Regen

Regen operates as a specialized AgTech firm, providing farmers with data-driven recommendations through a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model. Founded in 2010 by Bridgit Hawkins and John-Paul Praat, the company leverages science-based predictive models to enhance farm sustainability and profitability. The core of its service is a mobile application that delivers irrigation prescriptions up to five days in advance by analyzing farm-specific data collected via the cloud and combining it with weather forecasts. This enables agricultural clients to optimize water usage, boost plant growth, and reduce nitrogen leaching.

Founder Bridgit Hawkins, who served as CEO, has a deep-rooted connection to the agricultural sector, having grown up on a sheep and beef farm and holding a Master's Degree in Agricultural Science from Massey University. Her extensive commercial experience includes roles at AgResearch and the Danish Technology Institute, shaping her vision to merge farming with environmental stewardship. This background was instrumental in developing Regen's suite of services, which expanded beyond irrigation to include guidance on effluent application and nitrogen use. John-Paul Praat brought over two decades of experience in applied agricultural research and a PhD in no-tillage crop establishment to the company.

The company's business model is centered on a subscription service for its digital tools, which have delivered hundreds of thousands of recommendations to clients annually. Regen's impact is measured by significant improvements in resource efficiency and environmental outcomes for its users. In a significant milestone, Regen was acquired by the Israeli ag-tech company CropX in September 2020. This acquisition integrated Regen's specialized tools and extensive New Zealand farm data into CropX's global farm management platform, while also adding a new effluent irrigation management capability to CropX's offerings. Following the acquisition, Hawkins transitioned to the role of Chief Sustainability Officer at CropX.

Keywords: AgTech, SaaS, precision irrigation, farm management software, sustainable agriculture, water management, nitrogen leaching, effluent management, soil health, crop optimization, data analytics, predictive modeling, New Zealand agriculture, Bridgit Hawkins, CropX, environmental stewardship, farm data, mobile farming apps, resource efficiency, Kaitiakitanga