What Techion Group does

Techion Group Limited is a New Zealand-based digital diagnostics company founded by Greg Mirams in 2002 that develops portable digital microscopy and AI-powered cloud software for parasite management in production animals, with expanding applications in human health and environmental testing. Its core product platform combines the Micro-I and Nano-I portable digital microscopes with the proprietary RATA cloud software, which handles QR-coded sample tracking, secure storage, AI analysis, and geo-mapped disease reporting. The flagship commercial offering, FECPAK, delivers faecal egg count (FEC), fluke, facial eczema, worm species identification (Worm ID), and drench resistance testing (DrenchSmart/FECRT) for sheep, cattle, horses, goats, and camelids, with an AI model trained on over 120,000 tests achieving greater than 96% accuracy and delivering results within minutes 24/7.

The business operates a multi-stream revenue model spanning hardware unit sales (Micro-I devices), per-test transactional fees through DrenchSmart and on-farm kits, subscription-based RATA software, and licensing partnerships with strategic channel partners. Go-to-market combines direct-to-farmer e-commerce via fecpak.com, an exclusive New Zealand distribution arrangement with Farmlands Cooperative (82 stores reaching 70,000+ farmer shareholders), and enterprise licensing to Merck Animal Health for integration into US cattle programmes through its Kansas City laboratory. A 2023 partnership with Awanui Labs and Microsoft extends the platform into human health diagnostics, targeting regional New Zealand clinics and hospitals, while research collaborations with Ghent University, Cornell University, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's STARWORMS project support applications in neglected tropical disease diagnostics for developing countries.

Techion operates through subsidiaries in New Zealand (Techion Group Limited, Menixis Limited), the United Kingdom (Techion UK Limited), and Australia (Techion Australia Pty Limited), with headquarters in Dunedin and a high-throughput laboratory in Mosgiel processing over 50,000 FEC tests annually. The company employs between 11 and 50 people and has disclosed no institutional venture funding, with capital primarily sourced from Callaghan Innovation grants and Enterprise Angels / K1W1 angel rounds. Its board includes the founder as Managing Director, a PhD-holding Board Chair with AgResearch and Schering AG background, and a UK Board Chair with 29 years of pharmaceutical industry experience.

Name

Techion Group

Legal name

Techion Group Limited

Website

https://techion.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Techion Group is a New Zealand digital diagnostics company developing portable AI-powered microscopes (Micro-I, Nano-I) and the RATA cloud platform for parasite management in livestock, with expanding applications in human health diagnostics and environmental testing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Health Diagnostics

NAICS

Veterinary Services (54194), Veterinary Services (541940), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (62151), Medical Laboratories (621511)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Laboratory & Point-of-Care Diagnostic Devices (Analyzers, Test Kits, Microscopy) (HLAMAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Imaging/Lab Integration & Results Management (PACS, LIS Connectivity, Reporting) (HLAMAGAK), Veterinary Telemedicine & Virtual Care Platforms (HLAMAMAC), Digital & AI-Enabled Diagnostics (algorithmic interpretation, decision support tied to assays) (HLAAALAO)

Keywords

• Animal health diagnostics
• Digital microscopy
• Parasite testing
• Veterinary diagnostics
• Point-of-care testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Mosgiel

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Diagnostic Testing Services: Fee-for-service model providing FEC testing, Fluke testing, Facial Eczema testing, Worm ID testing, and FECRT (Faecal Egg Count Reduction Testing) through DrenchSmart service. Tests submitted via FECPAK units or laboratory with results delivered within minutes via email.
2. Hardware Sales: Sale of Micro-I digital microscope devices (Micro-I 100, Micro-I 300) and Nano-I devices. Hardware enables on-farm and point-of-care testing capability. Portable units operate independently or tethered for increased throughput.
3. Software/SaaS Platform: Rata platform provides cloud-based diagnostic management, secure storage, AI analysis, QR tracking, and professional access features. RataPlan provides expert support linked to customized action plans.
4. Test Kits and Consumables: Sale of Animal Health Multi Test Kits in one and three sample options, FECRT DIY on-farm kits, and sample collection materials through Farmlands network and direct channels.
5. Licensing and Technology Partnerships: Licensing FECPAK platform to strategic partners like Merck Animal Health for integration into their laboratory operations and Safeguard cattle treatment programme in the United States.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Techion Group develops and sells the FECPAK digital diagnostic platform, combining portable digital microscopes (Micro-I and Nano-I) with cloud-based RATA software and proprietary AI to enable on-farm and point-of-care parasite testing for production animals. The company also licenses the platform to partners such as Merck Animal Health and Awanui Labs, and is extending its microscopy and AI capabilities into human health and aquaculture diagnostics.

