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NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2009

FROM THE CEO

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I rang in 2009 and spent the first 12 days of the year in my hometown of Sydney before returning to my base here in California in time for the G'Day USA Innovation Shoot Out in Menlo Park. Between the time spent in Australia - which also included stops in Melbourne and Adelaide - and my time back in the States, I sense a feeling among entrepreneurs in both places of guarded optimism and the idea that the hard work that lies ahead for innovative companies this year will ultimately be rewarded.

The spirit of rolling up the sleeves, cooperation and finding solutions to problems seems to be prevalent in America this week. The country's commitment to re-dedicate itself to these themes was evident in President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address.

"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America," he said.

"For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do."

Statements like this from the new leader of the world's largest economy should energize us all to see the need for new innovations in the coming years to make the Obama plan work in America, and around the world. No doubt both the US and the global economy will continue to struggle for some time. But a struggling economy never has - and never should - stop innovations and entrepreneurs. It is times like these when innovation and entrepreneurial spirit are needed the most and looked toward to strengthen economies.

I spent my time in Australia catching up with ANZA Technology Network members, partners and affiliates - both new and old. I am energized to see groups of young entrepreneurs forming to support one another, incubators developing to give ideas a chance and state and federal government programs that are still in place and willing to work with individuals and organizations like ANZA to help bring early-stage buisnesses to their next stage.

This year ANZA picks up where we left off in 2008 - working diligently to continue to build the bridge between Australian and New Zealand innovation to US funding sources, partnerships and sales. I wish you all a healthy, happy and optimistic New Year!

Viki Forrest, CEO

Stay connected to ANZA Technology Network between newsletters and e-blasts. Visit the ANZA Technology Network blog and follow us on Twitter at @anzatechnet.

From the CEO: Happy New Year!
Queensland's ImpediMed Wins G'Day USA Innovation Shoot Out in Silicon Valley
The Obama Inauguration Speech: Watch It Again
ANZA Joins Silicon Beach Australia for Friday Night Drinks in Sydney
Melbourne Tram Dedication on San Francisco's "F" Line
Press Watch: Business News Roundup from Australia, New Zealand and the US
ANZA Companies in the News
ANZA Members in the News
Announcements and Opportunities
Calendar

QUEENSLAND'S IMPEDIMED WINS G'DAY USA INNOVATION SHOOT OUT IN SILICON VALLEY

ImpediMed, the Queensland entrant in Australia Week's G'Day USA Innovation Showcase, bested five other state finalists to take top honors at Silicon Valley's Innovation Shoot Out on January 15.

(Photo: ImpediMed CEO Greg Brown with The Hon Peter Beattie, Queensland Trade Commissioner for the Americas.)

ImpediMed makes the medical device L-Dex, a tool surgeons and oncologists can use to detect secondary lymphedema in post-op cancer patients. Some 30% of breast cancer, pelvic cancer and other cancer survivors develop this condition as a result of removal of or radiation to lymph nodes. The condition impedes general mobility, air travel and overall quality of life. L-Dex has FDA approval in the US and is currently in use in the US, Europe and Australia.

A panel of US investment experts from Sierra Ventures, IBM Venture Capital Group and Orrick's Emerging Companies Group chose ImpediMed over the other state finalists because of its market position and further potential in the US. The other finalists were E Ball Games (Victoria), JadeLiquid Software (Tasmania), m-Net (South Australia), Nuix (New South Wales) and Sensear (Western Australia).

ImpediMed's Shoot Out win entitles the company to several prizes to help solidify its position in the US marketplace, including a slot in ANZA's 2009 Gateway to the US program.

The Innovation sector of Australia Week's G'Day USA program was organized by ANZA partners and affiliates including the State Government of Victoria's Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, Advance and SDForum.

(Read the ANZA press release here.)

THE OBAMA INAUGURATION SPEECH: WATCH IT AGAIN

It was an historic day for America and the world. If you missed President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address on January 20, we've provided the YouTube clips below.

Part 2:

Via 'Obama Speech'

ANZA JOINS SILICON BEACH AUSTRALIA FOR FRIDAY NIGHT DRINKS IN SYDNEY

While in Sydney earlier this month we had the pleasure of meeting the man behind Australia's hottest online forum for innovative ICT start-ups and entrepreneurs, Elias Bizannes of Silicon Beach Australia. Elias started Silicon Beach about 8 months ago as a way to find other entrepreneurs with start-ups, or simply start-up ideas, and create a forum where like-minded folks could share stories and support one another.

The forum evolved quickly - it has over 400 members from all over Australia and a few who report their experiences from the US, Europe and Asia. Friday night drinks at Sydney's Grace Hotel are a weekly event, heralded by the group as "must-see face time." We met Elias on a Thursday and naturally he invited us for drinks on Friday. It was fantastic to be among this developing community of young and enthusiastic entrepreneurs.

If you are in Sydney on a Friday night, we highly recommend you get in touch with Elias Bizannes or Mick Liubinskas and make a stop at the Silicon Beach drinks.

Silicon Beach Drinks, January 9, 2008: Far left photo, far left: ANZA CEO Viki Forrest. Far right photo, far right: Silicon Beach founder, Elias Bizannes. In between: Members of Silicon Beach.

