A record number of companies entered the 2023 Hi-Tech Awards, with entries coming in from across the country and from all areas of the Hi-Tech sector. This depth is reflected in the line-up of finalists this year, according to David Downs, Chair of the Hi-Tech Trust, who says the standard of entries continue to grow every year.
“It’s awesome to not only see the quality of the entries but also the diversity amongst the entrants. This is the highest number of female led companies we have ever seen in our line-up of finalists and we have companies from right around the country entering” says Downs. “We applaud the ever-increasing diversity of the sector, and encourage the whole industry to embrace the opportunities that this diversity brings.”
Several of the local and international judges have commented that the quality of the entrants is at an all-time high this year along with the volume of entries across many categories. They predict that the next phase of judging will prove even more challenging as they select the winners from such a strong pool of finalists.
“The hi-tech sector continues to flourish and it’s fantastic to see the success that so many of our companies enjoy on the international stage. This sector continues to prove its resilience and is at the forefront of our export economy in turbulent times.” says Downs.
The Hi-Tech Awards Gala Dinner will take place on Friday the 23rd of June at the Te Pae Convention Centre in Christchurch. A sell out crowd of over 1,000 is expected.
The 2023 Hi-Tech Awards finalists are:
PwC Hi-Tech Company of the Year
● Cin7
● Crimson Education
● Kami
● Pushpay
● Serko
● Vista Group
ASX Hi-Tech Emerging Company of the Year
● Dawn Aerospace
● Halter
● InnoCraft
● LawVu
● Lumin
Punakaiki Fund Hi-Tech Start-Up Company of the Year
● Astute Access
● CarbonCrop
● Formus Labs
● Tracksuit
● ZeroJet
IBM Most Inspiring Individual Award
● Cameron Smith
● Dave Rouse
● Janine Grainger
● John Robson
● Mark Nichols
● Ruby Kolesky
Callaghan Innovation/ Poutama Trust Māori Hi-Tech Company of the Year
● AskNicely
● Checkmate
● Earshots
● Envico Technologies
● PAKU
Duncan Cotterill Innovative Hi-Tech Software Solution Award
● Formus Labs
● Movio
● Parkable
Kiwibank Hi-Tech Innovative Services Award
● CarbonCrop
● Clearhead
● Easy Crypto
● National Capital
● Orion Health
● Tend Health
Braemac Innovative Hi-Tech Hardware Product Award
● Altitude Conservation
● Bison
● Dawn Aerospace
● Global Seismic Data
● ZeroJet
Consult Recruitment Best Contribution to the NZ Tech Sector
● academyEX
● Chillisoft
● Digital Future Aotearoa
● Microsoft
● Technology Investment Network (TIN)
NZTE Best Hi-Tech Solution for the Agritech Sector
● Fruitometry
● Halter
● Hectre
● Levno
● The Smart Machine Company
Xero Hi-Tech Young Achiever
● Dr Sean Feast
● Fraser Paine
● Owyn Aitken/Hadi Daoud
Soul Machines Most Innovative Deep Tech Solution:
● CarbonCrop
● Formus Labs
● MACSO
● Mint Innovation
Tataki Auckland Unlimited Most Innovative Hi-Tech Creative Technology Solution
● AskNicely
● JUNOFEM
● Mint Innovation
● Writer’s Toolbox
Spark Best Hi-Tech Solution for the Public Good
● Enrolmy
● Ignite Aotearoa
● Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR)
● Kara Technologies
● PaySauce & BNZ
● Recycle a Device