; outline: none; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 1000px; padding-bottom: 0px; display: inline !important;" src="https://mcusercontent.com/8dbcb95e4285fdcd0a5507985/images/6812b85c-1584-144b-0c0d-33a122a4a541.png" alt="" width="600" align="center" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnCaptionBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnCaptionBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnCaptionBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 9px;" valign="top"> <table class="mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" border="0" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnCaptionBottomImageContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px 9px 9px;" align="center" valign="top"><a class="" style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/17839301-a/australian-not-for-profit-technology-awards-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="mcnImage" style="border: 0px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 960px;" src="https://mcusercontent.com/8dbcb95e4285fdcd0a5507985/images/2010410e-59e9-4b28-055b-830bf4d07b8d.jpg" alt="" width="264" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 9px;" valign="top" width="282"> <h2 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; line-height: 27.5px; text-align: center;"><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/18001907-a/2023-techdiversity-awards-gala-dinner" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>TechDiversity Awards 2023</strong></a> </h2> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /><strong>Gala Dinner 25 May<br />Grand Hyatt Melbourne</strong> <div> </div> Let’s show the world that workforces with Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) brings more growth, innovation and joy. The TechDiversity Awards recognise individuals and groups that have demonstrated leadership and embraced inclusion by raising awareness and promoting diversity initiatives and programs.<br /> <h3 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #ff3399; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px;">'<a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://tdawards.jomablue.com/reg/store/ticket-portal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u><strong>Pay-It-Forwa</strong></u></a><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://tdawards.jomablue.com/reg/store/ticket-portal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u><strong>rd Tickets</strong></u></a>'</h3> TechDiversity Foundation invites organisations to purchase a 'Pay-It-Forward Ticket' for not-for-profit and startup nominees who may not have the financial resources to attend. Purchase a ticket here and we will deliver the good news!<br /><br /><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/18001907-a/2023-techdiversity-awards-gala-dinner" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FIND OUT MORE</strong></a><br /><br /></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" border="0" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="right"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnCaptionBottomImageContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px 9px 9px;" align="center" valign="top"><a class="" style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/18312632-a/pause-awards-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="mcnImage" style="border: 0px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 800px;" src="https://mcusercontent.com/8dbcb95e4285fdcd0a5507985/images/7ee650da-123d-aa5c-d553-6a87ff6b741e.png" alt="" width="264" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 9px;" valign="top" width="282"> <h2 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; line-height: 27.5px; text-align: center;"><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/17839301-a/australian-not-for-profit-technology-awards-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Australian Not-for-Profit Tech Awards</strong></a></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /><strong>Finalists announced 4 May<br />Awards Gala 11 May, Pan Pacific</strong> <p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: 24px;">The Australian Not-for-Profit Technology Awards recognise the absolute best in technology innovation and excellence by organisations and individuals in the NFP sector. Part of the annual Connecting Up Conference hosted by Infoxchange, which focuses on empowering, transforming and inspiring Australia’s technology leaders.</p> <h2 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; line-height: 27.5px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal;" href="https://www.conference.connectingup.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Connecting Up Scholarships</strong></a></span></h2> <p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: 24px;">Thanks to sponsors, not-for-profit organisations who want to attend the conference but are unable to do so without support can apply for a scholarship to cover the cost of their tickets.</p> <p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: 24px;"><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/17839301-a/australian-not-for-profit-technology-awards-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FIND OUT MORE</strong></a></p> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnDividerBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed !important;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%; padding: 10px 18px;"> <table class="mcnDividerContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%; border-top: 2px solid #eaeaea;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnImageBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px;" valign="top"> <table class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><img class="mcnImage" style="border: 0px; outline: none; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 1200px; padding-bottom: 0px; display: inline !important;" src="https://mcusercontent.com/8dbcb95e4285fdcd0a5507985/images/9fbc5b3d-d28f-b98a-0f40-d8b5e0a62342.png" alt="" width="600" align="center" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnTextBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"> <table class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 18px 9px;" valign="top"> <p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: 24px; text-align: center;"><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" title="The DIF team" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/search-results?category=all&keywords=%22The%20DIF%20team%22&location=none&latitude=0&longitude=0&postcode=none&state=none&suburb=none&proximity=5&page=1&sortType=Relevance&eventTags=none">Join the DIF team</a></p> <h2 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; line-height: 27.5px; text-align: center;">DIF2023 Festival Community Call</h2> <h4 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px; text-align: center;">18 MAY / 15 JUN / 20 JUL / 17 AUG<br />2:00 PM - 3:00 PM</h4> <p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: 24px; text-align: center;">If you're interested in being involved in the Digital Innovation Festival as an event host or partner, these calls are designed to help you work out the options that are best for you and your business. </p> <h3 