Job Done Wins Idea Pitch at Fonterra Activate to Bring Tech Innovation to Dairy Farms
Fonterra is pushing on with a business relationship with digital innovation start-up company Job Done after they won an
idea pitch yesterday at GridAKL, in Auckland’s innovation precinct.
Seven teams representing Icehouse, Spark Ventures and BBDO spent a month developing prototypes at their own cost with a
view to securing future services with the Co-operative to help farmers save time and money.
The seven ideas were pitched to a judging panel made up of Fonterra farmers and staff.
Pitch winner Job Done was mentored by Icehouse and founded by Manawatu farmer Nigel Taylor.
They presented their new workforce management and productivity app that allows farmers to track their workers’ location
in real time using GPS. This helps with compliance and replaces the need for paperwork such as timesheets.
Each company worked alongside a Co-operative farmer who gave practical and honest feedback to guide and shape the ideas
and concepts.
Fonterra farmer Olin Greenan said the winning app had great promise.
“Having more instant information and data available for my farm will definitely help me run a more efficient operation,”
says Mr Greenan.
“Some of the really important things such as compliance, environmental and employment regulations take a lot of time to
track and manage. Time is very precious for farmers.”
Judge and Fonterra Group Director Co-operative Affairs Miles Hurrell welcomed the opportunity to bring more innovation
to the farm.
“Our brief was simple, look for new ways to help farmers with their businesses by reducing input costs, improving
profitability and saving time,” says Mr Hurrell.
“Fonterra Activate is about exploring solutions that deliver benefits to all Co-operative farms, quickly and cost
effectively.”
“Job Done has a really strong idea that looks incredibly promising for helping our farmers save time and money.”
All attendees were also invited to vote in a People’s Choice Award, won by Proximity with their Dairy 360 smartphone
app. Their solution connects with Fonterra’s existing app Fencepost and helps farmers manage workflow and chip away at
the overwhelming tasks such as paperwork.
Fonterra is hoping the initiative will become a regular event, bringing continuous innovation to the farm.
“I’m up for getting my hands on anything which provides more assurance that dairy products made from my milk are made to
highest industry practices,” says Mr Greenan.
ENDS