2011 NZ Hi-Tech Awards Winners

Rakon
Rakon is a world leader in the design and manufacture of frequency control solutions for high performance and high volume markets. Founded in New Zealand in 1967 by Warren Robinson, Rakon became the leading supplier of GPS TCXOs to the world market in 1991. Today Rakon is not only a leader in frequency control solutions for the GPS market, but also for the expanding timing and synchronisation, wireless and base station markets. It is headquartered in Auckland and has manufacturing facilities in New Zealand, Europe, India and soon China. Sales and customer support offices are located around the world. Rakon is a publically listed company on the New Zealand stock exchange.
www.rakon.com

The judges say
Since it joined the NZX in 2006, Rakon has shown it can devise strategies to innovate, grow and diversify, and reap the rewards from doing so. It has matured from a very niche supplier of components to cellphones and GPS receivers to a designer and maker of a broad range of radio frequency components.

From one plant in New Zealand, it has added its own plants in Europe, joint-venture plants in India and China and sales offices in many more countries. As a result it has transformed itself from a New Zealand exporter to a Kiwi-owned, high tech, global business.

Rakon
Rakon is a world leader in the design and manufacture of frequency control solutions for high-performance and high-volume markets. Headquartered in Auckland, Rakon has manufacturing facilities in NZ, Europe, India and soon China. Sales and customer support offices are located around the world. It was awarded Supreme Company of the Year in 2003.
www.rakon.com

The judges say
In announcing Rakon as the winner, the judges described the company as gutsy and innovative with an excellent team and spectacular growth. Rakon, they say, is a company that is truly international in appeal.

Foster Moore
Foster Moore is a specialist developer of electronic registries purpose-built to meet the statutory and service needs of legislative and governmental agencies. Since developing the world's first fully electronic, online register in 1996, it has designed and built more than 30 types of registers, from simple registers of motor vehicle traders to highly complex radio spectrum management registers. It is currently expanding its business in developed and developing countries.
www.fostermoore.com

The judges say
Foster Moore, impressed the judges. It has taken core IP strengths and customer references to create a profitable domestic business with significant international sales potential. Foster Moore's registry business was seen by the judges as an exemplar of innovation and export growth achieved through private-public collaboration.

Highly Commended: Biomatters
www.biomatters.com

VoucherMob
VoucherMob is a powerful marketing tool for businesses wanting to directly incentivise consumers to buy from them. VoucherMob seeks to deliver a low-cost, accountable solution using best-in-class marketing, technology and design in order to help our clients maximise sales. VoucherMob is owned and operated by a passionate group of marketing and technology professionals who understand the challenges of retailing and consumer behaviour.
www.vouchermob.co.nz

The judges say
The judges were impressed with how VoucherMob had identified a real market need and a value proposition for those needs. The judges also liked innovative approach to its business model. They called it humble, competent, considered and a reflective learner.

SERKO
SERKO® is an online corporate travel booking software solution that makes organising travel, faster, easier and cheaper. SERKO software allows corporate customers to handle their own travel bookings and covers the full cycle of travel-based transactions including flights, accommodation, rental car bookings and insurance. It is used by more than 60% of NZ corporate travel agencies.
www.serkoonline.com

The judges say
SERKO has unique, valuable and clearly differentiated solutions with a clear commitment to extending these advantages for future growth in a highly competitive environment, and providing a real and immediate improvement in managing travel at all levels within a wide range of enterprises.

Highly Commended - Orion Health
www.orionhealth.com

YikeBike
YikeBike develops and manufactures mini-farthings with exceptional performance, design and safety. The first design is the YikeBike, the lightest smallest electric folding bike in the world. The vision at YikeBike is to create products that are fantastically functional and works of art. Based in Christchurch, YikeBike is backed by the two largest venture capital firms in New Zealand, Pioneer Capital Partners and K1W1, and the Ministry for Science and Innovation.
www.yikebike.com

The judges say
A unique, New Zealand designed category creator YikeBike is innovative at both a concept and execution level, with a clever combination of both new and existing technology components. YikeBike has used a smart, market driven approach to product development, with sound plans to drive mass market adoption. YikeBike scored well against all criteria with outstanding marks for uniqueness and design.

