ABOUT NANOBUBBLE AGRITECH
Nanobubble Agritech provide integrated nanobubble technology solutions for the agricultural sector in New Zealand and Australia.
Nanobubble technology has been proven to improve plant growth, resistance to disease, and soil health and moisture retention. Our systems harness this technology to add value to your irrigation water, delivering greater production and in turn, greater profits.
We aim to provide quality systems that deliver this groundbreaking technology to our clients, in the most efficient and cost effective way possible.
OUR BOARD
DEBRA HALL
Chair
With 20 years experience in the innovation sector and a demonstrated history of company building from the ground up, Debra Chair's the Nanobubble Agritech board with a focus on practical action that leads to outcomes.
She brings to the board table her strategic and analytical skills, supporting evidence-based decision-making, with courage. Working at the earliest stages of the science-based innovation system, Debra delivers effective leadership for innovation, supporting organisations, founders, investors and boards to deliver game changing technologies to the world, for the benefit of New Zealand.
Having exited her own market research business in an M&A deal to a UK-listed company, Debra now focusses her time as an angel investor and early stage company director. Debra's services to the angel investor community were recognised in 2017 with the prestigious NZ Arch Angel Award.
STU BRADBURY
Non-Executive Director
As both a farmer and a founder, Stu's experience and skills are invaluable to the Nanobubble Agritech Board.
Having farmed his whole life, Stu has also spent over 15 years in global irrigation innovation. Stu has co-founded a GPS Farm Mapping tool, the world's first independent sprinkler control system for pivot and lateral move irrigators (VRI) (both acquired by Lindsay Corporation, NYSE:LNN), and Agri-Optics North (acquired by PGG Wrightson).
Stu has trod the path from idea to prototype to farm trial to commercial success, multiple times over. His knowledge, networks, and advice provide critical insights and a strong evidence base for the team's strategic decision-making.
DR ROB POWELL
Investor Director
Dr Robert Powell has 15 years’ experience identifying opportunities, forming and nurturing deep-tech ventures.
A former academic (PhD, Biochemistry, University of Otago), Robert worked on the academic side of the commercialisation process managing the commercialisation program for a US biotechnology focused research University.
For the last decade he has worked for investors (Angel and VC) in the US and NZ, while managing a deep-tech due diligence consultancy. He returned to NZ eight years ago after two decades in the US and has been working with Pacific Channel, Nanobubble Agritech's lead investor, since 2018. Robert brings broad experience having worked with medical, human, animal and aquatic technologies and start-ups. He has extensive experience in forming, financing, operating and staffing deep-tech ventures.
Rob's skills and experience round out the Nanobubble Agritech Board perfectly. With an eye for detail, diligent focus on commerciality and return generation, and deep knowledge of the process from lab to commercial venture with happy customers, Rob brings impressive rigour coupled with a practical approach to solving the challenges a company faces along the road to success.
OUR TEAM
LEON POWER
Co-founder
While working in the nanobubble industry, with a background in agriculture, Leon quickly recognised the potential for nanobubble applications in agriculture and horticulture. Leon leads the Nanobubble Agritech team with passion, and is responsible for all day-to-day operations of the company. Leon holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Massey University, and a Master of Business Administration from Beuth-Hoschule University, Berlin. Leon wrote his MBA thesis on the use of nanobubbles in anaerobic digestion.
Leon says, "Our systems can deliver improved water use efficiency, and greater production, with no additional chemicals and improved environmental outcomes. Farmers can unlock latent production potential without any additional inputs, improving the health of their soils and plants at the same time."
LAUREN OEHME
Co-founder
Lauren brings a wealth of research and project management experience to Nanobubble Agritech. Lauren successfully developed and implemented Nanobubble Agritech's initial feasibility studies, and now, commercial scale and on-farm trials. Lauren holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics from The University of Sydney, and a Master of Environmental and Resource Economics from the Australian National University.
Lauren says, "It is so exciting to be at the forefront of commercialising this game-changing technology. The world's water is a limited resource; we are effectively increasing the productive capacity of that water. For farmers with restricted water supply, that means being able to expand production where they otherwise wouldn't be able to."
DANEEL OVTCHARENKO
Design Engineer
An Industrial Design specialist, Daneel is the technical brains behind Nanobubble Agritech. Responsible for the design of our nanobubble generators, Daneel takes pride in ensuring Nanobubble Agritech systems are optimised to suit a multitude of irrigation operations.
Daneel is an integral part of the Nanobubble Agritech team, leading the charge in delivering the only nanobubble systems on market able to efficiently and cost-effectively service large flow irrigation markets.
RHYS BISHOP
Engineer
Rhys brings unbounded energy and drive to the team, with both a unique skill set and global perspective. Having studied and trained at BMW Group, Germany, Rhys has also worked at Bosch Rexroth and most recently, leading operational teams at Amazon Logistics, also in Germany.
With a Bachelor of International Business and Engineering (Industrial) and a Master of Entrepreneurship and Digital Transformation, Rhys has the rare ability to solve complex engineering and product challenges while optimising for business efficiency and profitability.