Led · Equity · Mar 2026

Founded in April 2024 by Dan Bull with cofounders Paul Sealock (founding engineer), Daniel Stuart-Jones (CTO) and Ursula Haywood (CCO), Scanabull builds a computer-vision platform that estimates live cattle weight using the LiDAR sensor on an iPhone. Its first product, WeighApp, enables farmers, stock agents and veterinarians to scan animals in yards, pens or near gates and deliver a weight estimate in seconds. The model has been trained on over 100,000 animal data points and is designed to improve as more scans are captured. Scanabull is conducting trials and demonstrations across New Zealand and is piloting with industry partners including Silver Fern Farms, with plans to expand to Australia and other major beef-producing regions by year-end. The company says the technology aims to reduce supply-chain inefficiencies caused by visual weight estimates and to provide earlier weight visibility for processors and traders.

Led · Seed · May 2024

Jooules develops novel gaseous fermentation technology that uses microbes to convert carbon dioxide into nutritionally complete, food-grade protein ingredients. The company says laboratory testing shows its proteins meet UN FAO standards for complete proteins, including all nine essential amino acids. Jooules claims its process can use around 600 times less water and 99% less land than traditional protein production. The NZ$1 million seed raise will fund commercialisation steps, expansion of the technical team, and product development work with Crown research entity SCION. Jooules targets the APAC region for initial launch after regulatory approval as a ‘novel food’ in the next financial year, with plans to roll out globally thereafter. The startup positions its ingredients for food manufacturers and high-value companion animal diets seeking lower-carbon protein sources.

Led · Equity · May 2024

Metrovate is a New Zealand agritech startup developing precision biostimulants that target crop-specific growth responses while minimizing off-target impacts. Founder and chief scientific officer Nikolai Macnee combines molecular biology with machine learning to isolate natural signalling molecules for targeted, biodegradable plant-growth formulations. The company operates a purpose-built lab in the Newmarket Innovation Precinct at the University of Auckland. Current work focuses on validating efficacy, refining an initial targeted product, and conducting further field trials and R&D ahead of commercial scale-up. Metrovate positions its platform as a way to improve crop resilience, speed recovery, and raise yields while reducing reliance on fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides.

Led · Seed · Apr 2021

Scentian Bio develops a palm-sized sensor-on-a-chip that combines insect-inspired sensing with AI to identify complex combinations of volatile organic compounds. The device aims to deliver near-real-time, easy-to-interpret results for use cases including food spoilage detection, air-quality monitoring, and the detection of explosives or pests. The company reports it is working with seven global leaders in food, beverages and condiments as it nears commercial launch. Cofounders Andrew Králíček and Jonathan Good envision the technology eventually migrating into consumer devices such as smartwatches and handsets. The startup is months away from market and has just raised $7M in a pre-Series A to support product completion and commercialization.