CODE_n15: And the winner is…relayr

Press Release

• Startup from Berlin leaves 450 international competitors behind
• Business model that paves the way into IoT for app developers
• Finalists presenting their business ideas at CeBIT until Friday

“Into the Internet of Things” is the motto of CODE_n hall 16 at CeBIT. 50 start-ups from around the world are showcasing their business models on the topic areas Industry 4.0, Digital Life, Smart City and Future Mobility. Last night, the coveted CODE_n Award was presented.

Hannover, 19 March 2015 – relayr of Berlin is the winner of this year’s CODE_n Award. This was announced last night by CODE_n’s jury at CeBIT in Hannover. The young company impressed the judges with its business model that paves the way into the Internet of Things for app developers. Their flagship product “WunderBar” looks like a bar of chocolate but is packed with cutting-edge sensor technology. The various sensors measure such things as temperature, humidity or movement and can be broken off like chunks of chocolate and attached to physical objects. This enables software developers – without any knowledge of electrical engineering – to design applications for smartphones which can access and analyse the measured data; such as an app that controls the temperature of the wine cellar or the humidity level of the domestic greenhouse. Hardware and software communicate via relayr’s open sensor cloud platform and allow developers to make a fast and easy project start for wireless applications and prototypes – turning smartphones into smart devices. The CODE_n Award carries a prize of € 30,000.

Viewsy wins CODE_n14 Award

Press release

London startup wins out over 450 applicants from 60 countries

Hanover, March 12th, 2014 – Since Monday, 50 startups from 17 countries have been presenting their innovative business models related to the topic of Big Data in the CODE_n hall 16 at CeBIT. The CODE_n jury has reached a decision: The coveted CODE_n award and prize money in the amount of EUR 30,000 were awarded to London-based Viewsy (www.viewsy.com). “With their business models, all of our finalists add their own exciting touch to the topic of the future of Big Data. With Viewsy, we award a young company that impressively demonstrates how large data volumes can be safely, intelligently, and profitably used with a technologically mature solution,” explains Ulrich Dietz, initiator of CODE_n and member of the jury of ten, regarding the selection.

CODE_n Accelerates Dialog between Established Companies and Startups at CeBIT

Press Release

EY analysis: Opportunities and Risks of Big Data

Hanover, March 9th, 2014 – Companies face a double dilemma when it comes to Big Data, i.e. the analysis of large volumes of data: They see the business opportunities, but the ideas on how the subject can be specifically tackled are lacking. Many of the users don’t even think twice about revealing their data. These are the findings of a recent analysis by EY (formerly Ernst & Young). EY is a partner of CODE_n, the innovation platform at CeBIT that offers space to start-ups with innovative business models relating to Big Data in Hall 16. The entrepreneurs’ aims: To tackle the datability dilemma in a constructive way – in close collaboration with established companies.

The volume of data that was generated worldwide last year was more than four Zettabytes in size, a number with 21 zeros. Where do you begin with something that size? This is a question that more and more companies are asking themselves. According to EY, 79 percent of decision makers in European companies today believe that revenues can be increased by collecting and evaluating Big Data.

CODE_n 14 Press Conference Invitation

Media Invitation

11am-2pm, Tuesday, 18th February 2014

Location – EY Offices, 1 More London Place, SE1 2AF

We are delighted to invite you to attend this exclusive press conference on CODE_n 2014.

You’ll be the first to see the latest plans for the event at CeBIT (Hanover, 10-14 March). You will also meet Ulrich Dietz, entrepreneur and initiator of CODE_n, world renowned designer Clemens Weisshaar (Behind the attention grabbing big data generated visuals for CODE_n) as well as a leading expert from CODE_n Global Partner EY and some of the 50 exciting CODE_n start-up finalists who will be battling it out at CeBIT in early March.

