Drone company Syos Aerospace named NZ Hi-Tech company of the year
Syos founder Sam Vye told NBR in February that the four-year-old company hopes to triple
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Scoop
5 days ago
- Scoop
Rocket Lab Successfully Completes Critical Design Review For Space Development Agency's T2TL-Beta Constellation
As a prime contractor, Rocket Lab will deliver a constellation of 18 spacecraft for the Space Development Agency's Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta program, a foundational component of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. Long Beach, Calif. July 1, 2025 – Rocket Lab National Security LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rocket Lab USA (Nasdaq: RKLB) ('Rocket Lab' or 'the Company'), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced the successful completion of its Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Space Development Agency's (SDA) Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta (T2TL-Beta) program. The milestone follows Rocket Lab's successful Preliminary Design Review in late 2024, confirms that spacecraft design, manufacturing approach, and systems architecture meet all mission requirements and enables the program to move into full-scale production. As a prime contractor, Rocket Lab will deliver a constellation of 18 spacecraft for the T2TL-Beta program, part of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, a resilient, low-latency communications network in low Earth orbit (LEO) that support real-time connectivity for U.S. and allied forces worldwide. 'The Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture is reshaping how the U.S. secures space for the joint force, and Rocket Lab is proud to be a contributor,' said Brad Clevenger, President of Rocket Lab National Security. 'With proven platforms and in-house production across key systems, we're building the backbone of resilient on-orbit capability for the warfighter. Our successful completion of CDR further demonstrates our ability to deliver trusted technology at the speed and scale needed to support national security space.' Rocket Lab's spacecraft for the T2TL-Beta program is based on its high-performance Lightning platform, tailored for the power and data-handling demands of national security LEO constellations. As a vertically integrated provider, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures its spacecraft buses and key subsystems in-house, including solar panels, composite structures, star trackers, reaction wheels, radios, avionics, flight and ground software, launch dispensers, and more allowing the Company to maintain tight control over quality, cost, and schedule.
Techday NZ
09-06-2025
- Techday NZ
Projectworks secures NZD $25 million in funding to drive global growth
Projectworks has closed its Series A funding round at NZD $25 million, securing investment from US fintech investor Ten Coves alongside existing shareholders. The latest funding boost takes the Wellington-founded software firm's total capital raised to more than NZD $33 million. The Series A round, which the company describes as one of the largest of its kind for a New Zealand technology business in recent years, included continued participation from Bridgewest Group and Punakaiki Fund. The investment coincides with Projectworks being awarded Hi-Tech Emerging Company of the Year at the 2025 Hi-Tech Awards. The company has also recently been recognised in the Deloitte Fast50 and the Inc. 5000 list, underscoring its growth trajectory. Strategic investment Ten Coves Managing Partner, Steve Piaker, has joined the Projectworks board as part of the investment. Piaker emphasised the shifts occurring in the global consulting market, particularly as smaller, specialist firms gain ground through technology adoption. "It's a good time to challenge the status quo," said Steve Piaker, Managing Partner, Ten Coves Capital. "With the latest advances in project intelligence, specialists with lean teams and deep experience can go toe-to-toe with larger firms — and win. Projectworks is the first end-to-end solution built for consultants from the ground up. It breaks down silos that get in the way of growth, and gives firms the tools to bid for and manage projects from a position of strength. . Having backed Mark Orttung when he served as president of BILL, we are thrilled to reunite with him and support his team as they break new ground in the professional services automation space." The funds are earmarked for expanding product development, customer success and go-to-market teams. In particular, Projectworks will focus on integrating generative artificial intelligence tools, such as automated time tracking and proposal generation, into its platform. The company expects to increase its headcount by approximately 50% in the coming year. Leadership changes Mark Orttung, who was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2024, has headed an acceleration of Projectworks' expansion, especially in North America, since taking up the post. Orttung previously held senior positions including President and Chief Operating Officer of BILL and CEO of Nexient, which was acquired by NTT Data in 2021. Orttung said the new funding and recognition highlighted a shift in the consulting services industry, where firms face mounting pressures and must find efficiencies in their project management. "Great consulting firms spend all their time on clients. That doesn't leave any time to manage their own firms. Specialists are solving some of the world's hardest and most important problems, yet they often shortchange key areas like resource planning, project and firm profitability, time sheets, time off/expense management, and invoicing. If you don't nail the basics, nothing else matters. You can't scale. You can't make a profit. And most importantly, you can't serve your clients, employees, or shareholders. That's what makes Projectworks so special. We automate the routine so firms can focus on what really matters—profitable, meaningful, impactful work." Orttung added: "Projectworks is now a truly global company, but we retain our Kiwi attitude. We listen, we innovate, we deliver. We eliminate project chaos and help our clients focus on work that makes a real difference in people's lives. We are growing at a spectacular rate as a result." Recognition and growth Projectworks' growth was praised by the Hi-Tech Award judges, who commented on the company's strong reputation among over 600 consulting clients in more than 50 countries. The judges remarked, "Projectworks has carved out a clear niche in the professional services world, building a smart, practical software platform that grew from solving internal pain points of their own consulting business, to supporting over 600 consultancies