The Australian Stock Exchange is home to some exciting small cap shares such as Catapult Group International Ltd (ASX: CAT) and Appen Ltd (ASX: APX). Both of these companies have deservedly earned a reputation for being hot new tech shares.
But is it time for them to move over?
Step-up tech company Dorsavi Ltd (ASX: DVL). I believe dorsaVi could have a very bright future ahead of it thanks to its patent protected technology that serves the organisational health and safety, clinical, and elite sports markets.
In FY 2016 dorsaVi reported a 122% jump in sales thanks to the growing popularity of its ViSafe, ViMove, and ViPerform products.
ViSafe is a wireless sensor technology that tracks and measures how people move in real-time work situations. This provides businesses with the ability to assess risky movements and then design fact-based solutions to create a safer work environment.
One case study from a large organisation revealed that its introduction resulted in a drop from 72 injuries per quarter to just one single injury. It's not hard to see why a growing number of companies use the technology – including the likes of BP, Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM), and Metcash Limited (ASX: MTS).
Especially when you learn that work injuries are estimated to cost businesses approximately US$250 billion a year in the United States.
Very promisingly, ViSafe won two awards at the London Construction Awards in October. It won the innovation of the year award for software, as well as the health and safety solution of the year award.
I believe this recognition should help the company build on a strong FY 2016. Sales of ViSafe rose 99% in FY 2016 to $1.7 million thanks to continued growth in the Australian market and significant expansion in both the UK and US markets.
The company's ViMove product is used by hundreds of clinics around the world to assess movement and muscle activity in the lower back in order to manage treatment options and guide to a safe recovery. A clinical trial has shown a 45% reduction in chronic lower back pain and a 73% improvement in function.
Finally, ViPerform tracks and measures how elite athletes move in real time. The wearable motion and muscle activity sensors record data at 200 frames per second, which its software then turns into easy-to-read and meaningful results.
This can be used to assess injury risk, identify running asymmetry, or even to optimise footwear. Currently the product is being used by sports teams such as the Golden State Warriors, the Brazilian national football team, and the mighty England cricket team.
Combined sales of ViMove and ViPerform increased 164% in FY 2016 thanks to growth in device sales and a strong increase in licensing revenue.
Overall I think dorsaVi has an extremely bright future ahead of it. But as exciting as the elite sports technology is, I believe it is the health and safety technology which will be the driver of growth over the next decade.
The expansion into the US market and the Construction Awards wins couldn't have come at better time with Donald Trump looking like he will embark on major infrastructure projects in the United States. This could see demand for ViSafe continue its meteoric rise.
As the company is not yet profitable there is a danger that another capital raising may be required further down the line. Currently the company has $5.8 million in the bank, which might just be enough to see them through the year. But it will be a close call.
For this reason investors may want to hold out until its half-year results in February to see how it is tracking. But until then, I would certainly keep a close eye on this exciting company.
