Red Lizard Software Wins ANZA’s Tech23 Prize: Company Most Ready for US

by Viki Forrest, CEO ANZA Technology Network

It’s my pleasure to announce that Red Lizard Software has been chosen to receive ANZA’s Tech23 prize, which is awarded to the company we saw at Tech23 last month who demonstrates great potential for the US market.

Red Lizard Software’s Goanna product cleans up software bugs for developers, reducing the time programmers spend testing and debugging. Red Lizard estimates that software bugs are a $100 billion (USD) problem. And, they have a solution that can remedy this expense within minutes. The upshot is that higher quality software gets to market faster.

Read more about Goanna here.

Our prize for Red Lizard Software is a slot in our 2010 Gateway to the US program. Valued at $3,995 (USD), Red Lizard will have the option of taking part in a US market analysis workshop next year in Sydney, then working with a US-based coach who will get them ready to pitch in Silicon Valley to potential US investors, partners and others from the tech community who can further facilitate US market exploration and entry.

Congratulations to Red Lizard Software. We look forward to working with you!

Accepting Expressions of Interest in the ANZA TechNet Gateway to China Pilot Program

We’ve had a number of enquiries into the Gateway to China Pilot program since we sent out an e-blast yesterday, so we have re-posted the link for the Expressions of Interest here.

This Pilot program will be open to Australian entrepreneurs looking to get into the China market. If you are interested (or know someone who is), please follow this link and enter a brief description of your company by 9 November 2009.

We will have more information for those who express their interest shortly after the closing date for registrants given above. The Pilot is still in its planning stages, but as of now ANZA TechNet will tentatively be holding FREE workshops in Australian cities in February 2010, with a 1-week trip to Shanghai in March 2010 to meet with China-based coaches who will help you navigate the complexities of the China business culture, explore business opportunities and learn more about doing business in the China market.

While many companies will be invited to the FREE workshop, only five will be chosen to go to Shanghai.

If you’d like to register your interest, click here. To find out more details about the Pilot, contact ANZA CEO Viki Forrest at viki@anzatechnet.com.

Great Day at Tech23

Dan Bisa (left) and Justin Barrie (right) catch up with ANZA CEO Viki Forrest at Tech23 in Sydney. Photo by KazzaDrask Media.

An impressive lineup of companies today at Tech23 in Sydney. Twenty-three companies gave us a look into Australia’s technology future across consumer web, enterprise, mobile communications, clean/green and in between, digital media and SaaS/cloud computing.

We picked a favorite in each category that we thought has what it takes to make it in the global marketplace. Our choices were:

• Posse (Consumer Web)
• Red Lizard Software (Enterprise)
• QMCodes (Mobile)
• HEARD Systems (Clean/Green/In Between)
• We Are Hunted (Digital Media)
• Simmersion Holdings (SaaS/Cloud)

It was good to see our friends from Perkler, a 2008 Gateway to the US company who did not pitch at Tech23, but was there to lend support to these up-and-coming next wave of Aussie innovators. Kudos to Rachel Slattery and her team at SlatteryIT for putting together an excellent show and well-run event.

 

 

Ten Reminders for Australian Entrepreneurs Looking at the US Market

by Viki Forrest, CEO ANZA Technology Network

Just read Philip Rogers’ highly informative piece in Australian Anthill about Aussie companies thinking about doing business in the US market.

A couple of quick takeaways apply:

1. The US remains the largest developed market in the world and a big influence on other global markets. It remains important for any company with global ambitions.
2. Innovative new models and technology have dramatically changed the cost of entering and developing the US market, you can now do some of the early market development work from Australia
3. That’s right — you no longer need to hire a US-based sales manager to get your business off the ground.
4. But — don’t make the mistake that your products or services are fully developed since they were successful in the home market. Changes will always be required to meet US customer needs.
5. Go back to startup mode — entering the US needs to be seen as comparable to a startup, meaning that founders need to be closely involved. Hiring rainmakers and expecting them to succeed on their own is unlikely to be successful.
6. Most value added resellers (VARs) or other distributors are good at selling mature products in mature categories. They are not very motivated by, or successful at, marketing innovative products and services that require the ability to create or disrupt markets.
7. That’s why you’ll need to adopt some new strategies and techniques. The good news is inbound marketing strategies in particular are extremely affordable. Search engine optimization, web-based content (webinars, white papers, etc.) and social media strategies let you start building your brand well before anyone gets on a plane. Content that demonstrates expertise and innovative thinking is the new currency. Inbound marketing will attract early adopters and innovators who are looking for new ideas.
8. As well, outbound marketing strategies like strategic targeting of prospects based on a defined ideal customer profile is another way to accelerate reach and growth. Outsourced demand generation or inside sales services mean that Australian companies can get access to the same US-based resources used by top US firms without taking on employees.
9. Where I may disagree with this otherwise excellent advice is on the short visits to the US to make an in-person impact. Great idea during the first 6-12 months of your market entry strategy as you work through the top 8 points above, but after that, to quote Markus Weichselbaum, CEO of TheBroth, a successful ANZA Fast Track company, “You have to be here.”
10. And, as always, the focus needs to be on your customers. Find your customers, make them happy and the rest will follow.

Now that I’ve paraphrased Philip’s piece to fall in line with what we talk about all the time at ANZA TechNet, please give his piece the full read it deserves. Click here.

Nuix Wins 2009 Australian Technology Showcase Patrons’ Award

The Hon. Ian Macdonald MLC, Minister for State Development (left) presents the ATS award to Nuix. Photo by KazzaDrask Media.

Nuix won the 2009 Australian Technology Showcase Patrons’ Award for Outstanding Export Achievement for New South Wales last night, taking the top honor among six state finalists.

Nuix is a forensic data and email analysis software company, whose products can process, search and analyze any volume of electronically stored information to identify relevant email and other documents for regulatory and corporate sponsored litigation and investigations.

The NSW ATS Patrons’ Award recognizes and rewards innovative ATS companies that have contributed to the NSW economy through their international business development and have strong potential for future growth.

In the first six months of 2009, 83% of Nuix’s sales came from overseas, including the US.

Nuix represented New South Wales at the 2009 G’Day USA Innovation Shootout in Silicon Valley earlier this year.

The Australian Technology Showcase NSW regularly partners with ANZA TechNet in our Gateway to the US and other programs.