Climbing robots and games system for stroke rehab win

Wednesday, 29 August 2012, 3:49 pm
Press Release: ANZ Bank

Media Release

Embargoed until: 3:30pm, Wednesday 29 August 2012
Climbing robots and games system for stroke rehab win business kick-start
- Christchurch and Wellington firms take top prizes in ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Contest –

Firms that make climbing robots to inspect industrial structures and a games device to help people recover from strokes have won two of New Zealand’s top business awards.

Christchurch business Invert Robotics and Lower Hutt-based Im-Able Ltd have beaten more than 750 businesses from across New Zealand to take the top prizes in the 2012 ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Competition.

Invert Robotics Ltd, which builds remotely-operated climbing robots that inspect industrial equipment in the dairy industry, won the ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Supreme Award for the best overall business plan. The award comes with a prize package worth $56,000 to further grow their business.

The ANZ Export Assistance Prize was awarded to Im-Able Ltd, whose computerised training games and other systems help stroke victims regain their independence by speeding up the recovery of arm movements, balance and cognition.

The firm will get $10,000 to explore exporting opportunities in their choice of 27 other Asia-Pacific countries in which ANZ operates. This prize was awarded to the entrant that showed the most exporting potential.

Sixteen regional winners each received a $1000 prize.

The prizes were announced at an award ceremony in Wellington today.

Fred Ohlsson, ANZ’s Managing Director, Business Banking, says: “These are businesses of the future which have truly exceptional ideas, and are carrying them through to commercial success. These awards recognise their exceptional achievements and will help them take their business to the next level and make a positive contribution to the economy.”

This is the second year of the ANZ Flying Start competition, sponsored by ANZ in partnership with business.govt.nz, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of good business planning.

“Every great business starts with a great business plan. That’s why we’re delighted to continue our partnership with business.govt.nz through our sponsorship of the ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Competition,” says Mr Ohlsson.

“It was exciting to see a sharp increase in interest in this year’s competition, with entries up by a third on last year, demonstrating that small businesses are serious about planning for a successful future.”

© Scoop Media

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