Elevate Farms closes on $1.8 million in round of funding
Elevate Farms, a tech-based vertical farming company, announced the closing of a $1.8-million round of funding led by Brightspark Ventures.
Elevate Farms uses “hydroponics and a proprietary automation system, paired with photobiology, to grow high-quality leafy greens (such as arugula, kale and basil) in a climate-controlled environment.”
Elevate Farms’ system aims to deliver a product that is larger, tastes better and has higher nutritional content than traditionally grown leafy greens — all at a lower cost. The produce grown by the farm also has the benefit of being local, completely non-GMO and pesticide- and chemical-free.
>>Read the full story here.
Vineland names Hussam Haroun director of automation
According a press release, Hussam Haroun has joined Vineland Research and Innovation Centre as director of automation. In his new role, Haroun will oversee Vineland’s activities related to automation, artificial intelligence and digital agriculture technologies.
Haroun launched his own start-up after patenting and commercializing a new technology during graduate school. As CEO, he secured more than $3 million in seed investment and grew the company to 30 employees with multimillion-dollar annual revenues.
Haroun holds a Master of Engineering, Entrepreneurship and Innovation from McMaster University, and has experience in the telecommunications industry, managing multimillion-dollar projects with Rogers Communications as a senior design engineer.
>>Read the full story here.
Freight Farms enters partnership to grow on site at U.S. schools
Freight Farms and Sodexo have partnered to bring the advanced hydroponic vertical farming technology to schools and universities across the country. The collaboration will usher in the implementation of Freight Farms’ Greenery container farms to campuses across the U.S., enabling the onsite growth of fresh, traceable produce year-round that’s pesticide- and herbicide-free, and sourced with 0 food miles.
“Our partnership with Freight Farms allows us to grow nutritious, superior-quality food on site for our clients, just steps from the kitchens and serveries,” said Kenny Lipsman, director of produce category for Sodexo.
“As part of Sodexo’s Better Tomorrow Commitments, developed in accordance with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, this technology allows for traceability, reductions in food waste and year-round crop consistency.”
>>Read the full story here.
Explore the April 2020 Issue
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