AgriTech New Zealand

Capital games: raising capital for agritech business at Fieldays
2021-06-17 11:30 - 12:30 (Pacific/Auckland)
This is a Tech Alliance event

Free

This is a physical event only

With the recent launch of the $40m Finistere Aotearoa Venture Capital Fund, the landscape of agritech capital options has changed significantly. In combination with other funds such as the Pacific Channel Elevate fund in New Zealand and Tenacious Ventures in Australia, there are multiple options for innovators in the region. Arguably, the continuum of investment from angel/seed to growth capital is more complete than it has ever been for agritech businesses.
In that context, we take the time to ask investors what ‘investability’ looks like for agritech and ask agritech business leaders to share their capital journey stories and insights.

The Investors:

Dean Tilyard, Venture Partner, Finistere Ventures
Dean is the Venture Partner for Finistere Ventures in New Zealand, where he specializes in seed-stage agtech companies. Additionally, Dean is Chief Executive of The Factory and Executive Director at Sprout Agritech, a New Zealand start-up advisory and accelerator. He has experience with multiple start-ups and technologies and is a founding member of the New Zealand Angel Association where he received the Association’s inaugural Kotahitanga Award. Dean has founded an angel investor network and two seed investment funds. He has a BA(Hons) in Economics and Geography from Otago University. Finistere Ventures and New Zealand Growth Capital Partners have recently launched a $40M NZD Agrifood technology fund focused on sustainability and nutrition innovations.
Maria Jose Alvaez, Investment Manager at New Zealand Growth Capital Partners
Before joining NZGCP, MJ worked as a Commercialisation Manager for the Inventors Fund at Auckland UniServices, investing in early-stage deep-tech and start-up companies that originated from the University of Auckland. In 2012, and while undertaking her undergraduate degree as a Biotechnology Engineer at Universidad Andres Bello in Chile, MJ co-founded and operated VidAoX, a deep-tech start-up focused on the Agritech sector. Maria Jose is an Independent Committee member at StartUp Science, the Seed Accelerator and Investment arm of the Chilean Ministry of Science, which focuses on providing funding and support for deep-tech ventures. She is also a founding member of the Momentum Investment Committee, a national organisation that provides advice and access to funding for young entrepreneurs. MJ is a part of the AgriTech & Food Investment Committee at Return On Science, and mentors early-career women in STEM that are transitioning into Industry, as well as young entrepreneurs and early-stage companies. New Zealand Growth Capital Partners (NZGCP) is a venture capital fund established by the New Zealand Government to stimulate investment into early-stage Kiwi tech companies with high-growth potential.
Eleshea D’Souza , Corporate Development Manager at LIC
As a qualified Chartered Accountant and enrolled Barrister and Solicitor with experience in marketing, sales, strategy and finance, Eleshea has developed opportunities in the European, New Zealand and ASEAN regions, with a focus on strategising and executing new business ideas. Previously Eleshea held marketing and business development roles at Landcorp/Pamu and Fonterra. Eleshea was behind the launch of the LIC AgCelerator Fund, which invests in early-stage dairy agritech start ups globally to support strategic innovations in the industry. Eleshea is also the Founder and Director of the Art In Bloom Academy, an art entertainment business with the goal of turning every home in Auckland into an art gallery.
Emerald Scofield, Associate at Pacific Channel
Emerald Scofield is an Associate at Pacific Channel, which manages a $55m deep tech fund focused on early-stage health, clean-tech and ag-tech innovation.
At Pacific Channel Emerald is responsible for assessing potential investments, and for developing and operationalising ESG criteria.
Emerald takes an active role in supporting Pacific Channel’s start-ups, especially to anticipate and overcome potential issues and to develop their commercialisation strategies. Notably, for the past year Emerald has been working hands on with Orbis Diagnostics, which is working to develop medical laboratory precision diagnostics for use on farms and at other points of need.
Emerald has a keen interest in advancing sustainable practices, especially those in the agritech sector. She is passionate about the future of food, and how we plan to sustainably feed our future populations.
Emerald holds a BSc in Biotechnology from the University of Auckland.”

Event details
Date: Thursday 17 June
Time: 11:30am – 12:30pm NZST
Venue: Fieldays – Mystery Creek Pavilion – Annex space
125 Mystery Creek Rd, Mystery Creek
Map Location for the event ( The Annex Space – on the side of the Pavilion Building right in the centre of fieldays)
Cost: Free

Fieldays
2021-06-16 08:00 - 2021-06-19 17:00
This is not a Tech Alliance event but may be of some interest to members.

The Southern Hemisphere’s largest agricultural event and the ultimate launch platform for cutting edge technology and innovation.
Whether you are from in town or out in the country, a Fieldays veteran or visiting for the first time, Fieldays has something for everyone. Fieldays presents New Zealand’s agricultural and primary sectors with an international marketplace to advance agriculture, while honouring our three pillars – innovation, education, globalisation.
As we look forward to 2021, the health and wellbeing of our customers, staff, and event attendees remains our top priority – For the latest information regarding COVID-19 and our event please see our venue site Mystery Creek

Capital games: raising capital for agritech business
2021-06-09 14:00 - 16:00
This is a Tech Alliance event enabled by ASX

Free for members of AgriTechNZ and AusAgritech

$25 for non-members

With the recent launch of the 40m Finistere Aotearoa Venture Capital Fund, the landscape of agritech capital options has changed significantly. In combination with other funds such as the Pacific Channel Elevate fund in New Zealand and Tenacious Ventures in Australia, there are multiple options for innovators in the region. Arguably, the continuum of investment from angel/seed to growth capital is more complete than it has ever been for agritech businesses.
In that context, we take the time to ask investors what ‘investability’ looks like for agritech and ask agritech business leaders to share their capital journey stories and insights.
– Opportunity for AgriTechNZ and AusAgritech member companies and others to come together and hear from both agritech investors and near peers who have raised capital for their agritech businesses
– Raise awareness on the range of investment approaches open to agritech businesses
– Share thoughts on the agritech investment experience from business leaders who have lived it
– Create a forum for networking and intelligent discussion with industry peers

