Four young Christchurch companies in powerHouse’s innovation portfolio have been named finalists in this year’s Hi-Tech Awards.
ArcActive, BIMstop, CropLogic and Invert Robotics make up four of the six finalists announced in the Ministry of Science & Innovation Start-up Award category.
The companies are competing with a record number of award entries from innovative companies across New Zealand.
powerHouse chief executive Dr Stephen Hampson says the four companies should be proud to be recognised as up and coming forces in the high-value hi-technology industry. Two – Invert Robotics and ArcActive – are spin-outs from the University of Canterbury, CropLogig is from Plant and Food Research, and BIMStop is from the private sector.
“Getting a start-up off the ground is incredibly challenging, and these young companies are taking on a vision that could see them come to the fore of high tech industry in years to come. These awards recognise what they have achieved so far on that journey,” he says.
The eight-strong international judging line-up includes original Facebook investor Peter Thiel, the Director of Engineering for Google in New York, Craig Nevill-Manning, and Senior Vice President for Cisco, Howard Charney.
The winners of the 2012 Hi-Tech Awards will be announced at a Gala Dinner at Sky City, Auckland on Friday, 11 May.
For more information about the High Tech Awards, click here.