FAQs
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Our company has developed a product specifically for a client. Can we enter the INCITE Awards, or does the client have to enter?
Either approach is possible. You are welcome to nominate your company and use your client as a referee, or you can submit a joint nomination. The INCITE Awards celebrate great partnerships and innovative applications of technology, so we actively encourage the end user to nominate for an award.
If I have previously entered the INCITE Awards - can I enter again?
Previous INCITE winners are not eligible to nominate the same product or project in the same category. If you haven’t won you can certainly enter again.
Any innovation which has won an iAward in the previous three years is ineligible to proceed further as an iAwards National Finalist.
While we own the IP to the industry specific code we have developed, our solution also uses some Open Source IP. Can we still enter?
Yes. Providing you own the IP of the design and solution, this can be based on open source code or other platforms.
Can I submit multiple submissions for my company?
Yes. Companies may submit multiple entries for the INCITE Awards program, either for the same category or across different categories.
I would like to enter the same product in two group categories, can I do this?
As long as the product meets the criteria for that category, you are able to enter it into a maximum of three categories. You will need to pay for each entry and complete the specific nomination form for each category. To save time, you can copy and edit your application for the second and/or third category to ensure that you meet the criteria and requirements of the additional categories selected for the same product.
How do I enter the INCITE Awards?
Either approach is possible. You are welcome to nominate your company and use your client as a referee, or you can submit a joint nomination. The INCITE Awards celebrate great partnerships and innovative applications of technology, so we actively encourage the end user to nominate for an award.
Is there a fee to nominate in the INCITE Awards program?
The application fees help offset the cost of running the INCITE Awards program. The fees are as follows:
- Start-up category – $160 (plus GST)
- Other categories – $375 (plus GST) per entry
- Student, WA Tech Company, Pearcey Entrepreneur and Achiever categories – no fee
You must complete the payment before the deadline for your entry to be included in the judging process. You may continue to edit your entry after the payment is made, up to the closing time. Fees are payable online by credit card through the INCITE Awards system.
What are the selection criteria for the INCITE Awards?
The online nomination form provides specific fields for each of the relevant selection criteria. In addition, there are some ‘open’ fields where you are encouraged to highlight the inspirational and innovative aspects of your nomination.
What content will the Judges be expecting to see in the general sections on the nomination form?
The content which will be part of your submission is as follows:
- SUMMARY (50 words)
This is a very brief overview of your ompany/group and your solution/project/product. It should briefly identify who you are, what the product/solution/project does and why it’s innovative/unique. If you are successful, this text will be used in the program at the INCITE Awards Gala Presentation Dinner so it should be a concise overview that let’s readers know who you are and what the product/solution/project is. - NOMINEE OVERVIEW (250 words)
This section you need to provide an overview of the nominee – yourself, your company or your team. If this is a joint submission, include information about all parties involved in the joint submission. - PRODUCT OVERVIEW (250 words)
This section should focus solely on the specifics of the product/solution/project being entered. Summarising its innovation, features, marketability, value and/or other key attributes. - ONE PAGE INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
The Information Memorandum should emphasise how your entry meets criteria for the category entered but also why your entry deserves to win. There is a template to download, complete and upload as a pdf.
Do I need to supply supporting material?
You are requested to attach a high and low resolution of your logo and we encourage you to supply supporting material – online demonstrations, brochures, user interviews, etc. Material may be supplied as files, upload JPEGS or PDF files. A maximum of five pieces can be uploaded with your entry (in addition to the logos). Also links, video attachments and website URLs.
How much is ‘too much’ information?
Word limits are specified, it is important that you keep to these word limits.
Quality (technology, methodology, packaging and recognition) - what does this mean?
The ‘quality’ selection criteria measures whether the product:
- shows a good deployment of the latest technology
- satisfies the ISO / CMM standards
- has a degree of compliance with any requirements of its target usage
- has won awards locally, regionally or internationally; and/or
- has consistently proven to be a stable and reliable product by users.
This does not apply to all categories – please check the relevant category page.
How much detail do I need to reveal around the IP in order to demonstrate the innovation?
We appreciate the sensitivity around IP and recommend you use your discretion as to commercial risk in revealing your innovation. If you’re selected as a finalist you will present to the judging panel and they may ask specific questions if they require further information.
Who should my referees be?
You will need to provide details of two independent referees (clients or end-users) who may be contacted in relation to your nomination. It is essential that the two referees nominated are end-users of your product or service and from another organisation if relevant (i.e. not from the submitter’s development or marketing team). You are advised to ensure that both your referees are available and ready to provide a reference for you.
When will my referees be contacted?
Lead judges will contact referees during the shortlisting phase of judging.
How can I prepare our referees?
We recommend you send a copy of your submission to your referees so they are aware of your claims in your nomination and they can support this in their reference.
What is the deadline for submissions?
Submissions for the 31st INCITE Awards close on 14 April 2022. This date is final and there will be no extensions provided. You may edit your entry after submitting and paying the fee, up until the entry deadline. Note: in some circumstances the Chief Judge might extend this deadline. Should this occur, applicants and stakeholders will be informed by the INCITE Awards Committee.
