NZ Hi-Tech Awards recognise Innovative Kiwi businesses
The 2016 New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards results were announced in Auckland on Friday night, which honoured some of the country's innovative and successful businesses.
Flick Electric, an electricity retailer that has been in business for only two years, won the Vocus Communications Innovative Service Award.
According to Flick, it is the world's first platform that allows customers to choose their budgeted power price, which Flick then uses to bill customers on a weekly basis. Flick also provides web and mobile apps that provide feedback on customer power consumption and spending related to their budget.
Flick CEO Steve O'Connor says that the company aims to bring " unprecedented fairness, transparency, choice, control and value in the electricity retail market", saving customers up to $2 million.
"Creating value for our customers is what drives us – it's the purpose of our innovation. And customers taking up our service, engaging with our products, giving us feedback, and spreading the word are the things that have made us successful. An idea is nothing without customers.
"What's exciting is that this is just the beginning. We've got a strong innovation pipeline ahead and the team to make our dreams for customers a reality." says O'Connor. The full list of winners is below.
2016 Flying Kiwis and inductees into the Tait Communications Hi-Tech Hall of Fame Katherine Corich Sam Morgan
Fronde Hi-Tech Young Achiever Award Winner: Danu Abeysuriya – CEO of Rush Digital
Qual IT Best Technology Solution for the Public Sector Award Winner: Silverstripe
IBM Most Innovative Company Award Winner: 90 Seconds
ATEED Best Technology Solution for the Creative Sector Award Winner: 90 Seconds
Callaghan Innovation Maori Innovation Award Winner: Precision Seafood Harvesting
Duncan Cotterill Innovative Software Product Award Winner: Movio
Endace Innovative Hardware Product Award Winner: Aeroqual
Vocus Communications Innovative Services Award Winner: Flick Electric
NZTE Most Innovative Agritech Product Award Winner: Outpost Central
Quick Circuit Innovative Mobile Award Winner: Serato
New Zealand Venture Investment Fund Hi-Tech Start-up Company of the Year Winner: Figured
Coretex Hi-Tech Emerging Company of the Year Winner: ARANZ Medical
PwC NZ Hi-Tech Company of the Year Award Winner: Vista Group
The High-Tech Awards featured 13 categories assessed by a judging panel of more than 50 people. Judges included James Caan from Dragons' Den and Linda Jenkinson, Chair of LesConcierges.
