Adam Bergman, one of the earliest supporters (and most candid critics) of indoor farming, will participate in the upcoming panel discussion "Financing & Scaling CEA – Strategies for Resilient Growth." The event is scheduled for Wednesday, November 12, at 4:00 p.m. GMT / 11:00 a.m. Eastern / 8:00 a.m. Pacific. It marks the first installment of the Indoor AgTech Broadcast Series, presented and moderated by AgTechNavigator's editors across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Bergman will join a panel including Daniele Benatoff of Planet Farms, Dave Chen of Equilibrium Capital, Chris Davies of Harvest London, and Matthew Lohr, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The discussion will be moderated by Amanda Lim and Oliver Morrison of AgTechNavigator.
The conversation will take a hard look at what went wrong in the indoor farming industry, particularly within vertical farming, that led to a wave of bankruptcies and restructurings. Panelists will explore how to manage investment risk, navigate scaling challenges, and build durable business models capable of reaching profitability, even in what Bergman describes as "the toughest financing environment in more than a decade."
Topics will include the distinguishing traits of successful versus failing indoor farms, the future viability of vertical farming, and the critical role of strategic partnerships in driving growth. The panel will also examine how companies can access non-dilutive capital through debt and grants, identify crop types with the strongest commercial potential, and pinpoint areas within the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector that offer the best prospects for positive investment returns.
Despite the collapse or restructuring of roughly $4 billion in indoor farming capital, Bergman remains optimistic about the sector's long-term outlook. He believes that, insulated from the increasing volatility of global weather patterns, indoor farms will play a vital role in delivering fresher, more nutritious, and sustainably grown food.
The Indoor AgTech Digital Broadcast Series aims to serve as a collaborative platform for greenhouse operators, vertical farm growers, retailers, seed companies, food manufacturers, hospitality groups, investors, policymakers, start-ups, and technology providers. Together, participants will explore the newest opportunities shaping the future of controlled environment agriculture.
Registration is available at the link here.
Source: Adam Bergman
