Netled

05/10/2023

Netled's very own Kasey Snyder and Niko Kurumaa had an incredible time at Fruit Attraction 2023 in Madrid, Spain! 🌱

From October 3rd to 5th, Fruit Attraction transformed Madrid into the global hub for fresh produce innovation, quality, and diversity. With 15 years of excellence, this year's event brought together over 90,000 potential customers from 135 countries, all seeking the latest trends in the fruit and vegetable industry. 🌟

At Netled, we're committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions for sustainable agriculture, and events like Fruit Attraction help us connect with customers who share our vision and collaboration partners like International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) and Ellepot. 🌿💼

And guess what? You'll see us again later this month in California, this time in Anaheim at the IFPA's Global Produce and Floral Show from October 19th to 21st! 🌴 If you’re joining as well, hit us up with meeting requests!

20/09/2023

Many thanks to the Southeast Produce Council for hosting Southern Innovations last week! 🍅🌽 From organic goodies to cutting-edge tech and wild branding ideas, this event was a treasure trove of insights.

Sunny Charlotte was a delightful host, and our Kasey Snyder had an enriching experience there, returning home with a wealth of knowledge and experiences.

"It was an incredibly productive show. I had the chance to meet with our partners, delve into consumer trends, and explore new, sustainable products," she says.

"Seeing the supply chain challenges that retailers are facing makes us realize just how crucial our solutions are for the fresh produce industry as a Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) company."

If you're all about that consistent, top-notch produce supply and quality, hit us up! 😊🌱 You know where to find us: https://netled.fi/contact/

14/09/2023

Congratulations to Famifarm Makuja Järvikylästä, the Finnish leafy green producer behind the Järvikylä brand, on their new vertical farming facility! 🌱🎉

This investment by a traditional leafy green grower marks a substantial milestone for the vertical farming industry and demonstrates the inevitable transformation towards vertical farming as the future of food production.

Here's to this big leap towards more energy and water efficient leafy green production in Finland!! 🌿🌍💧

Explore the news article (in Finnish) below for more details.

Järvikylä-brändistä tunnettu Famifarm kertoo, että kyseessä on yrityksen historian suurin investointi.

30/08/2023

Kudos to Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) students for their recent visit to Netled and their engaging blog post! 📝

Internships and theses are essential for practical learning. We partnered with TAMK's Talent Boost program and Tampere Chamber of Commerce to help international students find opportunities.

Spring 2023 saw students from Environmental Engineering, Software Engineering, and International Business visiting companies, including Netled. Netled's focus on sustainable vertical farming intrigued students during their visit.

Heikki Takko, Netled's Head of Sales, showcased operations, discussing potential thesis topics and internships. "The visit to Netled was a great experience, to see the small plantation in work and all the automation they applied was interesting, too”, said a student.

This visit highlighted TAMK's alignment with industry needs, fostering hopes for future collaboration. Such experiences empower students and benefit businesses, offering fresh insights. 🌏🌱📚

Read the entire blog post (in Finnish) via the link!


Tampereen kauppakamari

Harjoittelu on tärkeä osa opintoja. Harjoittelussa opiskelija pääsee oppimaan käytännön työtä sekä kehittämään omaa ammatillista osaamistaan. Kansainvälisten opiskelijoiden harjoittelupaikkojen löytämisen tukemiseen on etsitty ratkaisuja yhteistyössä TAMKin Talent Boost -ohjelman s...

16/08/2023

Sepehr Achard of iGrow News sat down with our COO Niko Kurumaa during the Indoor AgTech conference in New York. The conversation unveiled the Four Pillars of Success in Vertical Farming, each contributing to the growth of this dynamic industry.

⚙️ Commercially Proven Technology: Niko highlighted the importance of practical and efficient technology. It's not just about innovation; it's about technology's real-world applicability and effectiveness.

📈 Robust Financial Modeling: Demonstrating a solid financial plan is crucial. Audited financial models foster transparency and investor confidence, paving the way for project financing.

🤝 Strategic Partnerships: Collaboration with retailers secures off-take agreements and ensures consistent revenue streams. Direct engagement with retailers bridges gaps and enhances supply chain stability.

💵 Financial Prudence: Utilizing debt leveraging, like through Finnvera Oyj mitigates risks and costs. This approach adds credibility and professionalism to vertical farming as an investment.

Read the entire article via the link!

