Geoprospectors

Geoprospectors GmbH, a company rooted in geophysical prospecting for archaeology, was established in 2014 to apply its expertise to agricultural technology. The founders, Matthias Nöster, Michael Pregesbauer, Klaus Löcker, and Immo Trinks, transitioned their collective know-how from archaeological survey systems to address the needs of the precision farming sector. Based in Traiskirchen, Austria, the company focuses on developing non-invasive, motorized sensor systems that provide detailed analysis of soil and subsurface structures.

The company's primary product is the Topsoil Mapper (TSM), an electromagnetic sensor system that mounts to the front of a tractor. This equipment is engineered to gather extensive data on soil parameters such as compaction, water saturation, and soil type to a depth of approximately one meter. The TSM utilizes electromagnetic induction, a non-invasive technique, allowing for data collection during regular fieldwork at speeds up to 15 km/h. A key feature is its ability to not only map soil conditions but also to facilitate real-time, variable-depth control of tillage equipment. This allows farmers to adjust cultivation depth automatically based on the immediate soil conditions detected by the sensor.

Geoprospectors' business model involves the sale of hardware and software solutions to farmers and agricultural service providers. The system comprises the sensor unit, a software for data analysis called Topsoil Visualizer, and a web portal, the Topsoil Data Box, for data management and documentation. The company generates revenue from the sale of the Topsoil Mapper, which retailed for around $27,000 in 2018, with additional costs for installation and access to the data platform. Strategic partnerships are central to its market strategy. The firm has established distribution agreements with CNH Industrial, which markets the product as the SoilXplorer, and Pessl Instruments for sales in Australia and New Zealand. In December 2019, AGXTEND, CNH Industrial's tech startup accelerator, acquired a minority stake in Geoprospectors, solidifying their collaborative relationship and enhancing the product's distribution network.

Keywords: soil sensors, precision agriculture, agritech, soil mapping, variable rate technology, electromagnetic induction, soil compaction, farm management information systems, real-time machine control, geophysical survey, Topsoil Mapper, SoilXplorer, CNH Industrial, AGXTEND, Pessl Instruments, Matthias Nöster, Michael Pregesbauer, Klaus Löcker, Immo Trinks, soil data analysis