CODE_n PR Event: “How big data will affect our everyday life”

GFT posts accelerated growth. Revenue up 22 per cent in third quarter of 2013

 

 

 

Press Release

• GFT Solutions division grows by 30 per cent in the first three quarters
• Pre-tax earnings after nine months up 44 per cent on previous year
• Full-year guidance for pre-tax earnings raised to around EUR 16 million

Stuttgart, 7 November 2013 – Following a planned development of revenue in the first half of 2013, the GFT Group stepped up the pace of growth significantly in the third quarter. Thanks to dynamic organic growth in the GFT Solutions division and the initial consolidation of the newly acquired Sempla S.r.l., consolidated revenue in the third quarter grew by 22 per cent to EUR 71.25 million (prev. year: EUR 58.23 million). After the first nine months, the GFT Group posted revenue growth of 6 per cent to EUR 185.44 million (prev. year: EUR 174.61 million). Pre-tax earnings (EBT) improved over the same period by 44 per cent to EUR 11.21 million (prev. year: EUR 7.80 million). The company has upgraded its full-year guidance for pre-tax earnings issued in August to around EUR 16 million (formerly at least EUR 15 million) and expects revenue for the full year to increase to at least EUR 260 million (prev. year: EUR 230.69 million) with an EBITDA result of around EUR 19 million (prev. year: EUR 13.35 million).

“We are delighted with the good performance of the GFT Solutions division, which has grown steadily stronger over the course of the year. The successful integration of Sempla has strengthened our range of solutions. We look forward with confidence to the fourth quarter and the continuation of our growth trajectory,” states GFT’s CEO Ulrich Dietz.

GFT Solutions grows by 30 per cent in the first nine months

Dedicated to delivering IT solutions for the finance sector, the GFT Solutions division posted revenue growth of 30 per cent to EUR 117.82 million in the first nine months (prev. year: EUR 90.48 million), of which EUR 10.20 million was contributed by the newly integrated Sempla S.r.l. Adjusted for this revenue contribution, GFT Solutions posted growth of 19 per cent. This strong organic growth was helped by rising demand for outsourcing services and investment banking solutions, especially in the UK and Germany. Segment earnings rose by 62 per cent to EUR 12.85 million (prev. year: EUR 7.93 million).

With its consultancy services for the staffing of technology projects, the emagine division posted revenue of EUR 67.61 million – 20 per cent down on the previous year (EUR 84.13 million). This decline in revenue resulted mainly from the planned discontinuation of its low-margin Third Party Management (TPM) business. As a result, the TPM business contributed just EUR 2.33 million (prev. year: EUR 16.55 million) to segment revenue.

GFT Group improves pre-tax earnings by 44 per cent

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of the GFT Group rose by 48 per cent to EUR 13.05 million in the first nine months (prev. year: EUR 8.81 million). The newly consolidated Sempla S.r.l. contributed income of EUR 0.93 million to EBITDA. The EBITDA result includes tax-free income of EUR 1.73 million from an adjustment to the expected purchase price for Asymo AG, acquired in 2011, as well as costs for the CODE_n innovation drive and CeBIT fair presence amounting to EUR 0.97 million (prev. year: EUR 1.35 million).

Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) improved by 47 per cent to EUR 11.27 million (prev. year: EUR 7.65 million). In the first nine months of 2013, earnings before taxes (EBT) amounted to EUR 11.21 million and were thus 44 per cent up on the previous year (EUR 7.80 million). The operating margin before taxes improved by 1.5 per cent, from 4.5 per cent in the previous year to 6.0 per cent.

In the reporting period, the GFT Group generated net income of EUR 8.38 million, corresponding to growth of 64 per cent over the prior-year figure (EUR 5.10 million). The calculated tax ratio amounted to 25 per cent, compared to 35 per cent in the previous year.

Earnings of GFT Solutions up 62 per cent

The earnings contribution of the GFT Solutions segment rose by 62 per cent to EUR 12.85 million in the first nine months (prev. year: EUR 7.93 million), corresponding to an improvement in the operating margin to 10.9 per cent (prev. year: 8.8 per cent). This disproportionately strong increase in earnings, compared to revenue, resulted mainly from a higher utilisation rate and the adjustment of the remaining purchase price for Asymo AG. Segment earnings of the emagine division were burdened by expenses involved with the division’s realignment, especially in the first six months. Following an upturn in the third quarter, segment earnings for the first nine months amounted to EUR 0.41 million (prev. year: EUR 1.59 million).

Headcount grows to over 2,000

Due to the positive development of business and high utilisation of capacity in the GFT Solutions division, headcount at the Spanish development centres was increased by 19 per cent to over 1,000 during the reporting period. All in all, the number of full-time staff employed by GFT increased to 2,029 as of 30 September 2013 (prev. year: 1,371).

