Avisomo

Avisomo is a Norwegian vertical farming equipment supplier that enables growers to build vertical farming systems with a level of automation that corresponds to their market conditions and local labor costs, with a focus on either CapEx or OpEx reduction in the facilities. Farmers can also grow many crops in the same facility without changing the system infrastructures.

The company expects the growers to develop a vertical farming production system that can potentially reduce investment costs of a vertical farming facility by 75% compared to industry standards while reducing operational costs by up to 90% in a fully automated farm. The company has installed its systems in smaller configurations at 15 locations across Norway. Furthermore, the company signed its first international agreement for a small-scale facility in Malta, slated to open in Q1 2023.

The modular concept of Avisomo uses standard CC trolleys, allowing the Avisomo system to move products around the facility in a flexible and cost-effective manner. Growth stations, farming software, and vertical farming components are among the products of Avisomo. One growth station can hold three standard CC trolleys and receive correct lighting, irrigation, and airflow on all levels when parked on the stations. Depending on the plant's stage, the Avisomo software enables automatic and customized changes to lighting, irrigation, and fertilization. Avisomo also provides all the necessary components for upgrading and expanding vertical farms.

Key customer and partnerships

In December 2023, Avisomo and Coop Norway invested EUR 5.2 million (~USD 5.6 million) in a joint venture called Himmelgrønt, which will build a fully automated vertical farm to supply 110 tons of leafy greens per year. The vertical farm will be integrated directly into Coop Norway's existing distribution center, and once everything is in place, products from the facility are expected to be in Norwegian Coop stores by the end of 2024.

Funding and financials

In December 2022, Avisomo raised EUR 2 million (~USD 2.1 million) in a seed round with investors' participation, including the founders of Element Logic (auto store distributor company). The company intended to use the funds to advance its plans for 2023, including international projects and hiring, in addition to constructing its Proof of Concept (PoC) facility.