Soaring from startup to global company: How Bird Control Group’s lasering in on success and pests
The Dutch are an innovative bunch. Wi-Fi. The four-wheel drive. Microscopes. Even the dialysis machine – all Dutch inventions.
Joining the line-up in today’s agritech sector is Danish-founded Bird Control Group. With applications for the 2025 evokeAG. Startup Program opening in mid-September 2024, we’re checking back in with past participants to find out where they are now, what’s new in their world, and what’s on the horizon. And what better place to start than our inaugural 2019 cohort?
Bird Control Group's Juliaan Kleinloog and Wade Schifferle at evokeᴬᴳ⋅ 2024.
In an era where technology intertwines with nature to solve age-old problems, Bird Control Group stands at the forefront, offering a sophisticated solution to bird-related issues across the globe.
Founded in the Netherlands over a decade ago, the company is revolutionising bird deterrence using laser technology, boosting agricultural yield and ensuring food safety.
Commercial Director Asia and Pacific (APAC) and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Juliaan Kleinloog joined Bird Control Group as one of the first team members and has seen the massive growth within the business, expanding from 10 employees to now having 50 across the globe.
He shares its innovative journey and success in diverse markets – which includes a strong focus on Australia’s high-value crops.
Revolutionary bird control technology takes flight
Bird Control Group was born from a simple yet groundbreaking idea – laser technology to repel birds.
Using an automated machine incorporating this technology, the laser bird deterrents have proven successful in various sectors, weather conditions, and countries.
Unlike traditional bird control methods, Bird Control Group’s solution is non-lethal and animal-friendly, providing long-term effectiveness.
Image | Bird Control Group.
“Laser light feels like a physical threat to birds,” explains Juliaan, “when you move laser lights towards them, they feel threatened and fly away instantly.”
“We’ve helped businesses around the world keep birds away from their properties with our premium products and global reach.”
An eagle-eye on Australian agriculture
While its technology has broad applications, Bird Control Group has found a particularly strong niche in Australia’s agricultural sector.
“We focus on high-value crops and are looking to prevent damage from birds where there is high pressure, such as with cherries, berries, and other fruits,” Juliaan says.
The AVIX Autonomic Mark II, a fully automated laser bird repellent that keeps birds away 24/7, has become a staple for several growers across the country, including Juroo Orchard in Western Australia.
Based in Dwellingup near Perth, Juro Orchard produces a variety of fruit, including nectarines, peaches, plums, cherries, apples, nashi pears and persimmons.
Juliaan said the automated system has been a game changer for the orchard, reducing labour costs, diesel consumption, and the need for a dedicated crew to manage netting operations.
Spreading its wings from startup to scaleup
Bird Control Group was part of the inaugural Startup Program at evokeAG. 2019. The program provides agrifood tech and innovation startups and scaleups businesses to directly connect with potential investors and corporates from across the world, grow their networks, and expand their customer base.
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“We joined the Startup Program in 2019 to confirm and verify whether the Australian market was as attractive as it appeared on paper.
“The event provided valuable promotion and lead generation opportunities, helping us build a network of potential partners and clients”
Since its inception the evokeAG. Startup Program has helped drive investment to, and growth of, more than 80 Australian and global agrifood tech startups.
In 2024 Bird Control Group was one of 10 scaleup businesses selected to exhibit in the inaugural Scaleup Station at evokeAG. 2024. This initiative enabled scaleup businesses who had previously exhibited in Startup Alley (at the 2019, 2020 or 2023 event) to demonstrate their advancements, connect with potential partners, and further accelerate their growth journey.
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Returning to evokeAG. in 2024 in Perth, Julian said the experience allowed the company to expand its reach in the local market.
“The quality of attendees at evokeAG. 2024 was still in line with what we experienced from 2019, however, the experience was different for us as we have grown since then.
“It allowed us to reconnect with familiar faces and establish new connections and cement our presence in the Australian market.”
Transitioning from a startup to a more established scaleup has been a significant journey for Bird Control Group.
“It’s hard for startups because you have to work in a more professional way now more than ever, but we’ve made sure to hold onto our entrepreneurial spirit.
What’s on the horizon for Bird Control Group?
Bird Control Group is continuing to grow its business and team, developing its technology and exploring new markets, such as Japan.
“We’re still growing the business and the team, but also in the backend, we’re focusing on optimising our technology with a couple of new product features,” Juliaan says.
On the agenda is the AVIX indoor, a variation of the product that will be tailored to smaller, indoor environments. The research and development team is also working on remote connectivity, allowing Bird Control Group to gather better data and undertake projects from afar.
Bird Control Group were part of the inaugural Startup Alley at evokeᴬᴳ⋅ 2019.
A key part of its strategy involves collaborating with grower and industry groups in Australia to conduct trials and research. One current partnership is with NT Farmers, running trials on Snake Bean and mango crops.
“Growers in the Northern Territory have huge problems with birds in these particular crops,” Juliaan explains.
“We’re excited to support these growers and ultimately solve their bird problem.”
These collaborations are expected to yield valuable insights and further validate the innovative bird deterrent solutions.
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Taking the journey from a startup in the Netherlands to a global scaleup with significant presence in Europe, United States, and Australia showcases Bird Control Group’s commitment to contributing to yield improvements, food safety and compliance and safe operations in a cost efficient and innovative way, Juliaan says.
As it continues to innovate and expand, Bird Control Group is committed to remaining a strong example of how building innovative technology and entrepreneurship can converge to solve real-world problems, one laser beam at a time.
To find out more about the AgriFutures evokeAG. Startup Program visit evokeag.com/startups
Applications for the 2025 evokeAG. Startup Program open mid-September 2024. Contact Dallas Pearce via email [email protected] for more information.
Tap into more discussions here about the role of agrifood tech in driving sustainability across supply chains, news from agtech startups and updates ahead of evokeAG. 2025.
Tickets are now on sale for evokeAG. 2025 to be held on 18-19 February 2025 in Brisbane, Queensland. Following a sell-out event in 2024 we are encouraging delegates to secure their tickets, flights and accommodation early.
We look forward to seeing you in Brisbane for evokeAG. 2025. In the meantime, catch up on the other conversations about sustainability, climate resilience and the role of agtech in meeting those challenges from here.