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19 September, 2002
Ten Australian ambassadors chosen to showcase innovative wares
to Western Europe
Austrade Media Release
Machines With Eyes, Computers That Plant Crops And Technology That
Ensures Your Favourite TV Show’s On Time - amongst those chosen
for Euro High Tech Tour.
Austrade has announced 10 of Australia’s best and brightest
in the high tech field who will embark on the most intensive business
trip of their lives as winners of the 2002 Austrade Euro High Tech
Tour Competition.
The 10 winners (in alphabetical order) are:
1. Abacus Data Systems Pty Ltd (QLD)
2. Acumentum Pty Ltd (VIC)
3. Biovend Pty Ltd (VIC)
4. Computronics Corporation Ltd (WA)
5. itvworld.com Australia Pty Ltd (NSW)
6. Maxamine International Pty Ltd (SA)
7. Odyssey Development Pty Ltd (NSW)
8. Protocom Development Systems (ACT)
9. Seeing Machines Pty Ltd (ACT)
10. SoftLaw Corporation Pty Ltd (ACT)
[Runners-up: ABUZZ Technologies Pty Ltd (NSW) and Pure Commerce
Pty Ltd (NSW)]
The Austrade Euro High Tech Tour is sponsored by the Department
of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Icon Recruitment
and Sun Microsystems.
It gives emerging Australian high tech companies an all-expense-paid
week in Europe to rub shoulders with movers and shakers and start
etching their footprint in one of the world’s fastest paced
tech markets.
From a field of 153 applicants and 23 finalists, the final 10 companies
where chosen according to stringent criteria by a judging panel
of sponsors and industry commentators.
The winners will visit Italy and France from 11-15 November to
meet with key European technology leaders and test demand for their
technology in the market.
Chairman of the judging panel, and senior member of Austrade’s
Global ICT Team, Tony Burchill said the winners were characterised
by “strong business management, excellent presentation skills,
commercial nous and leading edge technology”.
Essentially the judges aligned on their choices for the winners
which they had picked initially on an individual level. “The
winners simply stood out in what was a very high quality field.”
Austrade’s Regional Team leader of ICT in Europe, Mr Tim
O’Connor said the final 10 represented some of the best emerging
technology Australia has to offer.
“The standard in this year’s competition has been very
strong and the final 10 clearly show Australia is well and truly
up with the world in providing top class innovative solutions,”
Mr O’Connor said.
“They represent a good mix of technology, levels of experience
and export expertise across six Australian states – which
will also make them excellent ambassadors for Australia’s
ICT industry in Europe,” he said.
Sun Microsystems, Australasia Managing Director, Jim Hassell said:
“For Australian companies looking to get a foothold in overseas
markets, it makes sense to leverage the resources of global vendors
such as Sun and we are delighted to provide that support.
“Since we established the Sydney iForce Solution Centre in
2001 (a facility where companies can test run their technology ideas
and turn them into viable business solutions), more than 40 Australian
companies have used the facility to commercialise a range of technologies.
Many of them, such as Distra, Platypus, Thin Technologies and ThoughtWeb,
are selling their solutions globally via the Sun iForce Program
opening up multi-million dollar export markets,” Mr Hassell
said.
Sponsor and member of the judging panel, CEO of Icon Recruitment
Brian Youston, said the 23 finalists offered quality submissions
that made it challenging to identify a final 10.
As head of one of Australia’s leading IT recruitment agencies,
Mr Youston provided valuable expertise to the judging panel particularly
in evaluating the capability of each finalists’ management
team.
“The management teams of winning companies are all strong,
enthusiastic and committed about expanding their business in Europe,”
Mr Youston said.
“I’m sure the tour will help them establish business
there. We’re really pleased to support these companies as
a sponsor of the tour in what is a tough growth phase in a competitive
market,” he said.
For more information on the tour visit www.austradetech.com/events/eurohightechtour.htm
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tanya Lim, Austrade Corporate Communications
Tel: 02 9390 2118 or 0419 204 898
Email: tanya.lim@austrade.gov.au
More information about the European tour can be found by following
these links:
http://www.austradetech.com/events/eurohightechtour.htm
http://www.austradetech.com/events/euroabout.htm
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