WINNER - StarNow.com

www.starnow.com

From the creativity of three senior ex-TradeMe employees in London in 2004, who discovered a gap in the online talent search market, StarNow has grown into one of the NZ’s most innovative web companies that services the globe from its Wellington base, and is a fantastic success story.

StarNow is in its 6th year of operation, based in the heart of Wellywood, New Zealand. The company focuses on providing online search tool and management system for agencies seeking talent, and aspiring talent seeking to break into the entertainment industry. By clever use of online infrastructure, aspiring and professional actors, models, dancers and musicians are easily matched with professional acting and modelling agencies, creative agencies, production companies and the like.

From small beginnings StarNow has grown to be one of the preeminent companies offering this service globally with 1.5 million members worldwide and dominant market positions in the UK, Australia and NZ as well as being represented in the USA, Canada, Ireland and South Africa

Every week more than 1000 casting agents place casting calls on StarNow and every week dozens of our members are cast in TV shows, films, photo shoots etc in key markets around the globe.

The proposition is founded on core values of a simple and easy online experience, deployment of efficient and innovative web technology, and a strong customer service ethic, and has been at the forefront of applying real innovation to revolutionise a traditional business.

FINALIST - FlexiTime Limited

www.flexitime.co.nz

FlexiTime is an innovative web application that integrates rostering, time recording and payroll for small businesses.

New Zealand businesses face an increasing burden of compliance as successive governments utilise the PAYE system for new revenue collection initiatives. The development of new technology and interfaces to existing governmental systems is critical to ensuring that the effort associated with compliance reporting is minimised.

Cloud computing is changing the way we look at business applications. The integration of diverse, low cost functional solutions using the Internet creates a powerful eco-system that maximises business processes.

FlexiTime leverages the accessibility of the Internet to create a solution for small businesses that increases the efficiency of the business through reduced compliance related work, improved communication between staff and management, improved accuracy of pay calculations and reduced opportunity for payroll fraud though the integration of point of sale systems with FlexiTime payroll.

FINALIST - Kiwibank & Social Capital

www.heaps.co.nz

Heaps! is the next evolution of internet banking bought to you by Kiwibank and Social Capital.

Social Capital’s expertise in creating online communities is integral to the success of Heaps! Social Capital uses the power of the internet, design, social networks and independent media to connect people with practical ways they can help themselves.

Heaps! is an interactive customer centric website that moves from a linear, time-based transaction view of finances to a far more meaningful and relevant view of a customer’s spending and financial position.

Launched in November 2009 Heaps! gives customers the ability to:

• Categorise spending — heaps! automatically pulls together transactions from across Kiwibank accounts so users can sort into categories to see where money is going. Users can also upload other bank data to get a full picture of their finances

• Set spending targets — knowing where their money is going, users can set realistic spending targets

• Set and manage goals — users can set goals up, tie them to a budget and then track progress towards reaching them.

Through Heaps! Kiwibank can engage with their customers and help them to become debt free quicker while managing their money better, which is good for the customer, the bank and ultimately the country.

FINALIST - Junkie Inc. Limited

www.dealjunkie.co.nz

Dealjunkie! - is a convenient entertainment voucher book for the iPhone. Delivered via a combination of internet and mobile technology, dealjunkie! provides restaurants, bars, and cafes a opportunity to connect with “customers on the go” and drive sales by offering real time promotions to iPhone users.

This is a win-win for both sides of the dealjunkie! marketplace - iPhone users can use dealjunkie! to pinpoint the nearest bars, cafes and restaurants to their physical location who are running promotions/vouchers. Mobile vouchers are delivered direct to a users’ smart phone to be redeemed at the point of purchase. iPhone users can quickly locate deals from their favourite bars / restaurants and cafes. Plus restaurant owners can create, manage, and track promotions online to get more out of their marketing spend.

This service is fully measurable which provides restaurants and bars with direct feedback on the effectiveness of their promotional activities. It also provides valuable insight into consumer behaviour and relationship data and the ability to undertake highly targeted promotions.

