ANZA Technology Network | February 2005 Newsletter

» Monash Silicon Valley IT Internship Program comes to an end.
15 February 2005.

"From day one, our Monash intern was able add real value to three distinct projects. His American supervisor was amazed that an intern could get so much done with so little supervision and assistance. To each project he brought new ideas that have now been adopted. I think our Intern appreciated being allowed to be an "internal entrepreneur" in terms of identifying work where he could add value and selling his ideas. Ultimately, the program showed how the initiative, resourcefulness, dependability, and innovative thinking inculcated at Australian universities can shine within the fast-paced team-work approach of Silicon Valley.

Paul Fox, VP Operations Development, Flextronics Inc.

The interns: From Left, Julie, Nufar, Dean Muffazal, Jason, Charlotte, Steven, Cheryl, Hui Ting, Domenique, Simran and Peter.

The supervisors. From Left: Andrew Zivic(Macromedia), Grace Yee (Macromedia), Jon Wagg (Simulation Resources Inc.), David Cannington (ANZA Technology Network), Mailen Kootsey (Simulation Resources Inc.), Paul Fox (Flextronics), Doug McCown (Flextronics)

Over the past three years the program has been running, some of the brightest and most enthusiastic IT students from universities around Australia have had the unique opportunity to experience an international career in the IT industry, whether within a large corporate environment or virtual, innovative start-up tech. companies.

This year Macromedia increased its intake of interns from five to nine with students working closely with teams in the Multimedia, ERP, Market & User Experience, Finance, Product Localization and Instructional Media Design departments. An additional five students had the chance to work for new host companies ANZA Technology Network, Flextronics and Simulation Resources in roles ranging from web programming to IT business analysis to electronic media production.

Monash University, along with ANZA Technology Network, are currently working towards further expansion of the program in 2005/2006 and are seeking IT companies in Silicon Valley who are interested in sharing the challenge and reward of being a host company.

The 2005/2006 internship program will run from November 2005 – February 2006 and companies for next year’s program are being finalized in March 2005. If you are interested in becoming a part of this exciting opportunity or have any questions, please contact:

The 4th Annual ANZA Tech. Australian and New Zealand Technology Showcase Conference will be held in Palo Alto, November 13-15, 2005

This year, ANZA Tech. will be offering an East Coast Conference Extension for companies wanting to go on to the East Coast. Details to be announced shortly.

National ICT Australia (NICTA, http://nicta.com.au) is Australia’s pre-eminent ICT Centre of Excellence focused on information and communications technology. NICTA has assembled a world class technical and leadership team and is developing exciting commercially focused research in a number of areas.

NICTA is supporting the commercialization of these technologies with a unique Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR) Program. NICTA will fund experience US-based entrepreneurs to crystallize spin out opportunities based on NICTA research and technical teams. These EiR’s will lead spin-outs to the next stage of raising seed and series A funding from selected VC’s who are partnering with NICTA on this initiative. With NICTA seeding the ventures with technology and technical and entrepreneurial talent, and the partnering VC’s providing initial capital, the EiR’s will provide the leadership and commercial vision to steer the resulting companies to international success.

NICTA will be holding a “roundtable” with selected technology entrepreneurs and industry participants to outline the NICTA opportunity and the EiR program, discuss the terms of engagement for becoming a NICTA EiR and explore the benefits of participating in a unique leadership opportunity associated with world class technology within a supportive infrastructure.

Date: Monday, 14 March
Time: 10am to 12pm
Venue: Crowne Plaza Cabana, 4290 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306
RSVP: Friday, 4 March to david@anzatechnet.com

» Company Profile – Queensland Software Company finds success in the US. Ephox – A Software Survivor

Marco Gabbiani recently talked to Andrew Roberts, the founder and CEO of Ephox. Andrew was the Year 2000 recipient of the Young Australian of the Year Award for Science & Technology in Queensland. Andrew held the position of Chief Technology Officer for Ephox for three years before his appointment as CEO in February 2004.

With the continued globalization of the technology industry there is a growing appreciation that many outstanding companies worthy of VC investment are born outside the US.

More US VC's are looking at off shore technology start ups and establishing partnerships with off shore Venture Capital firms.

This exciting Passport Group event will have a group of some of the Valley's leading VC's who have invested in off shore technology companies. Listen to why they invested in the companies, what model they used, how the deal was done and why the companies off shore roots were not a deterrent for investing.

ANZA Tech. is pleased to co-sponsor Software 2005, the leading forum for software industry executives. April 26-27 th, Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara, CA

As a co-sponsor, ANZA is able to offer you a special rate: Register for $995 and bring two colleagues at no extra charge (see below for more information).

Software 2005 is a one-stop event that delivers best practices for the entire life cycle of a software company with sessions on funding, development, launch, scaling, liquidity, and managing in mature markets. The conference features a powerful lineup of speakers, breakout groups, and networking opportunities -- all designed to provide insight into the most important challenges facing software executives today.

As noted above, ANZA members are eligible for a special conference rate. Register for $995 and bring along two colleagues at no extra cost. This offer expires March 4th. See all the details and register online at http://www.software2005.com

A unique regional business meeting in Melbourne, April 26-28 focused on business partnering opportunities, sponsored by Victoria Australia State Government and Mallesons Stephen Jaques. This upcoming Australasian Access business program will draw upon a number of the region’s most insightful thought leaders and provide participants with a particularly time-and-cost-effective opportunity to consider their own Asia Pacific strategies and the opportunities in Australasia. The program will particularly focus on “What’s different? What’s changing? and What are the best companies currently doing about it?” Opportunities for focused networking with a select group of business peers and counterparts will be organized.

The program is FREE. Attendees need to arrange their own RT air and local hotel. Most meals and all receptions are included. For further information, see www.austaccess.biz and to make a reservation for this invitation-only event, please email Hal Josephson at haljo@mac.com.

HumanWare Ltd, formerly Pulse Data International Ltd, based in Christchurch New Zealand, specializes in the development, manufacture and distribution of information access products for people who are visually impaired. HumanWare Ltd has been recognized as one of New Zealand’s 50 fastest growing companies, and has established itself as a world leader in its field. Today, the company exports approximately 98% of its products to more than 60 countries and has established sales and distribution offices and networks around the world. Due to growth and expansion into new markets the company is seeking to appoint a Chief Operating Officer to lead the US business.

Based in Concord, California, HumanWare ( US) Inc. is the sales and distributor for the US. The business operates a warehouse, technical service facility and provides sales and distribution as well as training to professionals of the technology. The operation employs over 40 Head Office and field staff, and has a turnover of approximately US$16M.

Reporting to the HumanWare Group CEO, the primary focus of the Chief Operating Officer will be to manage the US operation efficiently and effectively by ensuring continuous productivity and growth in line with the key international strategic objectives. A proven track record in managing a sales and distribution operation in a relevant sector is desirable. To be successful in the role, you will need to have operated in the international markets, have an understanding of both New Zealand and US business cultures, and possess strong team leadership and motivational capabilities.

If you are looking for the opportunity to take the next step in your career and have an affinity and empathy with the technology, products and industry sector, then please apply online at the address below quoting reference number BM698. Initial telephone enquiries can be made to Natalie Thain on 0064 3 371 0372 or Barry McAlpine on 0064 3 371 0364.