About us
Founding story
Our story starts in 1992. Our founder, Seb Chapman, was born into a farming family from Manakau in the Horowhenua. Early farm life revolved around feeding chickens, lambs, and occasionally grandad's calves. This evolved into learning how to make money off the land, selling fruit, mushrooms, pine cones, and the most lucrative of them all, a plant called lamb's ear. If you're not familiar with it, it's a leafy plant that looks and feels like a lamb's ear - soft and fluffy. These were sold to the local florist, who was Seb's mum's best friend.
In the tractor one day, an idea came to Seb: use a fractional ownership system to bundle the whole farm under one umbrella and let young farmers buy back shares over time. Similar to today's equity partnerships, but with key distinctions: liquidity, transparency, and lower transaction costs. With the fire lit, it was back to school. Seb studied Software Engineering and Economics - the two key technical skills needed to execute his idea.
Fast forward to today, and the wheels are in motion as we actively invest in young farmers. Since that first spark, the regenerative agriculture and farm electrification movements have gained momentum. We believe these practices are not only best for the earth but also for the bottom line. With extreme weather events making regenerative farms more resilient, rising carbon market prices, increasing grid power and fossil fuel costs, and decreasing solar and battery prices, we've built our investment thesis around these fundamentals.
Our innovative fractional ownership model empowers the next generation of farmers to gradually build their agricultural assets while implementing forward-thinking practices. We partner young farmers with investors, wrap highly capable boards around them, and create a pathway to full ownership through a share buyback program, which also provides sought-after liquidity for investors.
Our commitment to regenerative agriculture means every farm in our portfolio works to enhance soil health, boost biodiversity, and sequester carbon, creating supplementary revenue streams. Through strategic native plantings for carbon credits and solar-powered electric farming operations, we're building agricultural businesses that are both environmentally responsible and economically resilient.
Our values
We put farmers first, believing that their success is the foundation of a sustainable agricultural future. Our commitment to service means providing unwavering support to both our farmers and investors, creating a community where everyone thrives. For our farmers, this means removing traditional barriers to entry and offering the guidance and resources needed to build successful agricultural careers. For our investors, it means delivering transparency, exceptional communication and value while knowing their investment supports the next generation of regenerative farming.
Ownership
We believe in the power of having skin in the game. When everyone has a stake in success, magic happens. Our fractional ownership model isn't just about dividing assets—it's about multiplying opportunity and aligning incentives across our entire community. By making everyone a true owner, we create a virtuous cycle where success breeds success. Our farmers aren't just working the land; they're building their future. Our investors aren't just backing farms; they're partnering with the next generation of agricultural innovation. We're creating a system where everyone's interests naturally align toward long term positive outcomes, environmentally, socially and economically.
Trust
We earn trust by measuring and sharing what truly matters. Our investors receive clear insights into the metrics that drive sustainable success: from farm profitability and return on capital to the health of our soil, water, animals, and people. We believe in quality over quantity when it comes to transparency. Rather than drowning our partners in data, we focus on the vital signs of agricultural excellence. Our regular reporting keeps investors connected to both the financial and ecological returns of their investment, while our social metrics ensure we're building farms that people are proud to be part of.
Holistic
We believe that the best solutions come from seeing the whole picture. Our approach connects the dots between soil health and farm productivity, between clean energy and operational efficiency, and between farmer success and investor returns. This isn't just philosophy—it's practical. When we make decisions, we consider how each part of the operation affects the others. Healthy soil leads to better yields. Electrified equipment cuts costs while reducing emissions. Happy, fulfilled farmers create more productive farms. By understanding these connections, we build stronger, more resilient agricultural businesses that deliver value for everyone involved.
Our Team
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Seb Chapman
Seb was a farmer, and loved every bit of the day to day, but never saw a path to farm ownership. This lead to him re-training as a Software Engineer and Economist to figure out how to build a business to solve this problem. Economics, to understand systems at scale and Software Engineering to build tools to move those systems. Seb is also the winner of Techstars Startup Weekend overall and design winner. Founder Fruitminder, Sprout AgTech Alumni 24, previously Future Farmers Aotearoa COO.
Sean Laidlaw
While born in Whangarei, Sean is from a deep farming family in Western Southland. Sean has been involved in Banking and Finance since finishing University and has lead Investor Relations for a Private Agri investment manager with over $1.4b NZD in FUM. Sean’s educational background include Certificate’s Investment Management, Post Grad’s in Management and is nearing completion of his MBA and brings a rich network of clients.
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Tracy Atkin
Tracy is the CEO of Marlborough Capital Ltd. She is a Chartered Accountant and has a Business Degree from Victoria University. Tracy trained in business services, audit and forensic accounting with Price Waterhouse in Wellington, before moving to London to further a career in the financial services industry. In 2001 she decided to follow her passion for the wine industry and retrained in Grape-growing and Winemaking.
Aimee Blake
Aimee Blake is systems thinker and food lover, on a mission to drive impact with a passion for people, farming and the planet. Aimee is the sixth generation on her family farm with roots in dairy and horticultural industries. She is the co-chair of Future Farmers and co-founder of Girls Who Grow, a charity driving systemic change by reconnecting youth to food systems and nature. Aimee works at EY as a consultant in the sustainability services team and has industry experience in grocery retail and food marketing.
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Jackson Hapeta
Born in the Horowhenua with whakapapa connections to Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga and the Pasifika community (Tonga). Jackson has over decade of experience leading people in Banking and Technology. Jackson is passionate about ensuring businesses across the region feel well connected and supported to grow.
Mike Casey
MIke is currently the CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa - a think-do tank focused on the electrification of New Zealand. He also runs Forest Lodge Orchard with his wife Rebecca, and friends Euan and Rachel. Prior to that he founded Grad Connection which sold to Seek in 2019. Along the way, he also founded Fishburners a co-working space and participated in Blackbird ventures, investing in companies like Bitwise Agronomy and was an early investor in Blackbird.
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Findal Proebst
Raised on a farm, I learned to observe and ponder on the “why” from the early days. That curiosity led me to science, embracing leanings from natural and human systems. We had to sell our family farm when I went to uni, removing my pathway into farming. I am deeply committed to creating opportunities for young people to build a life on the land. Researcher/Coach - Agrownomics Founder - TerraLevo Board Member - Future Farmers M.Appl.Sc-Agribusiness Management - Lincoln University.
Lauren Mellish
Lauren has held multiple Head of accounting roles, primaraly in Ag Tech Businesses.