ASX January Tech Winners: Pointerra, Hydrix shine as DeepSeek rocks the boat
The Nasdaq hit new highs in January, then DeepSeek shook AI, but Pointerra and Hydrix led ASX tech through the storm.
The Nasdaq hit all-time highs in January but DeepSeek is shaking up the AI market
ASX tech stocks shows resilience despite global sell-off
Pointerra, Hydrix among the best tech stocks last month
The first month of 2025 was one to remember for the global tech market, with plenty of twists and turns.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq led the charge on Wall Street as it hit all-time highs; while the S&P/ASX 200 Info Tech also had a good month overall, up by 4%, tracking the benchmark ASX200.
But the sudden arrival of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI chatbot, sent shockwaves through the industry, knocking Nvidia off its throne as the world’s most valuable company.
Read later: China’s DeepSeek just blew up the AI game. Should investors freak out?
The Chinese startup’s cheaper AI model had investors rethinking the future of expensive AI infrastructure like data centres.
And it had an immediate domino impact, with many AI-related tech stocks globally taking a hit.
The ASX, meanwhile, managed to weather that storm relatively well.
While Australian tech stocks took a dip (data centre giants like NextDC (ASX:NXT) saw sharp drops) there was still some optimism.
Analysts suggested the cheaper AI tech might actually benefit software companies, particularly on the ASX, where leading names could be priced more attractively.
By Friday, the local market had stabilised, and tech stocks even showed some resilience despite the global sell-off.
Meanwhile, however, Trump has just announced hefty tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, with duties reaching 25% for the first two and 10% on China, which has sparked concerns about inflation and a potential trade war.
The tech sector, already facing uncertainty, could feel the pinch from these new tariffs, as companies wrestle with rising costs and supply chain disruptions.
And then there was the Federal Reserve, which opted to keep interest rates steady for now, waiting for more data on inflation and the impact of the tariffs.
The market didn’t like the decision, as it expected more rate cuts.
Looking ahead over the next week, investors will be digesting key earnings reports from the US big tech companies.
ASX tech winners in January
| Code | Name | Price | Month % Change | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3DP | Pointerra Limited | 0.084 | 110% | $67,626,451 |
| HYD | Hydrix Limited | 0.017 | 55% | $4,637,070 |
| ASV | Asset Vision Co | 0.03 | 50% | $22,180,847 |
| 1TT | Thrive Tribe Tech | 0.003 | 50% | $6,095,169 |
| ESK | Etherstack PLC | 0.33 | 50% | $43,516,732 |
| XRG | Xreality Group Ltd | 0.044 | 42% | $25,040,419 |
| DUB | Dubber Corp Ltd | 0.045 | 41% | $116,979,791 |
| OAK | Oakridge | 0.075 | 36% | $2,024,843 |
| NVU | Nanoveu Limited | 0.046 | 35% | $25,495,202 |
| DTI | DTI Group Ltd | 0.012 | 33% | $5,382,617 |
| ASB | Austal Limited | 3.83 | 24% | $1,351,421,342 |
| DSE | Dropsuite Ltd | 5.73 | 23% | $402,586,322 |
| VR1 | Vection Technologies | 0.037 | 23% | $55,265,277 |
| SLX | Silex Systems | 6.2 | 23% | $1,403,523,194 |
| RWL | Rubicon Water | 0.355 | 22% | $85,446,760 |
| AI1 | Adisyn Ltd | 0.105 | 22% | $64,854,556 |
| PPS | Praemium Limited | 0.89 | 21% | $425,166,505 |
| EXT | Excite Technology | 0.012 | 20% | $21,073,207 |
| KYP | Kinatico Ltd | 0.165 | 18% | $71,295,177 |
| RCL | Readcloud | 0.093 | 16% | $13,729,876 |
| MP1 | Megaport Limited | 8.52 | 16% | $1,329,514,387 |
| EIQ | Echoiq Ltd | 0.265 | 15% | $155,958,076 |
| FBR | FBR Ltd | 0.046 | 15% | $232,753,503 |
| NOV | Novatti Group Ltd | 0.033 | 14% | $17,847,918 |
| CF1 | Complii Fintech Ltd | 0.026 | 13% | $14,856,025 |
| GTI | Gratifii | 0.1 | 12% | $30,700,880 |
| 360 | Life360 Inc | 25.29 | 12% | $4,559,131,668 |
