Knowby Pro wins Tasmanian innovation prize for training tech
Knowby Pro has been named the Tasmanian State Winner in the "Embracing Innovation" category at the 2025 Telstra Best of Business Awards.
The platform, developed to help businesses transform how they capture, share, and deliver essential knowledge, was selected from over 20,000 nominations across Australia. The award acknowledges Knowby Pro's approach to digital instruction, which combines short-form videos with concise text to break down complex tasks into manageable, bite-sized steps. According to the company, its solution is based on Cognitive Load Theory, aiming to support users in learning and retaining information more effectively than traditional training methods.
Origins in daily challenges
Tasmanian founder and former dairy farmer Grant Rogers conceived the idea for Knowby Pro after repeatedly facing questions from employees about task instructions. Speaking about the origins of the company, Rogers noted, "At first I blamed my staff. Then I asked myself, 'Could I be providing better instructions? There has to be a better way.' And there was."
John Ansley, Co-Founder of Knowby, explained the company's focus on accessibility in learning for various workplace scenarios.
"We've created Knowby Pro to address the growing need for accessible, efficient ways to share critical instructions. Our platform helps people learn faster by breaking down complex tasks into easy-to-follow steps. Whether it's manufacturing processes, software training, or safety protocols, Knowby empowers organisations to improve productivity, safety, and user experience."
The Knowby Pro platform caters to industries such as safety, manufacturing, consumer services, and office environments, helping them navigate new software systems. The platform streamlines internal training, boosts employee confidence, and aims to improve operational efficiency through its instruction-sharing tools.
Technical features
One feature of the platform is its use of artificial intelligence to convert long-form video content into step-by-step instructions automatically. Additionally, the platform offers text translation capabilities across more than 140 languages, which the company suggests can help businesses overcome language barriers and promote global collaboration.
Commenting on the award win, Grant Rogers, Founder of Knowby, said:
"Winning the State Final is a proud milestone for our team. It proves that innovation born right here in Tasmania can have global impact. Our mission is simple: no one should be left behind because of confusing instructions, language barriers, or outdated training methods. This award energises us to keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible."
Use in practice
Knowby Pro's platform has already been adopted by businesses seeking to improve both internal processes and customer engagement.
Bearhug, an Australian manufacturer of reusable pallet wraps, adopted Knowby to create instructions designed to clarify both product information and sustainable processes for customers. After implementing step-by-step instructions from Knowby, Bearhug reported a 30% increase in conversion rate from product sample to sale. The company credits the improvement to greater clarity in instructions, which allowed customers to understand the value of the product better and reduced the volume of customer service enquiries.
Meanwhile, New Zealand-based distributor M2 Overland utilises Knowby to ensure compliance with ISO 9001 quality standards in its documentation process for 4X4 accessories. According to M2 Overland, the digital instructions have made it easier to generate and access compliant documentation, reducing the risk of errors and streamlining quality control. The distributor stated that the ease of creating instructions with Knowby has made their compliance management processes more straightforward and efficient, supporting the scaling of their operations while continuing to meet ISO requirements.
Award programme context
The Embracing Innovation category of the Telstra Best of Business Awards recognises Australian small and medium enterprises that use technology to address critical challenges in business and society. The programme, now in its 25th year, is designed to highlight the role of business owners and entrepreneurs in responding to national challenges through technological development. Winners are chosen not only for their business success but also for their contributions to addressing wider societal issues.
