The Irrigation Association proudly announced the winners of the 2025 New Product Contest during the Irrigation Show and Education Week in New Orleans. This annual competition honors innovative products and technologies that are shaping the future of water management and lighting, reinforcing the industry’s commitment to sustainable practices and improved efficiency.
This year’s contest featured 22 entries across three categories: agriculture irrigation, landscape irrigation and landscape lighting. Products were evaluated by a panel of experts based on innovation, design quality, resource-use efficiency, ease of use and product life expectancy. Winners were revealed during the General Session and showcased in the NPC Plaza.
“What stood out this year is how these new products answer real needs in irrigation,” says IA CEO Natasha Rankin. “The New Product Contest winners show how our industry is advancing the wise use of water and natural resources, delivering practical solutions that make work easier, improve water outcomes and help irrigation professionals deliver better results for growers, contractors and communities they serve.”
2025 winners
Landscape Irrigation (<$20M revenue):
SIMPro – Always Connected Irrigation Controller by Grüngard
SIMPro is an alkaline battery-powered GSM irrigation controller, designed to make smart irrigation simple and accessible. SIMPro connects directly to the cloud, offering always-connected operation and enabling remote control and automation through the Grüngard Cloud or mobile app.
Landscape Irrigation (≥$20M revenue):
Pro High-Efficiency Nozzle by Hunter Industries
Pro High-Efficiency Nozzles deliver precise, even water distribution while saving time and reducing waste. With a matched precipitation rate of 1.6 inches per hour, they ensure uniform coverage across adjustable arcs from 0 degrees to 360 degrees while producing a smooth, well-defined spray pattern for healthier landscapes with less overspray.
Landscape Lighting (<$20M revenue):
Command Series by Brilliance LED
The Command Series redefines smart outdoor lighting with a self-contained control network that requires no Wi-Fi, hubs or repeaters. It delivers instant response for dimming and adjustable Kelvin temperatures, while maintaining secure, reliable performance even offline.
Landscape Lighting (≥$20M revenue):
Terra™ TN60 and TG60, Hunter Industries
The Terra™ TN60 In-Grade and TG60 Ground Wash are durable, brass-built outdoor lights engineered for tough environments. They feature IP67 and IP68 ratings for superior water protection, are drive-over-rated, and include tamper resistance to stay securely in place.
Agriculture Irrigation: Orion PC™ by Netafim
Orion PC is a true thin-wall pressure-compensated dripline, featuring an advanced, compact dripper and patented multi-slot design delivering precision and durability across diverse field shapes, slopes and water qualities. Orion PC brings high-uniformity irrigation to seasonal and single-use growers who were previously excluded from PC technology.
The New Product Contest showcases solutions that help professionals deliver smarter, more sustainable irrigation and lighting systems. These innovations support the IA’s mission to advance water efficiency and provide actionable tools for contractors, growers and suppliers.
For full contest details and to view all products entered, visit irrigationshow.org. Interested in entering a product in the 2026 New Product Contest? Contact the IA at info@irrigation.org.
IA announces first Startup of the Year Award winner
The Irrigation Association celebrated entrepreneurial excellence at the 2025 Irrigation Show and Education Week with its inaugural Startup of the Year Award. This new honor recognizes the most innovative irrigation startup featured in the Startup Showcase, a dedicated exhibit space highlighting emerging businesses shaping the future of irrigation technology.
The Startup Showcase featured nine companies, each presenting solutions designed to improve water efficiency, sustainability and smart irrigation practices. This space gave attendees a firsthand look at the creativity driving the next generation of irrigation technology.
Startups were evaluated by a panel of IA member judges based on creativity, forward-thinking solutions and commitment to advancing water efficiency and sustainability. After judges reviewed applications and heard in-person presentations, IRRISketch earned the distinction of Startup of the Year for its groundbreaking approach developing innovative irrigation planning solutions that simplify the design process and improve water efficiency.
The IRRISketch platform enables professionals to create precise, tailored irrigation plans quickly and easily, helping deliver optimal results for landscapes of any size. This innovation exemplifies the ingenuity and vision driving the irrigation industry toward smarter technology and sustainable water management.
“This year’s Startup Showcase highlighted how emerging companies are tackling real world challenges in irrigation,” says IA CEO Natasha Rankin. “Congratulations to our 2025 Startup of the Year: IRRISketch. They help raise the bar on turning smart ideas into practical solutions for landscape irrigation professionals and drive growth of the irrigation industry.”
The Startup Showcase underscores the IA’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting emerging companies that will shape the future of irrigation. For more details about the Showcase and the Startup of the Year Award, visit irrigationshow.org.
