Scientists in for bite of Cheesecake

By PAUL BRISLEN

Since the completion of the human genome project scientists have struggled to manage the torrents of data they are creating.

But Kiwi software start-up Biomatters hopes to help with that.

The Auckland-based developer has secured $340,000 in funding to help take its data-management product Cheesecake to the market.

Co-founder and CEO Daniel Batten says Cheesecake was developed by scientists for scientists.

"It sets up a collaborative framework for the scientists so they can work together more efficiently."

Scientists have missed out on the data mining revolution that swept through big business in the nineties, yet have huge amounts of data generated in laboratory trials that need to be analysed.

Batten said that means collaborating with other scientists either within organisations or between companies and institutions.

"Collaboration is key and yet scientists typically use software like spreadsheets to try to manage their data."

Cheesecake automates data management for lab trials and is designed to allow scientists to collaborate in a secure environment. Scientists can choose to share information from a particular trial with particular colleagues, for example. The software also provides a readily-accessible trail should questions be raised about a trial's results.

Batten took his skills as a software developer and project manager and worked with three scientist friends to develop Cheesecake to free scientists from the tedious task of managing data.

Biomatters is part of the Icehouse incubator and Batten said the company had benefited from its time.

Being part of an incubator meant having access to a network of good business contacts who were able to help Biomatters develop its business plan.

Batten said a number of government departments had also been more than helpful in setting up his company.

Technology New Zealand has given Biomatters a grant of $100,000 after Biomatters secured $240,000 from angel investor group Ice Angels.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise has also been helpful in developing the business case and in assisting Biomatters' entry into the UK market.

Batten has just returned from a trip to the UK talking to universities about Cheesecake and two of the four founders are currently conducting research in the UK.