The Icehouse

The Icehouse, established in 2001 and headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs. Backed by the New Zealand government and owned by The ICE Foundation, it provides growth support, mentoring, and networking opportunities to help SMEs and startups thrive. Additionally, The Icehouse Ventures, founded in 2003, is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, typically from pre-seed to series A rounds, with investments ranging from USD 1 to USD 10 million per company. The firm aims to support around 30 companies over the next three years.

Stephanie Benseman

Principal

Mason Bleakley

Principal

Tom Furlong JD

Venture Partner

Bex Gidall

Associate

Lane Litz

Venture Partner

Barnaby Marshall

Partner

Jack McQuire

Partner

Robbie Paul

CEO

Jo Wickham

Partner

Past deals in AgTech

BioLumic

Series B in 2025
BioLumic is a New Zealand-based company that specializes in innovative lighting solutions for horticultural producers, utilizing smart light array technology. Founded in 2012, BioLumic focuses on enhancing the quality and growth of transplant crop seedlings, as well as improving the growth and quality of indoor leafy vegetables and salad herbs. The company employs a photogenics platform that uses light signals to activate plant growth and unlock the genetic potential of various crops, including soybean, cannabis, and other vegetables and fruits. BioLumic's systems leverage ultraviolet radiation to regulate plant responses, resulting in increased crop yields, improved vigor, enhanced disease and pest resistance, and better crop composition, all without the need for chemicals or amendments.

Halter

Series C in 2023
Halter Limited, founded in 2016 and based in Morrinsville, New Zealand, specializes in developing GPS-enabled, solar-powered tracking devices for livestock. The company manufactures innovative collars designed for cows, allowing farmers to monitor and guide their animals across pastures. Halter's technology enables virtual fencing, helping farmers optimize productivity while promoting sustainable farming practices. By enhancing the management of livestock, Halter aims to improve agricultural efficiency and animal welfare, contributing to the overall sustainability of pasture-based farming.

BioLumic

Series B in 2022
BioLumic is a New Zealand-based company that specializes in innovative lighting solutions for horticultural producers, utilizing smart light array technology. Founded in 2012, BioLumic focuses on enhancing the quality and growth of transplant crop seedlings, as well as improving the growth and quality of indoor leafy vegetables and salad herbs. The company employs a photogenics platform that uses light signals to activate plant growth and unlock the genetic potential of various crops, including soybean, cannabis, and other vegetables and fruits. BioLumic's systems leverage ultraviolet radiation to regulate plant responses, resulting in increased crop yields, improved vigor, enhanced disease and pest resistance, and better crop composition, all without the need for chemicals or amendments.

Cropsy Technologies

Seed Round in 2022
Cropsy Technologies specializes in agricultural technology aimed at enhancing fruit cultivation through advanced insights and monitoring capabilities. The company's proprietary AI-enabled hardware serves as an add-on to existing tractors, allowing growers to oversee their crops efficiently while conducting daily operations. By utilizing artificial intelligence-driven image analysis, Cropsy enables farmers to detect pests and diseases early, particularly in grapevines, which helps them respond to regulatory pressures and consumer expectations. This technology provides actionable recommendations and forecasts, empowering growers to make informed decisions that optimize their land's potential and improve overall yield. Cropsy Technologies is committed to setting a new standard in agriculture through innovative solutions that enhance productivity and sustainability for every grower.

Halter

Series A in 2018
Halter Limited, founded in 2016 and based in Morrinsville, New Zealand, specializes in developing GPS-enabled, solar-powered tracking devices for livestock. The company manufactures innovative collars designed for cows, allowing farmers to monitor and guide their animals across pastures. Halter's technology enables virtual fencing, helping farmers optimize productivity while promoting sustainable farming practices. By enhancing the management of livestock, Halter aims to improve agricultural efficiency and animal welfare, contributing to the overall sustainability of pasture-based farming.

BioLumic

Seed Round in 2016
BioLumic is a New Zealand-based company that specializes in innovative lighting solutions for horticultural producers, utilizing smart light array technology. Founded in 2012, BioLumic focuses on enhancing the quality and growth of transplant crop seedlings, as well as improving the growth and quality of indoor leafy vegetables and salad herbs. The company employs a photogenics platform that uses light signals to activate plant growth and unlock the genetic potential of various crops, including soybean, cannabis, and other vegetables and fruits. BioLumic's systems leverage ultraviolet radiation to regulate plant responses, resulting in increased crop yields, improved vigor, enhanced disease and pest resistance, and better crop composition, all without the need for chemicals or amendments.

Hot Lime Labs

Hot Lime Labs specializes in the development of carbon dioxide (CO2) capture technology tailored for commercial greenhouses. The company's innovative approach involves recovering clean CO2 from the combustion of waste wood and other organic materials. This process not only generates concentrated CO2 but also enhances crop yields by supplying greenhouses with a sustainable source of this critical gas. By utilizing renewable resources for CO2 production, Hot Lime Labs enables users to maximize agricultural output while reducing environmental impact, effectively promoting sustainable food production practices.

Onside

Onside is a developer of a rural site management platform that focuses on enhancing safety and operational efficiency for farmers and agricultural workers. The platform provides a comprehensive solution that addresses health and safety concerns for farm visitors by automating compliance processes through a mobile, electronic, and paperless system. This technology enables farmers to communicate risks effectively and manage various operational tasks seamlessly, facilitating a safer environment on-site. By integrating feedback from farmers, growers, and contractors, Onside aims to simplify management tasks, allowing agricultural professionals to concentrate on their core activities without being hindered by cumbersome tools.

Cropsy Technologies

Cropsy Technologies specializes in agricultural technology aimed at enhancing fruit cultivation through advanced insights and monitoring capabilities. The company's proprietary AI-enabled hardware serves as an add-on to existing tractors, allowing growers to oversee their crops efficiently while conducting daily operations. By utilizing artificial intelligence-driven image analysis, Cropsy enables farmers to detect pests and diseases early, particularly in grapevines, which helps them respond to regulatory pressures and consumer expectations. This technology provides actionable recommendations and forecasts, empowering growers to make informed decisions that optimize their land's potential and improve overall yield. Cropsy Technologies is committed to setting a new standard in agriculture through innovative solutions that enhance productivity and sustainability for every grower.
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