Norwegian vertical farming company Grønt fra Nord has raised US$1.2 million toward a US$2.4 million convertible financing round, marking the halfway point in its current fundraising target. The funding will bridge immediate operational upgrades with the company's long-term scaling plan.
"It allows us to finalize automation, introduce new sowing and packaging lines, and stabilize full-scale lettuce production before the next equity round," says Marius Johansen, Founder and CEO of Gront Fra Nord. "We've structured it as convertible debt to align investor flexibility with our growth trajectory, ensuring short-term liquidity while preparing for international replication."
"Northern Norway offers a unique mix of stable, clean hydropower and naturally cool air, ideal for year-round, energy-efficient production," Johansen adds. "We use the surrounding cold climate as a natural heat sink, reducing cooling needs by up to 70 percent. Combined with predictable low-cost renewable electricity, this makes our model one of the most climate- and cost-efficient vertical farm setups globally."
Marius Johansen
Building the data foundation for AI
After four years of detailed data collection, Gront Fra Nord is preparing to move into AI-driven optimization. "You must first understand and control the biology and physics, then let AI take over the pattern recognition and prediction," Johansen says. "Our next phase will integrate AI for light, irrigation, and yield forecasting, supported by drone-based monitoring and computer vision."
Research focused on climate adaptation
The company is expanding its research partnerships to explore climate adaptation and crop performance. "We're collaborating with research partners on new lettuce and herb cultivars optimized for northern light spectra and temperature variation," Johansen says. "The goal is to push the frontier of climate adaptation in controlled environments, building knowledge that strengthens food self-sufficiency for Arctic and sub-Arctic regions."
© Rebekka Boekhout | VerticalFarmDaily.com
Toward a renewable, regional food network
Johansen sees potential for northern regions to become net food exporters. "Our motto '365 days a year, powered by clean energy from the north' reflects a bigger vision," he says. "The long-term mission is to establish a network of modular farms powered by renewable energy, in partnership with Nordic energy companies, logistics providers, and retailers who share our ambition to localize food production sustainably."
For more information:
Gront Fra Nord 
Marius Johansen, Managing Director
+47 900 20 797
[email protected]
www.grontfranord.no