NZ has no internet entrepreneurs
That’s according to the 2009 NZ Internet Awards. At the award ceremony in Wellington last month, Best Business Application went to Xero for its online accounting system, Best Education Product or Service Award was won by digital content directory Digital NZ and the Societal Impact Award went to the government’s website for depression awareness, thelowdown.co.nz.
But there were no finalists for the Internet Entrepreneur of the Year as the category didn’t attract enough talent. What? C’mon you web-venturers, pull your socks up and get your 2010 application at the Liz Dengate Thrush Foundation.
Read follow-up post here.
Vincent Heeringa
September 3, 2009
Either that’s a real problem for NZ, or the judges were incredibly harsh.
I suspect the latter. I mean, how hard would it be to impress the three former TradeMe fellows?
“Oh, sorry, your idea is only worth $650 million, next!”
peter
September 3, 2009
Maybe they are all working to hard? Or maybe the NZ Internet Awards did a poor job of promoting themselves? First I have read of this and its all over.
Steve Davies
September 3, 2009
I’ve never heard of these awards either??!!
The “On Ya’s” awards look the go to me.
Vincent Heeringa
September 3, 2009
The On Ya’s looked fantastic but I think they’re on hold — Matt?
I didn’t know about these awards either. They need a media partner. Does anyone know anyone who’s into, like, the Internet economy and runs a media company?
Craig
September 3, 2009
I’m the with commentators above. You can’t apply if you’ve never heard of it!
Matt Cooney
September 4, 2009
The Onyas were actually delayed to avoid clashing with these NZ Internet Awards — they were originally scheduled to run the same day. There’s an irony for you. Instead, they’ll be awarded during Webstock next year. http://www.onyas.org.nz
Can’t believe they couldn’t find any Internet entrepreneurs worth celebrating. WTF? I wrote about some this morning … http://idealog.co.nz/blog/matt-cooney/winning-on-a-pocket-sized-budget
lance
September 7, 2009
A sad result. Plenty of people are throwing time, energy and money into new ventures, but I guess there were no big exits?
David Chalklen
September 7, 2009
I think we are starting to see too many fragmented internet awards… This one, the ones mentioned, then peoples choice, the hitwise etc etc… Its becoming too much. How about one set awards night annually ?
Vincent Heeringa
September 7, 2009
Yes, and it should be run the government. None of this free market rubbish, just creates competition for scarce resources.
Jason Kemp
September 7, 2009
Even if people did hear of the awards they might have been a little daunted by the judges. (Sam Morgan, Rowan Simpson, Phil McCaw ) An impressive list but if Trademe is the benchmark that is a bit steep.