Acknowledging agritech excellence We were delighted to relaunch the Robin Davidson Memorial Award for Agritech Excellence at a recent event in Hamilton. Congratulations to Andrew Cooke from Rezare Systems for being the worthy recipient for 2022.
Showcasing agritech innovations on a global platform Fieldays Innovation Awards are open and deliver a global platform for agritech innovators to showcase their innovation. Fieldays draws attention from around the globe and success at the awards has been a milestone achievement for many agritech businesses, especially over time as as they often progress through the categories.
Connecting early-stage agritech businesses in NZ and Israel The Israeli Embassy in New Zealand is inviting early stage agritech businesses to consider building enduring commercial partnerships with like-minded Israeli businesses so both partners can deliver products and services to discerning world markets. AgSorted are coordinating a three month project from September to November 2022.
Sharing ideas on data in the agrifood supply chain The team at Rezare/Map of Ag are hosting their Pure Farming webinar series covering the importance of data in the agrifood supply chain. The series has sessions for developers, farmers and agrifood organisations.
Creating regional impact for a global crisis We’re looking forward to engaging with our Australian and Pacific region peers and visitors at the 2035 Oceania Summit in Auckland. The October summit is hosting leaders of science, agritech, agrifood, agribusiness, farming and regulation. The list of attendees is growing rapidly and it is surely an event not to be missed.
Agritech sector vital to New Zealand’s economic growth
Earlier this month, the Technology Investment Network’s (TIN) 2022 Agritech Insights Report was launched. This year’s report continues to highlight the growth of the sector, featuring greater levels of collaboration enabling even higher growth rates in the coming years.
Earlier this month, the Technology Investment Network’s (TIN) 2022 Agritech Insights Report was launched. This year’s report continues to highlight the growth of the sector, featuring greater levels of collaboration enabling even higher growth rates in the coming years.
Join NZ Story’s next webinar on Australian perceptions
Would you like to know more about Australian perceptions of New Zealand in 2022? This research will help businesses and exporters understand how they can tailor their stories for our closest trading partner. Join NZ Story’s David Downs and One Picture’s Alex Jones on 27 July to learn more.
Agritech mission to the UK and Ireland in September
Callaghan Innovation, in partnership with AgriTechNZ, is leading a Market Immersion mission to the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland for UK Dairy Day and the 2022 Irish National Ploughing Championships, 11 September to 23 September 2022. The mission is for 25 people from mid-to-late stage startups, mature businesses, and researchers. Participants will gain a deep insight into the UK and Ireland’s agri industries, research, innovation systems and channel partners. The mission also offers New Zealand companies and agencies the opportunity to showcase their abilities and technologies in a global setting.
Join the 2035 Oceania Summit in Auckland this October. We’re looking forward to engaging with our Australian peers and visitors at this event. The summit is hosting leaders of science, agritech, agrifood, agribusiness, farming and regulation. . We have secured a discount code for members of AgriTechNZ which will provide a further $100 off the early bird price (valid until 8 August). To claim your code, please contact us here.
Our sector partners at Sprout Agritech are growing their team and continuing to share key learnings from working with our sector innovators. We love the work they do emphasising the need to nurture good teams, and focus on the human needs of mental health and wellbeing. Sprout is currently recruiting for new herd members, check out the available roles here.
Join B.linc Workshop on 16 August at Lincoln University and hear from Plant & Food Research’s Gavin Ross as he shares their vision, strategy, projects and how you can be involved.
Interested in new proposed R&D funding schemes, but missed our webinar?
Recently we hosted a webinar to learn more about the Government’s two new research and development (R&D) grants to boost business innovation. The grants aim to help with the high costs and steep learning curves associated with R&D. They will also provide pathways to the existing R&D Tax Incentive (RDTI).
If, in recent months, you’ve enjoyed reading our inspiring agritech stories, I’m pleased to say we have more to share. In our latest Powered by Place storytelling feature we talk to local innovators about their growth journeys. We feature three Kiwi entrepreneurs who have successfully navigated very different growth strategies to thrive on the global stage.
CropX’s Bridgit Hawkins didn’t purposely set out to start a company! She grew up on a sheep and beef farm outside Taupo and qualified with an agricultural science degree. While working in business development roles in the primary sector, she was frustrated at the disconnect between research and development, and what farmers were doing.