Huge thanks to Sepehr for this insightful piece. Let's continue to support and nurture the growth of vertical farming together! 🌿

Unpacking the Four Pillars of Success in Vertical Farming: Commercially Proven Technology, Robust Financial Modeling, Strategic Partnerships, and Financial Prudence

10/08/2023

As the sunniest season starts to wind down, we want to take a moment to give a big shoutout to our amazing summer workers who've been absolutely crushing it with their awesome attitudes, brainpower, and technical wizardry! 🚀🌞

Meet the fantastic minds behind the scenes who've been cultivating not only herbs but also their skills here at Netled:

🌱 Alma: Studying automation technology at Tampere University, Alma is our tech guru with a green thumb! She's been sprinkling her magic in both the tech and support teams. Alma's favorite herb is basil because homemade basil pesto is pure perfection, and she's all about that flavorful life! 🌿🍃

🌱 Laura: Tackling information management at Tampere University, Laura is our versatile queen! She loves the diverse challenges at Netled and the freedom to work from wherever her heart desires. Laura's go-to herb is mint – it's like a fresh summer breeze with a hint of yum in the air! 🌱❄️

🌱 Viliveikko: Also studying information management at Tampere University, Viliveikko is our dynamic innovator! He's been thriving on his personal development projects and diving into a range of tasks. Viliveikko's herb of choice is chives, because who needs an excuse to relish such scrumptious greens all on their own? 🌱🥗

And guess what? The fun isn't ending here! We're thrilled to announce that Alma, Laura, and Viliveikko will be continuing their Netled journey part-time alongside their studies. How lucky are we to have this incredible trio in our corner? 🌟🎓

So here's to the future, to growth, and to our outstanding summer crew who've brought so much positivity and learning to our Netled family. Keep shining, keep growing, and keep sprinkling that awesome magic! ✨🌱

02/08/2023

Greetings from International Fresh Produce Association’s Food Service Conference in Monterey, California! Here are some key takeaways from last week’s show for you to chew on!

💰 Foodservice industry sales predicted to grow +$478B from 2022 to 2030.

🍽️ In 2030, Gen Z will reach the peak age range for highest foodservice use.

🌿 We are moving from functional to personal in what food health and wellness means for consumers.

🥗 Consumers are increasingly looking for specific vitamins and nutrients in foods and beverages.

🫐 Functional claims such as Immunity-boosting, aiding digestion, stress relieving, are perceived as healthier.

🌎 Climate change threatens the foodservice industry:

🌪️ 55% of foodservice operators were affected by extreme weather events in 2022.

📦 42% of them experienced product supply disruptions.

💚 Sustainability is a priority for 70% of foodservice operators, 74% of them say it will become more important in the next 5-7 years.

🤝 Foodservice operators will have aggressive sustainability goals and they are expecting their suppliers to be aligned.

Controlled Environment Agriculture is not an answer to everything, but we believe it addresses quite a few of these points. From here, it is good to continue forward on the path of sustainable cultivation.

Thank you for the amazing show! 🙌👨‍🍳👩‍🍳

Nazim Khan, CEC, WCEC, WCMC Art Kilmer Melissa Ackerman Tamara Muruetagoiena Robyn Florio Miriam Miller Wolk, CAE Erin Hutchison Kasey Snyder Sanna Andersson

24/07/2023

👨‍🍳 👩‍🍳 Calling all Chefs and Menu Developers! Are you looking for a game-changer in your kitchen? Look no further than Vertical Farmed Produce, and here's why you should make it your FIRST choice!

🌿 Meet Sami Lappalainen, a Finnish restaurateur who has been using Netled Vera grown herbs and lettuce for years. He swears by their exceptional quality and attributes the success of his dishes to this innovative farming method.
✨ Longer-lasting & Higher Quality: Experience produce with better taste, aroma, and appearance. Netled farms maintain freshness for an extended period, ensuring vibrant, flavorsome ingredients in every dish!
🥗 More Substantial than conventional alternatives: Imagine plating up salads and dishes with greens that are not only fresher but also more substantial in texture. Vertical farmed produce provides that perfect, satisfying crunch!
🌱 Fresher for Longer Shelf-Life: With Netled's produce, you'll enjoy an extended shelf-life, reducing food waste and saving precious resources. Say good bye to wilted greens!
🏞️ Environmentally Friendly & Local Sourcing: Supporting local businesses and being environmentally conscious is now easier than ever.

