New Ventures Lead

Agnition is looking for an entrepreneurial and commercially astute New Ventures Lead to uncover promising technologies and partnerships, assess their potential and lead the strongest opportunities towards commercialisation.

Naturally curious, action-oriented and energised by possibility, you will bring the commercial discipline to determine which ideas can genuinely deliver. Sound like you?

Agnition is the commercial innovation and venture investment arm of Ravensdown, one of New Zealand’s leading farmer-owned co-operatives. It finds, builds and invests in high-potential opportunities that address real-world challenges across agriculture.

Backed by Ravensdown’s scientific capability, industry expertise, extensive farmer network and commercial reach, Agnition can test promising technologies in real farming environments and accelerate their path to market.

Agnition’s focus is clear: practical innovation that strengthens productivity, sustainability and long-term value for New Zealand’s farmers and growers.

Reporting to the General Manager, you will actively seek out emerging technologies, innovations and partnership opportunities from New Zealand and around the world, exploring their potential within New Zealand agriculture – particularly across soil health and nutrient management.

This is not a role where opportunities simply arrive on your desk. You will get into the market, build relationships and follow promising leads. You will validate the problem, test customer demand, assess commercial potential and build robust business and investment cases.

Working with scientists, founders, farmers and commercial partners, you will help move the strongest opportunities through validation and towards commercialisation. You will also support Agnition’s portfolio companies to strengthen their commercial potential and go-to-market approach. Interested?

You are an opportunity hunter who can spot potential, challenge assumptions and turn promising ideas into credible commercial propositions. You understand that a great idea only becomes a great venture when it solves a genuine customer problem and supports a viable business model.

To be successful, you will bring at least five years’ experience across innovation, commercialisation, strategy consulting, product development, venture-building or a similarly commercial environment. Your background may be in engineering, science, technology or business; what matters is your ability to connect potential with commercial reality.

Confident researching markets, developing financial and business models and engaging with diverse stakeholders, you will combine energy and resourcefulness with sound judgement and commercial rigour. An understanding of agriculture would be valuable, but curiosity and a genuine appetite to immerse yourself in the sector are equally important.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape ventures that could materially influence the future of New Zealand agriculture. You will join an agile business with the capability, networks and ambition to take promising AgTech beyond the idea stage and into the field.

If you are ready to hunt down the next great opportunity – and build the case that brings it to life – we would love to hear from you.

How to apply Apply below. To discover more about Agnition and Ravensdown, visit www.agniton.ventures and www.ravensdown.co.nz

To make a time for a confidential discussion about the role; contact Leanne Crozier by txt to 021 245 2224

Applications close: Monday 28th September 2026