As the population grows, it becomes increasingly important to seek sustainable, efficient food production methods. Controlled environment agriculture is promising in providing a year-round opportunity for crop cultivation. One such company in the forefront of this movement is Avisomo, an AgriTech firm based in Oslo, which has been working on a fully automated vertical farming system with seamless integration into the existing supply chain. 

Company Background

Avisomo was founded in 2018 by Martin Molenaar and Jo-André Flåseth as a student project at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). It has since become a leading player in the vertical farming industry. 

This company focuses on developing an automated and modular vertical farming system that allows an organization to efficiently and sustainably grow vegetables indoors. Their system is designed to be scalable to fit into all types of environments, from a small urban farm to large-scale industrial operations. 

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About the Investment Round

This €5 million investment round includes two parts:

• Innovation Norway Grant: A grant of €1.6 million given by Innovation Norway, a state-owned agency providing support for innovation and development of Norwegian enterprises and industry.
• Funding from existing investors: Further €3.4 million was added by the existing investors in Avisomo, which was a testament to their continued trust in the company’s vision as well as in the technological innovation.

This amount of funding would be crucial to speed up the development and launching of Avisomo’s vertical farming systems.

Goals for the New Funding

With the freshly acquired funds, Avisomo is set to pursue several strategic initiatives, such as:

• Technological Advancement: Automate and scale their vertical farming systems to enhance efficiency and minimize operation costs.
• Commercialization Efforts: Transition pilot projects into large-scale commercial activities to ensure more extensive usage of their technology.
• Market Expansion: Enter new markets and partnerships that can help broaden their customer base and encourage sustainable farming practices in the global marketplace.
• Research and Development: Invest in R&D to continuously innovate and stay ahead of industry trends, ensuring their solutions remain cutting-edge.

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Technological Innovations

Avisomo’s vertical farming systems are distinguished by several key innovations:

• Modular Design: Their systems are designed to be modular, allowing for easy scaling and customization to meet the specific needs of different clients.
• Full Automation: The “no-hands farming” approach minimizes the need for manual intervention, reducing labor costs and the potential for human error.
• Integration Capabilities: The technology is designed to integrate smoothly into existing supply chains, eliminating the need for local expertise in cultivation, chemistry, or technical operations.

These features collectively allow clients to grow fresh food locally year-round, with minimal resource use and extended shelf life, all while reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional farming and transportation.

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Environmental Impact

Vertical farming offers many environmental benefits, many of which are exemplified by Avisomo’s technology:

• Reduction in Food Waste: By growing produce locally in controlled environments, the risk of disease is minimized, leading to longer shelf life and reduced waste.
• Efficient Resource Use: Their systems enable more harvests per square meter and greatly reduce water usage compared to conventional farming methods.
• Lower Carbon Footprint: Increasing local food production cuts the transport emissions from imported crops significantly.

These benefits lead to a more sustainable and resilient food production system that addresses some of the global challenges in agriculture today.

Strategic Partnerships and Pilot Projects

Avisomo is about to complete its industrial pilot project that was done in collaboration with Coop, a Norwegian grocery retailer. The facility is expected to start operations this summer 2025, producing enough fresh lettuce for up to 100 tons per year, with varieties mainly imported. This project proves the concept of large-scale vertical farming and demonstrates how applicable Avisomo’s technology is in commercial reality.

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Industry Recognition

Innovation Norway’s commitment shows the innovativeness of Avisomo’s work. According to Sverre H. Bjørnstad, Director of Innovation Norway Innlandet, “The company is now in a growth phase, focusing on technology development for a fully automated facility for vertical hydroponic cultivation of plants. This advanced method of soil-less cultivation has the potential to strengthen Norway’s self-sufficiency in food production.”

Future Perspective

Avisomo can expect to be successful with its new funding for the following:
Scale Operations: Expand their technology to more locations and increase production capacity to meet growing demand.

• Innovate Continuously: Develop new features and improvements to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of their systems.
• Promote Sustainable Agriculture: Lead the way in adopting environmentally friendly farming practices, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.

By focusing on these areas, Avisomo aims to make a significant impact on the future of food productio