Association for Vertical Farming

✨ Thank you for an incredible event! ✨ The #AVF Summit and VertiFarm 2024 have come to a close, and we want to extend a huge thank you to all the speakers, partners, and attendees who made these days so special. 🌱 It has been an inspiring exchange of knowledge, innovation, and ideas shaping the future of vertical farming and sustainable food tech solutions. The knowledge shared by #investors was crucial in helping us understand the criteria for scaling vertical farming businesses, as well as the challenges currently faced by the industry. Growing plant-based #proteins is now firmly on the agenda, and it plays a key role in fulfilling the promise that vertical farming can support global food security. New #technologies, such as #plasma #water treatment, #AI, and others, are becoming cornerstones in optimizing yields and ensuring the commercial viability of vertical farming. A special thanks to our amazing speakers for sharing their insights and expertise with us: Marc Oshima, David Meszaros, Leo Marcelis, Marc Kessels, Isabelle van Doorn, Silvana Nicola, Johann Waldherr, Felix Krujatz, Galen Zhou, Alexander Jaworski, Na L., Joel Cuello, Jackie Thoms, Rainer von Leoprechting, Jan Bredack, Carsten Puschmann, Marc Stift, Sahul Hameed, Prince Kayode Oguntayo, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP Greifswald) e.V. ,Felix Thoma, Lorenz Minks, Kjell S., Farida Hussain, Endre Thesen Harnes, Mattias Karls, Robert Carlsson and many more! A heartfelt thanks to our incredible team, whose dedication and hard work made this event possible. We couldn’t have done it without you! 💚 Patricia C., Christine Zimmermann-Loessl, Christer Tilk, Susanna Lössl We look forward to continuing this journey with you all towards a more sustainable and innovative future. See you next year! 🌿✨

🌟 Announcing the Winners of the #AVF & VertiFarm Start-Up Challenge 2024! 🌟 What an incredible journey! A huge congratulations to greenhub solutions GmbH, our Scaling Company winner, and 4CLIMATE, the Early-Stage Company champion! 🏆🌱 Your innovative solutions are shaping the future of vertical farming, and we can't wait to see your continued success. A special shout-out to all the brilliant start-ups who participated – your creativity and passion are the heartbeat of this industry. It was an honor to witness such groundbreaking ideas and dedication to pushing the boundaries of #CEA. Carina Maurer, City Greens, iPlant, VacuumWood.Tech, Avisomo, HarvestAi AGROFuture, green city farming A massive thank you to our esteemed Jury for their expert insights: Silvana Nicola ,Joel Cuello University of Arizona, Nico, our dedicated #investor #partner. Christine Zimmermann-Loessl Together, we are making strides toward a sustainable, resilient food system. Let's continue to #innovate, #collaborate, and #cultivate a brighter #future! 🌍💡

🌱 Day 1 of the AVF Summit & VertiFarm 2024 Program 🌱 We're excited to share the program for the first day of the AVF Summit & VertiFarm 2024! It's packed with thought-provoking sessions, expert speakers, and plenty of opportunities to connect with key innovators in the vertical farming space. A special thank you to everyone involved for making this possible! 💚 Key Sessions: Opening Session: Christine Zimmermann-Loessl Fireside Chat: "Past and Future of Vertical Farming – A Deep Reflection" Marc Oshima, Co-founder of AeroFarms David Meszaros, CEO of SMARTKAS Science + Industry Highlights: Leo Marcelis Wageningen University & Research Felix Krujatz  TU Chemnitz Na L. Isabelle van Doorn greenhub solutions GmbH, Silvana Nicola Università degli Studi di Torino Galen Zhou SANANBIO | Vertical Farming Solution Provider Marc Kessels Seoul Semiconductor Alexander Jaworski,greenhub solutions GmbH: Joel Cuello University of Arizona ☕ Interactive Session: Don’t miss the Pro-Action Café today hosted by Jackie Thoms and Rainer von Leoprechting, Founders of Fraendi Limited, on "Cooperation and Collaboration in Vertical Farming." Join the conversation and collaborate with industry leaders to shape the future of farming. 📅 Register here: https://lnkd.in/essEtRcd 🙌 Big thanks to all our amazing speakers and participants! We can't wait to see what the future holds for vertical farming!