Once Bridgit partnered with Massey University to develop sensor technology she soon realised having a great product and good customers in New Zealand wasn’t enough.
“We got to the point where it was difficult to grow organically at the rate we needed… we realised that we could ruin ourselves and the company by trying to go global,” explains CropX’s Bridgit Hawkins who decided to look for a strategic partner. Read more.
Acquire and conquer!
SnapIT is another New Zealand company with huge ambitions. The company has come a long way from Dave Rodley’s garage where his sons Chris and Andrew first tinkered with webcams. Soon, their high definition cameras caught the attention of tourism operators, the MetService, TV3 weather and construction sites. But it was Chris who stumbled across an opportunity that changed the direction of the company.
“I was up a ladder installing a camera when the CEO of one of the largest fishing companies in New Zealand walked past and said, ‘Can you put that camera on a boat?’” says Chris.
Soon they were in discussions with Callaghan Innovation to develop a marine-proof, AI enabled camera and within ten days they had pitched to ten companies and haven’t looked back since! Read more.
Joining the dots
Gallagher is one of New Zealand’s largest and most successful agritech companies, founded in 1938 to commercialise the world’s first electric fence.
Since then, the Hamilton-based company has been helping farmers harness the power of hardware, software and more recently data, to make their jobs more efficient.
“I come from Belgium, another small country and I’m impressed by how close a lot of people in the New Zealand agritech sector are to the land because they grew up on a farm. There’s an incredible amount of innovation in New Zealand. What we lack sometimes is the inability to work together. That’s what we’re looking to do at Gallagher,” Lisbeth Jacobs, Global General Manager Animal Management, Gallagher. Read more.
We’d love to hear your stories!
Is connection to the land important to you? What does ‘place’ mean to you and your business? It might be where you grew up, where your business is based, or the unique characteristics of the region you live in.
We’d love to hear your stories to help inspire other Kiwi agritech entrepreneurs. Please contact us.
Technology Investment Network (TIN) is a private company established in 1999 to facilitate the growth of the technology export sector in New Zealand. The company’s goal is to contribute to the New Zealand economy by supporting the growth of, large, sustainable, New Zealand based, global technology businesses.
THE NEW ZEALAND AGRITECH INSIGHTS REPORT IS SPONSORED BY:
Telling our stories : The Future of Farming is Here! In our latest Powered by Place story, we highlight some of the Kiwi agritech innovators who are addressing global challenges in food systems not so common locally, but significant in feeding the world. They are great champions and excellent examples of the global impact of New Zealand agritech. Read more
TIN Agritech Insights Report Launch The Technology Investment Network’s (TIN) 2022 Agritech Insights Report is launched soon. This year’s report continues to highlight the growth of the sector. It also features the growing levels of collaboration that will enable even higher growth rates in the coming years. In 2021, the largest 22 agritech companies had a revenue growth of eight percent and export growth of 6.4 percent. Companies with revenues over $200 million grew at a rate of 7.7 percent, while companies with revenues of up to $50 million grew remarkably at approximately 30 percent. Register to attend the launch on 30 June in Hamilton. Read more
Fit for a Better World progress update Fit for a Better World is a programme of work towards 2030 committed to meeting some of the greatest challenges faced today. New Zealand’s food and fibre sector presents many powerful possibilities. In this progress update, the role and potential of agritech is highlighted. Together, we can move towards a more productive, sustainable and inclusive economy while making a positive global impact. Read here
Regional impact for a global crisis Join the 2035 Oceania Summit in Auckland this October. The summit brings together leaders of science, agritech, agrifood, agribusiness, farming and regulation to discuss how agrifood tech innovations and on-farm application can help address the existential threat posed by climate change. We’re looking forward to engaging with our Australian peers and visitors at this event. We encourage you to join and have secured a discount code for members of AgriTechNZ which will provide a further $100 off the early bird price (valid until 8 August). To claim your code, contact us here Read more
Celebrating our agritech exporters Applications for the New Zealand International Business Awards 2022 close on 4 July and winners will be announced at a gala dinner on 27 October. Bluelab flew the flag for the sector last year, who will it be this year… Read more
Innovation Grants Programme Last month, Minister Woods announced the introduction of two new grants covering non-R&D innovation tasks and supporting businesses that are new to R&D. The grants aim to assist with the high costs and steep learning curves associated with R&D. Applications are due to open in September 2022. Learn more or provide feedback into their design on Tuesday 28 June at 9am online. Register now
Voting is open We are strongly encouraged by the level of engagement across our community with 17 nominations for the three open seats on the Executive Council. Voting closes at 5pm on 21 June, so members should ensure their primary membership contact person casts a vote (only one person from each member organisation can vote, and they will have already received voting details). You can read more about the nominees here and check who the primary membership contact is for your organisation by contacting us. Read more
AgriTechNZ 2022 Annual Meeting Remember to register for our Annual Meeting on 5 July, to hear the results of the Council election and updates on our activities and plans. Register here
Ngā manaakitanga me kei runga noa atu Go well and onwards and upwards
Brendan Chief Executive on behalf of he Executive Council of AgriTech New Zealand
I believe the crucial ingredient to success in our sector is collaboration. AgriTechNZ has shown itself to be a leader in this, creating connections and fostering a growing ecosystem within NZ and increasingly connecting that with the booming global agritech scene. I would be honoured to have the opportunity to directly support and influence that work as a member of the Executive Council. Currently I am CEO of Agrigate, a wholly owned subsidiary of LIC, where I lead a team developing apps and APIs that empower farmers by making it easy for them to connect and share data about their farms with the people and systems that need to know.
