Lincoln Agritech
Lincoln Agritech is a New Zealand private R&D organisation applying environmental, agricultural, and computational sciences to develop water security, bio-resource, and sensor technologies for councils, government, and primary industry producers, monetising through grants, IP licensing, and spin-off companies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1960
- HeadquartersLincoln, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Lincoln Agritech does
Lincoln Agritech is a privately held New Zealand research and development organisation founded in 1960, employing 51-100 scientists, research engineers, and software developers across offices in Lincoln (Christchurch), Hamilton, and Dresden. The company applies environmental, agricultural, and computational sciences to develop solutions for water security, bio-resource innovation, and primary industry productivity, with a portfolio spanning irrigation design software (IRRICAD, distributed in 100+ countries for 38 years), electromagnetic and optical sensors (HydroMetrics nitrate sensors, Aquaflex, ground-penetrating radar), novel materials (wool-derived pigments, cellulose fibres from native NZ plants), and road infrastructure technology (TDRI). The business model is primarily grant-funded, drawing on MBIE Endeavour Fund, Ministry for Primary Industries, and Marsden Fund grants, supplemented by technology licensing (Autonomous Pivot, Bluelab) and spin-off commercialisation vehicles (TDRI, Hydro-Metrics, Wool Source). Customer segments include regional and district councils, government agencies, primary sector producers (agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, forestry), and iwi/Māori partners, with commercial monetisation occurring through IP licensing, royalties, and pilot-scale manufacturing rather than high-volume product sales.
Lincoln Agritech firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lincoln Agritech
- Legal name
- Lincoln Agritech
- Website
- https://lincolnagritech.co.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1960
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Lincoln Agritech is a New Zealand private R&D organisation applying environmental, agricultural, and computational sciences to develop water security, bio-resource, and sensor technologies for councils, government, and primary industry producers, monetising through grants, IP licensing, and spin-off companies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lincoln Agritech industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural and Environmental Research Services
- NAICS
- Agricultural Implement Manufacturing (33311)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Decision Support & Agronomic Modeling (Yield, Irrigation, Pest/Disease Forecasting) (AFAAAFAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Field Mapping, GIS & Digital Agronomy (Zoning, Prescription Maps, Yield Maps, Spatial Analytics) (AFAGALAG), Plant Tissue, Soil & Water Sampling Coordination (Agronomy-Focused) (AFACABAH)
Keywords
Where Lincoln Agritech is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lincoln
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Lincoln Agritech business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Research Contracts and Grants: Government and industry-funded research programmes including MBIE Endeavour Fund, Ministry for Primary Industries, and sector-specific funding for water, wool, and bio-resource innovation
- Technology Licensing: Licensing of proprietary technologies such as radar-based moisture sensors to companies like Autonomous Pivot for irrigation applications
- IP Commercialization: Spin-off companies and IP licensing arrangements including TDRI Ltd for road sensing technology and Wool Source for wool-based products
- Pilot-Scale Manufacturing: Pilot-scale production facilities for developing market samples and demonstrating commercial viability of new products
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Lincoln Agritech product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lincoln Agritech is a research and technology organisation that develops environmental and agricultural science solutions for the primary industry and government sectors. It delivers a portfolio of proprietary tools including the IRRICAD irrigation design software, electromagnetic and optical sensor products, novel bio-based materials such as wool-derived pigments and cellulose fibres, and AI-driven decision-support tools, commercialised via licensing, spin-off companies, and pilot-scale manufacturing.
Product overview
Lincoln Agritech is a research and development organization (not a single product company) that develops technologies across water security, bio-resources, and environmental solutions for agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, arable, and forestry sectors. The portfolio includes IRRICAD™ (irrigation design software with 38 years in market), sensor technologies (HydroMetrics nitrate sensors, ground-penetrating radar moisture sensors, Bluelab Pulse Meter), materials innovations (Wool Source products, novel cellulose fibres), and road infrastructure technology (TDRI). The company combines 60+ years of research expertise with practical testing to deliver tools including production lines, smart sensors, and AI-driven decision-making tools, integrating science with mātauranga Māori for real-world impact.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- IRRICAD: World-leading irrigation design software distributed in over 100 countries.
- Waiora
- Hydro-Metrics
- Wool Source
- TDRI
Products and services
- IRRICAD Irrigation Design Software World-leading irrigation design software used globally for creating efficient irrigation systems, distributed in over 100 countries with version 23 launching in 2026. Used by irrigation designers, engineering firms, and agricultural enterprises.
- Bluelab Pulse Meter Three-in-one handheld meter measuring moisture levels, soil conductivity (nutrient levels), and temperature for hydroponics and horticulture industries. Developed by Lincoln Agritech and commercialized by Bluelab. Achieved 10% increase in grade-A plant output at a New Zealand kiwifruit nursery.