AUSTRALIAN ANTHILL ONLINE - ANZA's media sponsor offers a free weekly newsletter full of tactics, tips and tools for entrepreneurs. Get on their mailing list by clicking here.

MELBOURNE TRAM DEDICATION ON SAN FRANCISCO'S "F" LINE

With visiting Victorian dignitaries in town for the Innovation Shoot Out, San Francisco unveiled the refurbished Melbourne tram #496 to run along its historic "F" line - Market Street, the Embarcadero and Fisherman's Wharf. Next time you're in town look for the green and gold W2 style tram. A ride costs only $1.50 and your ticket is good for 2 hours.

PRESS WATCH: BUSINESS NEWS ROUNDUP FROM AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND AND THE US

VentureBeat - January 9, 2009 - Google Reader, Windows Live Mesh, Cooliris, GitHub, GoodGuide, Amazon Web Services, eBuddy, Project Frog and the iPhone 3G were among the winners at the 2008 Crunchies Awards, sponsored by TechCrunch, GigaOm, Silicon Alley and VentureBeat in San Francisco on January 9th. (Read more)
The Economist - January 15, 2009 - Technology firms in the recession. While "it cannot defy gravity...the technology industry is faring better than it did in the previous downturn." (Read more)
VentureBeat - January 21, 2009 -"Game and Virtual World Fundings Top $885 Million in 2008". 2008 was probably one of the biggest years for venture investment in video game companies. (Read more)
Flowing Data - January 22, 2009 - A worldwide Inauguration map of Twitter tweets around the world leading up to and following the inauguration of Barack Obama as America's 44th President. Measured by tweets containing the word "inauguration" and of positive content. Obviously, the US is quite active, but check out the activity in Australia and New Zealand. (Read more)

Read more innovative tech business news on the ANZA Technology Network blog.

ANZA COMPANIES IN THE NEWS

Digislide is planning to list on the ASX next month and raise $4.5 million (AUD). Digislide is a 2005 ANZA Gateway company from South Australia specializing in miniaturized optics and electronic technology. They were a co-winner of the Guy Manson Hottest Technology Award at the 2005 ANZA Gateway to the US Summit. To read their prospectus, click here.

Is your company making news? Know of an ANZA company that is? Let us know. Send news tips and info to viki@anzatechnet.com.

ANZA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Congratulations times two! ANZA Operations Manager Jennifer Hull delivered two healthy little girls on December 9th. Maia and Gillian and Mom and Dad are all doing fine.
Ira Ehrenpreis, general partner in Palo Alto-based Technology Partners goes on record in Greentech Media from the Cleantech Investor Summit in Palm Springs on January 21. "Amid the financial meltdown and financial crises, cleantech has evolved. Cleantech isn't about this year, or next year, it's about the next 100 years." (Read more)
John Scull, Managing Director of Southern Cross Venture Partners, spoke with TechNation Australia about networking, getting funded in a down economy and risk averseness of local (Australian) VCs on a recent trip to Sydney. (Read more)
Xumii, the mobile social network and IM aggregator led by Jennifer Zanich, has made it through to the second round of Mobile Mondays Peer Awards 2009. More than 160 start-ups participated. Xumii was one of 42 nominees selected for the next round. An international jury will now select 20 of these nominees to present in Barcelona for the top award next month.
Steven Goh, co-founder of Mig33, is stepping down as CEO to be replaced by Steve Boom. Goh is a serial entrepreneur who co-founded Mig33 in 2005. He will remain on the board and serve as Executive Vice President of the company going forward.

Are you making news? Know of an ANZA member who is in the news? Let us know. Send news tips and info to viki@anzatechnet.com.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

AUSTRALIAN ANTHILL'S SMART 100 INDEX - Application deadline extended to Monday, January 26, 2009. Anthill, along with global market research agency Colmar Brunton, will be ranking Australia's 100 most innovative products, promising one of the largest surveys of its kind in Australia. You have to apply to be considered for inclusion, and the application deadline has been extended to Monday, January 26, 2009. Click here for details and application form.

NEWSMAKER PRESS RELEASE SERVICE - Special offer for ANZA TechNet members, 10% (only $59 AUD) off on your next news release. A cost-effective way to spread the word about your company's achievements, products and opinions. Traditional media PR can be hit-and-miss. NewsMaker is a recession-proof new press release system that makes it easy for you to make the news! NewsMaker offers easy-to-use Press Release Wizard, Targeted Media List capability, Google News indexing, Social Media sharing and more. Click here to use the service with the 10% discount; or use the code 7be1 with an existing NewsMaker account. This offer is good until 30 January 2008.

CALL FOR ENTRIES - INNOVIC is calling all creative small businesses, innovators and inventors from around the world for its Next Big Thing Award 2009. Applications are available online and must be submitted by March 16, 2009. Up to $60,000 in cash and prizes and more than $100,000 worth of outstanding publicity and promotion will be awarded to the winner.

ADVANCE - The dynamic and diverse community of Australians professionals overseas committed to advancing Australia and Australians. Keep connected and find out about important events happening in your area of the world. Membership is free. Sign up by clicking here.

