The promise of Powerhouse subsidiaries yet to come

The value of Powerhouse’s shareholdings in 22 subsidiaries commercialising technological research from universities and state organisations like Crop and Food is currently $17.5 million.

Collectively they employ about 120 people with some having as few as two and others up to 20.

Powerhouse-funded companies at the most advanced stage include:

❚ Invert Robotics, which makes steel tank defect robots about the size of a small vacuum cleaner.

❚ CropLogic, which has developed in-field software-controlled sensors and aerial imagery, currently managing one-third of the US potato crop.

❚ Photonic, an industrial laser-based gas leak detection firm.

❚ Arc Active, developer of longer-life battery technology to take advantage of the rise in electric vehicle numbers.

❚ Design company Modlar, which helps architects choose materials with correct specifications.

❚ Mars Bioimaging, developer of colour X-ray CT scanner and a supreme winner in the recent Champion Canterbury Business Awards.

❚ Solar power LED lighting company SolarBright.

❚ Some of the smaller ventures at the startup phase include Tiromedical, a breast cancer detector, Avalia Immunotherapies, AuramerBio detectors to measure blood and tissue, CertusBiolactose sensors, Cirrus plated coatings for electronics and aerospace, and Objective Acuity to measure vision disorders.