Kiwi Start-up CSx named winner of the inaugural Samsung Springboard Competition
AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Friday, 6 November 2015 – Kiwi start-up CSx has taken out the top prize in the first ever
Samsung Springboard competition, announced last night at the final pitching event held in Auckland. The team at CSx
presented the judging panel with their ground-breaking, high-tech solution that tackles the issue of sports concussion,
particularly in rugby players. The innovative concept uses an integrated technology platform and sensor for concussion
management and monitoring of real time head impact.
CSx have won a cash prize of $30,000NZD, $10,000NZD worth of Samsung products, 3 Icehouse workshops and introductions to
Samsung’s global ventures team.
CSx Chief Commercial Officer, Martin Weekes, said the team are thrilled about their achievement and this will help them
provide their technology to a broader range of athletes.
“We’re all passionate rugby supporters, so anything we can do to improve safety at a grass root level is a priority for
us. If our technology can help save one child’s life on the sports field, than that’s a job well done. Hopefully this
will also give parents the reassurance to encourage their children to participate in all the sports we grew up with. We
need future all blacks.”
Six finalists got on stage at Auckland’s Maritime Museum to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges comprising of some of
New Zealand’s most influential Kiwi business leaders. Judges included Managing Director of Samsung New Zealand, Kenny
Yeon; CEO of The Icehouse, Cam Wallace; CEO of PowerbyProxi, Greg Cross; Enterprise Director of Samsung New Zealand,
Verdon Kelliher; an d Dr. Michelle Dickinson (aka Nano Girl). The finalists covered a wide range of savvy and innovative
Kiwi tech leaders, encompassing a diverse range of industries and applications.
Samsung’s Kenny Yeon said the judges looked for several criteria when making a final decision on the winner, looking at
both original and innovative concepts and business capabilities to support global growth.
“CSx presented a very solid business model, but their idea has a unique kiwi flavour, honing in on a common yet serious
issue affecting one of New Zealand’s most loved sports,” said Kenny Yeon.
“I’m excited to see how CSx will use this opportunity to develop their platform further, expanding out to other
professional sport industries overseas and within a wider health setting.”
Three special prizes were also awarded over the course of the evening. I Measure U were awarded a second place prize of
three months tenancy at Kiwi Landing Pad and flights for two to San Francisco for their idea of wearable devices
designed to provide athletes with measurements to enhance their performance. Auror, a platform created to provide better
visibility of crime, was awarded the choice of $10,000NZD Samsung development funding or $10,000NZD Samsung technology.
Winning the publicly voted People’s Choice Award was MediKOL, who took home $1,000NZD of Samsung technology and a
two-day workshop from The Icehouse.
Samsung launched the Samsung Springboard competition in partnership with The Icehouse, with the intention of developing
a platform to help New Zealand tech start-ups secure the resources and network introductions to make the leap into
global markets. The Springboard Competition was conceived as a way to cast the spotlight on local business talent, and
encourage New Zealand’s emerging tech entrepreneurs.
Samsung will continue to work closely alongside CSx and the other finalists in providing them with opportunities and
introductions to their global network. This is part of Samsung’s vision to play a pivotal role in developing talent
within New Zealand’s tech industry.
ENDS