Technology, Innovation & Science

Perth-based safety equipment developer Mobilarm has completed a $2 million convertible note issue, as it cranks up a new strategy focused on rental rather than sale of its man-overboard safety beacons.

Social media company migme has cancelled plans to undertake a share placement, after being battered by volatile markets and selling by long-term shareholders who had acquired the stock when it was a mining business.

When a prepared site was converted into the 77-apartment Adara complex near Cockburn in just 11 days late last year, the ‘potential' for modular construction techniques in Perth became a reality.

Internet service provider iiNet has recruited Officeworks chief financial officer Michael Howard to fill one gap in its executive team, as it seeks a replacement for another senior executive role.

Some enterprising WA companies are flying under the radar with clean technology business ideas. We highlight local innovations in several fields.

An online property management software designed specifically for private landlords. The PropertyMyWay team can also assist with property sales, property inspections, advertising properties for rent and tenant screening.

The former chief executive of ASX-listed company Advanced Braking Technology, Ken Johnsen, has taken the helm of Dunsborough firm Nauti-Craft, which has developed a suspension system for boats.

Costing between $40,000 and $100,000, the drones Paul Deuchar sells and trains people to fly are more than just expensive toys.

Perth-raised Naomi Brockwell has carved out a most unusual career in the US, combining her twin passions for the arts and free-market economics.

Based in Canada with a local office in Subiaco, the technology provides online analytics and dashboards that assist productivity, output and profits. The information is also available on mobile devices.

US internet television network Netflix says it is ready to fight for Australian and New Zealand viewers in what it describes as highly competitive markets.

Subiaco-based telecommunications company ZipTel says it has received a substantial amount of global traffic on its website, following the pilot release of its new app in December.

A surge in the number of backdoor listings was one of the few positives on the stock market in 2014, and two new deals for technology companies show there is more to come.

Sydney-based networking group Innovation Bay is expanding to Perth, aiming to give technology entrepreneurs a new pathway to attract seed capital from angel investors.

A new social media app that pins your posts on to a map using live GPS.

The wave of backdoor listings on the ASX in the past year suffered a setback this week, with two deals being cancelled and a third business going into administration.

Six Perth-based startups have been shortlisted of the 2014-15 OzAPP Awards, which seek the most innovative tech startup companies from the Asia Pacific region.

Lithex Resources has scrapped its planned purchase of internet marketing business Mpire Media, which was the second business Perth entrepreneur Zhenya Tsvetnenko was seeking to list on the stock market.

Liberty Resources is set to proceed with its move into the IT sector, through the acquisition of Cirrus Networks, after taking the extraordinary step of having a board spill to hasten the removal of two directors.

Technology will take the art of selling to a whole new level in 2015 … are you ready?

Technology services provider Rewardle Holdings will provide its platform to Italian restaurant chain La Porchetta under a new agreement with a six-year term.

Perth-based explorer White Star Resources says it has raised about $5.1 million and completed due diligence on its acquisition of unlisted technology business Spookfish.

Safety Medical Products says it has successfully raised nearly $4.1 million to proceed with the acquisition of an unlisted 3D printing company.

Not everyone can afford a luxury electric Tesla vehicle, starting around $100,000, but the launch of the US brand in Australia this month is expected to impact on Western Australia's emerging electric vehicle market, according to the local branch of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association.

Telstra has dramatically increased its presence in Asia with a long awaited major acquisition.

A business led by Northern Star Resources chairman Chris Rowe has capitalised on cost cutting by oil and gas companies to position itself among the world's elite commercial operators of underwater drones.

A mobile app that allows people to search, share or swap items and services with their neighbours.

Telstra has secured a contract to provide planning and design for the National Broadband Network worth up to $390 million.

Quickflix's effort to raise almost $6 million to allow it to compete with the likes of Netflix in 2015 has fallen dramatically short of target.

Vocus Communications has been successful in its bid to take over Amcom Telecommunications with the pair agreeing to a deal valuing Amcom at $652.7 million.

Perth-based residential rentals-dedicated website rent.com.au is going public, unveiling a $10 million-plus plan to list on the Australian Securities Exchange via a backdoor listing through Select

Amcom Telecommunications and Vocus Communciations have both entered trading halts, indicating a takeover agreement may have been struck.