The Tech Fast 50, recognises the top 50 fastest-growing technology companies over the past three years, based on their tech-based revenue growth rate.

To qualify, your company must:

1. Be considered a technology company*:
   *A technology company is defined as one or more of the following:
   • owns proprietary intellectual property or proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues;
   • manufactures a technology related product;
   • devotes a significant proportion of operating revenues to research and development of technology;
   • is technology intensive or uses its own unique technology to solve problems.
   
   
2. Be Australian-owned and headquartered in Australia; subsidiaries or divisions of overseas companies are ineligible (unless they have some Australian public ownership and trade separately).
   
   
3. Have tech-based primary operating revenues of at least $100,000 in the first financial reporting year (2024 Tech Fast 50, this is FY22 operating revenue).
   
   
4. Have been in business for a minimum of three financial years with a cumulative tech-based operating revenue of at least $8 million over the past 3 financial years. The 50 highest growth rates over three years determines the top 50 ranked companies. (Growth rate is calculated based on tech-based operating revenue over 3 years =FY24-FY22/ FY22)
   
   
5. Optional: Provide featured articles, press releases, awards won URLs
   
   Where accounts are not audited, a cover letter must be provided. This cover letter should be on company headed paper, signed by a director of the company, stating and confirming the revenue figure per the accounts. Where only abbreviated accounts are available (with no profit and loss statement shown), please provide alternative financial information supporting the revenue figure presented, for example, management accounts used by the company, along with the cover letter described above.

Note: $ = AUD

This award recognises in addition to the 2024 Tech Fast 50 program, the technology company with the largest impact on the industry through leadership excellence across innovation, diversity and inclusion, scalability, industry recognition and/or social impact.

To qualify, the technology company must:

1. Be considered a technology company*:
   *A technology company is defined as one or more of the following:
   • owns proprietary intellectual property or proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues;
   • manufactures a technology related product;
   • devotes a significant proportion of operating revenues to research and development of technology;
   • is technology intensive or uses its own unique technology to solve problems.
   
   
2. Be Australian-owned and headquartered in Australia; subsidiaries or divisions of overseas companies are ineligible (unless they have some Australian public ownership and trade separately).
   
   
3. Have tech-based primary operating revenues of at least $50million in the last financial reporting year (for the 2024 awards, this is FY24 operating revenue).
   
   
4. Have been operational for a minimum of three financial years.
   
   
5. Be able to demonstrate how they are leading the way for the technology industry in one or more of the following areas:
   • Demonstrate that their technology innovation has or can be scalable on a global front, representing Australia as leading the way for the technology sector globally.
   • Are contributing to the future of work for technology in Australia, by employing world-class programs and business models that positively impact the workforce, workplace and work and investment in technology capabilities.
   • Implementation of policies around diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.
   • Exhibit leadership in positive socioeconomic outcomes in relation to technology.
   
   
6. Optional: Provide featured articles, press releases, awards won URLs

Note: $ = AUD

The Tech Female^ Leader award recognises inspiring female leaders in founding or C-Suite roles within Australian technology companies, making a positive impact to female leaders in the technology sector.

To qualify, the nominee must:

1. Be in a current C-Suite leadership or founding role and identify as a female^.
   
   
2. Demonstrate positive impact on the technology industry and current company in 1 or more of the following areas:
   • Mentorship and Advocacy: Actively mentor and advocate for the female talent development programs and representation of women in the technology sector, and in fostering a diverse and inclusive current workplace culture.
   • Achievement and Recognition: Recognised by industry awards, and recognition within the technology sector, showcasing a track record of success and excellence.
   • Leadership Excellence: Demonstrates exceptional leadership skills, innovative thinking, and strategic vision within the technology sector being an active and current member of one or more industry board(s).
   
