Routrek Networks

About Routrek Networks

Routrek Networks, Inc. is a Japanese AgriTech company that develops and provides solutions for smart agriculture. Founded in August 2005 by Shinichi Sasaki, the company initially focused on Machine to Machine (M2M) communication technology. Inspired by his experiences in Silicon Valley, Sasaki aimed to create an "innovation ecosystem" in Japan to solve societal issues with technology. A pivotal shift occurred after the 2008 financial crisis and the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, which led the company to apply its IoT and AI expertise to the agricultural sector. This transition was sparked by a 2010 project with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and joint research with Meiji University, leading to the development of their flagship product, ZeRo.agri.

The company's core offering, ZeRo.agri, is an AI-driven system for automated irrigation and fertilization, designed primarily for greenhouse cultivation. The system uses soil sensors and solar radiation forecasts to calculate the optimal amount of water and fertilizer needed by crops. It then automatically delivers the precise amount through drip irrigation, a technique adopted in collaboration with the Israeli company Netafim. This process, known as precision fertigation, helps to reduce water and fertilizer consumption, decrease labor costs, and improve crop yield and quality. Farmers can monitor and manage soil conditions and system operations remotely via smartphones or computers. The system is designed to replace the traditional reliance on experience and intuition in farming with data-driven, evidence-based cultivation.

Routrek Networks operates on a business model that includes the sale of the ZeRo.agri hardware and a recurring cloud service fee. They also offer a subscription-based plan to lower the initial investment for farmers. The company targets family-owned farms and small- to mid-sized agricultural businesses. To meet diverse needs, Routrek has expanded its product line to include "ZeRo.agri Lite," an entry-level model, and "ZeRo.agri Plus," a high-end version that integrates control over other environmental factors like windows and fans. Over the years, the company has achieved significant milestones, including receiving the Japan Venture Award (Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award) in 2018 and being selected as a J-Startup company by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.