Product overview

Techion Group offers a unified diagnostic platform combining hardware devices, cloud software, and AI capabilities. The core product is FECPAK, an animal health diagnostic service for parasite management in production animals (sheep, cattle, horses, goats, camelids). This platform integrates with two proprietary digital microscopes: the Micro-I for field-based animal diagnostics and the Nano-I (in development) for human health and environmental applications. The RATA software platform serves as the cloud-based AI analysis and data management layer, supporting all devices. Microvision (built with HSO on Microsoft Azure) is an enterprise AI module for large-scale parasite analysis. The product portfolio enables point-of-care diagnosis for animals, people, and environmental testing, with AI powering instant analysis and treatment recommendations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FECPAK: Digital microscope platform for parasite management in production animals, offering on-farm and in-lab FEC testing, fluke testing, facial eczema testing, and reduction testing with DrenchSmart
• Micro-I
• Nano-I
• RATA Software
• Microvision
• DrenchSmart
• Worm ID
• PhenR

Products and services

• FECPAK World's leading animal health diagnostic service platform for on-farm, veterinary clinic, and laboratory parasite testing. Processes faecal egg count (FEC) tests for sheep, cattle, horses, goats, and camelids with results within minutes. Includes Fluke testing, Facial Eczema testing, DrenchSmart reduction testing, and Worm ID parasite species identification.
• Micro-I Digital Microscope Portable, standalone digital microscope that captures photos of faecal samples and transmits images to the cloud for AI analysis. Designed for field or lab use with minimal training required. Multiple units can be tethered to increase processing speed. Controlled via smartphone, PC, or tablet and operates online or offline.
• Nano-I Digital Microscope Revolutionary next-generation portable intelligent microscope for human health and environmental applications. High-resolution imaging capable of detecting particles sized 5-30μm at approximately 650x magnification. AI-driven analysis supports cell counting and disease detection in urine, blood, and environmental samples.
• RATA Software Platform Proprietary cloud-based software platform that supports the Micro-I and Nano-I microscopes. Enables seamless test uploads, secure result storage, AI-powered analysis, QR code sample tracking (RataTrac), and personalized test reminders (RataPlan). Provides early disease alerts by locality, district, or region.
• Microvision Enterprise AI solution built with HSO on Microsoft Azure that converts microscope images into lab-quality parasite counts in under five minutes. Provides real-time, data-driven treatment decisions at global scale for enterprise customers such as Merck Animal Health and Awanui Labs.
• DrenchSmart FECRT (Faecal Egg Count Reduction Testing) service that helps farmers confirm whether the drench they are using is still effective. Tests submitted via FECPAK units or laboratory with results delivered via email, enabling evidence-based parasite management decisions.
• Animal Health Multi Test Kits Animal Health Multi Test Kits available in 1-sample and 3-sample options, sold through Farmlands stores. Customers can choose individual tests (FEC, Facial Eczema, Liver Fluke, Worm ID) from a single sample collection, with costs added to customer Farmlands accounts.
• Worm ID Test Digital image-based parasite species identification that identifies worm genus within hours using AI analysis of parasite eggs, replacing traditional larval culture methods that take up to two weeks.

