Company
Funnelback is a Canberra based search engine technology and services company. Funnelback offers a suite of enterprise search engine products, externally hosted services and consultancy services.
The Funnelback search engine project evolved from a leading edge technology offering developed during an eight year project by the CSIRO. Previously referred to as the P@NOPTIC Search Engine, Funnelback Pty Ltd was established in December 2005 as the entity to further develop the technology and commercialise the business.
Key staff migrated from CSIRO to Funnelback at the time of spin-off. Dr David Hawking, the inventor, continues to contribute to the product development and innovation. Since December 2005 the company has trebled in size to keep up with the demand for its award winning Internet and enterprise search engine.
Funnelback is led by three directors appointed by the CSIRO. The current Board members include Chairperson Dr Stephen Kirkby, Dr Alex Zelinsky and Mr Glenn Downey. The Board is supported by Funnelback's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Brett Matson and General Manager, Mr Stuart Beil.
Funnelback’s client list includes blue chip companies, state and federal government, one third of all Australian universities, media companies, as well as clients in the United Kingdom and Canada.
Funnelback’s experienced technical team are split evenly between the technology and services divisions. Funnelback also has a research and development relationship with the CSIRO, Australia’s government owned scientific and industrial research organisation with over 6,500 scientists.
The name Funnelback is a play on the name of two spiders; the funnel-web and the red-back, both native to Australia. The name was chosen because of Funnelback’s ability to rapidly “funnel” relevant information “back” to the user.