- TDRI Road Subsurface Moisture Sensing Technology Road subsurface moisture measurement technology using electromagnetic sensing, measuring subsurface moisture while driving at speeds up to 90 km/h, enabling network-level assessment for preventative road maintenance. Used by Fulton Hogan, Waka Kotahi, and other roading stakeholders.
- HydroMetrics Nitrate Sensors Real-time water quality monitoring sensors for measuring nitrate concentrations in groundwater and surface water, used for understanding nitrogen footprints on farms. Used at Wainono Dairy Farm and other agricultural sites.
- Ground-Penetrating Radar Moisture Sensor Radar-based moisture sensor for center-pivot irrigators that takes multiple readings throughout a field, achieving up to 20% water savings in field-by-field studies and 15% in many-field studies. Licensed to Autonomous Pivot for intelligent irrigation systems deployed across the US Midwest.
- Waiora Water Security Solutions Water management service offering helping farmers, urban land users, councils and communities make better decisions about water allocation, quality improvement, and irrigation system design. Includes tools for river management, nitrate challenges, and data-driven water insights.
- Wool Source Products New materials derived from deconstructed wool including particles, powders, and pigments for use in print, textiles and personal care sectors, with a pilot manufacturing facility on Lincoln University campus. Used by Karen Murrell for cosmetics.
- Novel Cellulose Fibres Research Programme Regenerated cellulose fibres extracted from New Zealand native plants (harakeke, tī kōuka, tawa) for sustainable textile use, developed through a five-year MBIE Endeavour Fund research programme.
Quantifiable outcome
- Water savings of up to 20% without loss of yield in US agricultural irrigation
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Lincoln Agritech
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Lincoln Agritech technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability7 records
Feature12 records
Lincoln Agritech partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
27 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Autonomous PivotflagshipIsraeli company licensed radar-based moisture sensor technology; system installed on hundreds of pivots throughout the United States Midwest
- BluelabflagshipTauranga-based company commissioned Lincoln Agritech to design handheld moisture probe for hydroponics and horticulture; technology commercialised as Pulse meter
- Our Land and Water Rural Professionals FundcoreFunding partner for real-time water-quality monitoring projects evaluating nitrate sensors on farms
- The AgriBusiness GroupcorePrimary sector consultancy collaborating on water quality monitoring and agricultural solutions
- New Zealand Apples and Pears InccoreIndustry organization partnering on fruit counting app development for crop load assessment
- DairyNZcoreResearch collaboration investigating augmented reality applications for dairy farming including cow body condition scoring
- Wool Research Organisations of New Zealand (WRONZ)flagshipLead research provider for New Uses for Wool Partnership Programme developing new particles, powders, and pigments from deconstructed wool
- Wool SourceflagshipWRONZ subsidiary launched in 2021 to commercialise wool innovations; pilot manufacturing facility built on Lincoln University campus
- Ferrier Research InstitutecoreResearch collaborator on cellulose sourcing and chemistry for novel fiber development
- SCIONcoreResearch partner contributing expertise in fiber spinning and textile performance for cellulose fiber programme
- AgResearchcoreResearch partner in cellulose fiber development combining expertise in textile performance and fiber chemistry
- Minginui Nursery LtdcoreMāori partnership for sourcing native plants including harakeke for cellulose fiber production, informed by mātauranga Māori
- Lake Taupō Forest TrustcoreIndustry partner providing guidance for robotic platform development for forestry operations and forest track maintenance
- Lake Rotoaira Forest TrustcoreForestry trust influencing future research directions for automation and robotics in forest management
- University of CanterburycoreResearch collaboration including PhD student Alice Sai Louie working on braided river research; partnership with multiple universities
- Technische Universität DresdencoreInternational research partnership with Thomas Wöhling coordinating joint work on modelling Selwyn and Wairau rivers; collaboration with Moritz Kraft
- National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)coreInternational collaboration with Hervé Piégay's team comparing braided river research approaches; French team brings thermal imaging and remote sensing expertise
- ScioncoreResearch partner in robotics project contributing to self-learning robots for harsh outdoor environments in agriculture and forestry
- Massey UniversitycoreUniversity partner in robotics research project for primary industries
- Victoria University of WellingtoncoreUniversity partner in interdisciplinary robotics project for primary industries
- TDRI LtdflagshipSpin-off company commercialising TDRI road sensing technology; generated over $300,000 in revenue in past year working with roading stakeholders
- Pūhoro STEMM AcademycoreInitiative growing next generation of rangatahi scientists and building capability, leadership, and kaitiakitanga across Aotearoa
- NIWAcoreResearch partner in braided rivers study contributing to understanding river-aquifer interactions
- Flinders UniversitycoreInternational research partner from Adelaide contributing to braided rivers research team
- University of CanterburycoreLong-standing research partnership including collaboration with Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and glaciology research with Wolfgang Rack
- University of WaikatocoreAdam Hartland led Waikato Environmental Geochemistry group for ten years before joining Lincoln Agritech; ongoing research collaboration
- IEEEminorInternational professional organization of which Ian Woodhead is a member, serving on editorial and advisory boards
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Lincoln Agritech competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- CSIRO: Australia's national science agency and one of the world's largest applied research organisations. Comparable at a much larger scale across agricultural science, water management, and materials research, with similar government-funded model and IP commercialisation mandate.
