Vertical Future listed as the #1 Controlled-environment-agriculture technology company globally in the “FoodTech 500”

UNITED KINGDOM: UK-based CEA technology and data company Vertical Future has been recognised as the number one CEA technology company globally in this year’s FoodTech500, a 35 position rise through the ranks compared to 2023. VF also ranked #12 amongst all companies globally in the food technology space.

VF designs, manufactures, and deploys intelligent autonomous CEA systems across the globe. The systems and the technologies within them are primarily used to improve food production, addressing key issues such as food scarcity, water security, population growth, and complex global supply chains. Increasingly, however, VF’s systems are finding their way into new use cases such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, integration with greenhouses, and even (as per recent news), research and development for application in outer space, working with NASA and the U.K. Space Agency.

2023 was a difficult year for the global CEA sector, encompassing many failed business models, negative press, and overall difficult market conditions. There were many reasons contributing to these market difficulties, including poor technology selection, over-expansion, the drying up of capital investment, rising interest rates, and a natural attrition rate given the relative lack of maturity of the sector and number of new market entrants who were insufficiently funded or chose the wrong business model.

Positive activity, including substantial capital investments in Q4 of 2023 followed by several large-scale deals in the U.S. and more broadly, have led to a more positive outlook on the sector. This is coupled with a continued rise for innovative solutions that address the impact of climate change and many other negative factors addressing the world today.

The independent recognition validates VF’s innovative, unique model, that has, since 2018, been plant science and technology-led, following VF’s initial phase as a vertical farming grower across London and the U.K. The achievement comes after eight years of hard work and pivotal strategic decisions, such as moving almost every operation in-house (including manufacturing), focusing on scale to achieve price parity, championing a science-led approach, and providing products and services to secondary markets.

FoodTech500 by Forward Fooding is the world’s first list of global entrepreneurial talent at the intersection of food, technology, and sustainability. Since its launch in 2019, it had over 9,000 applicants, reached over 180 countries, and amounted to $24,6 billion USD in investment raised by the winners. The ranking is based on business size, digital footprint, and sustainability practices.

Commenting on the achievement, Jamie Burrows, Founder and CEO of Vertical Futures, said:
“We are delighted with Vertical Future’s recent recognition as the #1 CEA technology company globally and #12 amongst the entire global Food Technology community on the FoodTech500 list. It’s the market telling us that our almost eight years of hard work, movement from being an operator to a tech and data company, and constant push to develop the best system and overall model have not been in vain. Strategic decisions combined with our hard work and top-of-the-range, innovative offerings are all factors that together make Vertical Future unique. Our journey is far from over.”

About Vertical Future
Vertical Future (“VF”) is a global CEA technology and data company, headquartered in London and founded in 2016. VF designs, manufactures, and deploys autonomous vertical farms across the world into multiple use cases, from food through to pharmaceuticals, and soon to be reforestation. VF’s fully integrated model is unique globally with a goal of contributing to healthier people and planet. VF has raised over £37 million of funding to date, has received over 12 Innovate U.K. grants, and operates with a team of over 60 staff across engineering, software engineering, plant sciences, operations, and commercial. To find out more about Vertical Future, go to verticalfuture.com.