Dunedin startup projects using UFB technology awarded $60k

THREE DUNEDIN BUSINESSES RECEIVE $60,000 IN THE FINAL GIGSTART FUNDING

For Release Thursday 15 December 2016

Three Dunedin startup projects using UFB technology have been awarded $60,000 in the final GigStart Fund allocation, bringing the cash injection to the city from GigStart Funding to $207,000.

The funding was announced at Dunedin’s Innov8 HQ at a function hosted by Startup Dunedin last night (Wednesday 14 December), the successful projects are:

· CoDrivr $20,000

· Swiftlet $20,000

· Codelingo $20,000

CoDrivr is a virtual reality driving simulation that plans to go to market next year. CoDrivr spokesperson Rhys Gardner said the ‘GigStart grant is essential to help the business explore opportunities’.

Swiftlet is a cloud platform for the Internet of Things that is being created by local developers Tussock Innovation. Tussock Innovation Director Jesse Teat said “winning GigStart funding helps us get to market more quickly which is a huge part of what is required to make an impact in the IT industry.”

Codelingo is developing automated, project specific, code reviews and expects to be market ready by the end of 2017. Spokesperson Jesse Meek said the GigStart funding allows them to speed up trials and will ultimately help them get Codelingo to market more quickly.

A record 23 businesses applied for the GigStart Fund in the fourth and final round. The fund, which is administered by Startup Dunedin, was established by Chorus and Nokia following Dunedin’s Gigatown win to provide a launch pad for new-to-market Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB)-led service concepts in Dunedin.

An initial grant of $200,000 was made for the GigStart Fund, with $153,000 being allocated in the first three rounds. There was $53,000 available for the final round. However, there were so many worthy applicants Chorus Market Development Manager Kim Stewart allocated another $7,000 to allow the three recipients funding which would make a significant step change in their projects’ evolution.

Over the life of the fund Dunedin start up businesses have received $207,000 in GigStart Fund funding. In addition to the three businesses listed above the following received GigStart grants over the life of the fund:

· $20,000 SuchCrowd is a crowd-sourcing platform for events that allows event planners to test demand before confirming events

· $20,000 Petri Dish is a shared office space at 8 Stafford Street. Owners, Jason and Kate Lindsey have developed a shared space for tech and creative media start-ups, small businesses and individuals

· $20,000 Jack Pivac from Blue Twist - cloud based systems for the medical sector

· $20,000 Derek Morrison from Photo Toolbox Ltd - cloud based digital asset management system

· $20,000 Greg Fahey from Bison - cloud based data management system for the logistics sector

· $12,000 ResponseAbility to develop a programme to help with on-site hazard identification and health and safety management

· $15,000 Learning with a Difference to develop an animated learning programme to help children with dyslexia

· $20,000 Adventure Media Works to develop an online service for the photographic community

ENDS.

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