- Wageningen University & Research: Global leader in agricultural and food science research based in the Netherlands. Comparable as a large applied research institution combining precision agriculture, water management, and bio-based materials research with significant commercialisation activity.
Direct peers
- Plant & Food Research: New Zealand Crown Research Institute conducting applied science across plant-based foods, horticulture, and primary industries. Directly comparable as a NZ-based publicly-funded research organization with a similar commercialisation mandate, government grant dependency, and IP licensing model.
- AgResearch: New Zealand Crown Research Institute focused on pastoral, agri-food, and wool research. Highly comparable given Lincoln Agritech's wool-based research and previous corporate lineage (Canesis/WRONZ was acquired by AgResearch); operates under similar government funding model with commercialisation pathways.
- Scion: New Zealand Crown Research Institute conducting research in forestry, wood products, and biomaterials. Directly comparable as a research organization partnering with Lincoln Agritech on cellulose fibre and robotics programmes, with similar science-to-commercialisation mandate.
- Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research: New Zealand Crown Research Institute focused on terrestrial biodiversity and land use. Comparable as a sister NZ Crown Research Institute working on environmental monitoring, water resources, and mātauranga Māori integration.
- NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research): New Zealand Crown Research Institute focused on freshwater and atmospheric science. Direct peer collaborating on braided rivers research and water systems modelling, operating under the same NZ government funding framework.
Emerging players
- CropX: Israeli-founded precision agriculture company offering soil sensors and farm management software. Comparable to Lincoln Agritech's soil moisture sensing and IRRICAD software offerings, with overlapping technology for irrigation optimisation and water savings.
- METER Group: US-based environmental and agricultural sensor manufacturer producing soil moisture and water monitoring instruments (e.g., TEROS, AquaCheck). Comparable to Lincoln Agritech's Aquaflex and HydroMetrics nitrate sensors in product category and target end markets.
- Bluelab: Tauranga-based NZ company that commercialised Lincoln Agritech's Pulse Meter technology for hydroponics. Comparable as a NZ ag-tech instrumentation company in the moisture/conductivity measurement space; serves as both a licensee and a competitor in adjacent precision agriculture instruments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lincoln Agritech social profiles
Digital presenceLincoln Agritech financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lincoln Agritech leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles27 records
Lincoln Agritech subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Lincoln Agritech funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lincoln Agritech M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lincoln Agritech
What does Lincoln Agritech do?
Lincoln Agritech is a research and technology organisation that develops environmental and agricultural science solutions for the primary industry and government sectors. It delivers a portfolio of proprietary tools including the IRRICAD irrigation design software, electromagnetic and optical sensor products, novel bio-based materials such as wool-derived pigments and cellulose fibres, and AI-driven decision-support tools, commercialised via licensing, spin-off companies, and pilot-scale manufacturing.
Is Lincoln Agritech a public or private company?
Lincoln Agritech is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Lincoln Agritech founded?
Lincoln Agritech was founded in 1960. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Lincoln Agritech based?
Lincoln Agritech is headquartered in Lincoln, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lincoln Agritech make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Research Contracts and Grants are the primary driver. The others are technology Licensing, IP Commercialization and pilot-Scale Manufacturing.
Who are Lincoln Agritech's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are CSIRO and Wageningen University & Research. Direct peers are Plant & Food Research, AgResearch, Scion, Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research and NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research). Emerging players are CropX, METER Group and Bluelab.
Does Lincoln Agritech have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lincoln Agritech.
What industry is Lincoln Agritech in?
Lincoln Agritech's product category is Agricultural and Environmental Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAAAFAF, Decision Support & Agronomic Modeling (Yield, Irrigation, Pest/Disease Forecasting), with a secondary code of AFAGALAG, Field Mapping, GIS & Digital Agronomy (Zoning, Prescription Maps, Yield Maps, Spatial Analytics). Its NAICS code is 33311.