In selecting Invenco as the PwC Hi-Tech Company of the Year the international judges said, “Invenco prevailed with its unique combination of extraordinary growth, scale and profitability. Invenco’s Outdoor Payment Terminal systems combine hardware, software, and data communications, showing Kiwi expertise in all these fields. Invenco’s revenues come from all over the world, as do its team members, but its Kiwi values of collegiality and tenacity shine through in ways that make Invenco a great global representative of New Zealand high tech."
Another big winner tonight was Dexibit, garnering two awards – The Duncan Cotterill Most Innovative Hi-Tech Software Solution Award and The ATEED Most Innovative Hi-Tech Solution for the Creative Sector Award.
The judges remarked, “Dexibit is a business with a deep sense of purpose and passion for museums, culture and art. It is creating advanced analytics tools that provide great value and new possibilities for its clients al over the world. The judges were impressed with the bravery, growth and global reputation for leading innovation Dexibit is building in its sector.”
The Hi-Tech Awards judges said the calibre of this year’s entrants was at an all-time high, making the job of selecting winners exceedingly challenging for the more than 70 local and international judges who assessed entrants across the 13 award categories.
Commenting on the winners, New Zealand Hi-Tech Trust chair Jennifer Rutherford said it was great to see such diversity up on the stage this evening. “We’ve made a big push this year to encourage and celebrate diversity and whilst we are still on the journey it’s really pleasing to see progress being made and such diversity amongst our winners up on the stage this evening.” said Rutherford
Tonight also marked the unveiling of the 2018 Flying Kiwi, Claudia Batten. Rutherford said it was fantastic to be able to recognise the achievements of Claudia on such a momentous night that is the biggest Hi-Tech Awards Gala dinner held in Christchurch.
“Claudia has achieved so much in her own career and is truly an inspiring and passionate individual. She is someone who is doing so much to help Kiwi tech companies succeed on the global stage. Her own success is inspiring so many of our up and coming companies. She is truly a worthy recipient of the prestigious Flying Kiwi award,” said Rutherford.
THE 2018 NZ HI-TECH AWARD WINNERS ARE:
2018 Flying Kiwi and inductee into the Tait Communications Hi-Tech Hall of FameClaudia Batten
Xero Hi-Tech Young Achiever AwardWinner: Aliesha Staples
Visa Most Innovative Hi-Tech Solution for the Public Good Award Winner: Emergency Q by Healthcare Applications
IBM Most Inspiring Individual AwardWinner: Lillian Grace
ATEED Most Innovative Hi-Tech Solution for the Creative Sector AwardWinner: Dexibit
Callaghan Innovation Best Hi-Tech Maori Innovation AwardWinner: Straker TranslationsHighly Commended: Code Avengers
Duncan Cotterill Most Innovative Hi-Tech Software Solution AwardWinner: Dexibit
Endace Most Innovative Hi-Tech Hardware Product AwardWinner: Enatel
Kiwibank Most Innovative Hi-Tech Services AwardWinner: Beca
NZTE Most Innovative Hi-Tech Solution for the Agritech Sector AwardWinner: Gallagher Group
Quick Circuit Best contribution to the NZ Hi-Tech sector by an internationally headquartered companyWinner: IBM
New Zealand Venture Investment Fund Hi-Tech Start-up Company of the YearWinner: BanqerHighly Commended: Code Avengers
Coretex Hi-Tech Emerging Company of the YearWinner: Ask Nicely
PwC NZ Hi-Tech Company of the Year AwardWinner: Invenco