The Investors:

Matthew Pryor, Co-Founder, Tenacious Ventures
Matthew Pryor is co-founder of Tenacious Ventures and a Partner at AgThentic. He was previously co-founder of Observant, an Australian agtech pioneer acquired by Jain in February 2017. He was the founding chair of Rocket Seeder, a food & ag innovation accelerator, and is passionate about promoting Australian agri-food innovation globally. Tenacious Ventures is Australia’s first and only dedicated agrifood tech VC firm.
Dean Tilyard, Venture Partner, Finistere Ventures
Dean is the Venture Partner for Finistere Ventures in New Zealand, where he specializes in seed-stage agtech companies. Additionally, Dean is Chief Executive of The Factory and Executive Director at Sprout Agritech, a New Zealand start-up advisory and accelerator. He has experience with multiple start-ups and technologies and is a founding member of the New Zealand Angel Association where he received the Association’s inaugural Kotahitanga Award. Dean has founded an angel investor network and two seed investment funds. He has a BA(Hons) in Economics and Geography from Otago University. Finistere Ventures and New Zealand Growth Capital Partners have recently launched a $40M NZD Agrifood technology fund focused on sustainability and nutrition innovations.
Maria Jose Alvaez, Investment Manager at New Zealand Growth Capital Partners
Before joining NZGCP, MJ worked as a Commercialisation Manager for the Inventors Fund at Auckland UniServices, investing in early-stage deep-tech and start-up companies that originated from the University of Auckland. In 2012, and while undertaking her undergraduate degree as a Biotechnology Engineer at Universidad Andres Bello in Chile, MJ co-founded and operated VidAoX, a deep-tech start-up focused on the Agritech sector. Maria Jose is an Independent Committee member at StartUp Science, the Seed Accelerator and Investment arm of the Chilean Ministry of Science, which focuses on providing funding and support for deep-tech ventures. She is also a founding member of the Momentum Investment Committee, a national organisation that provides advice and access to funding for young entrepreneurs. MJ is a part of the AgriTech & Food Investment Committee at Return On Science, and mentors early-career women in STEM that are transitioning into Industry, as well as young entrepreneurs and early-stage companies. New Zealand Growth Capital Partners (NZGCP) is a venture capital fund established by the New Zealand Government to stimulate investment into early-stage Kiwi tech companies with high-growth potential.
Eleshea D’Souza , Corporate Development Manager at LIC
As a qualified Chartered Accountant and enrolled Barrister and Solicitor with experience in marketing, sales, strategy and finance, Eleshea has developed opportunities in the European, New Zealand and ASEAN regions, with a focus on strategising and executing new business ideas. Previously Eleshea held marketing and business development roles at Landcorp/Pamu and Fonterra. Eleshea was behind the launch of the LIC AgCelerator Fund, which invests in early-stage dairy agritech start ups globally to support strategic innovations in the industry. Eleshea is also the Founder and Director of the Art In Bloom Academy, an art entertainment business with the goal of turning every home in Auckland into an art gallery.
Blair Harrison, NZ Manager, Australian Securities Exchange
Blair Harrison is the first representative of the ASX in New Zealand. Blair, who is a lawyer by training, has worked for the ASX since 2013, returning home to New Zealand in 2019 to open the ASX, New Zealand office. Blair hails from New Zealand but has worked in Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom over his career which includes a stint as a solicitor with global asset manager JP Morgan in London. ASX is the global leader in A$ and NZ$ financial markets, one of the top 10 securities exchanges in the world, the region’s leading technology securities exchange, and the largest interest rate derivatives market in Asia. ASX has trading hubs in many of the world’s major financial centres, attracting company listings from all around the globe – including New Zealand where it has now become the biggest marketplace in the world for New Zealand IPOs (Initial Public Offerings), capital raises and turnover.
Brent Ogilvie co-founder and Managing Director of Pacific Channel
Brent S. Ogilvie is the Managing Director of Pacific Channel, New Zealand’s leading venture creation, development and investment firm focused on early-stage health, clean-tech and ag-tech innovation. Mr Ogilvie was the founding investor director of Engender Technologies, which developed a proprietary process to separate X (female) and Y (male) bearing bull sperm cells to enable cattle farmers to choose the sex of offspring. Mr Ogilvie co-founded Engender and led it from foundation to its successful sale to a global dairy genetics company generating a significant capital return for its scientists, Auckland UniServices, Pacific Channel and its co-investors. Mr. Ogilvie was also co-founder, founding CEO and Director of Somnaceutics, which developed a sleep enhancement tonic, which was sold to NIG: Mr. Ogilvie was also Director of Ecodiesel, a biodiesel technology company that sold its business assets to Z Energy. Prior to founding Pacific Channel, Brent was New Zealand Consul & Trade Commissioner to New York. Pacific Channel is an early-stage investment and development firm focused on building successful deep-tech ventures from New Zealand. Brent manages the $55m Pacific Channel Fund II, an early-stage venture investment fund focussed on life sciences, cleantech, agritech, future foods and advanced engineering and manufacturing innovation in New Zealand.
Hugh Robertson Jnr, Director – Equity Capital Markets at Bell Potter Securities
Hugh has worked with clients and large international organisations in the financial services, technology, fast moving consumable goods and agricultural industries. He has extensive experience in the areas of business development, strategic planning, commodity risk management, financial management and corporate finance. Hugh’s areas of interest include a focus on small cap industrial stocks. Bell Potter Securities is a leading Australian stockbroking, investment and financial advisory firm that provides a comprehensive offering of financial services to individuals, institutions and corporations.