After a successful launch Dealjunkie! will take Wellington my storm in August as it becomes part of the Positively Wellington Tourism initiative ‘Dine Wellington’ featuring more than 90 Wellington restaurants.

WINNER - Flexible Learning Network Limited

www.flexible.co.nz and www.mahara.org

First established as a research and development project in 2006-7, the Mahara project started as a collaborative venture funded by New Zealand's Tertiary Education Commission's e-learning Collaborative Development Fund (eCDF). Significant evidence was collated from the participating tertiary institutions and ePortfolio case studies were produced. This helped to inform the future requirements of an ePortfolio system for the sector.

Continued development has been made possible by further support from New Zealand’s Ministry of Education and the application of Mellon Foundation funds from the Open Polytechnic winning a 2007 Mellon Award for Technology Collaboration.

The Mahara project set out to develop a student-centred and student-owned tool supporting the collection of lifelong learning evidence and the possibility for collaboration through communities of practice. The philosophy was driven by the weaknesses inherent in the then tools available and research

Since July 2007, continued development has been informed by these findings, focusing on improving and refining usability, stability and scalability of the system, leading to the first production version of Mahara in March 2008.

Although Mahara was originally developed for a New Zealand tertiary education audience, it has spread all over the world and penetrated other sectors of education.

Mahara has quickly become one of the world’s most popular ePortfolio systems with a global membership of the www.mahara.org community, 24 official partner organisations providing implementation, hosting and support services and translations into 13 languages.

FINALIST - New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

www.nzte.govt.nz

In 2009 New Zealand Trade and Enterprise completed research with business leaders. This identified an urgent need and strong market demand for a programme to encourage and facilitate New Zealand companies to assess and plan their investment in technology and the internet to enhance business performance.

The Digital Enablement Project is a workshop methodology that helps New Zealand business understand how to refine their business model using technology and the internet. This has resulted in increased revenues and productivity for participating companies.

Outcomes from workshop participation will help businesses improve interaction with their customers by creating unique internet and immersive experiences for the users and two way interface between users and site owners. Provide participants with the insight and tools needed to interpret business information through interrogation, analysis of information and data.

The Digital Enablement Project is focused on supporting New Zealand businesses as they strive to develop and enhance business opportunities through creation of an internet or digital culture on the road to digital transformation and enablement!

FINALIST - Kiwibank & Social Capital

www.heaps.co.nz

Heaps! is the next evolution of internet banking bought to you by Kiwibank and Social Capital.

Social Capital’s expertise in creating online communities is integral to the success of Heaps! Social Capital uses the power of the internet, design, social networks and independent media to connect people with practical ways they can help themselves.

Heaps! is an interactive customer centric website that moves from a linear, time-based transaction view of finances to a far more meaningful and relevant view of a customer’s spending and financial position.

Launched in November 2009 Heaps! gives customers the ability to:

• Categorise spending — heaps! automatically pulls together transactions from across Kiwibank accounts so users can sort into categories to see where money is going. Users can also upload other bank data to get a full picture of their finances

• Set spending targets — knowing where their money is going, users can set realistic spending targets

• Set and manage goals — users can set goals up, tie them to a budget and then track progress towards reaching them.

Through Heaps! Kiwibank can engage with their customers and help them to become debt free quicker while managing their money better, which is good for the customer, the bank and ultimately the country.

WINNER - Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA)

www.energywise.govt.nz

Research shows that the biggest barriers for people to use energy wisely are a lack of money or information. It’s not that there isn’t plenty of information out there on the World Wide Web, but rather what’s out there is not necessarily credible and many of the are commercial, confusing, or difficult to access.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is a Crown Entity tasked with promoting energy efficiency to all and the use of renewable sources of energy in New Zealand. ENERGYWISE™ website was developed by EECA to fill the need for independent, authoritative information around energy efficiency and renewable energy for consumers. How we manage and use our precious energy resources is one the most critical issues facing us today. Every single New Zealander is affected, and everyone can benefit from using energy wisely.