SILICON BEACH AUSTRALIA - Join the conversation and keep up-to-date on this Google Groups site devoted to the Aussie ICT sector.

LARRY'S VC VIEW - LaserFocusWorld features Dr. Larry Marshall's VC blog. Many of you know Larry from his role with Southern Cross Venture Partners and his involvement with ANZA's Gateway to the US. Larry blogs about his thoughts and reflections of the VC scene in Silicon Valley as well as the work he does with Down Under companies.

GROW USA - IT JOBS IN THE USA. Are you an Australian citizen? Do you hold a degree (or US equivalent?). Do you want to work in the US? If the answer is "yes", then chances are you qualify for the All-Australian E-3 visa. Our US clients include consulting and recruitment companies who in turn have clients across North America. We also work with several end-clients, including Microsoft. For more information and the latest IT jobs, go to www.growusa.com.au or email info@growusa.com.au; +61 424 177 944.

AUSTRALIAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - San Francisco chapter (includes Silicon Valley) meets every third Thursday of the month for networking and drinks at the King George Hotel, 334 Mason (at Geary) from 6 pm onwards. Open to all Australians and non-Australians in the San Francisco Bay Area. The AACC provide a variety of social, cultural and business platforms. To find out more - click here.

DATELINE MEDIA - Receive a daily dose of business, tech, life sciences, issues and trends from the USA with an Australian angle. Subscribe to Dateline Media's free condensed format email list and keep up-to-date on what's happening in the world's largest marketplace.

DEMO.com - ANZA mentor, leader of Silicon Valley's prestigious Guidewire Group and executive producer of DEMO, Chris Shipley blogs about innovation and start-ups. Click here to read.

SOUTH FOOD+WINE BAR - Aussie and Kiwi ex-pats working in Silicon Valley are flocking to San Francisco's hip new restaurant showcasing the best of Down Under food and drink. South Food+Wine Bar features the cuisine of top chef Luke Mangan and a critically acclaimed wine list. Book your lunch, dinner or weekend brunch plans in advance -- South is a popular place!

Santa Fe Films is the official videographer of ANZA Technology Network events. We highly recommend their work. To view samples, please go to the ANZA website media page, or the Santa Fe Films website.

CALENDAR

JANUARY 27, 2009 - Palo Alto, CA. SDForum Quarterly Venture Breakfast with Pillsbury Winthrop and PricewaterhouseCoopers. 8 am to 10 am. Topic "2008 Scorecard". Venture investing has been relatively stable over the past 7 years, but will that change in 2009? Panel discussion featuring representatives from PWC, Greylock Partners, New Enterprise Associates, Scale Venture Partners and Accel Partners. $20 for SDForum members; ANZA members can attend for $20 using the code PWC09. Click here to register.

JANUARY 30, 2009 - Santa Clara, CA. State of the Clean Green Industry. Presented by SDForum and BlueFountain. 8:30 am to 2:00 pm at the Sun Microsystems campus. Event will bring together policymakers, corporate executives, investors and entrepreneurs for a series of panel discussions and networking about the state of the clean green industry. $65 for SDForum members; $85 for non-members. ANZA members can attend for $75 using the code SDFP09. Click here to register.

FEBRUARY 13, 2009 - Sydney, NSW. Fairfax Digital's Media '09 Annual Forecast for Digital Media Professionals. An international gathering of the world's leading digital media executives and entrepreneurs showcasing global best practice in digital media innovations. Designed to assist you shape successful digital media content offerings, business models and advertising appeal. For more information, click here.

FEBRUARY 18-20, 2009 - Brisbane, QLD. Australian Association of Angel Investors (AAAI) 2009 National Conference. Angel investing is picking up steam in Australia and around the world. If you are interested in how Australians investing in Australian innovation can help Australia grow and prosper, this conference is for you. For more information, click here.

MARCH 1-3, 2009 - Palm Desert, CA. DEMO '09, the launchpad for emerging technology. World-renowned showcase for new innovations from around the world. Executive producer Chris Shipley has been scouting out 70 new companies from around the world to offer them the chance to pitch on the DEMO stage. Early bird registration is open until February 1. Click here to register.

MARCH 17-18, 2009 - Perth, WA. Australian Masters Marketing Summit. A two-day summit designed to arm you with an artillery of new ideas, solutions, strategies, mind sets and networking contacts. Speakers include industry leading thinkers, innovators and practitioners from Australia, Asia and the UK. For more information, click here.

New procedures for Australians traveling to the US went into effect on January 12th. Approval for the visa waiver program must now be obtained through the online Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) three days prior to departure. Australian passport holders with a valid visa for travel to the US (i.e., work or student visas) are not required to apply for an ESTA. Click here for complete details.

Newletters, E-Blasts and More

Look for our e-updates with important announcements and developments as they come about and our next newsletter in March. Be sure to regularly check the ANZA blog -- and add your comments -- as we keep keep up on ANZA TechNet member news and news on the business climate in Silicon Valley, the US, Australia, New Zealand and beyond.

FOR MORE INFO

ANZA Technology Network

Viki Forrest, CEO