The Innovators:

Steve Saunders, CEO – Founder at Robotics Plus Ltd
During the early days of GroPlus, the first of the Plus Group companies, Steve Saunders had a vision of sustainability – decades before this concept became mainstream. Steve recognised the underlying need to adopt best practices that would ensure efficiency in the horticulture industry, yet at the heart of all decisions was the deep desire to look after the growers. From that understanding, Robotics Plus emerged to solve the growing challenges in the global primary industries such as: labour shortages, sustainability for growers, pollination gaps and yield security. Steve’s vision and industry knowledge has forged the relationships that drive the development of technology and capability with a focus on automated systems for horticulture to address the growing challenges in the industry. Steve is also a Director of PlantTech Research Institute, Miro Ltd, WNT Ventures, Plus Group Horticulture Limited, Pollen Plus Ltd, Grow Plus Ltd and Mount Pack and Cool Ltd.
Bridgit Hawkins, Chief Sustainability Officer at CropX Technologies
Raised on a Reporoa sheep and beef farm, Bridgit gained a Masters Degree in Agricultural Science from Massey University before focusing on transforming science into a product or service that adds value. Bridgit built Regen, a leading provider of cloud-based, precision effluent and irrigation decision support tools, as CEO and Director. In 2020, CropX, a global soil sensing and agricultural analytics leader, acquired Regen and Bridgit took up the role of Chief Science Officer. CropX deliver the most advanced in-soil data analytics, decision support tools and data-driven irrigation prescriptions to growers as a global in-soil IoT leader.
Greg Jarvis, CEO Bluelab Corporation
Greg Jarvis was working as a regional manager in Tauranga in 2000 for Ballance Agri-Nutrients, then known as BOP Fertiliser, when he decided it was time to strike out on his own. Mr Jarvis bought a Tauranga company called NZ Hydroponics, restructured it, renamed it Bluelab, and has since turned it into a New Zealand success story with 98 per cent of the company’s output going to export markets. Bluelab design, develop and market a range of electronic meters, monitors and controllers to enable growers to accurately measure and control parameters such as pH, conductivity and temperature in water-based solutions through each growing phase.
Timothy Allan, CEO and Managing Director of UBCO
Timothy has over 20 years of experience as an innovation and R&D Leader. Prior to leading UBCO, he established his own product development company Locus Research and led it for 15 years. Timothy has operated across diverse industries from sporting and equipment, to construction products, medical devices and aerospace. He has advised some of New Zealand’s leading companies on R&D and Innovation as well as being an active early-stage investor. UBCO was founded on the idea of a rugged Utility Electric Vehicle (UEV) that would transform the way people ride, work and play. UBCO has rapidly developed into a digitally connected UEV platform. Leveraging the benefits of modern electric drive and battery technology, UBCO’s platform includes on and off-road transport (2×2), portable power, accessories, and subscription software.
Darryn Keiller, CEO & Founder of WayBeyond
After leadership roles with HP, LexisNexis and Spark, Darryn started anew as an Entrepreneur. Passionate about transformative technology, in 2015, he conceived a new vision for the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) industry; digital farmers, open autonomous systems and cognitive services including the virtual agronomist. Already an investor, he joined Autogrow as CEO in 2016. In 2017, Darryn pioneered the first CEA hackathon CropsOnMars and conceived FarmRoad; the industry’s only knowledge and A.I. based learning system for optimizing crop and farm productivity. The initial launch to market of FarmRoad paved the way for the next generation of solutions and the birth of the new business in 2021 – WayBeyond. Waybeyond delivers A.I. based Yield Prediction, a Crop Management Platform (Farmroad) and climate monitoring solutions (Folium) for enterprise growers.

Special thanks to ASX for hosting this event.

Event details
Date: Wednesday 9 June
Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm NZST (12:00pm – 2:00pm AEST)
Venue: University of Waikato – Tauranga Campus – 101 Durham Street, Tauranga
Cost: Free (non-members $25), Free Online
Join us online: A link will be emailed to you.

Future Food Asia 2021
2021-06-07 08:00 - 2021-06-11 17:00
This is not a Tech Alliance event but may be of interest to some members.
Announcing the launch of the 5th edition of Future Food Asia (FFA) Awards.
Over the coming five months the FFA jury will select 10 startup finalists to compete for the US$ 100,000 grand prize. In the past four years, FFA has acted as springboard for innovators and empowered 40+ early stage startups from Asia Pacific by providing them the stage to present their cutting-edge innovations, and distributed over US$ 1 million in awards.
The startup finalists will showcase their innovations at the Future Food Asia 2021 Conference in June. The FFA Conference has become the voice of agrifood innovation in Asia Pacific, and brings together decision makers from leading agriculture and food corporations, influential investors, rising innovators and other key ecosystem players together.
As the AgriFoodTech sector comes of age, the big promise of sustainability is about to move from a state of ‘theory’ to ‘assessment’. Talents from all walks of life start to come to AgriFoodTech. All this is generating new approaches to building the future of food start to emerge and will fuel the FFA conversation in the coming months.

Growing with AgriTech: New Zealand and German collaboration
2021-05-27 16:00 - 17:30
This event is not run by an association in the Tech Alliance, but may be of interest to some members.

As the trade-link between two countries of impressive farming heritage, the German-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to be helping push forward the new frontier of AgriTech. By bringing together skills and technologies from both countries we can feed innovation and the adoption of new processes.
In this Techweek special, we have invited five companies in the AgriTech space to share the latest in technological innovation with you. If you are interested in the fast-moving AgriTech landscape and the growing potential for German-New Zealand collaboration in R&D, technology adoption, and exports — this event is for you!
AgriTech in New Zealand and Germany is moving from strength to strength, with government and industry keen to invest in a flourishing sector and support a greener economy. Here in New Zealand, the government signaled their commitment with a hefty 11.4 billion earmarked for direct investment towards implementing the ‘Agritech Industry Transformation Plan’. This is no gamble: improved uptake of Agritech in New Zealand is expected to bring up to $9.6b in increased farm output alone. In Germany, a buzzing Agritech startup scene runs alongside their well-established agricultural equipment industry, the largest in the world. About $96 million Euros of venture capital flowed into these startups in 2019 (GTAI). But it is not just the government and industry investment that will feed innovation — but collaboration, trade, and knowledge-sharing too.
Speakers

Heiko Stumpf, GTAI – Director for Germany Trade & Invest
Chris Staff, Bayer | Crop Science division – Head of Digital Farming, Australia and New Zealand
Mark Harris, Gallagher Animal Management Systems – Marketing Manager
Peter Landon-Lane, T&G Global Ltd – Director Innovation & Technical
Erin Daly, German-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce – Manager of Consulting Services

Event details:

Date: Thursday 27 May
Time: 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Location: B:Hive, Bayer, Smales Farm, 72 Taharoto Road, Takapuna, Auckland, 0622
Cost: Free

Techweek2021
2021-05-22 08:00 - 2021-05-30 17:00
Techweek2021 will be a mix of live, virtual and hybrid events so there’s something to suit everyone. Physical events will be carried out right across the country, while virtual events can be attended and enjoyed from anywhere in the world!