Will the judges do their own independent investigations of the organisation or will they only consider information provided in the application?
All judging will be based on the written submission provided. Judges will not conduct independent investigations beyond publicly accessible material such as your website, news or other online references. They will also use the referees as a verification of the information you provide in your submission.
It is important to note that the judges may have a significant number of entries and therefore it is important to provide as much relevant detail as possible in your online submission and/or face-to-face presentation.
Will the judges consider an entry if we have won the INCITE/iAwards for the same product/innovation in the past?
Any Innovation that has won an INCITE/National iAward or INCITE/National merit in the INCITE awards / iAwards competition in the previous three years is ineligible to enter the INCITE/iAwards for that year with or without product enhancement. The sole exception to this is if an organisation has won an INCITE Award and/or National iAward and/or INCITE/National merit in the previous three years in the R&D category, the innovation is now commercialised and fits the criteria of another category.
Do Judges provide feedback on our submissions?
Judges are expressly forbidden to provide any comment or feedback to the nominator concerning the strength or shortcomings of their submission during the entire judging process, including the period before judging, during judging, and even after judging has been completed.
Entrants can request a short debrief of their submission against the specific category criteria. The debrief will be done by the WAITTA INCITE Chief Judge. Please note that the debrief will not disclose details of other submissions or confidential information. A request for a debrief must be sent to [email protected] and a record kept of the feedback provided. Debriefs will only be completed once the winners have been announced at the Gala Dinner.
When will I find out if I’m selected as a Finalist?
Please refer to the “Important Dates” page for all the timeline information for this year’s Awards.
Please note finalists are not announced in the Achiever, Pearcey Entrepreneur and Dr Mal Bryce WA Tech Company awards.
What happens next if I’m selected as a Finalist?
You will be required to make a presentation to the panel of judges. This takes place either face to face or online, depending on State Government COVID019 regulations.
Please note that there is considerable logistics involved in organising the entrants, lead judges, judges and other volunteers for the face-to-face presentations and finalists are recommended to pencil the date for the finalist presentations in their calendars to ensure availability.
How long should my presentation at the face to face judging be?
The presentation format is as follows:
- Set-up – 5 minutes
- Presentation – 20 minutes
- Questions from the Judges – 10 minutes
- Pack-up – 5 minutes
This does not apply to all categories – please check the relevant category page.
As a teacher, can I present on behalf of my students?
In the case of the Student categories, teachers and professors are NOT permitted to present on their behalf. The presenter must be the nominee, or part of the submission team if there was more than one student involved.
How many people from our team must participate in the face to face judging?
Your entire team is not required – you may have a single presenter, but there is no limit on the number of presenters. You should consider the complimentary strengths of your team when developing your presentation strategy.
How will my entry be judged?
A judging panel of industry peers appointed by the Chief Judge and the INCITE Judging Subcommittee will review each valid entry and will judge the entries in accordance with the criteria specified and the INCITE awards judging manual. The INCITE awards have a detailed conflict of interest policy and all judges are required to declare any potential, perceived and/or actual conflicts of interest. Where a potential, perceived and/or actual conflict of interest exist, the particular judge will not be included in the specific judging panel. Chance, luck, favouritism or sponsoring play no part in how the finalists or winners will be selected.
As a West Australian based organisation, can we directly enter into the iAwards?
All Western Australian based organisations and entities, students and universities must be via the INCITE Awards.
Can I withdraw my entry?
If an entrant wishes to withdraw an entry, they must do so in writing to the INCITE Awards Committee by email at [email protected] . As there is significant work completed behind the scenes and we are an organisation run by volunteers, no refund of entry fees already paid will be made.
If we win an INCITE Award or are selected as a National Finalist, do we have to travel to Melbourne for the National judging?
You do not have to travel to Melbourne for the judging. Due to COVID-19, AIIA changed their judging process in 2019. We recommend you stay up to date with their communications for judging process for this year.
Does the original applicant have to attend the National face to face judging?
The presenter at National judging must be part of the original submission team. They do not have to be the same presenter, the ‘lead person’ or the main contact name on the submission form.
Does the original applicant have to attend the National face to face judging?
Due to COVID-19 Regulations judging was done online in 2019. We recommend you stay up to date with AIIA communications for judging plans for this year.
How many people from our team must participate in the National judging?
Your entire team is not required – you may have a single presenter, or up to 4 people from your team. You should consider the complementary strengths of your team when developing your presentation strategy.
How long should my presentation at the National face to face judging be?
The presentation format is as follows:
- Set-up – 5 minutes
- Presentation – 10 minutes
- Questions from the Judges – 10 minutes
- Pack-up – 5 minutes
How many people from our team must participate in the National judging?
Judging for the AIIA will be conducted separately. For more information, please visit: AIIA.
When will I find out if I am a winner?
Please refer to the Important Dates page on the website for a timeline of the awards for this year.
What do I receive if I am an INCITE Award Winner?
INCITE Awards Winners will receive:
- INCITE Award trophy and certificate
- INCITE Award winner logo, for use in your publicity materials and website
- Entry into the National iAwards or ACS Digital Disruptor Awards
If I am successful and win an INCITE Award, am I required to make a speech?
