Jamie Burrows at the 5th GVF 2024 Dubai
In the vertical farming space, a lot of development is happening. These include the development and integration of Artificial intelligence ("AI"), Internet of Things ("IoT"), Robotics, and Automation. Despite many earlier failures, vertical farming technology is still one of the most talked-about topics, and to say the least, many players are acing this industry with their cutting-edge technological offerings.
In today's world, vertical farming is growing rapidly, companies like Vertical Future, a leading global technology and data company, are making great strides. Founded by Jamie Burrows, Vertical Future came up as an idea, amalgamated with many years of thoughtful research when Jamie got to know threw one of his friends that shipping vertical farming container models were growing in popularity in the U.S. Jamie disliked the container model but saw the merits in vertical farming and broader controlled-environment-agriculture ("CEA") and envisaged a better model in London. Vertical future was born.
Vertical Future ("VF") has been our highest-level sponsor at the Middle East's largest and only exclusive vertical farming event - the Global Vertical Farming Show 2023 and 2024 edition - both of which were held in Dubai.
If you want to register for the expo, here is the registration link - Book your booth here
VF's first three years were as growers, servicing the London and U.K. markets. It designs and builds advanced vertical farming systems that are predominantly produced in house at its manufacturing centre just North of London. These systems – driven by VF's in-house Software-as-a-Service ("SaaS") platform, "DIANA", are not only good for growing food and ensuring water security, but they can also help the environment. For example, they can store carbon, grow tree seedlings, and work alongside other climate-friendly technologies.
Vertical Future at the Conference
In one of his interviews, Jamie revealed the importance of pivoting and the one big change that revolutionised VF. When they began, they ran a vertical farm, growing crops and selling them directly to restaurants, homes and small shops, with fewer but very hardworking members. The subsequent decision to switch to focusing on technology, as Jamie identified a gap in the CEA space, would later lead to new and improved vertical farming technologies.
Shifting from being an operator to a tech developer and builder of modular and bespoke farms is not an easy transition, but in VF's case, the former certainly built on the latter—if you know how your customer thinks, it's easier to work with them and design their system, aligning with their needs.
Vertical Future's main systems
What vertical farming technologies does VF offer?
This UK-based vertical farming technology company (soon to expand offices globally) offers:
1. Technology: Automated vertical farming systems, including the in-house hardware and software needed to grow crops from seeding to harvest.
2. R&D: A continuing focus on research and development to provide their clients and partners with a competitive edge so that they can stand tall in the vertical farming space, also becoming more productive over time through data
3. Consulting: Helping new and mature businesses with insights, strategy, feasibility studies, and business cases to make sure that their planned vertical farming ventures succeed
4. Operations & Management: Under specific (typically large-scale models), providing on the ground teams to run farms, equipped with critical grower insights which complement VF's technology and data
5. Crop-Science-as-a-Service (CSaaS): This service gives businesses access to VF's technology, scientists and expertise to optimize crop growth, product testing and innovation, including the renting
Key Government Officials at Vertical Future Booth
You can visit their website to know more - Link
Q&A
1- What are the vertical farming technologies that Vertical Future offer?
Vertical Future ("VF"), a U.K.-based company specializing in advanced vertical farming solutions, offering a range of technologies designed to enhance agricultural efficiency and sustainability. Their key offerings include:
• Proprietary Automated Vertical Farming Systems from seed to harvest, managed by VF's proprietary Farm Management Software ("DIANA")
• Automated seeding, capable of delivering on many varieties
• Automated germination process (a first for the industry)
• Automated cropping, primarily focused on leafy greens
• Automated transplanting, in line with VF's system
• Automated cleaning
• Suspending growing systems, enabling space optimization
• 24-hour servers online
• Constant connectivity
• Back-up date on site
• A multidisciplinary team, always open to support your needs
Jamie Burrows at Vertical Future Booth
2- Who is the founder of Vertical Future?
Jamie Burrows is the Founder and CEO of the Vertical Future. Educated up to PhD level in Health Economics and Finance, he has over 20 years of experience, starting out at the U.S. Air Force Academy, before moving on to work in economic regeneration and life sciences at Deloitte, EY, and the Department of Health, before founding VF. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society, a member of the World Economic ("WEF"), and a graduate of the Barclay's Unreasonable Impact Programme. He resides in South London with his wife and three children but is always on the move!
3- Is Vertical Future a solutions provider or grower?
As mentioned in previous responses, VF is a solutions provider and—contrary to many competitors, also manufactures and fabricates in-house, as well as having its own SaaS offering, integrated with its systems. Irrespective of geography or complexity of project, VF has the capabilities – with over 50 multidisciplinary staff – to deliver on projects. VF is also an asset-lite company, having raised just over £37m, and has the added value of prior operating experience and a fully functional R&D team to continue working on the unit economics of our systems, in perpetuity.