Submit your event today
View our Event Programme
Join our Discussion Forum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5QPdaFaYME
Keep up to date with subscribing to the newsletter or visiting the Techweek website

LandWISE 21: Working Smarter
2021-05-19 08:00 - 2021-05-20 17:00
This event is run by LandWISE 21. As an affiliate of the Tech Alliance, standard event pricing applies.

After our Covid Cancelled Conference of 2020, we are delighted to be gathering again for LandWISE 2021!

We’ll update you on progress of our major projects: Future Proofing Vegetable Production, Smart Tools for Orchard Drainage, and Herbicide Resistance Management. We’ll tell you of our plans for the MicroFarm, Carbon Positive, Water Security and more. And of course, we’ll bring others to share their knowledge and experiences.

E Tipu 2021 - The Boma NZ Agri Summit
2021-05-11 09:00 - 2021-05-12 17:00
AgriTechNZ is thrilled to be partnering with E Tipu 2021 | The Boma NZ Agri Summit on 11–12 May at Christchurch Town Hall.
It’s set to be the biggest food and fibre event of the year, created to help Aotearoa tackle the huge questions that exponential change presents for our primary industries.
Join us to shape the future of food and fibre, and explore how we can support the sector to become more innovative, sustainable, collaborative and profitable—now and into the future.
Secure your ticket now to experience two days of:

20+ future-focused speakers;
interactive sessions and workshops;
new insights and innovative exhibits;
valuable cross-sector networking; and more.

Plus, E Tipu 2021 attendees get exclusive access to off-site experiences around Canterbury during the week of the event.
Virtual Experience tickets are also available—enabling virtual attendees to watch the E Tipu 2021 talks, connect with other virtual and physical attendees, participate in virtual-only workshops, engage with live polls and special Q&As, and more.
Secure your general or virtual ticket now at etipu.boma.global

New Zealand Agrifood Week
2021-05-03 09:00 - 2021-05-09 17:00
Sitting at the intersection of agriculture, science, food and technology, New Zealand AgriFood Week provides a platform for influential thought leaders from all sectors to meet, build relationships and unite for one conversation about the future of food.
New Zealand AgriFood Week is a highlight of the Manawatū agrifood community. It is the only week dedicated to celebrating and showcasing excellence in agrifood tech and innovation, inspiring the next generation of scientists, innovators, farmers and change agents.

Agritech ITP Roadshow - Gisborne
2021-04-30 14:00 - 16:00
New Zealand can lead the world with a globally competitive and connected agritech ecosystem. As we continue collaborating on the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP), we remain focussed on the real conditions of change and the collective opportunity for our sector.
Join David Downs, the ITP’s All of Government taskforce lead, who will facilitate the workshops with AgriTechNZ’s Kenneth Irons (Chair) and Brendan O’Connell (CEO).
These sessions will provide a progress update, plus insights into the next phase of the plan’s delivery. Project leaders will provide project updates and we will be discussing how you can engage with the work.
This is your opportunity to help make a difference, as we accelerate the impact of New Zealand’s agritech capability and reputation. We welcome your ongoing contribution and look forward to your participation.
Roadshow Venues:
Gisborne

Date: Friday 30 April
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Trust Tairawhiti – The Rose Room,Lawson Field Theatre, 7 Fitzherbert Street ,Whataupoko, Gisborne 4010

Palmerston North

Date: Thursday 4 February
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Sprout-Agritech – The Factory – 21 Dairy Farm Road Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui, 4474

Dunedin

Date: Wednesday 10 February
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: University of Otago, OBS117 – Otago Business School Lecture Room 1.17

Napier

Date: Friday 12 February
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hawkes Bay Business Hub – 36 Bridge Street, Ahuriri, Napier 4110

Nelson

Date: Thursday 18 March
Time: 3-5 pm
Location: Mahitahi Colab – 322 Hardy Street Nelson 701

Hamilton

Date: Tuesday 13 April
Time: 2-4pm
Location: Mystery Creek Events Centre – Gallagher Building at, 125 Mystery Creek Road, Gate 2 Entrance

Tauranga

Date: Wednesday 28 April
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hosted by Ballance – Mount Surf Club, 21 Adams Avenue, Mount Maunganui – main function room

New Plymouth

Date: Monday 15 March
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hosted by Novotel New Plymouth – Waitangi Room, Cnr Of Hobson And, Leach Street, New Plymouth

Wellington

Date: Monday 22 March
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hosted by: Federated Farmers of New Zealand, 154 Featherston Street, Wellington Central

This workshop is free to attend.

NZTE Latam Agribusiness Webinar series
2021-04-30 08:00 - 09:00
We would like to invite you to take part on the upcoming Latin America Agribusiness Webinar Series, an initiative designed to introduce New Zealand companies to opportunities in the Latin American Agribusiness sector.
The first of the series (30 April, 8am – 9am) will focus on presenting opportunities in the Horticulture sector. This webinar will cover four major areas:

Market Landscape – an overview of current facts and figures on horticulture in countries in the region;
International Investment Analysis – an overview of the status of international investments in this sector within the region;
Market Opportunities – an overview of trends and an analysis of the New Zealand Hortitech offer versus local demand for technologies;
Entry Strategies – an overview of success factors to enter the market along with challenge and mitigation strategies.
Highlights on some recommendations for New Zealand business willing to enter/expand within Horticulture sector in Latin American countries.