The website is key to helping people reduce their energy bills, create warmer, drier, healthier homes, and lessen their impact on our environment. It has been designed to provide practical, tailored information and advice, including online access to financial assistance. The information is delivered in an engaging and interactive way that makes it easier for New Zealanders to make energy efficiency and renewable energy choices at home and on the road.

The Energywise website succeeds in providing a massive amount of information to an extensive audience with different motivations while at the same time supporting the government’s high profile energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives.

FINALIST - Health Sponsorship Council (HSC)

www.notourfuture.co.nz

The Health Sponsorship Council is a New Zealand Crown Entity established to promote health and healthy lifestyles and to replace tobacco sponsorships that existed at that time. Today, the HSC is still a major contributor to tobacco control efforts within New Zealand. Smoking Not Our Future is a direct to youth (12-24) campaign set up to reduce uptake of smoking amongst young people, and to promote positive smoke free attitudes and anti-tobacco attitudes. Smoking Not Our Future uses testimonials from edgy, high profile New Zealand music, media, and sports celebrities who deliver in their own words messages about smoking. Current messages include those aimed at making smoking seem unattractive, supportive quitting and regret about starting.

The Smoking Not Our Future Campaign sees the Internet as a crucial part of any successful campaign that it trying to reach and make connections with young people. The AUT World Internet Report 2009 reported that over 93% of New Zealanders aged 12-19 use the Internet, of which just under 80% identified themselves as Maori.

Having an integrated online strategy allows Smoking Not Our Future to connect with young people by being seen in a place that young people are accessing on a regular basis and providing relevant and timely information.

FINALIST - Kiwibank & Social Capital

www.heaps.co.nz

Heaps! is the next evolution of internet banking bought to you by Kiwibank and Social Capital.

Social Capital’s expertise in creating online communities is integral to the success of Heaps! Social Capital uses the power of the internet, design, social networks and independent media to connect people with practical ways they can help themselves.

Heaps! is an interactive customer centric website that moves from a linear, time-based transaction view of finances to a far more meaningful and relevant view of a customer’s spending and financial position.

Launched in November 2009 Heaps! gives customers the ability to:

• Categorise spending — heaps! automatically pulls together transactions from across Kiwibank accounts so users can sort into categories to see where money is going. Users can also upload other bank data to get a full picture of their finances

• Set spending targets — knowing where their money is going, users can set realistic spending targets

• Set and manage goals — users can set goals up, tie them to a budget and then track progress towards reaching them.

Through Heaps! Kiwibank can engage with their customers and help them to become debt free quicker while managing their money better, which is good for the customer, the bank and ultimately the country.

FINALIST - Computers in Homes

www.computersinhomes.org.nz

The 2020 Communications Trust www.2020.org.nz created the Computers in Homes programme (CIH) to impact the literacy of families in New Zealand by providing them with a refurbished computer, basic ICT training, 6 months free internet access and technical support for a year. Parents become involved in their children’s school and connect with their learning by attending training in the use of the internet. They model life-long learning to their families and have achieved unexpected results like completing university degrees and running businesses online. (www.computersinhomes.org.nz)

In Aotearoa/New Zealand there are significant numbers of families in low-income communities without access to a computer or the internet for their children’s education. Many of these families have been disadvantaged because of unemployment or isolation and have little or no access to technology, often not even knowing someone who owns a computer. This has far-reaching effects for the children’s educational opportunity when they cannot research their homework and produce results on a par with their peers and what is expected for success. Because their parents may have low academic achievement themselves, this can become a self-perpetuating cycle of low achievement and unemployment with all the accompanying social problems.

These factors are exacerbated in isolated rural areas where there are further restrictions owing to lack of basic services like access to power and telephone connections to homes. Rural communities often feel left out of new opportunities, ignored in policy changes and disempowered to make real differences themselves. Often broadband connections are unavailable, but Computers in Homes attempts to address these issues by finding Wi-Fi solutions where possible, but sometimes having to revert to dialup as the only option.

WINNER - StarNow

www.starnow.com

From the creativity of three senior ex-TradeMe employees in London in 2004, who discovered a gap in the online talent search market, StarNow has grown into one of the NZ’s most innovative web companies that services the globe from its Wellington base, and is a fantastic success story.

