After experiencing a great first year with the trial farm, company Agro Urbana collected 1 million dollars in new investments. The Chilean initiative that grows leafy vegetables with artificial lighting and a hydroponic system is thus far the only vertical farm in the region.
With a start-up capital of half a million dollars, a warehouse in a suburb of Santiago was transformed into the current 300 m2. The trial project produced 20,000 portions of leafy vegetables a month and sold these to restaurants via the internet.
The two founders came up with the idea during a visit to a vertical farm in San Francisco and saw the potential for a similar approach in Chili. By saving 95% on water, stable quality, and a short supply chain, the company expects to be able to construct a profitable model.
The new round of investment, which the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality reports on based on these sources, will be used to extend the product range allowing the company also to supply retailers.