TECH'S STAR PERFORMERS

THE TECHNOLOGY ISSUE

Sir Paul Callaghan summed things up succinctly with his words at the launch of the 2011 TIN Report: “We've grown a $7 billion innovation sector with $5 billion per annum in exports, without most New Zealanders even being aware of what we can do. Imagine what will happen when all New Zealanders discover what we are really good at!"

What's remarkable is that tech's total revenue and exports have doubled in the decade following that report.

In a country famous for its dairy, meat, forestry and tourism exports, many people are surprised to learn how big its tech export sector has become, it is now New Zealand's second largest source of offshore revenue after dairy.

The tech sector’s growth is not about to slow down either. If it continues at the same pace, it will double again in the next five years taking it to $20 billion in sales. Tech companies are increasingly growing in size and profitability - with 53 of the TIN200 companies posting revenues over $50 million, and this year for the first time, four companies reporting revenues exceeding $1 billion.

Greg Shanahan, managing director of Technology Investment Network (TIN), which produces the TIN Report, has witnessed the sector’s growth first hand.

“I love the fact that we can grow billion-dollar revenue companies that are global leaders in their respective fields."

He is referring to Xero and F&P Healthcare.

“There is so much to learn from both companies that is inspiring," he says. “One of the