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #ff3399; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px; text-align: center;"><a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/17839775-a/dif2023-festival-community-call" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>RSVP NOW</strong></a></h3> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnDividerBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed !important;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%; padding: 10px 18px;"> <table class="mcnDividerContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; min-width: 100%; border-top: 2px solid #eaeaea;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="mcnTextBlock" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; background-color: #ffffff; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"> <table class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px 18px 9px;" valign="top"> <h4 class="null" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Industry & Innovation is at the centre of Digital Innovation Futures Victoria</strong></span></h4> <div style="text-align: center;">From January 1, the <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="http://dif.vic.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Digital Innovation Futures</a> initiative became a part of the <a style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" href="https://djsir.vic.gov.au/about-us/news/announcing-the-new-department-of-jobs,-skills,-industry-and-regions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Department of Jobs, Skills and Regions</a>. As part of the Industry and Innovation group within DJSIR, DIF will continue to showcase Victoria's tech sector, connect our digital innovators and build local capabilities. </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>
December 6, 2022 – Melbourne, Australia – Pause Awards, powered by VicGov, is building better ecosystems in Australia through their business awards programme that celebrates only the real winners, now in the 5th annual edition. The annual business awards programme for the most ambitious and forward-thinking companies, Pause Awards has announced 50 bold winners for 2022, with the champions from: Great Wrap, Verve, Bare Cremation, Separation Guide, Wisr, Circle In, Pentanet, Evee, TernX and many more. In 2022, Pause Awards upgraded to a lavishly designed BOND Melbourne bar, a local icon that gathered people from all over the country to attend the biggest night for the Australian innovation ecosystem. The awards were packed with sophistication, palpitating excitement, tears, silly industry hosts and finished off with clubbing to classics. The Pause Awards are highly competitive! The entries are evaluated by 60 international and local judges, including founders, CEO’s, execs and entrepreneurs who are experts in their field. Judges ensure only the highest quality of winning entries is selected each year, on their merit and impact, not just growth. "The 2022 entrants showed businesses have a key role to play in creating a more equitable and regenerative world. Submissions were authentic and bold in their approach to tackling some of society’s biggest challenges and delivering real and measurable change where it matters." Lee Tonitto B. Com, MBA, GAICD and Chair at Pause Awards There are too many upgrades this year, but to mention only a few, from the complete website redesign, Entry Portal built from scratch, 14 new categories, entry questions to wearable trophy design! Companies entered are mostly small businesses with less than ten employees, closely followed by medium size businesses of up to 100 employees, and there has been a significant growth of over 100 employees companies applying. The average founder age this year has dropped to 29, compared to 37 in a previous year. The Education sector jumped one spot up to fourth place, remarkably the Food & Beverage industry has completely disappeared and Health entered the Top 5 industry charts this year. The ‘Defiant Ones’ category, for new tech breakthroughs, took over leadership from ‘I Wish I’d Done That’ for sheer brilliance. "I’m honoured to be recognized. The Pause Awards build better ecosystems by recognizing real people who do real things, and I’m so proud to be one of those." Fiona Wood AM FAHMS, Hall of Fame ‘22 winner for pioneering the innovative ‘spray-on skin’ technique (Recell) View Profile Out of 50 winners, 7 double title winners went to Bare Cremation, The Separation Guide, Wisr, Circle In, Pentanet, Evee, TernX and 2 triple titles went to Great Wrap and Verve. There were only 7x Grand Prix awards out of 32 categories, Grand Prix stands for best in category, and are awarded only if the Judging Board fully agrees, those went to Bare Cremation, Great Wrap, Music Health, The Separation Guide, Midnight Health, Vanessa Doake and Verve. The ceremony was masterfully conducted by returning ecosystem champion and MC Garry Williams from Tractor Ventures who announced the awards are returning on 18 May 2023. “This award programme is not just about recognising the real winners, through excellence, performance and effectiveness in the Australian marketplace, we’re celebrating ingenuity and total commitment to tackle serious problems in response to local and global challenges and unstable markets,” George Hedon, Founder, Pause Awards Pause Awards 2022 Winners CULTUREDiverse Co. – WisrWork Sweet Work – Honeycomb StrategyWork Sweet Work – WisrWork Sweet Work – PwC Australia EXCELLENCECompany of the Year – BoddDefiant Ones – Great WrapDefiant Ones – Switch4SchoolsHammer – MarketplacerHammer – Aussie BroadbandHammer – PentanetHammer – AquarzonI Wish I’d Done That – Great WrapI Wish I’d Done That – TernXI Wish I’d Done That – Labflow by Comply GroupI Wish I’d Done That – Driveschool EnterprisesI Wish I’d Done That – LunchFoxOn the rise – Music HealthOn the rise – Bare CremationWomen In Business – Christina HobbsWomen In Business – Kate PollardWomen In Business – Angela Harbinson GOODB-Good – LinkmateCircular Pioneer – GoterraCircular Pioneer – Circle InGoing Green – VerveGoing Green – eveeYou’ve Got Ethics – The People Spot GROWTHDesign First – Quad LockDesign First – TernXWildfire – Food FrontierWildfire – PentanetWildfire – LinktreeOut of the Garage – MatrakOut of the Garage – STEM Punks OPERATORSDo You Know Who I am – Mark BrownleeFuture Builder – Slava KozlovskiiFuture Builder – Jordan ShreeveFuture Builder – Alex GouliosHottest Hub – Hub AustraliaC-Suite – Dom PymLaunch Pad INCUBATE (University of Sydney)Super Connector Michelle Mannering HALL OF FAMEHall of Fame – Fiona Wood GRAND PRIXDefiant Ones – Bare CremationGoing Green – Great WrapHammer – Music HealthOn the rise – The Separation GuideWildfire – Midnight HealthWomen In Business – Vanessa DoakeYou’ve Got Ethics – Verve DOUBLE X7Circular Pioneer – Circle InWomen In Business – Circle InOn the rise – Bare CremationDefiant Ones – Bare CremationDiverse Co. – WisrWork Sweet Work – WisrHammer – PentanetWildfire – PentanetGoing Green – eveeFuture Builder – Slava KozlovskiiI Wish I’d Done That – TernXDesign First – TernXWomen In Business – Angela HarbinsonOn the rise – The Separation Guide TRIPLE X2Going Green – VerveWomen In Business – Christina HobbsYou’ve Got Ethics – VerveDefiant Ones – Great WrapI Wish I’d Done That – Great WrapGoing Green – Great Wrap Originally published by Pause Awards on 6 December 2022 Winners '22