CSx named winner of the inaugural Samsung Springboard Competition

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Friday, 6 November 2015 – Kiwi start-up CSx has taken out the top prize in the first ever Samsung Springboard competition, announced last night at the final pitching event held in Auckland. The team at CSx presented the judging panel with their ground-breaking, high-tech solution that tackles the issue of sports concussion, particularly in rugby players. The innovative concept uses an integrated technology platform and sensor for concussion management and monitoring of real time head impact.

CSx have won a cash prize of $30,000NZD, $10,000NZD worth of Samsung products, 3 Icehouse workshops and introductions to Samsung’s global ventures team.

CSx Chief Commercial Officer, Martin Weekes, said the team are thrilled about their achievement and this will help them provide their technology to a broader range of athletes.

“We’re all passionate rugby supporters, so anything we can do to improve safety at a grass root level is a priority for us. If our technology can help save one child’s life on the sports field, than that’s a job well done. Hopefully this will also give parents the reassurance to encourage their children to participate in all the sports we grew up with. We need future all blacks.”

Six finalists got on stage at Auckland’s Maritime Museum to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges comprising of some of New Zealand’s most influential Kiwi business leaders. Judges included Managing Director of Samsung New Zealand, Kenny Yeon; CEO of The Icehouse, Andy Hamilton; CEO of PowerbyProxi, Greg Cross; Enterprise Director of Samsung New Zealand, Verdon Kelliher; an d Dr. Michelle Dickinson (aka Nano Girl). The finalists covered a wide range of savvy and innovative Kiwi tech leaders, encompassing a diverse range of industries and applications.

Samsung’s Kenny Yeon said the judges looked for several criteria when making a final decision on the winner, looking at both original and innovative concepts and business capabilities to support global growth.

“CSx presented a very solid business model, but their idea has a unique kiwi flavour, honing in on a common yet serious issue affecting one of New Zealand’s most loved sports,” said Kenny Yeon.

“I’m excited to see how CSx will use this opportunity to develop their platform further, expanding out to other professional sport industries overseas and within a wider health setting.”

Three special prizes were also awarded over the course of the evening. I Measure U were awarded a second place prize of three months tenancy at Kiwi Landing Pad and flights for two to San Francisco for their idea of wearable devices designed to provide athletes with measurements to enhance their performance. Auror, a platform created to provide better visibility of crime, was awarded the choice of $10,000NZD Samsung development funding or $10,000NZD Samsung technology. Winning the publicly voted People’s Choice Award was MediKOL, who took home $1,000NZD of Samsung technology and a two-day workshop from The Icehouse.

Samsung launched the Samsung Springboard competition in partnership with The Icehouse, with the intention of developing a platform to help New Zealand tech start-ups secure the resources and network introductions to make the leap into global markets. The Springboard Competition was conceived as a way to cast the spotlight on local business talent, and encourage New Zealand’s emerging tech entrepreneurs.

Samsung will continue to work closely alongside CSx and the other finalists in providing them with opportunities and introductions to their global network. This is part of Samsung’s vision to play a pivotal role in developing talent within New Zealand’s tech industry.

Samsung Springboard competition:

The Samsung Springboard Competition was designed by Samsung and The Icehouse to cast a spotlight on savvy and innovative Kiwi tech leaders. The competition was targeted at local technology start-ups and SMEs with the potential for global success. The aim was to offer invaluable opportunities, resources and global scope to New Zealand emerging tech-entrepreneurs. The competition offered finalists a range of networking opportunities and resources, with the grand prize including a cash investment of NZD $30,000. As well as the top of the cash prize and potential to connect with the Samsung network, special prizes include NZD $10,000 developer funding, a tenancy at Kiwi Landing Pad in San Francisco including flights, Samsung products and workshops from The Icehouse.

Contact:

Grace Havill, The Icehouse, g.havill@theicehouse.co.nz, 09 308 6238

Sally Vernon, Samsung NZ, s.vernon@samsung.com, 021 833 630