I’m no stranger to farming having grown up on a sheep, beef & deer farm in the King Country where I still relish a weekend on the tractor cutting silage or helping dad draft lambs. Career wise I started out studying law, eventually completing a Masters degree where my thesis focused on emissions trading and agriculture. Environmental issues remain a big driver for me today; but having been introduced to the transformative power of technology while working at Fonterra I’m now more convinced that it’s technology not legal arguments that will solve problems and realise opportunities along our agricultural value chains – both on farm and on the plates of our customers. If successful I would draw strongly on my experience and networks to ensure AgriTechNZ continues to build an ecosystem of agritech innovators here in Aotearoa that can have a transformative impact globally.
For 15 years I’ve been working to assist NZ businesses to gain advantage through the use of technology. I’ve worked in a range of industry verticals & been fortunate enough to hold senior technology management positions in a number of organisations. My executive career has helped me gain a pragmatic and execution focussed approach to engaging stakeholders, making sure all views are heard in collaboration and furthering the mission of the entities I’ve worked with through strategic direction and partnership.
I believe AgriTech to be NZ’s next biggest export to the world. We have such an awesome community of innovators, inventors, entrepreneurs and creatives and we lead the world in our AgriTech solutions. If lucky enough to serve on the AgriTechNZ Executive Council I will work tirelessly to further the mission of AgriTechNZ driving stakeholder collaboration, leveraging my relevant networks & breaking down silos, engaging & leading digital strategy, promoting industry-wide initiatives and AgriTechNZ’s purpose, ensuring we have a data led approach to ensuring our work is getting the right outcome for member organisations.
For the last 25 years I have worked in the agricultural industry bringing innovation into traditional agriculture to help the industry make some quantum shifts in productivity. With the introduction of technology, I have grown a number, of small start-up agricultural companies into substantial globally recognised businesses. Using innovation to create value added products and transitioning businesses from selling products to solutions has been key to the success. In my current position of Global Strategy and New Ventures Manager at Gallagher Animal Management I am introducing open innovation and digital technologies to help our customers solve some the largest challenges they are facing. When not at work I am a ‘hands on’ farmer on our hill country sheep and beef property on north side of the Raglan Harbour. This ‘grass roots’ farming experience enables me to clearly understand the problems farmers are trying to solve.
My passion for revolutionising the agriculture sector and a desire to help forge closer collaboration and nurture talent within the agritech ecosystem are the drivers behind my nomination for the AgriTechNZ Executive Council. I believe my substantial networks in the global agritech ecosystem, ability to form collaborations, exploit opportunities and find innovative solutions to the challenges the industry faces are what I can bring to the Executive Council.
I’m a sales and business management professional with 20+ years of experience. Working within Microsoft and leading the Agri sector has given me a deep understanding and appreciation of the challenges and opportunities faced by the New Zealand Agri Sector. I have a passion for the Agri Industry and making positive change and connecting Agriculture and Technology to strengthen NZ’s Primary Sector. I have led effective teams to deliver business outcomes, driven adoption of technology to enable business success, measured business success and led improvement initiatives with a strong focus on Sustainability for Agribusiness which is to accelerate our journey to a better future.
