Key Takeaways
- Mindhive Global, a New Zealand–based developer of AI-powered leather quality assessment technology, has raised a Series A round led by Cultivate Ventures, with participation from existing shareholders.
- The new funding will accelerate deployment of Mindhive’s leather intelligence platform across key markets in Brazil, Europe, and Asia.
- The company’s technology replaces manual leather inspection with AI-driven precision grading, delivering verified hide data in seconds.
- Partnerships with global industry leaders, including JBS Couros, and the launch of Mindhive FinishSelect™ at SIMAC 2025 position the company for continued international growth.
- The round follows a year of strong expansion, with the team growing from 8 to 37 employees, operations established in nine countries, and multiple industry awards recognizing Mindhive as a leader in New Zealand’s tech sector.
Mindhive Expands Global Footprint with Series A Investment
Mindhive Global announced the close of its Series A funding round, led by agritech-focused venture capital firm Cultivate Ventures. The investment will be used to expand the company’s international reach and further develop its suite of AI-based leather inspection and grading technologies.
“This funding enables us to capitalise on the momentum we’ve built with industry leaders worldwide and establish Mindhive as the global standard for leather quality intelligence,” said Debra Hall, Chair of Mindhive Global.
Mindhive’s AI technology transforms traditional leather inspection — a manual, subjective process — into a data-driven system capable of identifying defects and grading hides with high precision. The platform spans the entire production process, from wet-blue leather to finished hides, enabling manufacturers to optimise production efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure traceable quality data throughout the value chain.
Backing from Cultivate Ventures
Lead investor Cultivate Ventures highlighted the company’s role in modernizing a key segment of the global agribusiness and manufacturing ecosystem.
“Mindhive represents exactly the type of transformative agritech investment we seek — deep technology solving fundamental problems in a traditional global industry,” said Marcus Henderson, Investment Director at Cultivate Ventures. “Its AI-driven insights deliver measurable efficiency gains and waste reduction across the leather value chain.”
Technology and Industry Adoption
At SIMAC Tanning Tech 2025 in Milan, Mindhive launched FinishSelect™, an AI system designed for precision detection of surface defects in finished leather. The solution received positive feedback from early adopters, including the Scottish Leather Group, which reported major improvements in defect detection and material planning.
“Mindhive FinishSelect™ is transformational for finished leather production,” said Nicholas Muirhead, CEO of Scottish Leather Group. “The system detects defects down to the hair follicle level and integrates seamlessly with digital cutting systems, improving quality consistency while reducing waste.”
Growth and Market Outlook
James Bayly, CEO of Mindhive Global, described the funding as pivotal for scaling its technology amid increasing demand for transparency and sustainability in leather manufacturing.
“The leather industry is undergoing its most significant transformation in centuries,” Bayly said. “This investment allows us to deliver verified quality data and make Mindhive the intelligence layer powering the future of leather manufacturing.”
Mindhive plans to expand deployment of its systems in Brazil, Europe, and Asia, while investing further in product development. The company’s technology is already used by major processors and manufacturers seeking to integrate AI and data analytics into their production processes.
Mindhive Global Recognized Innovation
In 2025, Mindhive Global won two New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards and was a finalist in two NZ International Business Awards categories. As a FernMark Licence Programme holder, the company represents New Zealand’s growing presence in global technology and manufacturing innovation.
With this new capital, Mindhive Global is positioned to strengthen its leadership in AI-powered leather intelligence, supporting a global shift toward data-driven, efficient, and sustainable manufacturing.
