
Routrek Networks
Routrek is a manufacturing and sales of ICT next generation hydroponic cultivation system.
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$3.5m | Series C | ||
Total Funding | 000k |
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Routrek Networks, Inc. operates within the Agribusiness sector, focusing on developing advanced agricultural systems that utilize IoT and AI technologies. The company was founded in August 2005 by Shinichi Sasaki, who currently serves as the Representative Director and President. Sasaki's journey into AgTech was preceded by a career in the semiconductor industry and experience in Silicon Valley, where he assisted ICT-related startups with their market entry into Japan. This background in technology and innovation ecosystems influenced the foundation of Routrek Networks.
The company's trajectory shifted towards smart agriculture around 2010, spurred by a government project on utilizing ICT for food safety and security. This pivot from its initial focus on M2M (machine-to-machine) communication was also a response to business challenges, including the 2008 financial crisis. A key milestone was the 2018 Japan Venture Award (Agriculture Venture Award), and its selection as a J-Startup company by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. On July 4, 2023, the company was acquired by Kubota Corporation and now operates as a subsidiary.
Routrek Networks' core business revolves around its AI-powered irrigation and fertilization system, "ZeRo.agri". This system is designed to address key challenges in Japanese agriculture, such as an aging workforce and the reliance on empirical knowledge, by providing a data-driven approach to farming. The business model involves the direct sale of these systems to small and mid-sized farmers and agricultural businesses, with revenue also generated through potential partnerships with distribution agents. The technology automates the precise delivery of water and fertilizer based on data collected from soil sensors and weather forecasts, which can lead to increased crop yields, improved quality, and significant labor reduction. The system, which leverages Israeli drip irrigation technology, allows for remote monitoring and management via smartphones or computers. The product lineup includes different models like ZeRo.agri Lite and ZeRo.agri Plus to cater to varying farm needs, from simple remote irrigation to advanced environmental control.
Keywords: AgTech, smart agriculture, IoT farming, AI irrigation, fertilization automation, soil environment control, digital farming, agricultural robotics, crop yield improvement, remote farm management, water conservation, sustainable agriculture, Shinichi Sasaki, ZeRo.agri, Kubota, Japanese agriculture, M2M communication, precision agriculture, drip irrigation, farm support services