Vertical Farm Systems

Based in Australia, Vertical Farm Systems manufactures and sells automated multi-level modular vertical farming systems that can grow leafy greens and herbs including lettuce, spinach, arugula, coriander, and basil. The company offers two automated growing solutions: 1) “XA Series” for the commercial production of leafy greens and 2) “XF Series,” container-based systems growing fodder for livestock. The company grows its crops using “bioponics,” which is an alternative technique to hydroponics that uses organic nutrients instead of synthetic ones and combines them with beneficial microbes, bacteria, and fungi that colonize the plant roots to improve nutrient availability.

The XA Series systems offer automated operations including seeding, harvesting, loading, and unloading and have integrated air, water, lighting, and grow media systems. The XA series systems come in 28 different configurations starting from a 1,700 sq ft modular system up to a 47,600 sq ft configuration. The company offers two systems under XF Series that can grow 1,000 kg and 2,000 kg of fresh barley fodder per day respectively using a 40 ft container-based module. The company claims that its fodder offers benefits including high digestibility, higher protein and sugars, improved feed efficiency, and healthier animals.

As of May 2019, the company operated an 8-acre pilot facility that grew up to 400 kg of fresh produce per week. The company also reported at the time that it was finalizing contracts for its solutions with customers in the US and Trinidad.

Fundings and financials

The company last raised funding in May 2019, where it raised USD 1 million in venture funding. At the time, the funds were earmarked for the development of its farming systems.