Media Release 14 November 2007
Four top companies win technology awards
Four innovative companies have been awarded Technology Commendations by the Foundation for Research, Science and
Technology in recognition of outstanding achievement in designing and applying cutting-edge technology.
They are
• Endace Limited (Auckland) – for its world leading network traffic monitoring technology
• Optima Corporation (Auckland) – for software systems that maximise use of staff and resources
• ZyGEM Corporation (Hamilton) – for its smart DNA extraction technology
• Fronde Anywhere (Wellington) – for its mobile banking, payment and two factor authentication technology.
The Technology Commendation Awards, now in their ninth year, were established to publicly recognise companies that have
developed or applied new technology that has grown their business and benefited New Zealand. So far 28 companies have
received the prestigious award.
Winners are entitled to use a special “mark of excellence” to promote their product or service and receive a trophy and
certificate, which is presented at the New Zealand Export Awards being held in Auckland tomorrow night (Thursday 15
November).
Foundation Chief Executive Murray Bain says this year’s Technology Commendation winners demonstrate New Zealand’s depth
of innovation and creativity and show how New Zealand companies can succeed globally using their intellectual property
to target niche opportunities.
“A number of this year’s Technology Commendation recipients are commercialising cutting edge research carried out in New
Zealand over many years, showing how our science system can help achieve New Zealand’s economic transformation goals.
“It is also notable that the winners come from the information and communication technology and biotech sectors, two
areas identified by the government as having potential to transform the New Zealand economy.”
Mr Bain says companies honoured with a Technology Commendation serve as role models to other businesses.
“They show how New Zealand companies can successfully sell their innovative solutions in market niches offshore.”
The judges for this year were Nevil Gibson from National Business Review, Carol Lee Andersen from Women In Technology,
Hans Frauenlob from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Tony Price, the founder of Procam which consults to the high
technology sector.
ends