Regionally based. Farming focused.
Zetifi was founded in 2017 to overcome the unique connectivity challenges faced by farmers and rural residents. Our regional base in Wagga Wagga, Australia, on the doorstep of one of Australia’s most productive agricultural regions, allows us to consult closely with primary producers and agribusiness stakeholders as we develop our technology and solutions.
Our team
From humble beginnings at the back of a local electronics store just five years ago, we’ve grown into a committed team of 31 employees with diverse skills and expertise in software development, network engineering, manufacturing, agriculture and business development.
Visit our careers page to view open opportunities to join us at our head office in Wagga Wagga or our growing Melbourne team that are based at Telstra Labs in the heart of the city.
Dan Winson
Chief Executive Officer
Warwick Clancy
Chief Operating Officer
Ben Letchford
Chief Technology Officer
Paul Maybon
Chief Product Officer
John Lucas
Product Designer
Luke Brodrick
Business Development Manager
Shel JeAnns
Financial Controller
Aaron McCorquodale
Senior Network Engineer
Callum Maybon
Network Engineer
Venna Centeno
Systems Manager
George Holt
Compliance Manager
Ben McWhirter
Mechatronics Team Lead
Connor Smith
DevOps Engineer
Jordan Centeno
Logistics Manager
Cass McKinney
Accounts Manager
Amy Combs
Junior Product Designer
Neil Paterson
Electronics & RF Engineer
Rob Lansdown
Commercial Manager
Kelvin Ye
Software Engineer
David Nguyen
Software Team Lead
Spencer Summerhayes
Production Manager
Nathan Sgarlata
Senior Software Engineer
Brad Campbell
Customer Success Specialist
Risto Pearce
Technical Product Manager
Cheyenne Wolfjones
Marketing Coordinator
Ester Riley
Administration Assistant
Brad Campbell
Customer Success Specialist
Risto Pearce
Technical Product Manager
Our history
2017
Story of farmer installing a 53m tower highlights need for better solutions
While working as a networking teacher at Charles Sturt University and TAFE NSW, Zetifi founder Dan Winson reads about a QLD farmer that installed a 53m tower to address his connectivity issues. Realising that there must be an easier way, Dan started working on a more affordable and scalable way to improve farm connectivity and Zetifi was born!
Dan participates in CSU Agritech Incubator 10 week 'Ready to Launch' pre-accelerator program to test initial ideas for farm connectivity via long-range Wi-Fi
2018
Awarded $25k NSW Government Minimum Viable Product grant
Initial prototypes and pilot sites from backroom of local computer shop
Dan convinced a local IT store Computer DenCity in Wagga Wagga that he needed some space to develop initial product prototypes as part of the MVP grant win. Balancing his time with teaching commitments, evenings and weekends were spent fleshing out early ideas for farm Wi-Fi, building prototypes, and installing networks at test farms around the region.
2019
Name change - Agsensio Pty Ltd/AgriNet becomes Zetifi!
Telstra muru-D and SparkLabs Cultiv8 accelerator programs
Buoyed by early success of local farm Wi-Fi pilots and strong support of farmers, Dan signed up for not one but two startup accelerator programs – muru-D by Telstra and SparkLabs Cultiv8. These programs provided invaluable mentoring and connections. After completing each program and pitching to potential investors, both accelerators came on board with seed funding, enabling Dan to hire some much needed support to progress his vision.
Team grows from one to five with addition of Paul Maybon, John Lucas, Aaron McCorquodale and Spencer Summerhayes
Built and installed farm Wi-Fi networks for first three pilot sites of NSW DPI 'Farms of the Future' program
2020
Began long-term connectivity pilot with Birchip Cropping Group (with support from Telstra and NBN) to evaluate farm and vehicle Wi-Fi solutions in north west Victoria
Received $644k from Federal Government via the Accelerating Commercialisation Grant scheme to progress work on unique 'sleepy Wi-Fi' technology
Awarded $1.47m from NSW Government Physical Sciences Fund to commercialise ZetiCell & ZetiRover
Awarded US$500k prize in Grow-NY business competition
Zetifi takes out second prize in the prestigious Cornell University Grow-NY Food and Agriculture Business Competition, providing a path for entry into the US market and an opportunity to tap into software development talent in Rochester, New York.
Moved to new head office and manufacturing facility in East Wagga Wagga
First commercial sales of early generation ZetiCell & ZetiRover products
2021
Delivered 50 trial sites for the Alternative Voice Services Trial Program
In early 2021, we were announced as one of six companies chosen to deliver trial sites as part of the AVST Program. This involved recruiting and installing 50 sites for our ZetiBase and ZetiCell products over a few months so the Government could assess our reliable Wi-Fi technology as an alternative to traditional copper landline phone service.
Awarded $396k Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre grant
Collaborative research with Food Agility CRC, UTS & CSU on the development of novel antenna and RF switching technology
In late 2021, Zetifi was announced as the connectivity partner for the Charles Sturt University Global Digital Farm. As part of this project, we also began a research collaboration with the RF and Communications Technologies Laboratory (RFCT) at UTS to develop novel antenna and RF switching technology for this test site and future products, offering the potential for improved signal reception and Wi-Fi range.
Opened US office in Rochester, New York
2022
US patents granted for 'sleepy Wi-Fi' technology
5G Innovation Initiative grant to showcase 5G connectivity in agriculture
Received $932k from Federal Government to upgrade our products for access to the 5G network and evaluate applications in agriculture, including autonomous machinery, on-farm auctions, and the needs of roaming rural workforces. Trials were delivered in partnership with leading agtech and agribusiness partner companies including SwarmFarm Robotics, Hutcheon & Pearce, Elders, Nutrien Ag, and AuctionsPlus.
Completed $100k feasibility study of public Wi-Fi applications for essential services communications as phase one of NSW Government-funded SBIR project
Commissioned two pilot sites in Canada with support from TELUS Ag
Awarded $1m to deliver larger proof of concept of ZetiNet public Wi-Fi platform as phase 2 of NSW Government SBIR Program
After successfully completed the $100k feasibility study earlier in 2021, we were successful in securing $1m from the NSW Government to deliver a larger real-world demonstration of our ZetiNet platform. ZetiNet is an integrated and scalable public Wi-Fi application of our ZetiCell and ZetiRover products to provide public and essential services connectivity via Wi-Fi in areas where phone coverage is unavailable.
Our Values
1
We are transparent
We communicate openly. We say what we think in plain English. We listen.
2
We evolve to scale
We develop, iterate, remove steps, automate, make it better, repeatable and stable – we are always improving our products and service.
3
We own it
We do what we say. We do everything we can to not let people down and if we fail, we make it right. Always.
4
We focus
We are focused. We stick to the plan. We don’t get distracted.
5
We are proud
We expect good news when people call because our products are high quality, we remove opportunities for failure and are proactive in solving problems.
6
We are invested in the bush
We have made a commitment to our clients, our team and our families to create and build our business in a regional community so we can continue to grow our team with people who understand our customers.
