24 May 2021

Why Kiwi tech companies get sold offshore

From Nine To Noon, 9:09 am on 24 May 2021
Smart city wireless communication network with graphic showing concept of internet of things ( IOT ) and information communication technology ( ICT ) against modern city buildings in the background.

Photo: 123RF

Why do so many New Zealand technology companies end up bought by overseas investors and does our economy suffer as a consequence? Last week Dunedin's booking software firm Timely was bought by Denver-based EverCommerce - the fourth this year. In March,  Kumeu mobile game developer Ninja Kiwi sold to Sweden's MTG;  retail software firm Vend sold to Lightspeed for $450m, and Christchurch geologic 3D modelling company Seequent was acquired by Nasdaq-listed Bentley Systems for $1.45 billion.

Kathryn discusses the situation with investor and director of a number of local software companies, Serge van Dam; CEO of the Kiwisaver provider Simplicity Sam Stubbs and PWC tax partner, Geof Nightingale.