Our Story
Our story started in a small shed surrounded by orchards and farms in the heart of New Zealand’s thriving ag sector. This environment enables us to test our prototypes first hand, see the problems we need to solve in real life, and get instant feedback from farmers and agriculturalists.
Our customers are across the fence. And they’ve seen a lot of innovation come and go. So they set incredibly high expectations. They know what works and what doesn’t – and won’t hesitate to tell you so. So we’ve always been driven to create solutions that are not just innovative but that perform.
Our values
Pioneers / He aronga nui
We are creative, visionary and inspiring. The example for others to follow. Always at the forefront and having fun along the way.
Collaborative / Manaakitanga
We connect and work positively with our peers and partners. Always stronger together than alone.
Principled / Tika me te pono
We do the right things for the right reasons. Right by each other, our customers and partners, our community and our environment. Always acting with honesty and integrity to create a better future for both people and place.
Our People
From what started with Steve (ag expert) and Alistair (tech expert), we’ve built a world-class team of specialists across ag, tech, and engineering. We’re still located in the heart of New Zealand’s thriving ag sector, but now we’re sending robots all over the world.
Executive team
Alistair Scarfe
Co-Founder, Director and Chief Technical Officer
Steven Saunders
Co-Founder, Director, Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer
Andrew Dawson
Chief Operating Officer
Chelan Burton-Brown
Chief Financial Officer
Penny Rae
Chief People Officer
Nathan Soich
Chief Commercial Officer
Governance team
Steven Saunders
Robotics Plus Co-Founder, Director, Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer
Alistair Scarfe
Robotics Plus Co-Founder, Director and Chief Technical Officer
Yeri Kim
Private Markets Associate ACC New Zealand
Yeri Kim
Private Markets Associate ACC New Zealand
Yeri trained as a translational scientist, where she worked across both innovative research and commercial development.
Yeri joined ACC in 2019 to advise on strategic health initiatives to improve health outcomes of ACC’s customers. In 2020, Yeri joined the Private Markets investment team working primarily on impact investment portfolio that has dual objectives to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of New Zealanders while producing financial returns. Yeri joined Robotics Plus as a Board Observer following investment and partnership with ACC in 2021.
Aaron Tregaskis
Investment Manager at ACC New Zealand
Aaron Tregaskis
Investment Manager at ACC New Zealand
Aaron has over 20 years private markets investment experience with an early stage tech focus. Prior to ACC he was an investment director and investment committee member at NZVIF (now NZGCP) that oversaw the deployment of over $150m in over 200 companies. Aaron has also worked as a portfolio manager of a listed international equities fund based in London and worked with an investment consultant advising UK pension funds on equity manager selection.
Nolan Paul
Partner at Yamaha Motor Ventures
Nolan Paul
Partner at Yamaha Motor Ventures
Nolan is a Partner at Yamaha Motor Ventures, where he is responsible for leading global AgTech investment opportunities. Previously Nolan was Head of R&D Strategy and Emerging Technology for Driscoll’s, the global market leader in fresh berries. Prior to that, he was an investment banker for Lehman Brothers and Barclays Capital in the Global Technology Group, where he worked on M&A, equity and debt transactions. He graduated summa cum laude from UCLA with a degree in Business Economics.
Hajime (Jim) Aota
CEO and Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Ventures and Laboratory Silicon Valley (YMVSV)
Hajime (Jim) Aota
CEO and Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Ventures and Laboratory Silicon Valley (YMVSV)
CEO and Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Ventures and Laboratory Silicon Valley (YMVSV). Jim comes from Yamaha Motor Corporation, Ltd. headquarters based in Iwata, Japan. Before being promoted to CEO, he led the Corporate Planning Division which is responsible for playing a crucial role in continuing the growth strategy of the entire global Yamaha Motor Group. Mr. Aota was also a leader in making Yamaha’s 2030 long-term vision "Art for Human Possibilities" and continues to inspire its success. Prior to joining Yamaha Motor, Jim had been with Mitsui & Co., Ltd, one of the largest trading firms, with experience working in Tokyo, New York, Detroit and London. Jim received his PLD from the Harvard Business School and graduated from the faculty of Political Science from Keio University.
Awards
2021
Forbes Asia 100 to Watch
2020
RBR TOP 50 Innovative & Influential Company
THRIVE TOP 50 Global Agtech Companies
2019
Westpac Tauranga Business Awards Corporate Leadership
ANZLF Trans-Tasman Innovation and Growth Award
Hi-Tech Awards Most Innovative Maori Company of the Year
Hi-Tech Awards Most Innovative AgriTech Solution
Who we work with
Beyond Automation
We're working hard to help create a more sustainable and successful ag sector, giving you the freedom to focus on what really matters. Our solutions are always adapting - keep up to date with us.
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