If you are successful and are called up to accept your award, you’re welcome to make a short speech. Photographs will also be taken.
How do I book tickets for the INCITE Awards Gala Presentation Dinner?
Bookings are not currently open. Information will be provided to all finalists and will be available on the WAITTA INCITE Awards website www.inciteawards.org.au
What is the dress code for the INCITE Awards Gala Presentation Dinner?
Formal / Black Tie optional. Please note that the Gala Dinner is tentative year on year from 2019 due to COVID-19 health regulations set by the WA Government.
Where is the National iAwards Gala Dinner being hosted?
Please note that in 2019 the iAwards Gala Dinner was an online event due to Covid19 regulations. Please stay up to date with the iAwards communications for this year’s proceedings.
Where is the National ACS Digital Disruptors Awards Gala Dinner being hosted?
Please stay up to date with the ACS DDA website reimagination.acs.org.au.
The following FAQs are specifically for the Pearcey Western Australian Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
What is the Selection Committee looking for?
Anyone who has “taken a risk” and “made a difference” and “is an inspiration” in the Australian ICT and Digital Media industries.
What does "mid career" mean?
The aim is to give recognition during a career, rather than at the end of one. This means that you need to have spent enough time in your chosen career to make a significant contribution, but are not yet at the ‘top of the tree’.
What does “early in his or her career” mean?
The aim is to give recognition during a career, rather than at the beginning of one. This means that you need to have spent enough time in your chosen career to make a significant contribution, but are not yet at the ‘top of the tree’.
What does "role model" mean?
The intention is to recognize and promote an individual others can admire for the quality of the contribution itself, for the way it was achieved and for the positive impact it has had. Such individuals will hopefully act as models for others to emulate.
Is the Award about the person or their achievements?
The Pearcey State Award is a personal award by your peers who recognise your outstanding contributions to the ICT Industry. These contributes may be new innovation, new knowledge, the clever application of ICT or ways to improve professional practice. Importantly, the contributions should be above and beyond what is expected of a person in their normal role.
Does R&D mean it must be practical, or can it by purely research oriented?
The achievement should be both innovative and practical. If the achievement is research oriented, then it needs to have valuable commercial potential. If the achievement is in the novel application of IT using existing technologies, then there must be significant market opportunity.
How would you define innovative and pioneering achievements?
Your achievement should make a unique contribution to new knowledge and/or professional practice. It should involve an outstanding application of ICT and have valuable commercial opportunities, either already demonstrated or with clear potential. Your achievement should be recognised as highly significant by your peers and be above and beyond what is expected as a person in your role.
Is the Award based on the significance of the technology or innovation?
Not necessarily – this is a personal award for the extent of your contribution and, in the pioneering spirit, the risks you have taken along the way.
If my work is not based in WA, am I eligible?
Your work should have some significant links to WA; however, you do not have to be from WA or living in WA.
Can you give me an example of a prize winner?
Previous winners in other states are listed under each state in the Pearcey State Entrepreneur Awards[pearcey.org.au]. The inaugural Pearcey Western Australian Entrepreneur Award was made in 2017 at the 26th INCITE Awards. The 28th Pearcey Western Australian Entrepreneur Award recognized Robert Nathan from Australian Tenders for his contribution as entrepreneur, mentor and always giving back to the community.
The following FAQs are specifically for the Dr Mal Bryce WA Tech Company of the Year Award
What is the Selection Committee looking for?
Mature tech companies that make a significant contribute to Western Australia in terms of income, jobs and growth. The category celebrates the diverse economy in Western Australia and recognises tech businesses standing in their own right.
What if we do not meet the eligibility criteria?
The criteria have been set to recognise WA based tech companies standing in their own right. The eligibility criteria are mandatory and if your nomination does not meet all of the eligibility criteria, your submission will not be accepted.
Is the Award about the company or their achievements/contributions?
The Dr Mal Bryce WA Tech Company Award is a company award that recognises the company’s outstanding contributions to the ICT Industry. The Dr Mal Bryce WA Tech Company of the Year is a leader in the industry, making an outstanding contribution to the diverse economy of Western Australia, standing in its own right while changing and transforming industry. The business contributes to Western Australia in terms of income, jobs and growth and is doing something novel (“new to the world”).
Is the Award based on the significance of the technology or innovation?
The winning company uses an innovative technology solution as a key point of differentiation for its main business. It uses its own technology for which it owns the intellectual property.
The award excludes businesses deriving its main revenue from delivering personal/professional services such as technology development consulting.
If the company is not in WA, is it eligible?
The company may operate in other states but a significant portion of its operation must be based and operating from Western Australia.
Can you give me an example of a prize winner?
At the 27th INCITE Awards, the inaugural winner of the award was HealthEngine. The first inductees into the Hall of Fame were:
- Agworld
- ClickSend
- HealthEngine
- SEQTA
At the 28th INCITE Awards, the winner of the award was Royal Flying Doctor Service WA and the inductees into the Hall of Fame were:
- Royal Flying Doctor Service WA
- Schrole Group