My work with Microsoft teams such as working with FarmLands, Silver Fern Farms, Zespri and LIC, deeply embedded into the agri-sector in New Zealand. I have worked on projects big and small to ensure that organisations are getting optimal results from their data. New Zealand is an innovative nation and having worked closely with some of the smartest and most agile Saas organisation and partners. This includes the impressive work of Pamu(opens in a new window) and Vodafone Teams Connect solution which in COVID times was able to create a nation of connected farmers coordinating 114 farms. And also Fusion5’s solutions with Primary(opens in a new window) ITO. From winegrowing to beekeeping, milking to horse-breeding, Primary ITO supports learners across the entire people, food and fibre sector, Fusion5 (opens in a new window)accelerated their transformation their outdated system into a modern tech platform. This means I have a strong grasp of what modern agritech customers need and require to thrive and something I would like to serve as being part of the Executive Council team. I look forward to serving on the AgritechNZ Council and being part of an amazing team.
I founded and lead BNZ’s scaling Technology Industries portfolio of software, software-enabled, high-tech manufacturing, high-tech infrastructure and biotechnology businesses which numbers over 1500 clients and proposition delivered through a network of over 35 tech focussed bankers across New Zealand, with recent additions to the capital part of BNZ’s proposition (Capital, Connections, Capability at all stages of tech business’ lifecycles) being Revenue Based Financing and Project Scale Up. I have been with BNZ for almost 8 years in frontline, leadership and strategy roles (all building BNZ’s technology industries offering), following an early career in securities law. I’m a qualified barrister and solicitor, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and hold a Masters of Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship, along with degrees in law, finance and economics.
I would bring a strong understanding of technology business models, the technology industries, financing, banking and a wide lens across both agritech and non-agritech tech businesses across the New Zealand economy to AgriTechNZ. I am keen to join the AgriTechNZ Executive Council both to learn and to help shape (from an informed vantage point) and grow New Zealand’s agritech market and opportunity. New Zealand has a strong heritage in Agriculture and a technology industry that is going from strength to strength – AgriTech is a clear opportunity in relation to which NZ could lead the world, but, from observations during 8 years in the technology industries at BNZ, is an opportunity yet to be (fully) realised.
I am a technology leader with a strong focus on product delivery. My career of over 20 years in technology has brought me to FarmIQ where I am passionate about solving problems for farmers through technology. If elected I will bring my experience from many domains, from large corporates to start ups, across many roles from product management, agile consultancy, to executive leadership. Only having been in the Agritech sector for just over 3 years I believe I will bring fresh perspectives and new voice to the council. I will also bring the passion I have for making NZ Inc and AgriTechNZ successful, not just in NZ, but on the world stage.
Collaboration across NZ Agritech and the primary industries is the only way that NZ and its agricultural communities are going to lean in to, meet, and exceed the increasing regulation and environmental commitments. There is already a large among of activity across the industry looking to introduce rules, regulation, compliance, and if we work more closely together, we can achieve so much more in proving NZ Farming is already highly sustainable and environmentally focused. As a nation we are intrinsically linked to our whenua, we can be world leaders in demonstrating what it means to be responsible stewards of the land while delivering world leading primary industry products. I want to be part of that collaboration, and I want to be part of organisations that bring Agritech closer together.
I have spent my professional career working at the interface of new product introduction and scientific research, with the focus on delivering economic and societal impact. It started with the realisation that I wanted to work on varied and impactful science, and that better suited me to R&D in the exploding telecoms market than a career in academic research. With the telecoms bubble bursting, a new door opened in what is now called the Triple Helix space – where companies, Government, and research collaborate to create new opportunities. It is the years spent in this space, first as a technologist then as a manager and a leader, that has given me direct experience of many models and activities across Europe – and led to the agritech sector here in New Zealand. Supporting companies to create success through access to relevant and exploitable science outcomes and capabilities is what gets me going in the morning.
AgritechNZ is a great power for good. I am a huge supporter of what it has achieved both domestically and internationally, and firmly believe that it has a key role to play in supporting the transformation of our sector in the face of the climate catastrophe and technological change that will never again be as slow as it is today. I want to contribute my experience, gained internationally, to support AgritechNZ in supporting its members to flourish. I will be an advocate for support of innovation and risk taking within the sector and with Government, to ensure they provide the support that will make the most difference. I believe the Research Science and Innovation green paper consultation is a critical opportunity for us to leverage for positive change, and I would relish the opportunity to put my effort behind AgritechNZ as we navigate this process.
