NBIF Doubles Down on Picketa as Demand Grows for Real-Time Crop Intelligence
The way farmers manage crop nutrition is changing quickly, and NBIF portfolio company Picketa Systems is positioning itself at the centre of that shift.
Picketa recently closed a $2.1 million investment round to accelerate adoption of its LENS platform across North America, expand manufacturing capacity, and support growing demand ahead of the 2026 growing season.
NBIF participated in the round as a follow-on investment, continuing a relationship that began in 2021. Since that first investment, Picketa has evolved from an early-stage concept into a company gaining traction with growers, agriculture specialists and retailers across Canada and the United States.
At the core of the company’s growth is the LENS (Leaf Evaluated Nutrient System), a portable device that delivers real-time plant tissue analysis in under a minute. The technology gives growers immediate visibility into crop nutrient levels directly in the field, helping improve fertilizer decisions, reduce waste, and respond faster during critical growing windows.
The Right Solution at the Right Time
The timing is significant. Fertilizer prices remain unstable, input costs continue to pressure producers, and demand is increasing for tools that help farmers operate more efficiently and precisely. Picketa’s technology is built to address that reality, by transforming what has historically been a slow, lab-based process into actionable field intelligence delivered in real time.
“Picketa is building technology that solves a real operational challenge in one of the world’s most important industries,” said Jeff White, CEO of NBIF.
“The team has demonstrated strong commercial traction, a clear understanding of the market, and the ambition required to scale globally. This investment reflects our conviction in both the company and the broader opportunity for New Brunswick to play a significant role in the future of agriculture technology.”
Founded in 2020, Picketa has expanded the LENS platform from its initial focus on potatoes into additional major crops including corn, canola, soybeans, and wheat, which are crops that represent more than 70 per cent of North American acreage.
National Recognition
The company is also building momentum within the agricultural research and validation ecosystem, recently being selected as one of five companies for Farm Credit Canada’s Agriculture Innovation, Validation and Adoption Network. Picketa was also recognized on BetaKit’s 2026 Most Ambitious list, highlighting Canadian companies shaping the future of food and agriculture innovation.
That growth reflects both market demand and the increasing sophistication of New Brunswick-founded companies operating in globally competitive sectors.
“Farmers are under more pressure than ever to make faster, more precise decisions in the field,” said Xavier Hébert-Couturier, CEO of Picketa Systems.
“Our goal is to give growers and agronomists real-time insight that helps them optimize crop nutrition, reduce waste, and improve outcomes. We’re grateful for the continued support from investors like NBIF who have believed in our vision from the beginning and continue to back our growth as we scale.”
For NBIF, the investment aligns with a broader focus on backing companies that combine deep technical expertise with global market potential – particularly in sectors where New Brunswick can build long-term competitive advantage.
As Picketa scales its platform into more crops, regions, and growing operations – the company is demonstrating how agriculture technology built in New Brunswick can compete on a global stage while helping producers make smarter, data-driven decisions in the field.
Outside of NBIF, this $2.1 million round includes participation from additional returning investors – Tall Grass Ventures, Koan Capital, and East Valley Ventures, alongside new investors BDC Seed Fund, Verdex Capital, and Skull Diamond & Heart Capital.