Representing the entire Kiwi ecosystem, more than 190 finalists (including 46 individuals) make the shortlist across partner, start-up, telco, vendor and distributor businesses.

“Reseller News congratulates Umbrellar on becoming a finalist in the Distributor Innovation and Partner Innovation categories,” said Cherry Yumul, vice president of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation at IDG. “We are honoured to showcase such a grand display of Kiwi ingenuity in what has been yet another challenging year of uncertainty in New Zealand.

“Enormous credit to the market-leading companies continuing to press ahead in helping customers innovate at pace — despite the notable difficulties — which once again demonstrates the depth of transformation taking place across the country. Congratulations Umbrellar, nothing can stop your pursuit of excellence.”

In 2021, Innovation Awards will honour the channel across eight categories, spanning Partner Innovation, Tech Innovation, NZ-wide Innovation, Start-up Innovation, Personal Innovation, Vendor Innovation, Distributor Innovation and Hall of Fame.

In streamlining the program, the aim is to increase focus on the pace-setters of the local market, those revving up the innovation engine and powering ahead in the delivery of transformative solutions and services.

Reflective of a diverse technology network, finalists range from large-scale multinational consultancy firms to emerging start-ups, alongside leading system integrators, managed service providers and solution consultants, plus cloud specialists, independent software vendors, boutique agencies and application developers. This is in addition to channel-centric vendors, telecommunications providers and supply chain experts.

Within this standout group, finalists are located across the entire country — from North Island to South Island — including Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Tauranga and Palmerston North.

Collectively, Innovation Awards in 2021 stands tall as the leading forum for setting the industry benchmark for ecosystem excellence across New Zealand.

The winners will now be selected by an executive panel of industry judges – acknowledging creativity, innovation and excellence – before being announced at a celebration dinner at Cordis Hotel in Auckland on Friday 19 November.