Agritech Activator

Accelerating the growth of New Zealand agritech

Cultivating solutions for global need

Working with worldwide industry and government partners we are accelerating the global growth of New Zealand agritech businesses and the uptake of innovation within the New Zealand agriculture sector.

Shaking hands at sunset.

Agritech Activator

Agritech Programmes & Tools

Agritech Activator has created targeted tools, advocacy and support, along with connection into local and international networks, designed to accelerate the success of New Zealand’s agritech businesses.

Online tools

  • Agritech Support Explorer

    Designed to help agritech businesses navigate the rapidly evolving funding and support landscape with easy-to-access and tailored information.
  • Agritech Knowledge Hub

    Explore the world of agritech innovation in New Zealand with this comprehensive database of technology businesses developing agritech solutions.
  • Funded Projects Register

    Explore the projects that have been previously funded by Callaghan Innovation, Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, AGMARDT and Ministry for Primary Industries in support of New Zealand innovation and economic development.

Programmes

  • Scale for global growth.

    Scale for Global Growth

    Helping New Zealand agritech businesses rapidly pursue commercial success in international markets through fundamental capability development and an export focussed outlook.
  • Global Signals workshops & expertise.

    Global Signals Workshops & Expertise

    Developing the agritech industry comfort and use of foresighting, and how to integrate these insights into business planning.
  • Farm2050.

    Farm2050

    A Nutrient Technology Trialling study that aims to identify, validate and demonstrate, at scale, promising nutrient-management technologies across multiple farm/crop systems.
  • Controlled environment agriculture.

    Controlled Environment Agriculture

    Exploring and supporting the development of market opportunities for emerging technologies used in vertical farming or indoor agriculture operations.
  • Remote Sensing Technology.

    Remote Sensing Technology

    Standing up an ecosystem of tech companies, researchers and sector support services around the operators of drones, satellites or aircraft used in the agriculture sector.
  • Finistere Aotearoa Fund.

    Finistere Aotearoa Fund

    Launch of the Specialised Agritech Venture Capital Fund, a $40 million joint between New Zealand Capital Growth Partners and Finistere fund to help address investment gaps across the agritech sector.

Agritech ACTIVATOR

Events and Immersions

Agritech Activator works closely with the agritech industry to support sector growth. Through events, workshops and networking opportunities, we ensure you’re up to speed with the latest thinking, news and industry developments.

Upcoming events & immersions

23 May – 24 May 2024

Agritech: Innovating Towards Sustainability

We are heading to Central Otago to meet the innovative farmers and growers in the regions as part of our first-ever domestic agritech tour for two days in May...

03 Jun – 05 Jun 2024

Melbourne Hort Market Immersion

This trip is the fastest and most cost effective way to answer the question - is the Australian market right for you?

12 Jun – 15 Jun 2024

Innovation tours Fieldays

Callaghan Innovation will be back at Fieldays this year, delivering group innovation tours for the international guests and delegations of NZTE and MFAT, sign up here

25 Jun – 27 Jun 2024

Showcase your winetech solution at WinePro

Callaghan Innovation have secured five booth spaces in the Vinovation Hub that we are keen to give away to agritech start-ups or innovators... Read to apply

02 Jul – 03 Jul 2024

Exhibit at the Primary Industries NZ Summit

We have eight booth spaces to give away to agritech start-ups or innovators who wish to promote their company’s services at the summit.

Agritech Activator

News & Customer Stories

New Zealand’s agritech companies are creating solutions for a better world. Our innovative minds and future-focussed ideas are answering challenges faced by the global market.

Latest news

Posted 15 Mar 2024

Opportunity Awaits for New Zealand Agritech in Western Australia

A Callaghan Innovation delegation of agritech companies, and ag enthusiasts has returned from a week-long market immersion in Western Australia (WA) rounded off by AgriFutures evokeAG 2024 conference in late February.

Posted 02 Feb 2024

Bovonic: From Garage to Global

Kiwi agritech start-up Bovonic is set to launch its novel milk sensors on farms across the North Island next month, a milestone that’s been in the works since founder Liam Kampshof began prototyping in his garage in 2021.

Posted 09 Jan 2024

Kiwi agritech Triumphs at Australian Wine Awards

Among the standouts commended at the recent Wine Industry IMPACT Awards were two New Zealand companies that emerged victorious in the AgTech and Digital category.

Christchurch-based farm management app Onside won the category, with Malbourough-based Tātou (who make labour management software) taking home runner-up.

Posted 03 Nov 2023

Scouting solutions - The future of disease monitoring

New Zealand research organisation, Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) is expanding its capabilities to suit the needs of Kiwi growers by working with Australian-based automated disease detection technology company, BioScout.


Posted 20 Oct 2023

Mapping & Zapping our way to sustainable weed control

In the ever-evolving world of agriculture, a Kiwi innovation is set to redefine how we tackle the age-old problem of invasive weeds.

Posted 10 Oct 2023

Delegation returns from Harvesting Tomorrow: Hort Automation Market Immersion

A Callaghan Innovation delegation of New Zealand agritech companies, growers, researchers and industry partners has returned back from a two-week market immersion to America’s West Coast  capped off with attendance at the 2023 FIRA event.

Posted 10 Oct 2023

Holy Cow

Australian precision fermentation startup Eden Brew, co-owned by dairy cooperative Norco, has successfully raised $24.4 million in a Series A funding round. The company has developed an ‘animal-free casein micelle’, a key component of dairy proteins, allowing it to replicate the sensory and nutritional qualities of traditional dairy products.

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Powering New Zealand's natural innovators