Kiwi firms vie for places in international comp

Global media company Red Herring has included four New Zealand technology businesses as finalists in its list of the world’s top tech firms, the Global 100.

Wireless security technology company Mi5, cloud software company Optimizer HQ, carbon re-use technology firm LanzaTech and business software service provider Augen Software Group are all in the running for the top 100.

To make the finals, companies are judged on a range of qualitative and quantitative metrics, including technology innovation, financial performance, growth, management, market share improvement and potential for globalisation.

The winners will be named at a special ceremony in Los Angeles on December 7, following a forum where each finalist has the opportunity to present their strategy.

Last month, Augen Software was named in Red Herring’s Top 100 Asia, the only kiwi company to be recognised in that list.

Alex Vieux, chairman of Red Herring, says the task of selecting 100 winners from the list of finalists is ‘daunting’.

"An unprecedented number of entrepreneurs are attempting to jump ahead of the competition and aspire to make a difference,” Vieux says.

"Breakthroughs obsolete each other faster than ever before.”

Go here for the full list of finalists.