What are the opportunities

There are two main opportunities that we want to focus on at the moment.  The first is to establish a nationwide Drone Service Provider business.  This opportunity not only has direct economic benefits for us but also forms the foundation for several other possibilities. The second is to complete development of a pasture measurement solution.

Originally the pasture measurement solution was born out of an attempt to provide a point of differentiation for the Drone Service Provider business.  It has since become clear that the pasture measurement solution has potential to possibly transcend the Drone Service Provider business.

Our strategy, however, remains to pursue both opportunities because of the substantial synergies between them. The Drone Service Provider business will benefit hugely from the differentiating product that the pasture measurement solution offers.  The pasture measurement solution will require rapid ground truthing and development of innovations to remain relevant in today’s rapidly moving, digitally driven marketplace.

What we have achieved

We have developed a truly unique solution to measuring pastures.  We cannot, however, share the core intellectual property due to the likelihood of our competition copying it.  It’s a trade secret naturally.

How is the solution unique?  Let’s describe it in terms of expected outcomes and differences to current offerings:

1. Our solution takes less time than traditional methods which means drones can now compete with conventional methods of pasture measurement
   • It completes the survey of pastures in about a 3^rd of the time of a ‘tow behind’ solution.
   • It is far more efficient than our current airborne solutions bar potentially satellite-based solutions.
   • Our solution will provide results within hours (Phase 1 of development – see product roadmap).
   • Given our technology, we are planning to make results available within 1 hour (Phase 2 of development – see product roadmap)
2. Our solution is more accurate
   • It is far more accurate than most solutions, including satellite-based solutions.
   • On our roadmap is slated the development of a meter square grid which provides unparalleled accuracy when compared with most current solutions (Phase 1 of development – see product roadmap).
3. Our solution will be far more dependable
   • It can effectively operate in most weather conditions.
   • We are in the process of acquiring a centralised job management system that will allow us to ensure high levels of service and help our drone pilots to fulfil their appointments efficiently.
4. Our solution is safe and compliant
   • We will be certified under Part 102 of CAA requirements by the time we start our operations.
   • We will be compliant with WorkSafe NZ and other regulatory agencies.
   • We are less disruptive to farmers than traditional methods because the drones fly over barriers like paddock fences, etc., so less hassle with opening and closing gates and so on.

Where we see AgriDrone.nz in the long run

Our technology offers options for development not yet viable while using competing technologies.  So, for instance, we have on our roadmap (for the next 12 months), the following differentiating features which should see us remain competitive for the foreseeable future:

1. A meter square grid that essentially can profile the farmer’s land in a way that allows greater refinement in pasture management.
2. Accuracy down to a few centimetres, with the ability to exclude detailed topographical features like tracks, pipes, fixed fences and troughs from the paddock/section measurements.
3. Providing reports to the farmer within 30 minutes of receiving the data.

On horizon 2 (up to 18 months from now) we see:

1. Analysis providing location of weeds and other detrimental factors
2. Integration of pasture analysis with precision fertiliser and pesticide applications
3. Dynamic pasture size variation calculations, which will allow for pasture size and application modelling
4. Predictive analytics
5. Integration with a variety of industry standards and platforms to allow for the orchestration of technologies

How we plan to get there

We will follow some key disciplines, processes and principles to get us to where we want to go.

Probably our biggest asset is our reputation in the market as represented by our brand.  In building our brand, we recognise that we need to perform both hygiene and wow-factor activities to ambitious standards.

Operationally we aim to always keep our word and perform our services at the highest standards.  In a very competitive market that is the entry price for success.  Also, we aim to develop wow-factor offerings through aggressive innovation backed up by robust quality processes.

We also aim to maintain clear product and organisational roadmaps which will be supported by nimble project management discipline.

Our background in technology strategy and management and innovation will see us adopt a few fundamental principles.  This experience and the principles should together with some wisdom and ambitious drive allow us to stay at the forefront of our area in the market

• We think outside the box.
• We are agile and nimble in our processes.
• We are quick to try something, not fearing failure.
• We do not play excessive corporate politics or adopt approaches that are so risk-averse that it would stifle invention, excitement and ambitious progress.
• While we learn from our mistakes, we are also quick to adopt positive behaviours and celebrate all successes
• We thrive in an environment that is competitive and challenging.

Strategic relationships

We believe in the of the strength of partnerships and collaboration.  We have been in talks to launch our software solution on an NZ wide farm management system sponsored by some of the most significant players in the NZ livestock industry.  We have also been having very productive discussions with people in the engineering sector, more interested in asset management (buildings, roads, steel lattice towers, etc.) and in architecting solutions in water and agricultural areas.  We expect that our discussions will soon translate into Memorandums of Understanding which will establish clear channels for cooperation and innovation.

Funding strategy

Our funding strategy is based on the requirement to grow fast, scale sustainably and remain at the forefront of our market. We have ambitious goals and to achieve them we will have to be careful not to fall into what one may call ‘the corporate habit’, or to succumb to the influence of investors that require a too conservative approach.  We are acutely aware that we will still have to maintain an excellent fiduciary reputation.

Regarding steps ahead we will follow the following approach:

1. Engage in an initial crowdfunding campaign to elicit seed funding.
2. Our operations and projects need to maintain standards of affordability and seek to preserve share values.
3. Acquire further investment only as and when absolutely necessary.