Halter Raises $97.9 Million Series D Funding Round, Boosts Valuation to $1 Billion in Agtech Revolution

Halter, a New Zealand-based agtech company, has successfully raised NZ$165 million (approximately $97.9 million) in a Series D funding round, elevating its valuation to NZ$1.65 billion ($1 billion). The round was led by BOND, an investment firm specializing in technology, with additional contributions from NewView Capital and ongoing support from local investors such as Blackbird and Icehouse Ventures. The company also received backing from Bessemer Venture Partners, DCVC, and Promus Ventures. Founded in 2016, Halter has developed a virtual fencing and animal management system designed to enhance productivity for farmers. The system's core component is a solar-powered smart collar for cattle, complemented by connectivity towers and a mobile application that allows farmers to manage their livestock and pasture remotely. The collars utilize sound and vibration cues to guide the cattle, enabling farmers to virtually fence, relocate, and continuously monitor their herds. Halter currently serves thousands of farmers across New Zealand, Australia, and the US, with new clients regularly adopting the system. Headquartered in Auckland, the company employs more than 200 staff across its operational regions. Halter CEO and founder Craig Piggott expressed his gratitude to the early farmers who believed in the company's vision. He said, "Halter was built with our early farmers – we wouldn't be here without them. We're deeply grateful for their trust. This capital will help unlock productivity gains for even more farmers." Dae-gwon Chae, General Partner at BOND, highlighted the significance of the cattle industry, noting that products derived from cattle generate more than $1 trillion annually. He said, "Farmers feed billions of people but are constrained by traditional bottlenecks of the offline economy – labour, time, and limited automation. Halter's vision is ambitious and impactful, to build the digital operating system for farms and ranches globally, leveraging the cutting-edge of physically-enabled technology." Halter's success in raising funds at a $1 billion valuation underscores the growing importance of technology in the agriculture industry. With its innovative solutions and commitment to improving productivity and sustainability for farmers worldwide, Halter is poised to make a significant impact on the future of agriculture.