Vertical farming, a key subsector of the indoor farming industry, refers to growing crops in vertically stacked beds or shelves inside controlled-environment buildings or containers. The process uses artificial lights and soilless growing techniques to simulate a crop’s optimal growing environment and control the desired outcome in terms of yield, texture, size, and other characteristics.

Indoor farming allows growers to grow pesticide-free crops year-round, regardless of weather conditions and the availability of arable land. Demand from growing urban populations and limited arable land drives the industry. The industry's main obstacle is the limitations of proprietary technologies for mass production. As a result, vertically farmed food products currently on the market command a significant price premium due to high capital and operating costs.