As we continue on 9-Oct, don’t miss Pillar III: Special Topics from 3:45 PM – 5:00 PM 🌱 3:45 PM – 4:00 PM: Vertical Production of Microalgae for Food: A Growing Pillar of Infinite Agriculture (IA) Presented by Prof. Joel Cuello, University of Arizona 🌱 4:00 PM – 4:20 PM: Plasma Technology for Vertical Farming Presented by Prof. Dr. Jürgen Kolb, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP Greifswald) e.V. 🌱 4:20 PM – 4:40 PM: From Greenhouses to Plant Factories: The Role of Automation and Advanced Sensing in Vertical Farming Presented by Dr. Felix Thoma, Fraunhofer UMSICHT. 🌱 4:40 PM – 4:55 PM: Introducing Vertical Farming Training Centers in Africa Presented by Prince Kayode Oguntayo, Managing Director of Greens&Berries Farm Limited. 📍 Messe Dortmund 💻 https://www.vertifarm.net/ Don’t miss the engaging sessions on Day 2—secure your tickets now! 👉 https://lnkd.in/dknNaUPT Christine Zimmermann-Loessl,Silvana Nicola, Marcos Juarez Nicolau #AVFSummit2024 #VertiFarm2024 #VerticalFarming #BusinessDevelopment #Investment #Innovation #SpecialTopics #FutureOfFarming #Startups

Ready for an insightful day on the business side of vertical farming?Join us on 9-Oct at the #AVFSummit during VertiFarm 2024 for our Business Development + Investment Pillar, where industry leaders and investors will share their knowledge on growth, innovation, and sustainable business models. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn from top experts and witness the next wave of vertical farming startups! 🌟 Keynote: Jan Bredack, Founder & CEO Veganz Group AG Discover the strategies behind successful business models in the food tech industry. 🌿 Panel: Investor's Vision: Motivations and Strategies for Shaping the Future of Food Tech Marc Oshima, CEO of Oshima Good Food and Co-Founder of AeroFarms Dr. David Meszaros, SMARTKAS Carsten Puschmann Jan Bredack, Veganz Group AG An insightful discussion on why investors are attracted to food tech and their expectations for the future. 🌱 Presentation: Marc Stift, Fraunhofer-Institut für Molekularbiologie und Angewandte Oekologie IME Learn about the OrbiPlant® technology as a cornerstone for sustainable agricultural production. 🌱 Presentation: Sahul Hameed, Bin Dasmal Group General Manager Explore sustainable indoor vertical farming initiatives through construction waste management. 🚀 StartUp Challenge: 10 cutting-edge startups pitch their innovations to a high-level jury. Featuring experts from science, industry, and investment: Prof. Silvana Nicola, Università degli Studi di Torino Prof. Joel Cuello, University of Arizona Carsten Puschmann, Scale Now Ventures Watch as they choose the top two pitches for the award! ☕ Networking Coffee & Award Ceremony: Connect with industry leaders and celebrate the best pitches of the day. 📍 Messe Dortmund 💻 https://www.vertifarm.net/ Get ready for an exciting day—secure your tickets now! 👉 https://lnkd.in/dknNaUPT #AVFSummit2024 #VertiFarm2024 #VerticalFarming #BusinessDevelopment #Investment #Innovation #FutureOfFarming #Startups

🌱 It’s almost time! Join us on 8-Oct at the #AVFSummit during VertiFarm 2024 for an inspiring afternoon focused on innovation in vertical farming. Our Science + Industry Pillar is packed with exciting presentations from leading experts—don’t miss out on the latest insights into the future of controlled environment agriculture! 🔑 Keynote: Leo Marcelis, Wageningen University & Research Discover the future of vertical farming and its impact on global food production. 🌱 Presentation: Marc Kessels, SEOUL SEMICONDUCTOR EUROPE GMBH Learn how innovative lighting solutions are revolutionizing controlled environment agriculture. 🌿 Panel: Isabelle van Doorn, greenhub solutions GmbH Prof. Silvana Nicola, Università degli Studi di Torino Leo Marcelis, Wageningen University & Research Johann Waldherr,Wurth Electronics ICS A discussion on the central role of plants in the success of vertical farming systems. 🌱 Presentation: Dr.-Ing. Felix Krujatz, TU Chemnitz An engineer's take on intensifying processes in controlled environment agriculture. 🌱 Presentation: Galen Zhou, Fujian SANANBIO | Vertical Farming Solution Provider Technology Co. Ltd Explore the impact of science on emerging technologies in vertical farming. 🌱 Presentation: Alexander Jaworski, Co-Founder & General Manager greenhub solutions GmbH How AI and R&D-backed data are shaping the future of vertical farming. 🌱 Presentation: Na L., Norsk Elektro Optikk AS Discover how hyperspectral imaging is transforming plant growth optimization. 💬 Q&A & Closing: Joel Cuello, University of Arizona 📍 Messe Dortmund 💻 https://www.vertifarm.net/ Get ready for an exciting day and secure your tickets today! 👉 https://lnkd.in/dknNaUPT #AVFSummit2024 #VertiFarm2024 #VerticalFarming #Innovation #ScienceAndIndustry #ControlledEnvironmentAgriculture #FutureOfFarming #AVF

We are excited to kick off the #AVFSummit at VertiFarm 2024 with a Fireside Chat featuring two industry visionaries: Marc Oshima, CEO of Oshima Good Food and Co-Founder of AeroFarms, and Dr. David Meszaros, CEO and Founder of SMARTKAS. 🚀 Join us for an inspiring discussion on the role of vertical farming in today’s food systems, valuable lessons from real-world case studies, and a visionary outlook on food security and the future of agriculture. This session is not to be missed! 🌱🥬 🗓️ Date: October 8, 2024 🕚 Time: 11:25 AM 📍 Location: Messe Dortmund There’s still time to get your ticket to Vertifarm & the AVF Summit in Messe Dortmund October 8-10, 2024. Get your ticket: here https://lnkd.in/dknNaUPT Christine Zimmermann-Loessl, Silvana Nicola, Joel Cuello, Marcos Juarez Nicolau