✌ Don't Miss Out! Netled will be exhibiting at International Fresh Produce Association's Foodservice Conference in Monterey, CA, this week. Visit booth #917 to learn more and experience the future of sustainable farming firsthand!

14/07/2023

🌱🍽️ Netled is thrilled to announce our participation in the International Fresh Produce Association's (IFPA) Foodservice Conference in Monterey, California! 🎉 We're excited to showcase our vertically farmed products to the foodservice industry's finest.

📅 Save the date: July 27-28. The conference is a hub for top-notch chefs, menu developers, retail/foodservice buyers, and more. Swing by booth #917 to discover the future of fresh produce with Netled and talk to our Sales Operations Manager Kasey Snyder and Head of Marketing and Communications Sanna Andersson.

"Produce grown in Netled farms is longer-lasting, higher in quality, and more substantial than conventional alternatives," says Sami Lappalainen, a Finnish restaurateur. He has been using herbs grown in Netled’s Vera farm since 2019. "Quality, long shelf-life, reduced food waste, local sourcing, and environmental friendliness are at the core of what we do."

Read more:
https://lnkd.in/e2JwXVf8

04/07/2023

🌱🎙️ A big thank you to the brilliant moderator, Sepehr Achard, CEO of iGrow News, and our esteemed panelists: Niko Kurumaa, COO of Netled,
Daniele Modesto, CEO of ZERO Vertical Farms, Jay Desan, Co-Founder of BoomGrow and Geraldo Maia, CEO of Pink Farms, for an enlightening discussion at the Indoor AgTech Innovation Summit 2023! 🙏

The panel “Future Global Hotspots for High-Tech Indoor Farming” tackled crucial topics that are at the heart of revolutionizing the future of indoor farming. From increasing local supply to reducing reliance on food imports, and exploring the potential of indoor crops to impact global food security, the discussions were thought-provoking and inspiring.

Additionally, thank you to the audience for their engagement and excellent questions!

If you missed the live panel, you can catch the full discussion on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eEJQnyP8

Indoor AgTech 2023 Day 2 Opening Plenary ”Future Global Hotspots for High-Tech Indoor Farming” with: Niko Kurumaa, COO of Netled, Daniele Modesto, CEO of ZER...

03/07/2023

🌟 Gratitude to all the amazing attendees, speakers, and fellow exhibitors at the Indoor AgTech Innovation Summit 2023 in New York City on June 29-30! 🙏🗽Your presence and engaging conversations made the event truly special.

We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who visited our booth and took the time to learn about Netled. Your interest and enthusiasm fuel our passion for sustainable farming.

Additionally, we want to express our sincere thanks to the organizer team of Rethink Events for their exceptional efforts in putting together such an outstanding conference.

Together, we are shaping the future of indoor farming and contributing to a more sustainable world. Let's continue these valuable exchanges and collaborations to make a positive impact on the agriculture industry. 🌿

28/06/2023

Big day for us at Netled! 🤝

Netled is proceeding with strategic cooperation with Rejlers for the implementation of project deliveries. Rejlers is one of the leading engineering consultancy firms in the Nordic region.

The partnership enables Netled to focus on providing comprehensive solutions for vertical farming and facilitates faster business scalability. With the agreement, Netled’s project delivery organization transfers to the service of Rejlers.

“By delivering commercial projects together with the strong project expertise of Rejlers, we can concentrate on production solutions that will enable us to directly serve retail chains and other food supply channels. These solutions consist of not only high-quality project delivery, but also superior Vera technology and skilled farm operations. Netled also focuses on developing vertical farming solutions for new crops and integration solutions for higher value-added markets”, says Netled CEO Niko Kivioja.

Read more: https://lnkd.in/eGcf9N5t

Netled is proceeding with strategic cooperation with Rejlers for the implementation of project deliveries. Rejlers is one of the leading engineering consultancy firms in the Nordic region. The partnership enables Netled to focus on providing comprehensive solutions for vertical farming and facilitat...

