Oslo-based AgriTech startup Avisomo, which develops fully automated vertical farming solutions, has raised €5 million in new capital to develop its indoor farming technology, aimed at driving sustainable large-scale local food production.
The funding includes a €1.6 million grant from Innovation Norway, combined with €3.4 million from existing investors.
“Our technology is designed to integrate smoothly into existing supply chains, eliminating the need for local expertise in cultivation, chemistry, or technical operations. This allows our customers to grow fresh food locally year-round, with minimal resource use, extended shelf life, and without the environmental impact of transportation,” says Martin Molenaar, CEO and Co-founder of Avisomo.
Founded in 2018 by Martin Molenaar and Jo-André Flåseth as a student project at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Avisomo develops automated and modular vertical farming solutions.
The company provides technology, equipment, and software for organisations looking to grow vegetables indoors. Its solutions are designed to be efficient, scalable, and sustainable.
The so-called “no-hands farming” system is specifically designed for large-scale vertical farming operations and can be seamlessly integrated into existing supply chains.
Vertical farming is a method in which plants are grown in stacked layers to optimise space utilisation. These systems typically use hydroponic or aeroponic techniques, where plants receive nutrients through water-based solutions rather than soil.
One of the most significant environmental benefits of vertical farming is the reduction of food waste. According to Avisomo, up to 30% of imported lettuce is wasted before reaching store shelves. However, in a controlled indoor environment, the risk of disease is minimised, leading to longer shelf life.
Vertical farming also enables more harvests per square meter and drastically reduces water consumption. By increasing local food production, this technology has the potential to significantly cut transport emissions from imported crops.
“Innovation Norway has supported Avisomo on several occasions, and the company has demonstrated impressive execution capabilities in previous projects,” says 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. At Innovation Norway, we have assessed the project as both groundbreaking and innovative, and deem it to address some of the global challenges in food production. In light of this, we also see significant export potential for the company. We look forward to following their continued development.”
Avisomo receives this new funding at an opportune time, as the company nears completion of its industrial pilot, built in collaboration with Norwegian food retailer Coop. Starting in the summer of 2025, the facility will produce up to 100 tons of fresh lettuce annually, focusing on varieties that are typically imported.
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2025/01/elevating-agriculture-avisomos-vertical-farming-technology-gets-a-e5-million-boost/