| OLL | Openlearning | 0.019 | 12% | $8,688,144 |
| DCC | Digitalx Limited | 0.06 | 11% | $64,497,949 |
| SPX | Spenda Limited | 0.01 | 11% | $46,152,155 |
| ACE | Acusensus Limited | 1.23 | 11% | $172,086,892 |
| 1CG | One Click Group Ltd | 0.011 | 10% | $12,956,679 |
| EPX | EPT Global Limited | 0.024 | 9% | $15,748,992 |
| WHK | Whitehawk Limited | 0.012 | 9% | $7,698,352 |
| DTL | Data#3 Limited | 6.96 | 9% | $1,070,416,581 |
| XRO | Xero Ltd | 183.27 | 9% | $27,362,676,238 |
| CAT | Catapult Group | 4.03 | 9% | $1,093,839,228 |
| CXZ | Connexion Mobility | 0.028 | 8% | $23,257,877 |
| EOL | Energy One Limited | 7.1 | 7% | $222,431,065 |
| XYZ | Block Inc | 150.69 | 7% | $7,251,837,587 |
| IKE | Ikegps Group Ltd | 0.55 | 7% | $88,412,355 |
| ICE | Icetana Limited | 0.018 | 6% | $4,763,312 |
| SNS | Sensen Networks Ltd | 0.038 | 6% | $30,135,424 |
| PHX | Pharmx Technologies | 0.078 | 5% | $46,683,530 |
| TZL | TZ Limited | 0.062 | 5% | $16,447,408 |
| IFG | Infocusgroup Hldltd | 0.021 | 5% | $3,448,448 |
| AR9 | Archtis Limited | 0.07 | 4% | $20,063,701 |
| OCL | Objective Corp | 16.51 | 4% | $1,575,681,314 |
| CPU | Computershare Ltd | 35.16 | 4% | $20,542,644,653 |
| BVS | Bravura Solution Ltd | 2.16 | 3% | $968,444,644 |
The 3D geospatial data analytics company’s shares doubled after landing a US$2 million contract extension with the US Department of Energy to help improve electric grid resilience in hurricane-hit areas.
Using 3D tech, Pointerra will create digital twins of utility grids, analyse hurricane damage, and develop a change detection model.
The findings will be shared to guide utilities across North America as they strengthen grid infrastructure.
This deal boosts Pointerra's presence in the US electric utility sector, amid ongoing multi-billion dollar investments in grid resilience.
Hydrix surged after landing a key $2.8 million contract extension with Paul Hartmann AG, a leading European medical device company, marking another major step in its international expansion strategy.
This new stage of work is part of a multi-phase product development program that Hydrix Services, a wholly owned subsidiary, is undertaking for Hartmann.
The full $2.8 million in revenue is expected to be recognised by the end of September, adding to the $3.7 million already earned from previous stages of the project.
Thrive Tribe Technologies (ASX:1TT)
Thrive rose after appointing Jade Spooner as its new CEO, starting January 21.
Thrive Tribe is behind the Kumu platform, a health and wellness-focused social network and e-commerce marketplace.
In her new role, Spooner will oversee Kumu, the company's legacy brands, and its suite of tech products, including HR software for enterprises like WooBoard.
Spooner is no stranger to scaling businesses. She has a proven track record of growing tech start-ups into seven-figure and eight-figure enterprises.
Etherstack’s shares soared after after securing its eighth contract for providing digital radio technology at an iron ore mine in Western Australia.
Etherstack is a wireless tech company that develops mission-critical radio solutions for industries like public safety and resources.
The $519k contract is with Radlink Communications, a long-time customer of Etherstack.
Known for its work in advanced films and coatings, Nanoveu making rapid traction with its EMASS ECS-Dot Chipset, designed for ultra-low power, AI-driven processing in smart devices.
The chipset has been successfully tested in fall detection systems, demonstrating up to 90 times lower power consumption than traditional systems.
In fact, it runs on just 0.112mW of power, far less than the 10mW used by standard "always-on" systems.
The company has also just appointed Mark Goranson as the new CEO of its Semiconductor Technologies division, effective immediately.
Goranson, a semiconductor industry veteran with over 40 years of experience, is stepping into the role just as Nanoveu prepares to close its acquisition of EMASS.