   
3. The company in which the nominee holds the current c-suite leadership or founding role in, must:
   a. Be Australian-owned and headquartered in Australia; subsidiaries or divisions of overseas companies are ineligible (unless they have some Australian public ownership and trade separately).
   b. Have been in business for a minimum of three financial years with a cumulative tech-based operating revenue of at least $8 million over the past 3 financial years.
   c. Be considered a technology company*:
       *A technology company is defined as one or more of the following:
       • owns proprietary intellectual property or proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues;
       • manufactures a technology related product;
       • devotes a significant proportion of operating revenues to research and development of technology;
       • is technology intensive or uses its own unique technology to solve problems.
   
   
4. Provide a profile photo of nominee to be used in winner announcement communications and alongside provided nominee bio.
   
   
5. Optional: Provide featured articles, press releases, awards won URLs.

Note: $ = AUD

^For entrants who identify as female

The Climate award recognises climate technology companies for their commitment to positive climate action and contribution on Australia's journey to net zero.

For this award, companies must:

1. Meet the Tech Fast 50 criteria 
   
   
2. Be able to demonstrate how they are leading in the way for the technology industry in 1 or more of the following areas:
   • Emission Reduction Contribution: Produce technology for the purpose of supporting emission reductions* for your customers and can provide data to evidence these reductions and/or other climate tech solutions that enable organisations to tackle climate challenges and support a nature positive agenda.
   • Innovation in Climate Technology Solutions: Produce climate technology products or services that enable organisations to tackle climate challenges and support a nature positive agenda. Provide data and evidence to support.
   • Resource Efficiency for Climate Action: Data evidence demonstrating how your organisation is reducing its own emissions (with a target plan to net zero). Some examples may include, but not limited to: Integration of climate and sustainability goals into the organisational purpose and strategy such as: climate led transformation agenda on energy and resource use; implementation of sustainable practices in product and service design; and in business operations by reducing waste and carbon emissions in the workplace; and motivating workforce to participate.
   • Industry Collaboration Driving Climate Action: Actively collaborating with one or more of the following; industry, other organisations, government agencies, NGO’s, academic institutions to drive collective action on climate issues and foster sustainability initiatives.
   
   
3. Optional: Provide featured articles, press releases, awards won URLs

*Must use a methodology consistent with the GHG Protocol

The Rising Star award celebrates the innovative accomplishments of rapidly growing Australian tech companies. Eligible for this award are companies that have been operational for less than three years and have generated under $8 million in tech-focused operational revenue during this period with a 300% or more revenue growth rate. These emerging leaders are setting themselves up as future contenders for the Tech Fast 50 accolade.

To qualify, the technology company must:

1. Be considered a technology company*:
   *A technology company is defined as one or more of the following:
   • owns proprietary intellectual property or proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues;
   • manufactures a technology related product;
   • devotes a significant proportion of operating revenues to research and development of technology;
   • is technology intensive or uses its own unique technology to solve problems.
   
   
2. Be Australian-owned and headquartered in Australia; subsidiaries or divisions of overseas companies are ineligible (unless they have some Australian public ownership and trade separately)
   
   
3. The Rising Star award considers applicants that have under three years' worth of verified financial data and do not meet the $8 million revenue threshold of Tech Fast 50. To qualify for this category, companies need at least two years of trading history (one full year and one part year is accepted) and operating revenue of at least $50,000 in the first full or part year.
   
   
4. Demonstrate a minimum of 300% revenue growth based on technology-based revenue. (Growth is calculated as (Revenue year 2 e.g. FY24 – Revenue year 1 e.g. FY23) / Revenue year 1 e.g. FY23))
   
   
5. Optional: Provide featured articles, press releases, awards won URLs

Note: $ = AUD

The Australian State Champions award recognises the fastest-growing technology company for each of the states and territories in Australia (VIC, NSW, QLD, ACT, WA, NT, TAS). The winners will be determined from the final Tech Fast 50 list, with no separate application process.

To be eligible, your company must:

• Meet the criteria for the Tech Fast 50.
• Be listed in the Tech Fast 50 winners list.
• The company’s head quartered address/state/territory provided during the nomination process will be used to determine the state-based ranking. The company that has the highest growth rate per state or territory within the Tech Fast 50 list, will be announced on the night of the awards