StarNow is in its 6th year of operation, based in the heart of Wellywood, New Zealand. The company focuses on providing online search tool and management system for agencies seeking talent, and aspiring talent seeking to break into the entertainment industry. By clever use of online infrastructure, aspiring and professional actors, models, dancers and musicians are easily matched with professional acting and modelling agencies, creative agencies, production companies and the like.

From small beginnings StarNow has grown to be one of the preeminent companies offering this service globally with 1.5 million members worldwide and dominant market positions in the UK, Australia and NZ as well as being represented in the USA, Canada, Ireland and South Africa Every week more than 1000 casting agents place casting calls on StarNow and every week dozens of our members are cast in TV shows, films, photo shoots etc in key markets around the globe. The proposition is founded on core values of a simple and easy online experience, deployment of efficient and innovative web technology, and a strong customer service ethic, and has been at the forefront of applying real innovation to revolutionise a traditional business.

FINALIST - Catalyst IT Limited & Michael S Sutton

www.catalyst.net.nz and http://nz.linkedin.com/in/michaelssutton

ENUM Discoverer is the first in a special class of real-time applications that locates and presents users integrated media services via the ENUM DNS information in real time within their phone service or device.

Convergence between the Internet and E.164 Telephone services requires the development of a new generation of software which integrates telecommunications (voip, pstn, mobile etc) services with the existing and future diversity of Internet presentation, communications services and security agents.

Success of this application does not require capital to scale up the DNS directory servers as they are part of the fundamental Internet IP fabric, unlike video or web services where market success requires additional processing and equipment budgets. Basic ENUM Discoverer provides its services without this future constraint. New business services which are monetised will be incorporated within this application providing opt-in subscriber and other commercial services which will be at the center of users communicator applications.

Existing Internet DNS servers provide a cost effective distribution system for communication of directory service records. ENUM is a subset of the data held and managed by current DNS services. Therefore the cost of operating the worldwide DNS is not a direct cost accruing to the ENUM Discoverer service.

FINALIST - Ziln Ltd

www.ziln.co.nz

By creating Ziln the Ziln team has brought in to existence a new TV/video platform that at its core drives and supports talented content creators and producers finding new opportunities to create content, find new global TV audiences and monetising that content through associated sponsorship and advertising, completely free of restrictive legacy TV channels.

The main point of difference between legacy TV broadcasters and Ziln is that only the Ziln model is designed to encourage the growth of newly produced content from the ground which is a completely different mission to the replay catch up internet TV formats of the legacy broadcaster.

With increasing internet speeds via’ fibre to the home’ as demonstrated by TelstraClear's new 100mb per second connections now active in Kapiti Coast, Wellington and Christchurch Ziln plans to be streaming HD video by the end of 4th Quarter 2010. New device options that are also starting to influence and change the way people consume internet TV/video content so Ziln is now working on a set of applications that will display www.ziln.co.nz on I-Phone and I-Pads in August 2010.

Using the Ziln Channel Manager content management and presentation system Ziln channel operators can autonomously control their on-line TV channels from any internet connected device. The Channel Manager component of the Ziln platform allows a channel operator to post content, schedule TV/video play lists, associate added resource material displayed as downloadable content along with TV/video and graphic advertising messages attachable to specific TV/video content items while tracking audience data dynamically via Nielsen's on-line stats engine.

WINNER - Aptimize Software

www.aptimize.com

Corporates, government organisations and web businesses worldwide use Aptimize to increase their business.

Increased adoption of the Internet by consumers and businesses has seen businesses demanding increased responsiveness from their websites and consumers wanting a faster internet. Add to that the competitive nature of the internet and you realise that speed can be the difference between winning or losing a sale – no one will wait 30 seconds for a page to load.

Aptimize is a Wellington company begun by Ed Robinson (CEO) and Derek Watson (CTO) with a software invention that speeds up websites, without customers investing in new hardware, faster broadband or changing the site. The software works by tuning webpages in real time – merging the hundred or so images, scripts and stylesheets that make up a web page into fewer files, compressing these files, and using the browsers built-in cache to ensure the files are loaded once then cached to make repeat views even faster.

