A profile of Canterbury’s tech sector is the first in a planned series designed as a tool for promotion and collaboration among the industry nationally.
The first Flux report was produced as a partnership between IT and software company advisory company Memia, Canterbury Development Corporation and IT recruiters Sourced. The report authors compiled news, data and insights through their own research, scouring websites, social media and interviews.
It “shines a light on the scale, diversity and quality of commercial technology innovation” in Canterbury and validates the team’s thinking that there is limited understanding about the depth of the sector, says Sourced director Jason Bishop.
“The primary goal of the Flux Report is to provide engaging content which tells the story of the New Zealand tech industry from the inside out. We see this as a key tool, something we’ve learned from being heavily involved in the Canterbury Software Cluster over the past few years and seeing the huge value it has in bringing firms together to promote knowledge sharing and collaboration.”
The 150-page report lists all regional firms identified identified during the team’s research and is accompanied by a poster with an infographic of company logos.
Categorising the data has been difficult, Memia founder Ben Reid says. It chose seven sub-sectors: software, services, electronics and manufacturing, health tech, agritech, gaming and ecosystem.
Teachers and careers advisors have been keen to use the information, says Bishop. “Suddenly teachers and careers advisors have something tangible to put in front of students that clearly shows the depth of opportunity available in IT and technology, but also the vast range of complimentary professions to the sector.
“This information should provide that critical link for parents and students who are considering future careers and can highlight the direction that needs to be taken at high school (or earlier) level.”
The two want to hear from people interested in helping research their region.