I am one of the founders and Managing Director of Rezare Systems (now part of the Map of Agriculture Group). My background is in agricultural research, livestock recording, and data interoperability. Many of you will know me from our collaborative work in defining open specifications for data interoperability in the agricultural sector. My work takes me across agricultural technology in New Zealand, Australia, and internationally. I try to be very collaborative and enjoy introducing people and businesses to each other, looking for ways to help sector businesses be successful and contribute to the profitability and sustainability of the farming and growing sector.
I intend to bring that experience to the AgriTechNZ Executive Council: supporting the AgriTechNZ members who engage with me to share and represent their views, and bringing my experience in agricultural tech, adoption, and data challenges to AgriTech New Zealand’s projects and strategy.
I am the Managing Director of Soter, a provider of Farm Environmental Plans including Greenhouse Gas advice and resource consents. I have sat with farmers for nearly a decade, learning how they manage data and navigate the compliance burden. With my experience managing data warehouse projects I have combined my farming and data geekdoms to create software to automate much of the process for them.
I can bring to the AgriTech board a background in project and data management, and day to day on farm learning to inform advice to Government and the organisation with real-world, real-time experience. I hold a Bachelor of Business Studies, Post Grad Dip in Resource and Environmental Planning, the Advanced Sustainable Nutrient Management Certificate with Agricultural Greenhouse Gas endorsement. I am an HBRC, BOPRC and WRC Approved provider of FEMPs, Dairy NZ approved provider of Sustainable Milk Plans and I have facilitated workshops for the HBRC, HB Fruit Growers, Beef and Lamb NZ and the Deer Industry. I have worked on horticulture and dairy farms, and until recently owned a sheep, beef and cropping farm in Central Hawkes Bay.
I have been passionate about agritech for so long, the term agritech didn’t exist. I spent over a decade at a CRI developing disease forecasting and decision support systems for the kiwifruit and wine sectors, and preaching the potential of data and technology to anyone and everyone. During a comparatively brief stint at a data consultancy, I became the science advisor for Cropsy, an agritech start-up working in the wine sector. I have since confirmed to myself that agritech is where I want to be and have taken on a permanent role at Cropsy managing the research and innovation programmes.
My mix of biology, data science, and strategy roles over the years would be a huge benefit to the AgriTechNZ Executive Council as I can understand the problems both the agritech and agricultural sectors face from a number of perspectives. The key perspective I am missing is that of the grower, but as a huge proponent of human-led design, co-innovation, and simply talking to people, I see this as an opportunity. I am looking forward to working closely with growers to understand their perspectives and ensuring their needs are baked into agritech solutions from day one to start shifting the dial from technology push to solution pull.
The main purpose of AgriTechNZ is to create an environment in which its members can thrive, achieving their own business goals while also delivering value to farmers and growers and others in the food and fibre value chains. Creating that environment means building relationships with Government Ministers, Directors General, Ambassadors and High Commissioners, Levy Bodies, Banks and Fund Managers, Iwi Leaders, Universities and CRIs, and with sister agritech organisations in key overseas markets – and then based on those relationships; developing and implementing policies and projects that improve AgriTechNZ’s members’ access to capital, talent and customers. As the SME representative and also as AgritechNZ Chair over this past two-year term, with the ITP and many other strategic initiatives, I’ve built these relationships, helping the Executive Council, our CEO and members create a vibrant, respected, growing agritech sector, delivering value through better data standards, improved interoperability, and increased farmer appetite for digital adoption.
While we have many tangible results to celebrate as evidenced by growth across our SME sector of an impressive 30%, and growing membership with high retention rates, there remains much more to gain across all member categories, but especially for the SME and Start-Up category. So I invite and appreciate your support for a second of two permitted terms, so we can capitalise on the hard-won relationships built. With significant NZ Government support as evidenced in the recent budget announcements of $339M Climate Action Fund, $200M Regional Innovation Fund and $100M Business Growth Fund, we can not only accelerate our members’ NZ growth rates, but also achieve more in offshore markets too. We have a strong relationship with Agritech Australia who share our appetite to achieve more by presenting a combined voice to world markets, and untapped opportunities with key countries including Ireland, Israel, UK and more.
