Serko, an Auckland-based online travel booking and expense management for business, has been awarded up to $4.2 million for Research and Development (R&D), spread over three years via a Callaghan Innovation R&D Growth Grant from the New Zealand Government.
Announced by Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today, Serko will be using it to help fast-track development of a number of products, including Serko Mobile.
“This is a real sign of confidence from the New Zealand Government that Serko is a growth company poised to deliver on the global stage," says Darrin Grafton, CEO, Serko.
"It is pleasing that the government’s commitment to a hi-tech, hi-growth economy is enabling companies like Serko to run faster and continue developing world-leading technology at pace."
Grafton says grants such as this enable New Zealand businesses to "build strong futures based on technological innovation."
Since launching in 2007, R&D grants have enabled Serko to develop new innovative solutions for the energy and resource sector in Australia.
"The new grant will enable Serko to grow its team of developers to create products suited to the Asian and US markets," he adds.
Serko has a dedicated product development department at its Auckland headquarters, which makes up part of a 120-person strong team worldwide, with offices in Sydney Australia, Xi’an City China and Gurgaon, India.