Outlook: full-year guidance for pre-tax earnings raised

Following a first six months in line with expectations and a strong third quarter, the GFT Group expects business to make further progress in the fourth quarter. The Executive Board has therefore upgraded its full-year guidance for pre-tax earnings issued in August to around EUR 16 million (formerly at least EUR 15 million) and expects revenue for the full year to increase to at least EUR 260 million (prev. year: EUR 230.69 million) with an EBITDA result of around EUR 19 million (prev. year: EUR 13.35 million).

Detailed financial figures are available in the Investor Relations section of the GFT website at http://www.gft.com/ir.

GFT raises pre-tax earnings by 46 percent in H1 2013

Press Release

 

 

 

• Core business revenues grow 6 percent in first half-year
• Earnings before taxes raised by 46 percent to EUR 5.50 million
• 2013 revenue forecast of EUR 260 million following Sempla acquisition
• Full-year guidance for pre-tax earnings raised to EUR 15 million

Stuttgart, 8 August 2013 – The GFT Group (GFT) closed the first six months of 2013 with solid revenue growth and a strong improvement in earnings. Consolidated revenue of EUR 114.19 million fell just short of the prior-year figure (EUR 116.38 million). Adjusted for the planned reduction in revenue from Third Party Management business of EUR 9.03 million, core business grew by 6 percent in the first six months. Pre-tax earnings (EBT) improved by 46 percent to EUR 5.50 million (prev. year: EUR 3.78 million). The acquisition of Sempla announced on 30 May 2013 was closed on 3 July 2013 so that the effects from the takeover will become effective as of the third quarter of 2013. After raising its revenue forecast for 2013 to EUR 260 million on 30 May, the company now expects pre-tax earnings of at least EUR 15 million for the year as a whole.

Ulrich Dietz, CEO, GFT Group

“The first half-year was very encouraging for the GFT Group. We strengthened the strategic position of our GFT Solutions division with the acquisition of Sempla and now have 500 additional employees in Europe’s fourth-largest IT market,” says GFT’s CEO Ulrich Dietz.

Revenue: GFT Solutions division grows strongly in first six months  

Dedicated to delivering IT solutions for the finance sector, the GFT Solutions division raised revenues by 14 percent to EUR 69.14 million in the first six months (prev. year: EUR 60.85 million). Revenues in this division were driven by growing compliance requirements, especially in connection with the introduction of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). Growth was helped further by rising demand for solutions in the field of investment banking and mobile banking. High growth rates were achieved in the regions UK and Germany. This division’s share of consolidated revenue rose to 61 percent (prev. year: 52 percent).

CODE_n is looking for the big data avant-garde

Press Release

International startup competition brings “big data” to life at CeBIT 2014

London, August 1, 2013 – CODE_n is getting big! The next round of the global innovation competition is setting its sights on business models that tackle intelligent and efficient use of large data volumes. With this year’s slogan, “Driving the Data Revolution”, the CODE_n Contest is calling young companies from around the world to apply by October 31, 2013. The top 50 applicants will be invited to present their big data solutions at CeBIT 2014. A separate hall at the trade show – decorated to create a spectacular themed setting – is where CODE_n will showcase the most exciting new business models for IT-based areas in fields such as financial services, healthcare, telecommunications, automotive engineering and energy production. The startups from these topic areas will be supported and promoted by innovative leaders from each area. The winner of the CODE_n14 Award will walk away with prize money totaling €30,000.

Ulrich Dietz, CEO, GFT Group

“Anyone suggesting big data is just hype couldn’t be more mistaken,” explains Ulrich Dietz, CEO of the GFT Group and initiator of CODE_n. “It is a global issue for the future, which is sure to take the intelligent use of data, and thus our use of IT, to a whole new level.”

A myriad of business opportunities are opening up along the complete value chain for “data business” – this includes the recording and processing of huge data volumes as well as the analysis of this data as is done in market research, simulations or in product development. “Sectors such as the automobile industry or the energy sector are witnessing completely new prospects for the use of IT,” explains Dietz. “Financial services providers are raising the bar for their consulting services by considering up-to-the-minute data in real time. Even the medical industry is discovering new application options in things like diagnostics and therapy.”

Helen Thomas, Head of CODE_n UK and Head of Enterprise Accounts & Services at GFT UK, commented, “As we know innovation is high on the agenda of many businesses as they worry about how to remain competitive in an increasingly fast-moving and disruptive world. How organisations capture, create and use data is changing the way we work and live. Big data has the ability to not only tell our clients in Financial Services what has happened, but what is happening right now and to predict scenarios of what is likely to happen.