Cin7 was the big winner at the 2023 NZ Hi-Tech Awards tonight, claiming the PwC NZ Hi-Tech Company of the Year category. The Gala Dinner in Christchurch where the winners were announced was attended by a record crowd of over 1,000 including the Prime Minister.
In selecting Cin7 as the PwC Hi-Tech Company of the Year the international judges said, “Cin7 is a shining example of how Kiwi companies can win in highly-competitive global markets competing against the biggest global software vendors. It was early in understanding changes in ecommerce and omni-channel selling and supply chains and developed comprehensive and yet easy-to-use software in close collaboration with its early Kiwi customers. Founded a dozen years ago by a refugee immigrant to New Zealand, Cin7 globalised quickly, with special focus on the USA market. The company now employs over 350 people across six countries and has continually invested in employees at all levels while maintaining a consistent Kiwi “get stuff done” culture.”
The other big winners were Dawn Aerospace who won both the Hardware and Emerging Company categories and Formus Labs taking out the Software and Deep Tech categories.
The NZ Hi-Tech Awards judges said the calibre of this year’s entrants was at an all-time high, with a record number of new companies entering the Awards making the job of selecting winners exceedingly challenging for the more than 80 local and international judges. Commenting on the 2023 NZ Hi-Tech Awards, New Zealand Hi-Tech Trust chair David Downs said it was great to see so many highs this year. “It’s awesome to see entries, finalists and winners coming from such a diverse range of companies from right around the country.”
“The other key theme that comes through is how many of our Kiwi companies really are making technology with purpose that can really scale internationally.” continues Downs.
The 2023 NZ Hi-Tech Award winners are:
Xero Hi-Tech Young Achiever
Winner: Fraser Paine
Spark Best Hi-Tech Solution for the Public Good
Winner: Recycle a Device
IBM Most Inspiring Individual
Winner: Janine Grainger
Tataki Auckland Unlimited Most Innovative Hi-Tech Creative Technology Solution
Winner: Writer’s Toolbox
Callaghan Innovation/Poutama Trust Hi-Tech Māori Company of the Year
Winner: AskNicely
Duncan Cotterill Most Innovative Hi-Tech Software Solution
Winner: Formus Labs
Braemac Most Innovative Hi-Tech Hardware Product
Winner: Dawn Aerospace
Kiwibank Most Innovative Hi-Tech Service
Winner: Tend Health
Highly Commended: Orion Health
NZTE Most Innovative Hi-Tech Agritech Solution
Winner: Halter
Consult Recruitment Best Contribution to the NZ Tech Sector
Winner: Digital Future Aotearoa
Punakaiki Fund Hi-Tech Start-up Company of the Year
Winner: Zerojet
ASX Hi-Tech Emerging Company of the Year
Winner: Dawn Aerospace
Highly Commended: Halter
Soul Machines Most Innovative Deep Tech Solution
Winner: Formus Labs
PwC NZ Hi-Tech Company of the Year Award
Winner: Cin7
Tait Communications Flying Kiwi Award
Recipients: Guy & Sue Haddleton