Australian Technologies Competition winners announced

Australia’s best technology companies were announced at the Australian Technologies Competition Showcase and Awards event held last week. The competition each year receives hundreds of applicants for its eight-month development program, which culminates in the recognition of game-changing technology companies.

The winner of Australian Technology Company of the Year 2015, as well as the Food & Agritech Award, was Calix — a Sydney company that has developed a revolutionary foliar spray for plants that replaces toxic fungicides and pesticides. The magnesium-based spray is safe, environmentally friendly and currently in the process of being registered on tropical crops across South-East Asia, including bananas, pineapple, cassava and coffee. It is also now undergoing trials on vineyards in France.

“We are thrilled to be named Technology Company of the Year and to have gained the experience from the Business Accelerator program,” said Calix CEO Phil Hodgson. “For us, this isn’t about winning an award, it is an opportunity to get practical assistance and coaching to improve our business.”

Other award winners included:

• Advanced Manufacturing Award — Ocius Technology
• Built Environment Award — Pacific Environment
• Energy Technology Award — GreenSync
• Global Development  Award — Melvelle Equipment
• Mining Technologies Award & People’s Choice Award — Southern Innovation
• Alumni Award — RayGen Resources
• Innovative Regions Award (new) — Greater Adelaide

“We had a hard task picking the winners, as so many of the finalists have huge global potential,” stated Ben Waters, chairman of the judges. “We expect all the winners and most of the finalists to see significant export growth and to create many high-value Australian jobs.”

The competition organisers have advised that there is currently no commitment from the Australian Government to continuing to fund the competition into 2016. At this stage, this means the end of a successful program that, on the government’s figures, has created over $250 million worth of economic value for $750,000 invested over five years.