Tech-for-good Companies Merge to Extend Impact
29 November 2018 at 8:34 am
Two major IT not-for-profit companies are merging to become a leading force in using technology to improve the lives of vulnerable people in Australia and New Zealand.
Infoxchange and Connecting Up announced the merger on Wednesday and said it was an easy decision given their existing partnership and shared vision of using technology to empower disadvantaged people.
“By integrating our two organisations, we’ll be able to achieve greater reach and impact across the communities we serve,” Stan Krpan, Infoxchange board chair said.
Board chair of Connecting Up, Susan Arthure added she was delighted they were officially integrating.
“We’re delighted to be joining together, and we’re excited by this opportunity to work together to expand our reach and support of the sector,” Arthure said.
Newly announced group CEO, David Spriggs told Pro Bono News the first priority would be to pull together and expand its social innovation and digital inclusion programs, like Ask Izzy, an online service connecting homeless people to support services quickly and easily.
Spriggs said the merger also meant they could provide a bigger range of technology solutions to support the sector.
“We know that the sector has traditionally struggled with technology and by merging, we can bring together all our capabilities and skills to support the sector in their digital transformation journey,” Spriggs said.
He said in a generally fragmented NFP sector, it was positive to see two organisations coming together to extend their social impact.
“We’re coming together from from a position of strength and ultimately of course for the benefit of the sector, and the communities that we serve across Australia and New Zealand,” he said.
The integration brings together 150 staff members to support over 30,000 NFPs and over 2 million people in need each year across Australia and New Zealand.
The two organisations will officially merge on 30 November, with Connecting Up to become a subsidiary of Infoxchange. Connecting Up will continue to run as TechSoup New Zealand, servicing the NFP sector in New Zealand.
