18 September 2007
MEDIA RELEASE
Ponoko launches among world’s hottest technology start-ups
New Zealand company Ponoko will establish itself as one of the world’s hottest new technology businesses today when it
launches as one of only 40 participants at the prestigious TechCrunch40 conference in San Francisco. Ponoko has been
chosen from more than 700 start-up companies from 26 countries that applied to present at the event.
Ponoko is the world’s first personal manufacturing platform. Using the www.ponoko.com website, people can invent and
design new products, then have them made to order, or sell their designs to others.
“Ponoko enables anyone to turn an idea for a product into a reality, by connecting designers and consumers with an
international network of digital manufacturing hardware that can be controlled direct from any PC. It also acts as a
global marketplace for original ideas and new inventions, by allowing people to buy, sell and share designs,” says
Ponoko co-founder and CEO David ten Have.
The benefits of Ponoko include making it easier and cheaper for designers to bring their ideas to market. It also makes
it easier and cheaper for consumers to buy products that aren’t mass produced.
“Products can be made anywhere in the world. Because they can be made close to where a buyer lives, they don’t have to
be shipped over great distances or stored in bulk in warehouses. This keeps costs down and is kinder on the
environment,” says Mr ten Have.
Ponoko’s presentation at TechCrunch40 will be discussed by an expert panel of technology investors, commentators and
representatives from some of the world’s largest technology companies. The event will be attended by leading technology
media, and by over 900 people at locations around the globe.
“Being selected to present at TechCrunch40 will give us tremendous exposure to an influential community with a strong
interest in new ideas and innovative business models. The conference is a fantastic opportunity for Ponoko to establish
itself on the world stage,” says Ponoko co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer Derek Elley.
Mr. ten Have and Mr. Elley are no strangers to successful technology start ups. Mr ten Have co-founded and was CTO of
web development firm, Provoke, helping to build a multi-million dollar company within five years. Mr Elley co-founded
and was CEO of Internet marketing agency, First Rate, which is now New Zealand’s only Google AdWords Qualified Company,
tracking over $750 million in customer revenues and managing more than 1 million ad clicks monthly.
Ponoko currently has a digital manufacturing bureau in Wellington and plans to open bureaus in the United States over
the next few months. Independent bureaus will also be invited to become accredited to the service.
“Ultimately, our aim is to establish a community of digital manufacturing hardware operators around the world. This will
include established owners of digital manufacturing equipment, but has the potential to be hugely diverse, including
offices, homes or schools. Today’s presentation at TechCrunch40 will play an important role in helping to make people
aware of Ponoko’s huge potential,” says Mr. Elley.
ENDS