in more than 50 countries." The panel further stated, "Projectworks is a stand-out example of how a New Zealand company can quietly and successfully go global by focusing on what services firms actually need. They've executed well and built a solid pipeline of innovation for future growth." Co-founder and Chief Product Officer Matt Hayter attributed the achievement to the dedication of the team and the confidence shown by early supporters. "We're here today because of the people who believed in us from the start. We were backed by ambitious Kiwi consulting firms - many of whom were scrappy young startups like us - and it's because of them that we grew. It's because of them that we are here today, taking on the world from Wellington. The future of NZ tech is bright and I've never been as optimistic as I am now. Sure, there are challenges and headwinds, but if there's one thing the last four years have taught me, it's that the world isn't run by the smartest or best people - it's run by the people who keep showing up. With Projectworks, I know we're just getting started." Operational progress Founded in 2019, Projectworks reports a compound annual revenue growth rate of 140% since launch. The company now serves more than 600 clients, including tens of thousands of users worldwide. In 2024, Projectworks moved its headquarters to Silicon Valley, marking a step-up in international ambitions targeting the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Europe. Projectworks' software automates time-tracking, invoicing, resource allocation, forecasting and reporting, and integrates with commonly used workplace systems such as QuickBooks, Salesforce, Hubspot, Jira and Zapier. The company aims to give SMB consultancies a clearer overview of complex, cross-border projects. Customer perspectives Marc Foster, Vice President at Cypress Environment and Infrastructure, said, "A lot of software for consultants feels like the past -- enterprise with a capital E. Projectworks was the first solution we came across that really felt like the future. It's lightweight and nimble, not a big, clunky ERP. We've been growing like crazy the last few years, and it's reassuring to know Projectworks understands the challenges of firms like ours. It doesn't force you into a particular way of doing things. I love how it integrates with our accounting software, because it makes hiring so much easier. No matter where you are, you can always find someone who knows how to run QuickBooks." Christian Nolden, President of Groundline Engineering, USA, commented, "We've grown our team 10X over the past decade and recently made a major move into the US market—an exciting but complex transition for any company. We needed a project automation solution that could keep up with our pace, but more importantly, one that was easy to adopt and didn't require months of onboarding or training. Before Projectworks, we were juggling multiple disconnected platforms and relying heavily on spreadsheets just to get basic insights. Pulling data manually was time-consuming and error-prone, especially as we expanded globally. It was clear we needed a better way. Projectworks completely transformed how we manage projects. It was quick to set up, intuitive to use, and immediately gave us a single source of truth for all our projects. Within days, we were syncing teams across countries, tracking progress in real time, and making faster, more confident decisions. It's been a game-changer for our US expansion and beyond." Projectworks' leadership has signalled ongoing emphasis on international expansion, especially in North America, as well as continued investment in technology development and customer support teams.
Scoop
05-06-2025
- Scoop
Motion Strengthens Leadership Team With New Board And Advisory Appointment
Press Release – FTN Motion Jamie France, formerly an advisor to FTN, has joined the companys Board of Directors. France was an early Rocket Lab employee and served as Global Launch Director for the Electron rocket program, leading a team of over 300 engineers and technicians … FTN Motion, makers of the Streetdog electric motorbike, has announced the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors and a new addition to its Advisory Board, as the company focuses on building a strong, efficient foundation for operations across New Zealand and Australia. The announcement comes as FTN wraps up its first production run of the new Streetdog80 for customers here in Aotearoa. With most bikes nearly out the door, the team is now gearing up to start building in June for its first Australian deliveries. Board Appointments Reinforce Operational Capability Jamie France, formerly an advisor to FTN, has joined the company's Board of Directors. France was an early Rocket Lab employee and served as Global Launch Director for the Electron rocket program, leading a team of over 300 engineers and technicians across New Zealand and the U.S. FTN co-founder Luke Sinclair said France brings valuable experience in building operational structure during periods of growth. 'Jamie has helped build complex operations from the ground up,' said Sinclair. 'We're not chasing hyper-scale – we're focused on building a well-run, efficient company that can deliver consistently to customers across New Zealand and Australia. Jamie understands how to get that right.' Also joining the Board is Jenny Cresswell, the former Head of Strategy and Chief Financial Officer at Hyundai Motors New Zealand. Cresswell's commercial and financial leadership adds depth to FTN's governance as the company works to refine its operations and long-term planning. Advisory Board Welcomes New Voice in Urban Mobility FTN's Advisory Board has also welcomed Mariko Mura Davidson, a product leader with 15 years of experience at the intersection of transport innovation and go-to-market strategy. She currently holds a senior role at Wombi, a U.S.-based e-bike subscription company, and has previously led product initiatives at Ford Motor Company and Microsoft, where she focused on launching technologies that improve urban mobility and reduce environmental impact. Mariko's go-to-market expertise is exactly what we need as we begin selling in Australia,' said Sinclair. 'She brings a sharp understanding of how to position and scale innovative products in new markets. Her experience will be instrumental in establishing the Streetdog as a smart, sustainable choice for urban commuters across New Zealand and Australia. Davidson joins existing advisor Roland Krueger, former CEO of Dyson, who has been working with FTN over the past year. With prior leadership roles at BMW and Infiniti, Krueger brings a strong design and product mindset to the table. Based part-time in New Zealand, he had been following FTN's journey before joining as an advisor.
