Win-win for What's Your Problem New Zealand? finalists

WYPNZ competition finalists.

The independent judging panel, made up of a team of business and science leaders, were unanimous in their opinion that any one of the firms that made the final cut would have been worthy winners.

“From my point of view it was particularly encouraging that we got quality entries from across the variety of sectors we serve,” says IRL Chief Executive Shaun Coffey.

The ten finalists were Dynamic Controls, Fisher & Paykel Appliances, Glidepath, Gallagher Group, Group3 Technology, Mars Petcare NZ, Pacific Edge Biotechnology, PowerShield, Pultron Composites and Resene.

The ideas put forward by the finalists were as diverse as the organisation they represented.

Dynamic Controls’ proposal focused on developing integrated data analysis tools to inform healthy wheelchair living while Fisher & Paykel proposed developing new technologies to redefine the washing process in appliance to make water usage environmentally sustainable.

Gallagher Group’s project tackled the development of an asset-tracking system that represented an opportunity to expand upon a core strategic product. Glidepath suggested the development of a low-impact diversion device for baggage handling and Group3 Technology put forward a proposal to develop a next-generation teslameter to enhance measurement accuracy and application options.

Mars Petcare NZ planned to develop an imaging system to detect seal imperfections that cause product spoilage. Pacific Edge Biotechnology wanted funding for the development of a second-generation cancer device that would be cost-effective, quick and significantly more accurate.

PowerShield proposed the development of an integrated system that would ensure accurate monitoring of batteries that provide back-up power for large data centres. Pultron wanted funding to conduct independent testing of their novel composite reinforcing bar and to develop tools to inform design engineering parameters.

Chosen from a field of more that 100 entries, the finalists all stood out because they could articulate how they would go about utilising the investment to advance their business in a meaningful way.

Shaun Coffey says the level of interest in the competition showed that despite challenging market conditions, many of New Zealand’s most progressive firms had their sights set firmly on a brighter future.