Aptimize’s software typically reduces website load times by more than 50%, and customers include New Zealand companies like Trade Me, Methven, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare; and international companies like Disney, Google, Raytheon, Allergan, Reckitt Benckiser, Northrop Grumman and Microsoft who use Aptimize’s software to accelerate their SharePoint channels on www.microsoft.com.

FINALIST - Hitech Solutions

www.hightechsolutions.co.nz

Hitech Solutions founder Danny Tomsett spent two years creating the world’s first business-focussed browser-based video conferencing system – FaceMe. This simple-to-use; low cost, high quality alternative to traditional expensive video conferencing is currently aimed at small and medium New Zealand businesses.

The ability to link up to 20 people anywhere in the world is supported by some very simple requirements - webcam, telephone and a computer. And rather than being internally-focussed like traditional video conferencing, FaceMe can be used to link staff, customers and suppliers.

FaceMe works through a server-like appliance installed on a company’s premises. A user name and password mean that with only three clicks an organisation can set up a video conference. It emails participants, who join with only one click.

FaceMe works with high speed and even dial-up internet connections. The audio can be delivered by phone line ensuring caller quality. It can be used on any operating platform and on any screen – desktop, laptop or tablet.

Its software is being protected by international patents with the eventual aim being to export FaceMe.

The company’s underlying philosophy is based on giving businesses the power to choose from the best voice and video technology available in an ever evolving industry, rather than being locked into one proprietary system or provider. They create long-term relationships and challenge traditional cost structures.

FINALIST - Kids Friendly New Zealand Ltd

www.kidsfriendlytravel.com

Hundreds of travel websites have been launched to cater for people who feel more comfortable and safe with booking their holidays online. However, most websites only allow customers to book flights or rental cars/campervans or accommodation or cater to the single or couple markets. Families are regularly seen as an add-on to many sites.

By gaining the trust of key industry players Gaye Miller has not only created an avenue for revenue for her website partners, but also a site which makes family travel easier for parents.

As a result, the new family travel website www.kidsfriendlytravel.com, will be officially launched in August with all key partners in place. These partners include blue chip businesses such as Air New Zealand, Budget Rent A Car, Bookit (owned by Trademe) and Jucy Rentals.

This unique travel website provides a comprehensive solution, managing all elements of online holiday bookings. It is specifically tailored to meet the needs of families travelling with dependent children. Within the site families have access to holiday information and facilities which allow families to book flights, rental vehicles, accommodation, tourist attractions and baby hire gear, all from the one site.

Kids Friendly Travel is pioneering in the way that a site can be designed to meet a niche market’s demands whilst also creating revenue for both itself and its travel partners.

FINALIST - Ziln Ltd

www.ziln.co.nz

By creating Ziln the Ziln team has brought in to existence a new TV/video platform that at its core drives and supports talented content creators and producers finding new opportunities to create content, find new global TV audiences and monetising that content through associated sponsorship and advertising, completely free of restrictive legacy TV channels.

The main point of difference between legacy TV broadcasters and Ziln is that only the Ziln model is designed to encourage the growth of newly produced content from the ground which is a completely different mission to the replay catch up internet TV formats of the legacy broadcaster.

With increasing internet speeds via’ fibre to the home’ as demonstrated by TelstraClear's new 100mb per second connections now active in Kapiti Coast, Wellington and Christchurch Ziln plans to be streaming HD video by the end of 4th Quarter 2010. New device options that are also starting to influence and change the way people consume internet TV/video content so Ziln is now working on a set of applications that will display www.ziln.co.nz on I-Phone and I-Pads in August 2010.

Using the Ziln Channel Manager content management and presentation system Ziln channel operators can autonomously control their on-line TV channels from any internet connected device. The Channel Manager component of the Ziln platform allows a channel operator to post content, schedule TV/video play lists, associate added resource material displayed as downloadable content along with TV/video and graphic advertising messages attachable to specific TV/video content items while tracking audience data dynamically via Nielsen's on-line stats engine.