Samsung Springboard Finalists Announced

8 Kiwi tech companies have been selected as finalists, with a shot at $30,000 prize money and global networking opportunities

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Monday, 5^th October 2015 – Samsung Springboard is off to a flying start, with The Icehouse and Samsung today announcing 8 finalists of the competition, drawn from over 80 outstanding applications. The 8 finalists cover a wide range of savvy and innovative Kiwi tech leaders, from wearables that enhance athletic performance to a new music education platform. Each finalist stands to win a range of mentoring and networking opportunities and resources, with the grand prize including a cash investment of $30,000NZD.

With 85 applications, choosing just 8 finalists was no easy feat, said Kenny Yeon, Managing Director of Samsung New Zealand and Samsung Springboard judge.

“The quality of the applications has been world class - it was a real challenge to narrow the pool down to just 8 finalists. It’s inspiring to see such innovative ideas emerging from this competition, and I’m really excited that Samsung can play a role in supporting these companies’ journeys into global markets,” said Yeon.

Andy Hamilton, CEO of The Icehouse, said they had an overwhelming response to the competition.

“I’m blown away by both the quantity and quality of all the applications. The calibre of these tech businesses is outstanding which says a lot for the Kiwi tech ecosystem,” said Hamilton.

The competition is not over yet, Hamilton said, and the finalists have a busy month ahead.

“Over the next month, the 8 finalists are going to be working hard to perfect their pitch in preparation for the finale event. I’m really looking forward to hearing them pitch and seeing who will take out the grand prize,” says Hamilton.

As part of the Samsung Springboard program, the 8 finalists will have access to leading business mentors and workshops to perfect their pitch.  The winners will be selected by a panel comprising of some of the most influential Kiwi business leaders, including: Managing Director of Samsung New Zealand, Kenny Yeon; Customers & Partners Director of The Icehouse, Cam Wallace; PowerbyProxi CEO, Greg Cross; Samsung Enterprise Director, Verdon Kelliher; and Dr. Michelle Dickinson (aka Nano Girl).  As well as the top cash prize and potential to connect into the global Samsung network, special prizes include $10,000 developer funding, a tenancy at Kiwi Landing Pad in San Francisco including flights, Samsung products and workshops from The Icehouse. The winner of Samsung Springboard will be selected at a live pitching event on the 5^th of November.

The Samsung Springboard Finalists

Area360 (previously known as Stqry)

Area360 innovate to enhance the way people experience, understand and connect with what's around them. Currenly in 5 countries, the company has developed countless applications, websites and content management experiences serving thousands of people around the globe.

Auror

Auror wants to empower everyone to play their part in preventing crime. They do this by making it simple for businesses to share intelligence on criminal activity and report crime to the Police electronically; connect the dots on organised crime groups; and prevent further crime in partnership with the Police.

CSx

CSx has developed an innovative, high-tech solution that collects neurocognitive data which medical professionals need and that empowers team management to act in the interests of player safety. The CSx App provides all mandatory concussion protocols and sport-specific cognitive testing on a secure cloud-based platform, tracking a player’s neurocognitive history. CSx have started with rugby for market validation and will then move into soccer, league and other contact sports.

Parrot Analytics

Parrot Analytics is a data science company that has developed the industry’s first and only cross-platform, country-specific, real-time demand rating platform for TV and film content (Parrot Demand Rating). The company's next-generation technology helps TV and film producers, content buyers, sellers and advertisers make more effective content decisions. It does this by capturing and analyzing TV content demand in real time from hundreds of millions of viewers across the world; providing unprecedented insights into global content demand and predicting future country-specific content performance with a high degree of accuracy.

Melodics

Introducing and improving musicianship is the goal of Melodics. Built upon persuasive technologies, utilising adaptive learning and motivational design, Melodics software is the first music education platform to harness and integrate these technologies. With channels in place to reach a global market, Melodics will breed success in the area of learning musical instruments.

FaceMe

An innovative company that has developed a software platform that solves user experience issues with video and collaboration. Their technology is changing the way organisations can now communicate with each other, connect face to face with their customers and improve internal communication and productivity.

I Measure U

IMeasureU (IMU) build wearable devices that enable elite coaches, teams and athletes’ deeper training and performance insights beyond GPS and heart rate. Built on science-driven sensor data, fused with physics-based computational models, IMU provides coaches high fidelity athlete movement and workload data used to optimise recovery, training and performance.

mediKOL

mediKOL technologies intends to breakdown the communication barrier by being at the forefront of Innovative Personal Medical Wearables, Mobile Applications and Software. mediKOL technologies will develop products, applications and software designed to enable efficient and effective communication between patients and first responders.

To register your interest in attending the final event of the Samsung Springboard on Thursday 5^th November, click here.

Media contacts:

Grace Havill, The Icehouse, g.havill@theicehouse.co.nz, 09 308 6238
Sally Vernon, Samsung NZ, s.vernon@samsung.com, 021 833 630 / 09 477 7180