Two kiwi technology companies, one specialising in wireless security and one in carbon re-use, have been named among the top 100 technology businesses in the world by media company Red Herring.

Mi5 Security and LanzaTech, both based in Auckland, made the list from 1100 potential companies in what Red Herring chairman Alex Vieux says was an ‘extremely difficult' selection process.

Two other kiwi finalists, Optimizer HQ and Augen Software Group, failed to make the final cut.

The CEOs of the successful companies were understandably ecstatic at the result.

Helen Wattie, CEO of Mi5, says the judges recognised the company's experience and passion combined with its unique, innovative and disruptive technologies.

"Mi5 is on a high growth path,” Wattie says.

"We have met a number of key industry contacts through being a Red Herring top 100 global finalist, and we now expect to further our venture capital and partnership discussions in order to accelerate our expansion plans into the USA and other markets.

Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech, says the award is recognition of the potential of her company's potential to make a significant contribution to the global energy pool.

"Our process has no impact on the food value chain and offers alternatives to the use of fossil fuels in the production of key chemicals.

"We are able to tailor the input resources according to availability in the region. This will help in meeting the challenge of energy democratisation – that means enabling more people around the world to access clean energy.