During the webinar we will launch an exclusive Latam Horticulture report, delivered by a team of specialists from consultancy firm Markestrat Group, a Brazilian consultancy with 20+ years of experience in Agribusiness in Latin America delivering consultancy services to many companies around the globe. This is a great opportunity to understand the best strategies to expand your business and grow in Latin America, one of the most important food producers and exporters in the world.
Should you have any further questions, please send a message to nadia.alcantara@nzte.govt.nz

Agritech ITP Roadshow - Tauranga
2021-04-28 14:00 - 16:00
New Zealand can lead the world with a globally competitive and connected agritech ecosystem. As we continue collaborating on the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP), we remain focussed on the real conditions of change and the collective opportunity for our sector.
Join David Downs, the ITP’s All of Government taskforce lead, who will facilitate the workshops with AgriTechNZ’s Kenneth Irons (Chair) and Brendan O’Connell (CEO).
These sessions will provide a progress update, plus insights into the next phase of the plan’s delivery. Project leaders will provide project updates and we will be discussing how you can engage with the work.
This is your opportunity to help make a difference, as we accelerate the impact of New Zealand’s agritech capability and reputation. We welcome your ongoing contribution and look forward to your participation.
Roadshow Venues:
Palmerston North

Date: Thursday 4 February
Time: 2-4pm
Location: Sprout-Agritech – The Factory – 21 Dairy Farm Road Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui, 4474

Dunedin

Date: Wednesday 10 February
Time: 2-4pm
Location: University of Otago, OBS117 – Otago Business School Lecture Room 1.17

Napier

Date: Friday 12 February
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hawkes Bay Business Hub – 36 Bridge Street, Ahuriri, Napier 4110

Nelson

Date: Thursday 18 March
Time: 3-5pm
Location: Mahitahi Colab – 322 Hardy Street Nelson 701

Hamilton

Date: Tuesday 13 April
Time: 2-4pm
Location: Mystery Creek Events Centre – Gallagher Building at, 125 Mystery Creek Road, Gate 2 Entrance

Tauranga

Date: Wednesday 28 April
Time: 2-4pm
Location: Hosted by Ballance – Mount Surf Club, 21 Adams Avenue, Mount Maunganui – main function room

New Plymouth

Date: Monday 15 March
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Novotel New Plymouth – Waitangi Room, Cnr Of Hobson And, Leach Street, New Plymouth

Wellington

Date: Monday 22 March
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Federated Farmers of New Zealand, 154 Featherston Street, Wellington Central

This workshop is free to attend.

Webinar: Cultivating fertile futures in Japan
2021-04-27 13:00 - 14:00
Please join AgriTechNZ and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) explore new agritech opportunities in the world’s third biggest economy. Discover the Japanese market and understand the growing appetite for local agritech companies.
We will discuss the $2.6 billion agritech market, including dairy farming, fruit and vegetables, IoT applications, drones and robotics. Plus, learn more about Japanese initiatives encouraging agritech adoption. You will also be introduced to the Virtual Business Trip platform launching during this year’s Fieldays.
AgriTechNZ’s Brendan O’Connell will facilitate a panel of speakers exploring the rising demand for agritech in Japan. Japanese business experts and officials will join the discussion including ANZCO Food’s Makoto Kinjo , Yamaha’s Jim Aota and Deloitte’s Fayaz Budhwani. They will be joined by Dr Takuya Sato from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) and NZTE’s Head of Business Development Yoshifumi Imamura.
Speakers:

Mr. Fayaz Budhwani
Fayaz is a Manager within the Business Development group at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. He provides consulting services to enable organizations’ growth and transformation, serving clients across North America & Asia Pacific. He has experience supporting Japanese firms spanning various industries including Agriculture, Financial Services & Retail; with a focus on technological innovation to inform on where-to-play & how-to-win choices that underpin clients’ business strategies. Fayaz is actively engaged in formulating market entry strategies to expand NZ Inc’s AgriTech presence in Japan and South Korea; framing key agri-sector dynamics & distilling actionable insights to identify competitive opportunity areas.

Mr. Jim Aota
Jim joined Yamaha Motor Co. in 2017, where he was responsible for new business development across the company. Then, he moved to Corporate Planning Department, and he was responsible for developing and managing the execution of the company’s long-term vision and mid-term business plan. In May last year, he was appointed CEO of Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Silicon Valley, a company that decided to invest in Robotics Plus – one of the global leading Ag-Tech companies. Prior to joining Yamaha Motor, Jim worked for more than a decade in Mitsui & Co.Ltd., Japanese Trading Firm in Detroit, New York, London, and Tokyo. He is also a 2010 graduate of the Harvard Business School Leadership Development Program (PLD). Yamaha Motor was originally founded as a “new business” by a musical instrument manufacturer (Yamaha Corporation) with a strong desire to create a completely different product, the motorbike back in 1955. Let’s hear from Jim about the strategy of such a company.

Mr. Makoto Kinjo
Makoto has been involved in the New Zealand meat industry for the last 20 years as part of ANZCO, not only from a sales perspective in Japan, but also from a producer’s perspective of New Zealand’s agricultural base, one of the most competitive in the world. Makoto has retired as President of ANZCO Japan and is now managing the company as Director. His focus is now on his own company, Ambrosia, managing the WAKANUI restaurant and developing new food products using NZ’s agricultural base. He says: “I think Agritech’s work is very important for Japanese agriculture and will make an important contribution to the food and farming partnership between Japan and NZ. There is a lot of technology that can be applied not only to sheep, but to livestock and dairy farming in general, and the possibilities are huge when you include sustainability, animal welfare and other areas where Japan lags.

