Rod Drury, founder and chief executive of internet-based accounting software company Xero. The company is one of the three nominees for the hi-tech company of the year. Photo / NZ Herald
Rod Drury, founder and chief executive of internet-based accounting software company Xero. The company is one of the three nominees for the hi-tech company of the year. Photo / NZ Herald
Two software companies, Xero and Serko, along with manufacturing firm Buckley Systems are in the running for the top prize at this year's New Zealand High-Tech awards.
The finalists in the awards were announced tonight with Xero, Serko and Buckley Systems named as contenders for Hi-Tech Company of the Year2013. Xero makes cloud-based accounting software, while Serko creates online corporate travel booking software .
Buckley Systems manufactures electromagnets, charged particle beam line systems, and high-vacuum equipment.
The awards are in their 19th year and the winners of each of the 12 categories will be unveiled in May. The twelve-person judging panel for this year's awards include Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and Kiwi expat and Google director of Engineering, Craig Nevill-Manning.
Chair of the Hi-Tech Trust Wayne Norrie said "amazing new companies" had emerged in this year's entries.
PwC Hi-Tech Company of the Year 2013 • Buckley Systems • Serko • Xero
Cisco Hi-Tech Emerging Company of the Year 2013 • EROAD • GreenButton • HydroWorks • Living Cell Technologies
MBIE Science, Skills and Innovation Group Hi-Tech Start up Company of the Year 2013 • BIMstop • Carnival Labs • Oritain Global • RedSeed
New Zealand Venture Investment Fund (NZVIF) Hi-Tech Pre-Commercialisation Company of the Year 2013 • Performance Labs • Sensagrid • Solar Bright • Timely • Trigger Happy • Veritide
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Best Contribution to the NZ Hi-Tech Sector from a Multinational Company 2013 • Microsoft • Navico • Sprint International
HSBC + NZMEA Hi-Tech Exporter of the Year over $5M 2013 • ARANZ Geo • Buckley Systems • Compac Sorting Equipment • Xero
HSBC + NZMEA Hi-Tech Exporter of the Year $500,000 to $5m 2013 • 3i Innovation • Carnival Labs • Vend