ABOUT US

Technology to power the world's biosecurity

Onside has its roots in the agriculture sector and a bold vision to tackle one of the most important issues facing food production, globally.

1,954,000

Digital check-ins to rural properties

57,000

Hazards logged improving farm safety

15,000

Rural properties mapped across ANZ

Our founding team

In 2015, the Onside journey began with Ryan Higgs, Michael Falconer and Juliet Maclean.

Their stories intertwined at a large dairy farming venture in Canterbury, New Zealand. Juliet was a founder of the business, and the CEO. Michael had an investment banking background and had worked with Juliet on a capital raise. Ryan, recently back from living in New York, joined Juliet to take on an operational role at the company.

Solving an everyday problem

The idea for Onside sparked from a big problem. With 13 farms and hundreds of people coming and going every day, there was no simple way to know who was on farm, what they were doing, how to contact them and how to ensure they had what they needed to get on with the job quickly, efficiently and safely.

The answer was clear - a solution that was simple, digital, mobile, and needed to work for everyone including the farm team and contractors. The first version of our app was born – a digital check-in app to manage who's on farm and keep everyone safe and informed.

The evolution of Onside

As the check-in app grew, we realised we were building a large interconnected network that was mapping movements around the entire agriculture sector, providing real-time insights.

During Ryan's time studying in the US, he crossed paths with Hautahi Kingi, who later became a data scientist at Facebook and Google. Together, they used this network data to create Onside Intelligence, the world's most advanced network-based tracing, readiness and response platform for biosecurity.

Today and beyond

Fast forward to today, we've expanded our footprint to Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, with offices in Christchurch and Melbourne.

At Onside, we go beyond making operations smoother and compliance automated. We are building technology that not only helps farms run well but also collects important information to help keep the agriculture industry safe from pests and diseases.

OUR FOUNDING STORY

Building the technology that
moves the agriculture sector forward

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

2015

The origin of Onside

The first version of our check-in app is launched to the New Zealand market, and Airport Farm in Taranaki signs up as our first customer. The app quickly gained momentum with 15,000 check-ins and we began to build a small team of experts based in Christchurch.

2020

Gaining ground

Onside raises a $2.5m seed round at the Icehouse Venture annual showcase event to expand into Australia. An exciting group of private and institutional investors join our growth journey.

We're announced as the winners of the 2020 New Zealand Biosecurity Awards.

2021

Crossing borders

Our check-in app hits 1 million check-ins.

In the middle of a global pandemic, we cross the Tasman and launch Onside into the Australian market and start to build a local team. The app quickly gains traction and our Australian user base grows, hitting 10,000 check-ins.

2022

Intelligence at the helm

The Minister for Primary industries in New Zealand announces a $10m partnership with Onside as part of the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures program to scale Onside up across New Zealand and provide a platform for biosecurity.

Mapping properties and tracking check-ins wasn't just about people – it was about keeping pests and diseases away too. Enter Onside Intelligence. Onside signs a partnership with KVH to rollout its technology out across the kiwifruit sector.

2023

Just getting started

Onside's roots now reach farms far and wide across Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Nearly 2 million check-ins later, our story is still unfolding. With a growing team of passionate people, loyal customers and dedicated industry partners, we're just beginning.