Dr. Takuya Sato
Takuya is a researcher at Business-Academia Cooperation Office at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF). His role at MAFF is to promote government-led open innovation program named “Field for Knowledge, Integration and Innovation (FKII), which has over 3,700 members and 160 research projects. FKII is promoting not only Smart agriculture (e.g. robotics, drones), Start-up agritech businesses but also International collaboration. Takuya is currently working with several Embassy in Tokyo including NZ Embassy, and exchanging ideas for possible international collaboration with these countries. Takuya’s messages is that scientific inputs from New Zealand to Japan will be significantly important to improve the technologies developed under FKII for Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Food industries

Mr. Yoshifumi Imamura
Yoshifumi is a Head of Business Development – Agritech with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE). Based in Tokyo, Japan, he manages and facilitates New Zealand businesses’ success in market, in line with NZTE’s purpose of growing companies internationally bigger, better, and faster, for the benefit of New Zealand. Highly passionate about agritech – his father was a farmer – Yoshifumi is keen to help New Zealand agritech companies harness the ripe market in Japan. His customer portfolio includes specialized manufacturing and technology companies. Prior to joining NZTE in 2014, Yoshifumi served as Senior Sales Manager in Tokyo for Swedish firm Ericsson, Country Marketing Manager of Singtel Japan, and Global Account Director for Singtel in Singapore. Before that, he worked for Japanese conglomerate, Itochu Corporation.

Agritech and IoT – Progress in Rural Connectivity
2021-04-14 16:30 - 18:30
Progress in Rural Connectivity
Please join AgriTechNZ and the New Zealand IoT Alliance to explore the potential for connected agritech solutions in our primary industries.
The growing focus on the environmental impact of farming has led to an increased use of IoT to optimise fertiliser, power and water use. However, one of the biggest challenges is the connectivity of devices across large areas of Aotearoa’s productive land. How can improvements to rural connectivity be accelerated? We ask the experts!
AgriTechNZ and the IoT Alliance are hosting a panel of speakers to share their experiences, projects and aspirations for the future of IoT in agritech. We will discuss large scale IoT and sensor deployment projects, plus proof-of-concept trials. New infrastructure initiatives and the evolving role of satellite connectivity will also be discussed.
Speaker:
Matt Hector-Taylor

Matt is a co-founder of IoT Ventures and has been working on delivering value from long-range low power IoT since 2015. His focus is on business strategy, market development, product delivery. He has experience of developing and implementing IoT solutions in agricultural, environmental, wellness, asset management and smart city domains. Prior to IoT Ventures Matt worked in and on a number of innovative and high growth companies from concept to exit in a range of industries with a particular focus on technology in health, aged care and the social services. He is currently also an IS strategy advisor to the health sector.

Special thanks to Fonterra for hosting this event

Heads up! We have been inundated with requests to run the Agritech and IoT – Progress in Rural Connectivity event, scheduled for April 14, online. We hear you! We are planning to run the same event later this year online. Keep an eye out for more details in our newsletter.

Agritech ITP Roadshow - Hamilton
2021-04-13 14:00 - 16:00
New Zealand can lead the world with a globally competitive and connected agritech ecosystem. As we continue collaborating on the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP), we remain focussed on the real conditions of change and the collective opportunity for our sector.
Join David Downs, the ITP’s All of Government taskforce lead, who will facilitate the workshops with AgriTechNZ’s Kenneth Irons (Chair) and Brendan O’Connell (CEO).
These sessions will provide a progress update, plus insights into the next phase of the plan’s delivery. Project leaders will provide project updates and we will be discussing how you can engage with the work.
This is your opportunity to help make a difference, as we accelerate the impact of New Zealand’s agritech capability and reputation. We welcome your ongoing contribution and look forward to your participation.
Roadshow Venues:
Palmerston North

Date: Thursday 4 February
Time: 2-4pm
Location: Sprout-Agritech – The Factory –21 Dairy Farm Road Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui, 4474

Dunedin

Date: Wednesday 10 February
Time: 2-4pm
Location: University of Otago, OBS117 – Otago Business School Lecture Room 1.17

Napier

Date: Friday 12 February
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hawkes Bay Business Hub – 36 Bridge Street, Ahuriri, Napier 4110

Nelson

Date: Thursday 18 March
Time: 3-5pm
Location: Mahitahi Colab – 322 Hardy Street Nelson 701

Hamilton

Date: Tuesday 13 April
Time: 2-4pm
Location: Mystery Creek Events Centre – Gallagher Building at, 125 Mystery Creek Road, Gate 2 Entrance

New Plymouth

Date: Monday 15 March
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hosted by Novotel New Plymouth – Waitangi Room, Cnr Of Hobson And, Leach Street, New Plymouth

Wellington

Date: Monday 22 March
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hosted by: Federated Farmers of New Zealand, 154 Featherston Street, Wellington Central

Tauranga

Date: Wednesday 28 April
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hosted by: Balance – Mount Surf Club, 21 Adams Avenue, Mount Maunganui – main function room

This workshop is free to attend.

HYBRID: MobileTECH Ag 2021
2021-03-23 08:00 - 2021-03-24 17:00
This is an event run in partnership with AgriTech
MobileTECH Ag is the only event of its type to bring together the technology leaders from right across the agricultural, horticultural and forestry sectors under one platform.
Theme for 2021: Smart Data Innovations
The key message from the last couple of years has been the need to better understand and utilise operational data to make smarter business decisions. New digital technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, The Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain and robotics, are continuing to drive massive change within New Zealand’s primary production sector.
Key initiatives, through organisations like AgritechNZ and Callaghan Innovation, are building significant Government and international support to further capitalise and develop technologies in this sector. It is an exciting time. It is also an important opportunity to create real solutions and improve productivity within the food and fibre sector.

Key Technologies covered:
Mobile technologies ⋅ Artificial Intelligence ⋅ Machine learning ⋅ Internet of Things ⋅ Augmented & virtual reality ⋅ Blockchain ⋅ Cloud computing ⋅ Automation ⋅ Sensors ⋅ Platforms ⋅ Connectivity ⋅ Big data ⋅ Robotics ⋅ Satellite mapping ⋅ Remote assistance ⋅ Data ownership ⋅ Apps and more.

