A Hobart-based startup that helps governments worldwide prepare for climate disasters has earned state and national recognition, with its co-founder taking out Tasmania’s most prestigious technology award.
Hobart entrepreneur wins top technology honour
A Tasmanian entrepreneur who is helping governments and communities around the world prepare for climate-related disasters has been named the state’s top technology innovator.
Roxane Bandini-Maeder, CEO and co-founder of Hobart-based climate tech company Geoneon, received the Tasmania Pearcey Entrepreneur of the Year Award at last night’s Enterprize Tasmania Demo Day. The award was presented by Tasmania’s Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events, the Hon. Jane Howlett.
The Pearcey Award is one of Australia’s most prestigious technology honours, recognising entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exceptional innovation, taken significant risks and made a real difference in their field. Named after Dr Trevor Pearcey, a pioneer of Australia’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry, each Australian state selects one recipient annually, with state winners progressing to compete for the national Pearcey Award in November.
Roxane’s journey to this recognition began in Switzerland, where she grew up surrounded by the Alps and witnessed firsthand how natural disasters and climate change could devastate mountain communities. After relocating to Australia with her husband and business partner Alex, the couple made their way to Tasmania, where the concept for Geoneon was born during their journey southeast.
Today, Geoneon operates from Tasmania, using artificial intelligence and data from multiple sources – including vegetation patterns, topography, climate trends and weather systems – combined with deep scientific expertise to help organisations prepare for potential disasters before they strike. What sets the company apart is its focus on prevention and preparedness rather than just disaster response. The team regularly travels from their Tasmanian base to work with governments and organisations in disaster-prone regions around the world.
“Within the local startup community, Roxy, Alex and the rest of the Geoneon team have a reputation as a very ‘Tasmanian’ startup.
“They are creating positive international impact from our island state,” said James Riggall, chair of Pearcey Tasmania and himself a 2015 award recipient.
“That Roxy and Alex have developed this local reputation as relative newcomers to Tasmania, from their original home in the Swiss Alps, is testament to their visible dedication to their mission of making the world a better place through science and technology.”
As the Tasmania award recipient, Roxane will now represent the state at the national Pearcey Awards in November.
For more information about the Pearcey Foundation and previous award recipients, visit pearcey.org.au/tas.
About the Pearcey Foundation
The Pearcey Foundation Inc. is a non-profit organisation established in 1998 to raise the profile of the Australian Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry and profession. It was created in the memory of one of the greatest pioneers of the Australian ICT industry, Dr Trevor Pearcey. By celebrating the heroes in our industry, past present and future, the Foundation is looking to attract and encourage young Australians into this most exciting of global high technology sectors of our nation.
Tasmanian Times (TT) is a community-based news and current affairs service covering the island state of Tasmania. It exists to provide a diverse presentation of Tasmanian issues. TT creates and supports independent media content utilising the best of modern technologies and tried-and-true practices of public-interest journalism.
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