Time is running out for entries into the prestigious 2nd annual Best in Tech Awards, with the deadline fast approaching on the upcoming public holiday, Monday, June 10, at midnight.
The 2024 Best in Tech Awards have expanded their scope, now featuring 15 categories, a 50% increase from last year, and have doubled the number of finalists to 60 by allowing four finalists per category instead of three.
Newly introduced categories for this year include:
- The AI Gamechanger
- Best Startup Event
- Startup Investor of the Year
- Future Leader
- The GSD Award – given to a go-getter who notably ‘gets sh*t done’.
Last year’s awards honored Hysata, a green hydrogen startup from Wollongong, as Startup of The Year, following their announcement of a significant $172 million Series B funding round.
Other notable winners included Onvol’s Molly Fullee as Best New Founder, Earlywork for Best New Idea, and Q-CTRL, a quantum software company, for Most Innovative Startup. LaunchVic CEO Dr. Kate Cornick received the Change Champion award, now called the Industry Champion award.
Significantly, half of the awards were presented to women and startups with female founders. The full list of previous winners can be found through dedicated listings.
An expert judging panel, featuring distinguished members such as Dr. Larry Marshall and Dr. Elaine Stead, will be responsible for selecting both finalists and winners.
The awards will culminate in a gala dinner at The Ivy Ballroom in Sydney on Wednesday, September 4, where the winners will be announced.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) returns as the primary sponsor for the second consecutive year, with Tank Stream Labs hosting the after-party.
Open to tech startups from Australia and New Zealand, the awards welcome entries from companies founded in these regions as well as residents and citizens.
The competition boasts a variety of categories, with criteria including:
- Startup of the year – Recognizing outstanding, well-rounded early-stage startups with fewer than 100 employees.
- Scaleup of the year – For unlisted scaleup companies post-Series B raise, displaying strong growth and market leadership.
- Most innovative startup – Startups that are revolutionizing the status quo with inventive solutions.
- Best startup culture – Startups fostering inclusive and empowering workplace environments.
- Best regional startup – Recognizing startups from non-capital regions with significant growth and vision.
- Industry champion – Awarded to an individual having a substantial positive impact on the startup ecosystem.
- Best sustainability startup – Companies making measurable, positive environmental impacts.
- Best new idea – For startups under 2 years old making significant sectorial impacts.
- Best technical leader – CTOs or tech leaders pivotal to startup success.
- Best new founder – A first-time founder with innovative impact.
- The AI gamechanger – Recognizing transformative use of artificial intelligence.
- Best startup event – Celebrating events that benefit the startup sector in multifaceted ways.
- Startup investor of the year – Investors making a significant, supportive impact beyond funding.
- Future leader – Recognizing emerging leaders with the potential to advocate for the startup sector.
- The GSD award – Celebrating entities or individuals making transformative contributions to the tech ecosystem.
Nominations can be made through the official awards entry portal.