This event will be LIVE + Virtual Online for 2021

Agritech ITP Roadshow - Wellington
2021-03-22 14:00 - 16:00
New Zealand can lead the world with a globally competitive and connected agritech ecosystem. As we continue collaborating on the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP), we remain focussed on the real conditions of change and the collective opportunity for our sector.
Join David Downs, the ITP’s All of Government taskforce lead, who will facilitate the workshops with AgriTechNZ’s Kenneth Irons (Chair) and Brendan O’Connell (CEO).
These sessions will provide a progress update, plus insights into the next phase of the plan’s delivery. Project leaders will provide project updates and we will be discussing how you can engage with the work.
This is your opportunity to help make a difference, as we accelerate the impact of New Zealand’s agritech capability and reputation. We welcome your ongoing contribution and look forward to your participation.
Roadshow Venues:
Palmerston North

Date: Thursday 4 February
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Sprout-Agritech – The Factory – 21 Dairy Farm Road Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui, 4474

Dunedin

Date: Wednesday 10 February
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: University of Otago, OBS117 – Otago Business School Lecture Room 1.17

Napier

Date: Friday 12 February
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hawkes Bay Business Hub – 36 Bridge Street, Ahuriri, Napier 4110

Nelson

Date: Thursday 18 March
Time: 3-5 pm
Location: Mahitahi Colab – 322 Hardy Street Nelson 701

Hamilton

Date: Tuesday 13 April
Time: 2-4pm
Location: TBC

Tauranga

Date: Wednesday 28 April
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hosted by Ballance – Mount Surf Club, 21 Adams Avenue, Mount Maunganui – main function room

New Plymouth

Date: Monday 15 March
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hosted by Novotel New Plymouth – Waitangi Room, Cnr Of Hobson And, Leach Street, New Plymouth

Wellington

Date: Monday 22 March
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hosted by: Federated Farmers of New Zealand, 154 Featherston Street, Wellington Central

Gisborne

Date: Friday 30 April
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hosted by: Trust Tairawhiti TBC

This workshop is free to attend.

Agritech ITP Roadshow - Nelson
2021-03-18 15:00 - 17:00
New Zealand can lead the world with a globally competitive and connected agritech ecosystem. As we continue collaborating on the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP), we remain focussed on the real conditions of change and the collective opportunity for our sector.
Join David Downs, the ITP’s All of Government taskforce lead, who will facilitate the workshops with AgriTechNZ’s Kenneth Irons (Chair) and Brendan O’Connell (CEO).
These sessions will provide a progress update, plus insights into the next phase of the plan’s delivery. Project leaders will provide project updates and we will be discussing how you can engage with the work.
This is your opportunity to help make a difference, as we accelerate the impact of New Zealand’s agritech capability and reputation. We welcome your ongoing contribution and look forward to your participation.
Roadshow Venues:
Palmerston North

Date: Thursday 18 February
Time: 2-4pm
Location: Sprout-Agritech – The Factory – 21 Dairy Farm Road Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui, 4474

Dunedin

Date: Wednesday 10 February
Time: 2-4pm
Location: University of Otago,OBS117 – Otago Business School Lecture Room 1.17

Napier

Date: Friday 12 February
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hawkes Bay Business Hub – 36 Bridge Street, Ahuriri, Napier 4110

Nelson

Date: Thursday 18 March
Time: 3-5pm
Location: Mahitahi Colab – 322 Hardy Street Nelson 701

Hamilton

Date: Tuesday 13 April
Time: 2-4pm
Location: TBC

Tauranga

Date: Wednesday 28 April
Time: 2-4pm
Location: Hosted by Ballance – Mount Surf Club, 21 Adams Avenue, Mount Maunganui – main function room

New Plymouth

Date: Monday 15 March
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hosted by Novotel New Plymouth – Waitangi Room, Cnr Of Hobson And, Leach Street, New Plymouth

Wellington

Date: Monday 22 March
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hosted by: Federated Farmers of New Zealand, 154 Featherston Street, Wellington Central

This workshop is free to attend.

Agritech ITP Roadshow - New Plymouth
2021-03-15 14:00 - 16:00
New Zealand can lead the world with a globally competitive and connected agritech ecosystem. As we continue collaborating on the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP), we remain focussed on the real conditions of change and the collective opportunity for our sector.
Join David Downs, the ITP’s All of Government taskforce lead, who will facilitate the workshops with AgriTechNZ’s Kenneth Irons (Chair) and Brendan O’Connell (CEO).
These sessions will provide a progress update, plus insights into the next phase of the plan’s delivery. Project leaders will provide project updates and we will be discussing how you can engage with the work.
This is your opportunity to help make a difference, as we accelerate the impact of New Zealand’s agritech capability and reputation. We welcome your ongoing contribution and look forward to your participation.
Roadshow Venues:
Palmerston North

Date: Thursday 4 February
Time: 2-4pm
Location: Sprout-Agritech – The Factory – 21 Dairy Farm Road Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui, 4474

Dunedin

Date: Wednesday 10 February
Time: 2-4pm
Location: University of Otago, OBS117 – Otago Business School Lecture Room 1.17

Napier

Date: Friday 12 February
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hawkes Bay Business Hub – 36 Bridge Street, Ahuriri, Napier 4110

Nelson

Date: Thursday 18 March
Time: 3-5pm
Location: Mahitahi Colab – 322 Hardy Street Nelson 701

Hamilton

Date: Monday 8 March
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: University of Waikato – Te Whare Wananga o Waikato
Gate 1, Knighton Road, Hamilton / Te Whare Tāpere Iti room

Tauranga

Date: Wednesday 28 April
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hosted by Ballance

New Plymouth

Date: Monday 15 March
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Novotel New Plymouth – Waitangi Room, Cnr Of Hobson & Leach Street, New Plymouth

Wellington

Date: Monday 22 March
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Federated Farmers of New Zealand, 154 Featherston Street, Wellington Central

This workshop is free to attend.

