The Atlassian team celebrate an earlier award ...
The top 50 startups in A/NZ have been named in the inaugural Tech Pioneers Report prepared by Venture capital firm, H2 Ventures, with the support of specialist lender and asset manager, Investec Australia.
The report analyses the
Australian and New Zealand Tech startup space
and highlights those companies that are taking
advantage of technology and driving disruption
across a range of industries and sectors.
It will come as no surprise that top two places go to the massively successful Atlassian, which was floated in the US last year and has an IPO of more than $6 billion, and Wellington, New Zealand-based accounting software company, Xero, which after 10 years continues to go from strength to strength.
The top three is rounded out by Melbourne-based Envato which operates a group of digital marketplaces that sell creative assets for web designers,
including themes, graphics, video, audio, photography and 3D models. Envato is a creative ecosystem with over 5 million members.
The companies in the Tech Pioneers Top 50 collectively employ more than 5000 people and export products and services to
markets around the world. they include 15 Software-as-a-Service companies, 21 marketplace companies and 5 hardware companies.
Companies in the Tech Pioneers 50 were selected following extensive research and analysis based on data relating to five factors: 1. Total capital raised; 2. Rate of capital raising; 3. Geographic and sector diversity; 4. Consumer & marketplace traction; and 5. X-factor: degree of product, service and business model innovation.
H2 Ventures and Investec said that the assessment criteria reflected "the fact that venture capital invested is a relevant measure of innovation which in turn fuels enduring competitive advantage. Venture capitalists seek this enduring competitive advantage over and above anything else."
In an introduction to the report Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, wrote:
"Australia’s economy is transitioning from a resources-led investment boom to one
that is built on innovation, technology and trade.
Innovation is fuelling the diversification of Australia's economy, and the pace and
scale of digital disruption is providing more opportunities for Australian businesses to
leverage technology in new and exciting ways.
"Technology is breaking down barriers, making it easier for local businesses to access
new and increasingly wealthy markets across Asia.
The 50 tech startups featured are among those leading the charge.
Each demonstrates the power of technology to disrupt the status quo and are
helping position our region as a leading innovation hub.
They also highlight the importance of early stage capital for startups to be able to
invest and grow.
"That is why my Government's National Innovation and Science Agenda will make it
easier for startups to access early stage investment. Investors will now be able to
access a 20 per cent tax offset and capital gains tax exemption on investments in
innovative startups.
"We are also making changes to Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnerships
(ESVCLPs), including a 10 per cent tax offset for capital invested in new ESVCLPs,
and establishing new commercialisation funds such as the $250 million Biomedical
Translation Fund.
These changes are supporting our economy’s transition and will help foster a new
generation of digital disruptors."
The 2016 Top 50 Tech Pioneers are:
#01 Atlassian
#02 Xero
#03 Envato
#04 Campaign Monitor
#05 Canva
#06 OFX
#07 Freelancer
#08 Vend
#09 Invoice2go
#10 WiseTech Global
#11 3P Learning
#12 99designs
#13 Redbubble
#14 Aconex
#15 Harmoney
#16 Shoes of Prey
#17 Siteminder
#18 Tyro
#19 Prospa
#20 Society One
#21 8i
#22 Autopilot
#23 BuildingIQ
#24 Moula
#25 Nitro
#26 Rocket Lab
#27 Ingogo
#28 Unleashed Software
#29 Vinomofo
#30 Image Brief
#31 Safety Culture
#32 Booktrack
#33 Smart Sparrow
#34 Snakk Media
#35 Catapult Sports
#36 Culture Amp
#37 OpenAgent
#38 Vigil Monitoring
#39 Expert360
#40 Airtasker
#41 Power by Proxi
#42 Design Crowd
#43 Stockspot
#44 90 Seconds
#45 Nano-Nouvelle
#46 Data Republic
#47 Hey You
#48 Martin Jetpack
#49 Equitise
#50 Jayride
