NZ Agri-Tech Startup Halter Hits Unicorn Status, Eyes Global Expansion

Added 4 months ago

New Zealand agri-tech startup Halter has reached unicorn status, now valued at US$1 billion (NZ$1.65 billion) following a successful NZ$165 million fundraising round. The company’s smart cow collar system—featuring virtual fencing, animal health monitoring, and productivity tools—is revolutionising farming by allowing farmers to manage livestock via sound and vibration cues through a mobile app.

Founder Craig Piggott says Halter enables more precise farming, improving land use and animal welfare. Farmer Markus Woutrsen credits it with freeing up time for higher-value tasks, while new funding will support expansion into the US beef market.

Experts say Halter’s success is rare in agriculture. AgResearch’s Axel Heiser notes unicorn status is almost unheard of in the sector, and economist Kelly Eckhold sees it as a sign of strong potential for New Zealand to increase its share of the fast-growing US$10–15 billion global smart farming market.

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