Agritech ITP Roadshow - Napier
2021-02-12 14:00 - 16:00
New Zealand can lead the world with a globally competitive and connected agritech ecosystem. As we continue collaborating on the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP), we remain focussed on the real conditions of change and the collective opportunity for our sector.
Join David Downs, the ITP’s All of Government taskforce lead, who will facilitate the workshops with AgriTechNZ’s Kenneth Irons (Chair) and Brendan O’Connell (CEO).
These sessions will provide a progress update, plus insights into the next phase of the plan’s delivery. Project leaders will provide project updates and we will be discussing how you can engage with the work.
This is your opportunity to help make a difference, as we accelerate the impact of New Zealand’s agritech capability and reputation. We welcome your ongoing contribution and look forward to your participation.
Roadshow Venues:
Palmerston North

Date: Thursday 4 February
Time: 2-4pm
Location: Sprout-Agritech – The Factory – 21 Dairy Farm Road Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui, 4474

Dunedin

Date: Wednesday 10 February
Time: 2-4pm
Location: University of Otago, OBS117 – Otago Business School Lecture Room 1.17

Napier

Date: Friday 12 February
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hawkes Bay Business Hub – 36 Bridge Street, Ahuriri, Napier 4110

Nelson

Date: Friday 19 February
Time: 12-2pm
Location: Mahitahi Colab – 322 Hardy Street Nelson 701

Hamilton

Date: Tuesday 13 April
Time: 2-4pm
Location: TBC

Tauranga – POSTPONED

Date: Tuesday 9 March
Time: 2-4pm
Location: Hosted by Ballance, Mount Surf Club – 21 Adams Avenue, Mount Maunganui

New Plymouth

Date: Monday 15 March
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hosted by Novotel New Plymouth – Waitangi Room, Cnr Of Hobson And, Leach Street, New Plymouth

Wellington

Date: Monday 22 March
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hosted by: Federated Farmers of New Zealand, 154 Featherston Street, Wellington Central

This workshop is free to attend.

Agritech ITP Roadshow - Dunedin
2021-02-10 14:00 - 16:00
New Zealand can lead the world with a globally competitive and connected agritech ecosystem. As we continue collaborating on the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP), we remain focussed on the real conditions of change and the collective opportunity for our sector.
Join David Downs, the ITP’s All of Government taskforce lead, who will facilitate the workshops with AgriTechNZ’s Kenneth Irons (Chair) and Brendan O’Connell (CEO).
These sessions will provide a progress update, plus insights into the next phase of the plan’s delivery. Project leaders will provide project updates and we will be discussing how you can engage with the work.
This is your opportunity to help make a difference, as we accelerate the impact of New Zealand’s agritech capability and reputation. We welcome your ongoing contribution and look forward to your participation.
Roadshow Venues:
Palmerston North

Date: Thursday 4 February
Time: 2-4pm
Location: Sprout-Agritech – The Factory – 21 Dairy Farm Road Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui, 4474

Dunedin

Date: Wednesday 10 February
Time: 2-4pm
Location: University of Otago – OBS117 – Otago Business School Lecture Room 1.17

Napier

Date: Friday 12 February
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hawkes Bay Business Hub – 36 Bridge Street, Ahuriri, Napier 4110

Nelson

Date: Friday 19 February
Time: 12-2pm
Location: Mahitahi Colab – 322 Hardy Street Nelson 701

Hamilton

Date: Monday 8 March
Time: 2-4pm
Location: University of Waikato – Te Whare Wananga o Waikato
Gate 1, Knighton Road, Hamilton / Te Whare Tāpere Iti room

Tauranga

Date: Tuesday 9 March
Time: 2-4pm
Location: Hosted by Ballance, Venue TBC

This workshop is free to attend.

Agritech ITP Roadshow - Palmerston North
2021-02-04 14:00 - 16:00
New Zealand can lead the world with a globally competitive and connected agritech ecosystem. As we continue collaborating on the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP), we remain focussed on the real conditions of change and the collective opportunity for our sector.
Join David Downs, the ITP’s All of Government taskforce lead, who will facilitate the workshops with AgriTechNZ’s Kenneth Irons (Chair) and Brendan O’Connell (CEO).
These sessions will provide a progress update, plus insights into the next phase of the plan’s delivery. Project leaders will provide project updates and we will be discussing how you can engage with the work.
This is your opportunity to help make a difference, as we accelerate the impact of New Zealand’s agritech capability and reputation. We welcome your ongoing contribution and look forward to your participation.
Roadshow Venues:
Palmerston North

Date: Thursday 4 February
Time: 2-4pm
Location: Sprout-Agritech – The Factory – 21 Dairy Farm Road Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui, 4474

Dunedin

Date: Wednesday 10 February
Time: 2-4pm
Location: University of Otago, OBS117 – Otago Business School Lecture Room 1.17

Napier

Date: Friday 12 February
Time: 2-4 pm
Location: Hawkes Bay Business Hub – 36 Bridge Street, Ahuriri, Napier 4110

Nelson

Date: Friday 19 February
Time: 12-2pm
Location: Mahitahi Colab – 322 Hardy Street Nelson 701

Hamilton

Date: Monday 8 March
Time: 2-4pm
Location: University of Waikato – Te Whare Wananga o Waikato
Gate 1, Knighton Road, Hamilton / Te Whare Tāpere Iti room

Tauranga

Date: Tuesday 9 March
Time: 2-4pm
Location: Hosted by Ballance, Venue TBC

This workshop is free to attend.

Unlocking Agribusiness opportunities in Ireland
2021-01-27 09:00 - 10:30
AgriTechNZ, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) warmly welcome you to a webinar on the export opportunities for New Zealand’s agritech in Ireland. There will be short presentations from New Zealand’s Ambassador to Ireland Brad Burgess and NZTE, as well as insights from Mark Ryder from LIC, David Kirby from Figured and Gillian Fullerton-Smith from Waikato Milking Systems – Kiwi companies that have made a success of entering Ireland’s agri sector.
The event follows the publication of a new report on opportunities for New Zealand agri-business companies ​in the Irish market, prepared by MFAT in cooperation with NZTE last year.