I am the founder of GPS-it, a specialist mapping company that has been in business for 20+ years. As an early innovator in the agritech space, I’m passionate about agritech and always looking for opportunities to be involved in growing and telling the NZ Agritech Story to the world. I’ve spent many years travelling overseas to look at emerging technology and how it can be applied or, in some cases, how it could be done better!.. and firmly believe there is a significant opportunity for NZ agritech businesses that has yet to be unlocked.
I have a strong governance background as a chartered member of the Institute of Directors, with strengths in strategy and technology, which I will bring to the Executive Council. I hold several directorships across a range of Agri-focused businesses, I grew up on a dairy farm and I am a kiwifruit grower, so I have a unique insight into a range of challenges and opportunities across the primary and tech sectors.
I am interested in serving on the AgriTechNZ Executive Council because of the great work they do, but also the exciting opportunity I see for New Zealand in this space. An industry full of passion and commitment and deeply seeded in the psyche (and GDP) of New Zealanders, it’s what we (as a Canadian now New Zealander) are made of. I have come from a very non tech background and have made the full leap to technology. I’m emboldened and excited for what these powerful tools can bring to the sector. More than that I’m excited by the people who are creating and using the tools more than anything, because they are just tools after all and it’s up to us how we decide to use them and for what purpose.
A bit about my background, I grew up rurally on a small farm and like many small farms in North America we were always trying to make it commercially viable. I then went on to build a variety of businesses from marketing of farm products to not for profit food businesses to agriculture tourism and even agriculture education programs. I have experience in every business model across the supply chain, from growing through to end consumer retail. I am the CEO and Co-Founder of Webtools Agritech here in New Zealand, serve on the NZTech board and am actively involved in mentoring young tech entrepreneurs around Christchurch’s eco system. I bring a slightly different lens to the conversation having come from Waterloo Ontario Canada, where tech boomed during the Blackberry era and we saw the merging of agriculture and tech at that time due to the proximity of agriculture to the city. Ultimately, I came to New Zealand out of my love of rugby and agriculture. I hope I can be a contribution to the sector that has given me so much and create opportunities for New Zealand and New Zealanders.
I have been an AgriTechNZ Council member since June 2020. I have been involved directly in the New Zealand Agritech sector for some 18 years and using technology on farm for most of my lifetime. I feel I have a good understanding of the sector, the participants and the opportunities the sector has for future growth.
The industry is being driven to adopt technologies due to efficiencies, cost and supply of labour, while also wanting to meet safety and traceability needs of our global consumers. Supported by AgriTechNZ and its members the opportunities are immense and exciting. I am happy to be re-standing for the Council, to build on the success over the past 2 years.
Kia Ora, my name is Rob Ford and I currently have a consultancy specialising in assisting businesses in the Primary sector more specifically around Agri & Food tech. The last 16 years of my career have been the most rewarding working in the Primary Sector. Firstly, I worked for LIC (Livestock Improvement) holding several General Management positions then moved to Pamu (nee Landcorp) and took up the role of GM Innovation, Environment and Technology. Post Pamu I headed to a small Software Development company based in Tauranga called Cucumber but after suffering a serious illness was forced to relinquish this role to focus on my health. Thankfully I am fully fit, recovered and now working on my consultancy.
In applying for this role on the Executive Council I believe I would bring a wide range of experiences understanding the development of products and solutions for the sector. I have been involved in initiatives such as Farm Software (MINDA & Farm IQ), to Farm Automation (Protrack & Dairy Automation Ltd), Foodtech (Sheep and Deer Milk). In all cases this has involved product development all the way through to commercialisation. I have also held governance roles for the roll out of the RBI (Rural Broadband Initiative), Farm IQ, Dairy Automation and LIC Farm Automation. I am currently a member of the Directors Institute. I would sincerely appreciate your review and support of my application on the AgriTechNZ Executive Council for the SME/Startup position.
As Sprout Operations and Partnership Manager I develop and execute New Zealand’s specialist AgriFoodTech Accelerator. Sprout’s core reason for existing is to create backable start-ups, by building capabilities and providing entrepreneurs with tools and contacts. My work is creating a strong cohort of start-ups, and building a community of corporate partners, mentors, research institutes and investors, so they can work together to turn their vision into a backable, scalable global technological solution for the food and fibre sector.
