FaceMe's Mark Christensen and Danny Tomsett. Photo / supplied
FaceMe's Mark Christensen and Danny Tomsett. Photo / supplied
Video conferencing tech company FaceMe has won $100,000 and mentoring time with Richard Branson, after last night being named winner of BNZ Presents: The Virgin Business Challenge.
The company sells a video conference system that is compatible with any device and allows anyone, anywhere to video conference with qualitycalls.
FaceMe will now receive $100,000 cash, one-on-one time with Sir Richard Branson, a BNZ business education scholarship, mentoring from BNZ and Virgin executives, and flights around the world courtesy of Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand.
The award searched for a clever kiwi company which had "passion and drive, creativity and innovation, and has demonstrated a desire, as well as the potential to go global."
Challenge judge Anthony Healy said FaceMe demonstrated it "has what it takes to go global. It's safe to say the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in New Zealand, with so many kiwi companies ready to take the next big step."
The top ten finalists pitched live to a "dragon's den style judging panel" yesterday.
More than 260 New Zealand businesses entered the competition, 20 per cent of these coming from the internet and technology industry. The manufacturing, transport, and food and beverage industries also had a strong presence.
The judging panel was made up of Anthony Healy - Director BNZ Partners, Keith Roberts - Head of strategy and corporate development Virgin, Bill Buckley - President BSL Enterprises, Sarah Kennedy - CEO RD1 and Derek Handley - Founder of the Hyperfactory.