🌱 Exclusive VertiFarm 2024 Excursion: Discover groundbreaking urban farming projects shaping the future of sustainable food production on the exclusive VertiFarm 2024 excursion, taking place on Monday, 7th October 2024 🌱 Itinerary: 8:30 | Start at Dortmund Main Station Car Park 9:00 – 10:00 | @HANSAPONIK – AQUAPONICS AT KOKEREI HANSA 12:00 – 13:30 | Cultivators / INNEXO 15:00 – 16:15 | ALTMARKTgarten Oberhausen 17:30 | Return to Dortmund Main Station If you would like to join this VertiFarm 2024 excursion, you can find more details about the cost and how to sign up: https://lnkd.in/ezEDtDeZ. If you have not already signed up for the summit, then there is still time. Join the conversation with us in Dortmund, 8-10 October 2024! About VertiFarm: https://lnkd.in/dwvUx-Yf Christine Zimmermann-Loessl, Silvana Nicola, Marcos Juarez Nicolau, Joel Cuello

Meet our Start-Up Challenge Winners: We are thrilled to announce the winners of the #AVF Summit's & VertiFarm Start-Up Challenge: Grow to the Next Height! A big thank you to all the incredible early-stage and scaling companies that participated and showcased their innovative solutions in the Vertical Farming space. Your passion and creativity are driving the future of agriculture! 🎉 Congratulations to our Top 10 Start-Ups! 🎉 Early-Stage Companies: 🌱 4CLIMATE 🌱 BloomBox, Carina Maurer 🌱 City Greens 🌱 iPlant 🌱 VacuumWood.Tech Scaling Companies: 🌱 Avisomo 🌱 HarvestAi 🌱 greenhub solutions GmbH 🌱 AGROFuture 🌱 green city farming These outstanding start-ups will pitch live on Day 2 of the AVF Summit from 13:00-15:00 under Pillar II: Business Development + Investment. Get ready to witness the next big innovations in Vertical Farming! 💡 What's Next? We will be reaching out to the winning teams in the coming days with further details. We are excited to welcome you all to VertiFarm and see your ideas come to life! To all who participated! We look forward to your continued growth and success. A special thanks to our jury and to Carsten Puschmann, our investor specialist, for your invaluable support! Stay tuned for more updates, and don't miss out on meeting these trailblazers at VertiFarm 2024! Get your ticket: https://lnkd.in/dknNaUPT Let’s grow to the next height together! Christine Zimmermann-Loessl, Silvana Nicola, Marcos Juarez Nicolau, Joel Cuello

#AVF and World Horti Center hosted a dynamic roundtable in Amsterdam, bringing together leading experts from the Dutch greenhouse and indoor farming industry. This event, part of a series of successful roundtables held in 2024, focused on understanding the local needs of vertical farming in the Netherlands and identifying opportunities for collaboration to drive innovation and sustainable growth in CEA. The roundtable gathered a diverse group of stakeholders who discussed local challenges, potential partnerships, and the future of VF. Key topics included: 🌱 Collaboration Opportunities: Highlighting synergies between AVF, WHC, TTA, Dutch Greenhouse Delta, and HortiHeroes to form a unified force in the VF industry. 🌱 Scaling Challenges: Addressing issues such as hardware and software integration failures, production metrics, and material quality. 🌱 Transparency and Standardization: Promoting benchmarking of VF against traditional horticulture models to enhance transparency and standards. 🌱 Innovation from the Edges: Encouraging open platforms for discussing industry challenges and exploring new growth strategies. 🚀 Looking Forward – Future Visions The Dutch Roundtable was a step towards creating a more resilient food system in the Netherlands. The event underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and local engagement in vertical farming. AVF and WHC plan to continue hosting these impactful discussions to foster a supportive community for VF in the region. #AVF is committed to fostering discussions and collaborations in local hubs around VF. Interested in joining or exploring partnership opportunities? Contact us and be part of shaping the future of urban agriculture and vertical farming. Together, we can build more resilient, efficient, and innovative agricultural systems for our cities. Christine Zimmermann-Loessl Isabelle van Doorn greenhub solutions GmbH Rob Smit, Green Simplicity Sjoerd Kessels Mirjam Boekestijn, Dutch Greenhouse Delta Jacob Boxhoorn, Bosman Van Zaal Robin Urbanus, Hoogendoorn Growth Management. David Meszaros: CEO of SMARTKAS Renko Schuil, TTA. Will Zuiderwijk,World Horti Center. Puk van Holsteijn : CEO of HortiHeroes and World Horti Center. https://lnkd.in/eXcZKNXq