Having managed, designed, and executed events across Europe for New Zealand Winegrowers. I understand the strength of an industry collaborating to build a united brand to represent New Zealand. Through my role at Sprout, the team and I are in a unique position where we enable cross-industry collaboration. I believe building a sustainable AgriFoodTech ecosystem through collaboration will enable effective development, growth and success of New Zealand Agritech. I am excited to join the Council, and add value to the AgriTechNZ thriving and fast-growing ecosystem using my capabilities and network.
Minister Nash also previewed TIN Agritech Research showing the growth in the agritech sector. During the past year, the largest 22 agritech companies had a revenue growth of eight percent and export growth of 6.4 percent. Companies with revenues over $200 million grew at a rate of 7.7 percent, while companies with revenues of up to $50 million grew remarkably at approximately 30 percent.
AgriTechNZ CEO, Brendan O’Connell, highlighted the shared challenge facing us all and that great things happen when we work together – the collective genius of the agritech community. He highlighted three key areas of shared focus that can empower agritech to deliver what the world needs from agriculture: (1) enablement of digital agriculture – through strengthened foundations and supported adoption. (2) investment and scale to fuel the change (3) collaboration and impact
Discover Kiwis Going Global
In case you missed our first story, meet Don Sandbrook, Clare Bradley and Aaron Pannell who share their close connection to the land and the challenges of scaling globally.
The Future of Farming is HereDiscover the future of farming right here in New Zealand! Meet Kiwi agritech innovators Darryn Keiller, Jason Wargent and Tijs Robinson. They’re helping change how we feed the world. Read more
Left to Right – Peter Nation, Graeme Muller, Kylie Horomia, Sophie Rebbeck, Brendan O’Connell, Juliet Ansell, Daniel O’Brien, Hayden Read, Bridgit Hawkins, Maria Jose Alvarez, Kenneth Irons
Rolling pastures, dairy cows contentedly chewing the cud, thousands of sheep on a high country station or juicy stone fruit freshly picked from an orchard. The new reality for farming is very different as food production transitions to an efficient indoor model using tech, data and innovation. It’s a business model, combining ground breaking science and innovation technology that is going global.
The urgency for more sustainable growth of fresh produce is being driven by changing consumer preferences, greater awareness of environmental impacts and carbon footprints.
“The need for the industry to transform is obvious. We have to move towards a digital and data driven model that is less reliant on knowledge workers and manual labour. It’s not just about technology, it’s about how we farm and grow our food. We’ve got to change,” says WayBeyond’s Darry Keiller.
“We’re trying to solve these really gnarly global problems,” he says when describing the challenge of working with the horticulture industry to sustainably grow food to feed the world. Read more.
Baked-in benefits
While WayBeyond is focused on bringing growers into the data age, BioLumic is shining a light on the untapped potential that exists in the crops we grow. Their world-first tech delivers ultralviolet light to trigger biological mechanisms that increase plant growth, vigour and yields.
“We can come up with a light recipe to unlock a plant’s potential at different stages, starting with the seed. We call it a light recipe because it’s essentially like baking a cake. You need to combine the right ingredients for the magic to happen,” he says, adding that it requires a paradigm shift.
“We’re building a whole new biological understanding and biology is hard. But you have to ride the roller coaster if you want to have a real, meaningful impact on the world,” says Jason. Read more.
Carbon champions
Currently, most greenhouses use natural gas to generate the carbon dioxide (CO2) they need to feed their plants. But locally and worldwide, there is a push to move away from fossil based fuels to more renewable sources. Hot Lime Labs has a solution, converting wood waste biomass into clean CO2 for commercial greenhouses.
“We’ve jumped on the wave at the right time. The world is looking for clean, green solutions; the climate’s not going to become more predictable, land prices aren’t going down and the demand for fresh fruit and vegetables is not going to reduce. These trends are only going in one direction,” says Hot Lime Lab’s Tijs Robinson. Read more.
We’d love to hear your stories!
Is connection to the land important to you? What does ‘place’ mean to you and your business? It might be where you grew up, where your business is based, or the unique characteristics of the region you live in.
We’d love to hear your stories to help inspire other Kiwi agritech entrepreneurs. Please contact us.
