Outfield

Company Overview

Outfield is a technology company founded in 2016 that provides drone-based orchard management solutions for fruit growers. The company is based in Cambridge, UK and was started by co-founders Oli Hilbourne and Jim McDougall. Outfield’s mission is to empower growers with data-driven insights to improve orchard productivity and sustainability.

Products Overview

Outfield’s main product is a precision orchard management platform that uses drone imagery and artificial intelligence to provide growers with detailed data and actionable insights about their orchards. Key features include:

• Automated drone flight planning and surveying of orchards
• AI-powered analysis of drone imagery to measure tree health, fruit load, and other metrics
• Web application for viewing orchard data and reports
• Yield forecasting and crop load management tools
• Blossom mapping capabilities
• Integration with precision spraying systems

The platform aims to help growers optimize orchard management practices, reduce chemical inputs, and improve fruit quality and yields.

Founding Team

Outfield was founded by:

• Oli Hilbourne - Co-founder and Co-CEO. Background in aeronautical engineering and drone technology.
• Jim McDougall - Co-founder and Co-CEO. Previous experience in risk consulting for oil & gas and private equity sectors.

Problem and Market Fit

Outfield aims to solve several key challenges facing the fruit growing industry:

1. Inefficient and manual data collection methods in orchards
2. Lack of precise, tree-level data to inform management decisions
3. Overuse of chemical inputs due to imprecise application
4. Food waste and yield losses from sub-optimal crop load management
5. Labor shortages and rising costs in the agriculture sector

By providing growers with detailed orchard data and AI-powered insights, Outfield enables more precise and efficient orchard management practices. This helps growers reduce costs, improve sustainability, and increase productivity.

Business Model

Outfield operates on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, providing their orchard management platform to growers on a subscription basis. Growers can purchase compatible drones separately and then use Outfield’s software to plan flights, collect data, and access insights.

Funding and Runway

The company raised a seed funding round in August 2021, though the amount was not disclosed. Prior to this, Outfield received grant funding for various projects, including:

• A three-year grant-funded project starting in 2019 for developing precision spraying technology
• An Innovate UK grant (project number 104610) in 2019 for work in South Africa
• A grant in 2022 for “Project Crystal Ball” in collaboration with Yagro

Competitive Landscape

While Outfield appears to be a leader in drone-based orchard management specifically, they likely face competition from:

• Other precision agriculture startups using drones/aerial imagery
• Established agricultural technology companies expanding into orchard management
• Traditional orchard management software providers

However, Outfield’s specialized focus on fruit orchards and integration of drone technology, AI, and precision management tools gives them a unique position in the market.

Customers

Outfield works with fruit growers across multiple countries. Some named customers/partners include:

• Cluver Farms (South Africa)
• Orchard Dale Fruit (USA)
• Riveridge Produce Marketing (USA)
• AC Hulme & Sons (UK)

The company has surveyed over 2,400 hectares of orchards and vineyards across 15 countries as of 2023.

Relevant News

• November 2023: Outfield began a new project called POME (Precision Orchard Management for the Environment) to develop tools for reducing fruit waste and chemical inputs in orchards.
• March 2024: The company conducted a trip to New York to work with apple growers in the region.
• December 2023: Outfield started a project to adapt their technology for use in vineyards.

Outfield continues to expand their platform capabilities and geographic reach, with ongoing development of new features like vineyard management and collaborations to improve sustainability in fruit production.