GeoOp, the small business app developer, widened its first-half loss as it spent more on product development and sales to chase global growth.

The Auckland-based company widened its loss to $2.7 million in the six months ended Sept. 30, from a loss of $1.6 million, a year earlier, it said in a statement. Sales rose 184 percent to $13.3 million.

In September, Leanne Graham resigned as GeoOp's chief executive, 11 months after it listed on the New Zealand Alternative Index, to take a new role leading the company's push into the US. The search for a new chief executive is still underway, the company said today.

The app developer is looking to capture the growing smart phone reliant workforce with its app which helps small- to-medium sized businesses manage remote workforces. It is now looking to target larger corporations and government with its app.

"GeoOp has continued to focus on the two fundamental matters that are critical to our success, product and sales," said chairman Mark Weldon. "Significant investment has continued to enable GeoOp to take advantage of the global opportunity."

In October, Callaghan Innovation, the government innovation investment fund, awarded the company $1.1 million in funding over the next three years to boost its research and development. In the six month period it more than tripled spending on R&D to $1.1 million, from $352,000 a year earlier, while its sales and marketing costs doubled to $499,000 from $290,000.

As at Sept. 30, GeoOp had cash and investments of $4.9 million, up from $678,000 a year earlier.

The company raised $10 million at $1 a share in a private offer before listing on the NZAX last October. The shares have declined some 89 percent from the high of $4.49 reached last November to last trade at 50 cents.

It didn't declare a dividend.