CropLogic wins first IBM SmartCamp Australia and New Zealand

CropLogic wins first IBM SmartCamp Australia and New Zealand

New Zealand start-up to develop analytics tools for crop growers to achieve a Smarter Planet

Auckland, 7 September 2012 - IBM (NYSE: IBM) today named CropLogic the winner of the IBM SmartCamp Australia and New Zealand, part of a global programme for start-up companies. Participants represent a growing body of entrepreneurs using business analytics, big data, and other software technologies to drive innovation in industries including agriculture, urban design, energy and corporate security.

The only New Zealand finalist in the IBM SmartCamp event, CropLogic provides predictive decision support tools to crop growers and processors. Powered by analytics, CropLogic’s online crop management tool currently helps potato processors and growers, forecast and improve yield and operate more sustainably.

As the first IBM SmartCamp to be hosted for Australia and New Zealand (A/NZ), the event acts as a crucial incubator for local IT start-ups by providing support, resources and networking as part of IBM’s Global Entrepreneur Program. Since commencement three years ago, finalists from 2011 and 2010 have collectively raised more than US$60m in venture capital funding since participating in the IBM SmartCamp programmes globally.

“We are honoured to be named the inaugural winner of IBM SmartCamp A/NZ,” said Jane Hill, Chief Executive of CropLogic. “Our experience at this event has been invaluable. We have gained a lot of very valuable insights from all the mentors and have started to build up a network of contacts that will help us grow our business.”

“Start-ups like CropLogic face not only typical go-to-market pressures, but also significant developmental challenges which can only be alleviated through access to industry insight and experience,” said David Mast, regional manager, ISV and Developer Relations, IBM Australia. “The IBM SmartCamp programme fosters grassroots innovation and gives up-and-coming entrepreneurs access to mentors and advice without having to travel overseas. This provides a huge boost to our entrepreneurial culture across the region.”

IBM SmartCamp A/NZ’s one-day intensive mentoring and networking programme culminated in participants pitching their businesses to a panel of industry experts in technology, entrepreneurship and research, who selected the winner based on the strength of their technical innovation and business proposition. Judges also evaluate participants based on how their ideas contribute to a “Smarter Planet” supported by core IBM programmes and services based on transformative uses of data and analytics.

CropLogic will immediately receive a three month mentorship from IBM, access to IBM software and services, as well as access to industry experts and deeper partnership opportunities from IBM, VCs and industry partners. In addition, CropLogic will progress to the regional SmartCamp event in Beijing on 25-26 September 2012, and face-off with winners from SmartCamps across Asia, with ongoing opportunities to partner with IBM’s Smarter Planet initiatives.

Meet the other A/NZ finalists:

AsdeqLabs, AsdeqDocs enables users to securely access their corporate documents on their mobile device, wherever they may be.

InterfereX develops advanced radio modelling cloud based software tools for wireless operators so that they can efficiently design, plan, dimension, deploy, and optimise small cell wireless networks.

Kinesis delivers evidence based sustainability solutions for implementation at the building, precinct and city-wide scales.

QUINTESSENCELABS develops cyber security products empowered by quantum science to safeguard valuable electronic information even in the presence of network and system breaches.

For more information on the Global Entrepreneur Program visit: http://ibm.co/wae1z2

For full details on the SmartCamp, start-ups may visit: bit.ly/smartcampsydney

ENDS

© Scoop Media