The Emissions Reduction Plan also included a $340 million commitment for the Centre of Climate Action – creating pathways for leading climate research and agritech solutions to be supported in farm adoption. We have also been consulting with the He Waka Eke Noa partners (a primary sector leadership group making recommendations to the Government on the approach to agricultural emissions pricing) on possible methods to support the changes for reporting on farm emissions. The common thread between these initiatives is the need and opportunity to strengthen the foundations of digital agriculture in New Zealand. All strong strategies combine both local and global objectives – developing these digital agriculture capabilities in New Zealand equips our agritech sector with technical, cultural and social advantages to have even greater impact when their relevance and knowledge is applied globally. We can both strengthen our primary core and create new options for weightless exports and global impact.
Next month our Executive Council will further cement our strategy with a day of focussed planning. Following this, I am looking forward to joining our dinner with the Hon Stuart Nash, Minister for Economic and Regional Development. This is a special opportunity to engage directly with the Minister and officials to highlight the importance of agritech in supporting New Zealand’s economic growth. We will also share insights from our latest research and showcase key initiatives promoting New Zealand agritech.
Meanwhile, here’s my round up of everything about agritech this month!
Climate funding announcement New Zealand’s agritech companies are helping meet the country’s climate commitments and their innovations are valued internationally which will drive agritech export growth and create future proof jobs for Kiwis. Read more >
Auckland pre-2035 Oceania Summit coming soon! Ahead of the Summit, join industry leaders, agritech companies, farmers and growers, regulators and policy makers to discuss agrifood tech innovation. Join us on 31 May in Auckland. Read more >
Digital trends transforming agriculture The Digital Agrifood Summit 2022 takes a practical look at the digital trends and technologies transformation agriculture. Explore the Emerging Carbon Economy on 1-2 June. Read more >
Uptake of tech in the primary sector Last week, during Techweek22, I joined our digital adoption project team – Tim Cutfield and Bridgit Hawkins on TechweekTV to discuss our research findings. This is now available for on-demand viewing. View here >
Ready for the challenge to build your business? If you’re a company, entrepreneur or scientist with an idea for a scalable business the Sprout Agritech Accelerator is for you. Applications for the next cohort close on 4 June. Read more >
Celebrating our agritech exporters Entries are now open for the New Zealand International Business Awards 2022. Agritech was well represented in Bluelab’s win last year, will it be you this year? Applications close 4 July and winners will be announced at a gala dinner on 27 October. Read more >
Informing the future of food, agriculture and tech Join the next Global Signals workshop with Melissa Clark-Reynolds on 9 June in Auckland. You will receive practical tools to help you identify trends before they unfold. Plus, learn how to link strategy and foresight. Read more >
Attending HortConnections 2022 in Brisbane?
Callaghan Innovation and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise are delighted to invite New Zealand businesses attending Hort Connections 2022 in Brisbane to a networking morning tea. Join us to connect with other New Zealand businesses and researchers in the horticulture sector who are in Brisbane for the conference. Learn more >
Discover AI for the environment Also during Techweek22, the AI Forum launched their new research report, AI for the Environment in Aotearoa New Zealand. Read more >
Nominations close next week! Ahead of our Annual Meeting, we’re seeking nominations for our Executive Council. Nominations close on 31 May. We are making excellent progress for our sector and require continued energy and insights from you, our members. Please consider putting forward the best and brightest we’ve got! Read more >
Ngā manaakitanga me kei runga noa atu Go well and onwards and upwards
Sprout, New Zealand’s leading agrifoodtech accelerator and investor, is on the hunt for entrepreneurs for their next cohort!
Sprout understands the importance of developing innovation and talent in the agrifoodtech ecosystem. Their herd is a team of experts who live and breathe agriculture, food and technology. They work alongside a wide range of agrifoodtech start-ups and entrepreneurs, working on ideas like the next automated soil testing robot or a positive gut health food.
The Sprout Accelerator is 12-weeks of virtual and in person sessions. A big benefit is you don’t need to relocate, you just need to make yourself available for all the workshops and Underground events. You need to be agile, dynamic and willing to be challenged.
Sprout’s promise to you: ● Challenge you to validate your business model ● Coach you on what investors are looking for in a pitch ● Enable you to work in a cohort of entrepreneurs ● Provide tailored workshops for optimum learning ● Pair you with a specialised mentor/s ● Connect you with their vast global network.
Registrations for their next cohort are now OPEN.
If you know someone up for the challenge, find out more here. Registrations close 4 June 2022.