ASX tech losers in January
| Code | Name | Price | Month % Change | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDT | BirdDog Technologies | 0.038 | -38% | $6,136,469 |
| WBT | Weebit Nano Ltd | 2.27 | -37% | $480,863,526 |
| 4DS | 4DS Memory Limited | 0.033 | -34% | $63,235,019 |
| AXE | Archer Materials | 0.385 | -34% | $98,116,100 |
| HTG | Harvest Tech Grp Ltd | 0.015 | -32% | $13,290,734 |
| NVQ | Noviqtech Limited | 0.08 | -30% | $18,421,383 |
| NXL | Nuix Limited | 4.49 | -29% | $1,415,538,657 |
| X2M | X2M Connect Limited | 0.022 | -27% | $8,292,695 |
| NVX | Novonix Limited | 0.55 | -25% | $352,644,656 |
| CT1 | Constellation Tech | 0.0015 | -25% | $2,212,101 |
| ZMM | Zimi Ltd | 0.01 | -23% | $3,869,441 |
| OPL | Opyl Limited | 0.015 | -21% | $2,894,525 |
| BEO | Beonic Ltd | 0.22 | -20% | $15,589,422 |
| OEC | Orbital Corp Limited | 0.105 | -19% | $17,253,160 |
| KNO | Knosys Limited | 0.038 | -19% | $8,213,271 |
| IXU | Ixup Limited | 0.009 | -18% | $18,287,873 |
| AVA | AVA Risk Group Ltd | 0.105 | -18% | $30,499,563 |
| SOR | Strategic Elements | 0.038 | -17% | $17,814,721 |
| BRN | Brainchip Ltd | 0.325 | -17% | $650,914,432 |
| YOJ | Yojee Limited | 0.11 | -15% | $30,316,424 |
| CAG | Caperange | 0.095 | -14% | $9,016,289 |
| CGO | CPT Global Limited | 0.058 | -13% | $2,430,047 |
| ELS | Elsight Ltd | 0.325 | -13% | $58,838,394 |
| DRO | Droneshield Limited | 0.67 | -12% | $579,956,581 |
| IOD | Iodm Limited | 0.145 | -12% | $88,943,170 |
| SMP | Smartpay Holdings | 0.46 | -12% | $111,293,993 |
| IFM | Infomedia Ltd | 1.385 | -10% | $518,586,060 |
| ROC | Rocketboots | 0.063 | -10% | $8,301,773 |
| COS | Cosol Limited | 0.94 | -10% | $171,069,468 |
| RUL | RPM Global Holdings | 2.77 | -9% | $617,968,182 |
| HCL | Highcom Ltd | 0.15 | -9% | $15,915,814 |
| NOR | Norwood Systems Ltd | 0.03 | -9% | $14,308,355 |
| IRI | Integrated Research | 0.41 | -9% | $72,714,610 |
| FND | Findi Limited | 4.33 | -8% | $213,474,287 |
| SBW | Shekel Brainweigh | 0.022 | -8% | $5,017,347 |
| RKT | Rocketdna Ltd. | 0.0115 | -8% | $10,617,048 |
| FL1 | First Lithium Ltd | 0.083 | -8% | $6,611,249 |
| VNL | Vinyl Group Ltd | 0.097 | -8% | $120,876,199 |
| JCS | Jcurve Solutions | 0.025 | -7% | $8,258,586 |
| ID8 | Identitii Limited | 0.013 | -7% | $10,064,776 |
| MX1 | Micro-X Limited | 0.078 | -7% | $45,530,159 |
| SEN | Senetas Corporation | 0.026 | -7% | $43,043,496 |
| XPN | Xpon Technologies | 0.013 | -7% | $4,711,739 |
| CYB | Aucyber Limited | 0.14 | -7% | $22,898,870 |
| SP3 | Specturltd | 0.014 | -7% | $4,314,102 |
| EOS | Electro Optic Sys. | 1.21 | -7% | $233,472,040 |
| FLX | Felix Group | 0.215 | -7% | $43,967,438 |
| SPA | Spacetalk Ltd | 0.145 | -6% | $9,247,572 |
| ATA | Atturra Ltd | 0.98 | -6% | $373,118,914 |
| CCR | Credit Clear | 0.32 | -6% | $135,685,020 |
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