Steve Saunders tells the full behind-the-scenes story of how Robotics Plus went from a PhD project at Massey University to a globally operating autonomous vehicle and robotic packing company, attracting investment from Yamaha Motor in 2017 and a full acquisition by Yamaha Agriculture in 2025. This is part one of a two-part series. Part two features Nolan Paul, CEO of Yamaha Agriculture.

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In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Steve Saunders went from growing up on a dairy farm in the Waikato to co-founding Robotics Plus and many other ventures
• Why choosing corporate investment from Yamaha over venture capital was the critical decision
• The inside story of how Steve led investments into Robotics Plus, by Yamaha, to a full acquisition, and why building trust through consistent face-to-face contact was everything.
• Practical advice for Kiwi entrepreneurs going global with their startup

About Steve

Steve Saunders (Ngāti Ranginui) is a New Zealand serial entrepreneur with more than 35 years’ experience across the horticultural and food sectors, startups, and investments, having built many successful horticultural businesses. He is the co-founder of Robotics Plus – the Tauranga-based agritech company acquired by Japan’s Yamaha Motor Company in 2025 to form the foundation of Yamaha Agriculture, Inc. He is now the Senior Vice President, Business Development & Strategy at Yamaha Agriculture.

Steve brings extensive leadership and investment experience, global grower connections and financial expertise. From co-founding Gro-Link to launching GroPlus and PollenPlus, he is also a founding shareholder and director of Rockit Global Limited (Rockit Apples). He was also one of the founders of Mount Pack & Cool, one of the largest and most technologically advanced kiwifruit packhouses in the Bay of Plenty. He co-founded the Newnham Park Innovation Centre, a hub for export-focused businesses in the Bay of Plenty, and served for 13 years on the board of Priority One, the economic development organisation for the Western Bay of Plenty.

A long-time champion of Māori investment in agriculture and innovation, Steve has served on the Federation of Māori Authorities advisory board and was named Te Tohu Kairangi mō te Kaiārahi Pakihi / Outstanding Māori Business Leader in 2022.

Steve is also a sought-after mentor, known for generously sharing his time, knowledge and networks to support others on their journey. He is a long-time supporter of the Young Innovator Awards, helping inspire and encourage the next generation of innovators and business leaders.

His contribution to New Zealand’s exporting success and to developing others was recognised with the ExportNZ Bay of Plenty Export Awards Services to Exporting Award in 2025.

Links

Robotics Plus: https://www.roboticsplus.co.nz/

Yamaha Agriculture: https://yamaha-agriculture.com/news-media/robotics-plus-joins-yamaha-agriculture/

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