The vertical farming market is poised to reach €25 billion by 2030, with Europe’s sector experiencing robust growth. Milan’s Planet Farms recently secured $40 million, reaching a valuation of $500 million. Berlin’s Infarm, a leading urban farming company, obtained $200 million in a Series D round, propelling its valuation to over $1 billion and marking Europe’s first vertical farming unicorn.
Adding to the momentum, a Nordic vertical farming startup, Seasony, aims to introduce Amazon-like warehouse robots to the industry. Based in Copenhagen, Seasony recently closed a funding round, raising €1.5 million from a distinguished group of investors led by North Ventures and EFIO (Export and Investment Fund of Denmark). Notable business angels contributing to the round include Vagn Ove Soerensen, Torben Wind, Klaus Holse, Barbara Taudorf Andersen, Nicolaj Reffstrup (Look Up Ventures), and more.
This funding milestone will propel Seasony forward in its mission to make indoor farming more scalable, profitable, and sustainable through cutting-edge mobile robotics technology. The funding will also allow Seasony to accelerate its product development and expand toward key markets in the Middle East and North America.
Amazon-like warehouse robots
The Danish firm wants to bring mobile robotics automation, otherwise mostly known from Amazon warehouses, into indoor farming. Using mobile robots, growers are offered a flexible and cost-effective automated solution as an alternative to both scissor lifts as well as static elevators and conveyor belts.
“We aspire for Watney to be the John Deere of indoor farming. Watney handles both heavy and dangerous lifting while analyzing each plant down to the smallest detail – with a memory that enables vertical farms to significantly streamline operations and get more output from every square meter,” says Christopher Weis Thomasen, co-founder and CEO of Seasony.
Watney can work around the clock, from the moment the seeds are sown to when the plants are harvested. When Watney moves around in a vertical farm, it takes care of tasks such as moving plant trays up and down from 10-meter-high shelves and transporting them to different stations. All while analysing, reporting, and storing data about the characteristics of each plant and the environment in which they grow.
A combination of advanced sensors, robotics, and algorithms from Seasony allows for intervention at a much earlier stage in the vertical farming process. If a plant needs more water, nutrients, light, or CO2 then the systems will be able to provide this critical information. This creates the best conditions for the vertical farm to achieve maximum yield.
“We are thrilled to have successfully closed this funding round and are grateful for the support and trust shown by our investors,” Christopher Weis Thomasen, co-founder and CEO of Seasony. “This significant investment will fuel our ability to drive innovation in vertical farming robotics and bring us closer to realizing our vision of a more sustainable and resilient food system.”
Next generation of green entrepreneurs
Seasony was created by three friends and entrepreneurs including Erkan (COO), Servet (CTIO), and Christopher (CEO) — who met each other when they were 10 years old and went to primary school together. They stuck together through their studies at DTU and CBS and their first jobs, where they gained valuable experience, including at Mobile Industrial Robots.
With their autonomous mobile robot “Watney,” they automate core processes in vertical farms and provide growers with valuable data insights – offered in a ‘Robotics-as-a-service’ model.