Konnect
Konnect is a leading provider of business process management solutions and services to clients in the insurance, health and finance sectors across New Zealand and Australia. Its SureMed service has radically improved the process that New Zealand-based insurers use to obtain medical information required for insurance underwriting and assessment.
www.konnect.co.nz

The judges say
Konnect has solved a problem previously seen as too hard to be fixed by automation given the number of different stake holders and complexity in handling insurer requests. The judges were impressed with Konnect's speed to market, distribution strategy and uniqueness. It has successfully solved a problem for the insurance industry as well as the notoriously difficult private health sector. They have secured a dominant position in NZ and are confident of cracking the Australian market in a big way. Other countries beckon.

Mi5 Security
Mi5 Security is a world leader in the creation and supply of converged security and technology innovations. Its products and services empower people to control and manage their personal security through unique surveillance and online products combining the latest technology advances with proven and solid security practices.
www.mi5.co.nz

The judges say
World leading image handling and power efficiency gives Mi5 Security a critical edge on the anything else in the market. We found Mi5 Security's approach to development refreshing; particularly in how they had mapped the role of hardware and software interfaces on their future model. The business leaders had clarity on all aspects of their business model and clear focus as a team on what was required to continue to make this business a success.

Redvespa
Redvespa is an information technology consultancy specialising in business analysis, complemented by project management services. Since 2003, Redvespa has built an enviable reputation in providing highly experienced people to deliver quality consultancy services. Its clients range from large public companies and government departments through to medium-sized businesses.
www.redvespa.co.nz

The judges say
Redvespa delivers a very clear value proposition for its customers, which aligns with the value proposition for its employees. Communication is two-way, and employees have an influence on the direction of the company. Redvespa demonstrates a clear willingness to invest in their people and innovation - which is why they are able to attract and retain the best.

Under $5million

SERKO
SERKO® is an online corporate travel booking software solution that makes organising travel, faster, easier and cheaper. SERKO software allows corporate customers to handle their own travel bookings and covers the full cycle of travel-based transactions including flights, accommodation, rental car bookings and insurance. It is used by more than 60% of NZ corporate travel agencies. Its clients include a major Australian corporate and leading travel management companies in Asia Pacific.
www.serkoonline.com

The judges say
The judges were impressed with the richness of SERKO's relationships, investment in technology and market positioning. It is competing with very large companies, and winning - through development of technology and foresight in the market.

Over $5million

Orion Health
Orion Health is a leading provider of clinical workflow and integration technology for the healthcare sector. Its clinical information software meets the information needs of clinical staff and healthcare managers, delivering secure, universal access to healthcare information and helping healthcare providers proactively manage and coordinate patient care across the community. Its clients include Abbott Laboratories, New York State Department of Health, Capital Health, New South Wales Health, and the New Zealand Ministry of Health. Orion Health is based in Auckland, with offices in North America, Europe and Australia.
www.orionhealth.com

The judges say
In the eyes of the judges Orion was a clear outright winner in the over $5 million category, having already achieved the first major ramp-up in market penetration and revenues with a clear focus within the broad sector.

Jenny Morel
Jenny Morel's support for the hi-tech industry has been extensive - not only in funding start-ups but in being a member of the Government's ICT Taskforce, a Trustee of the Hi Growth Project and a past chair of the Hi Tech Association. She is currently CEO of Rex Bionics, the founder and CEO of Morgo Conferences and Managing Partner at No.8 Ventures.  The recipient of this year's special hi-tech industry award - Jenny Morel.

Sarah Perkin
Sarah started an early track record of excellence at the University of Auckland's International Business School and has continued her journey of success within the hi-tech industry as a key member of the Sentient Software management team. In her role as manager, New Zealand  sales and marketing, Sarah has gained the highest respect from both her colleagues and customers, many of whom are in the top 40 companies across New Zealand and Australia.

The judges say
With three outstanding finalists, the judges analysed the entries on the basis of their clearly demonstrated current leadership skills coupled with business acumen and the potential to be an industry leader in the future. Sarah Perkin is an outstanding contributor to the success of Sentient Software - she is already a leader in her area and is indeed someone to watch for in the future.

Anthony Doesburg
Anthony is a freelance technology writer. He has been writing about technology for a couple of decades, first for Computerworld, and now for a range of publications including the New Zealand Herald in which he has a weekly column.

The judges say
The judges were looking for well-crafted pieces that demonstrated research and analysis, and where predictions had been made that there was some historical substantiation that made the story credible in hindsight. In consistently producing well researched and written pieces, Anthony demonstrated his understanding of the hi-tech sector and the ability to unearth nuggets in the form of innovative companies and their stories