Quantifiable outcome

• 34% of NZ sheep farms have triple drench resistance (BZ/Lev/Aba failing)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Merck Animal HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2026Major deal to support Merck's Safeguard cattle treatment programme in the United States. FECPAK platform deployed in Merck's Kansas City laboratory with QR digital submission and sample tracking for standardized FEC processing. Enables US cattle producers to access faster, targeted parasite intelligence as part of Safeguard programme workflow.
• Farmlands CooperativecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 14 April 2026Exclusive strategic partnership bringing FECPAK diagnostic testing to Farmlands' 70,000+ farmer shareholders through 82 nationwide stores. Farmlands customers gain access to FECPAK Animal Health Multi Test Kits (FEC, Facial Eczema, Liver Fluke, Worm ID) with costs added to Farmlands account. Partnership supports evidence-based animal health management and addresses growing drench resistance challenge.
• Awanui LabscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2023Collaboration to develop AI-powered remote analysis of microscope-based tests from regional clinics and hospitals. Using Microsoft cloud and Custom Vision AI technology, the solution aims to reduce geographical inequities in healthcare access. Initial focus on testing fluids for infections with potential for broader microbiology, pathology and haematology applications.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or Integration · 4 December 2023Strategic technology partnership providing Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure and Custom Vision AI technology. Supports both animal health (FECPAK AI) and human health (Awanui Labs remote diagnostics) applications. Vanessa Sorenson, Managing Director Microsoft NZ, called it a 'true New Zealand Inc. story' with global potential.
• Aware Group (HSO)coreTechnology or Integration · 22 May 2023AI development partnership creating automated FEC result reporting technology. Aware Group, recently purchased by HSO and Microsoft Partner, worked with Techion to create AI model trained on 120,000+ FEC tests achieving >96% accuracy. Partnership continues with Microvision solution built on Microsoft Azure.
• Swiss Tropical Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration exploring One Health approach and validating FECPAKG2 platform for human parasitic helminth diagnosis. Associate Prof. Dr. Jennifer Keiser working on drug efficacy and resistance evaluation for soil-transmitted helminth infections. Prof. Dr. Jakob Zinsstag-Klopfenstein provided design and technical input during three-month NZ placement.
• Ghent University (Belgium)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership through STARWORMS project funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Professor Bruno Levecke leads project evaluating FECPAK technology for drug efficacy and resistance in human parasite elimination programmes targeting children in developing countries.
• Cornell University (USA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration to validate and broaden FECPAK platform's application for human health diagnostics, exploring technology transition from animal to human disease management.
• Sainsbury'sminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-year research partnership (2014-2017) with UK's leading supermarket chain undertaking large-scale field study on 100 sheep farms in UK and NZ. Research proved FECPAKG2 improves animal health, reduces farming costs, and enables targeted drench use. Gavin Hodgson, Head of Livestock Sainsbury's PLC, cited as customer champion.
• Callaghan InnovationminorOthersNew Zealand's innovation agency supporting Techion's development of animal diagnostic platform. Simon Yarrow, Agritech Group Manager, commented on Techion's expansion to address human health in developing countries. Helped recruit Dr Amirreza Zarekarizi from University of Otago.
• Aquaculture Solutions Ltd (AquaSol)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership developing world-first green shell mussel spat counting method. Project lead Andrea Strang identified need for digital solution to identify quality spat. Confirmed Micro-I can be adapted to analyze spat condition, size and number for NZ aquaculture industry.
• Aquaculture NZminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in spat counting research project, with AQNZ Spat Strategy 2019 identifying spat supply as critical for achieving $1 billion export goal by 2035.
• Seafood Innovations LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner in spat counting research project alongside industry partners and Techion, supporting innovation in NZ aquaculture sector.
• University of OtagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership including Dr Amirreza Zarekarizi research role and Masters student Joshua Donn's research using Nano-I for counting blood cells in urine samples. Donn's work informed development of new Nanon-I prototype with improved LED arrays and higher resolution camera.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Phibro Animal Health: Animal health and nutrition company serving livestock producers globally, including parasiticides and animal health solutions. Comparable in addressing parasite management and evidence-based drench decisions alongside Techion's FECPAK platform.
• Virbac: Global animal health company with diagnostics and pharmaceutical products for companion and production animals. Overlaps with Techion in livestock parasite management and farm-level diagnostic decision support.
• Zoetis: One of the largest animal health companies globally, with a growing diagnostics portfolio (Vetscan, reference labs) and broad cattle/livestock product lines such as Safeguard. Comparable to Techion as both a partner and competitor in livestock parasite management.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Major life sciences and laboratory instruments provider, including microscopes and imaging platforms used in diagnostic and research labs. Comparable to Techion at the hardware/analytical instrument level for both human and animal applications.

Others

• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Clinical diagnostics and life science research company with imaging and AI-enabled workflow products. Relevant peer for Techion's AI-driven diagnostic interpretation and lab-quality result delivery (Microvision).
• Eurofins Scientific: Global testing services network operating medical, food and environmental laboratories. Comparable in providing centralised and remote diagnostic testing services, and as a potential large-scale channel or competitor for Techion's lab-based parasite testing.
• Mettler-Toledo International: Manufacturer of laboratory analytical instruments used in diagnostics, life sciences and food safety. Adjacent peer reflecting the laboratory instrumentation component of Techion's Micro-I/Nano-I hardware offering.

Direct peers

• IDEXX Laboratories: Global leader in veterinary diagnostics, offering in-clinic laboratory instruments, reference lab services and rapid test kits. Direct overlap with Techion's mission of bringing accurate, point-of-care diagnostic testing into veterinary practices and farms.
• Heska (Antech Diagnostics, part of Mars Petcare): Point-of-care veterinary diagnostics company (now part of Antech/Mars) focused on in-clinic lab instruments, rapid tests and AI-enabled workflows. Closely comparable to Techion's portable, image-based diagnostic approach for companion and production animals.
• Neogen Corporation: Provider of food and animal safety diagnostics, including genomic and rapid tests for livestock producers. Comparable in serving production animal health, food safety and aquaculture customers with diagnostic workflows.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInnz.linkedin.com/company/techion-group-limited
• Xx.com/techiongroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds13 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Techion Group