22/06/2023

🌿🌼 Happy Finnish Midsummer! 🌼🌿

Midsummer vibes are in the air, and Finland knows how to celebrate! 🎉 Did you know that Finns are so connected to nature that it's practically our second home? 🏞️💚

With thousands of lakes and endless forests surrounding us, it's no wonder the region is a hotbed for eco-conscious innovation! 🌍♻️

Speaking of sustainability, here at Netled, we're taking inspiration from Finland's embrace of nature and weaving it into our mission to create a better world for future generations. Our cutting-edge Vera technology helps us grow food sustainably, reducing environmental impact while maximizing yield. 🌾🌿

So, let's embrace this midsummer with a green twist! Whether you're dancing around the bonfire or enjoying a feast of local goodies, remember that nature is our ultimate home. 🏡💚

21/06/2023

Thank you for sharing our story, Kauppalehti! 😎

The Finnish financial media outlet takes a deep dive into the story of Netled – the ‘Best Growth Company' in Western Finland – starting with the days when the current CEO Niko Kivioja's father cultivated 90% of Finland's organic tomato harvest in the 1980’s.

The article is in Finnish, but below are a few highlights in English:

◾ Netled is revolutionizing traditional farming methods with their state-of-the-art vertical farming technology. Their industrial hall in Pirkanmaa houses a groundbreaking greenhouse where 115,000 plants are nurtured and cared for by robotics and automation. 🤖🌿

◾ Forget about relying on unpredictable weather conditions. This innovative greenhouse utilizes blue and red LEDs to provide the perfect lighting for optimal plant growth. And with 15 cubic meters of water circulating daily, supplemented with the right nutrients, these plants thrive like never before! 💡💦

◾ Netled's journey began on a family farm in Honkajoki, where they cultivated 90% of Finland's organic tomato harvest. Fast forward to today, and they are leading the way in vertical farming technology, thanks to collaborations with experts in horticulture. 🍅🌿

◾ Their automated cultivation systems are a game-changer. They've already manufactured over a dozen vertical farms, including one in Pirkkala owned by Tuoretarha Ltd. These farms simulate natural growth conditions, with plants moving through different growth stages in a six-story facility. 🏭🌿

◾ But despite the advanced technology, CEO Niko Kivioja reminds us that nature can still throw us curveballs. Perfecting the control of climate, watering, and day-night cycles is a continuous learning process. 🔄🌿

◾ Netled's ambition stretches beyond Finland. They have their sights set on North America, where the vertical farming trend is booming. The effects of climate change and extreme weather events have intensified the need for alternative farming methods, making vertical farms an attractive solution. 🌍🌱

◾ Netled's dedication to innovation has not gone unnoticed. They were honored as Western Finland's fastest-growing company by Kauppalehti. While this year's growth may not match the exceptional 616% leap in revenue from the previous year, Netled continues to seek investments to propel their technology, product development, and expand their market. 💪💼

Read the entire article below and stay tuned for more exciting developments from us!

Perinteistä peltoviljelyä kriisiyttävät sään ääri-ilmiöt vauhdittavat Netledin kasvua.

16/06/2023

The biggest financial outlet in Finland, Kauppalehti, acknowledged our recent award as the “Best Growth Company” in Western Finland and writes:

"The interest towards vertical farming is supported by the megatrends of climate change, where extreme weather phenomena threaten traditional farming."

"In Finland, cultivation is moving from greenhouses to vertical farming gradually. Elsewhere, the transition is faster. We want to offer a business model that includes the technology, building the farm, and the operating services of the farm," Netled CEO Niko-Matti Kivioja says.

Read the entire piece below (the article is in Finnish):

https://lnkd.in/ebRHGyTe

Netledin tähtäimessä on Pohjois-Amerikka, jossa on käynnissä investointibuumi vertikaaliviljelyyn.

14/06/2023

The future of vertical farming continues to be a hot topic of discussion, intensifying just last week with the bankruptcy protection announcement of a very high profile US company.

In this discourse, it is important to remember, that not all vertical farms are the same. Some “leading” vertical farm companies may have been far more successful at raising funds and not in technology or management. Vertical farming can be feasible and the unit economics can work.

We will be at Indoor AgTech in New York later this month and encourage everyone to find us at the booth #6 or book a meeting with us. We’re more than happy to elaborate on our point of view! 🙌



Read more:

Netled will be exhibiting at Indoor AgTech Innovation Summit 2023 in New York City on June 29-30. Netled COO, Niko Kurumaa, will be speaking on the panel for Opening Plenary // Future Global Hotspots for High-Tech Indoor Farming. You’ll find Netled at booth #6.

07/06/2023

NETLED = BEST GROWTH COMPANY! 🏆 🎇 📈 🤩

This regular Wednesday just turned out to be a spectacular one! Due to its rapid growth, Netled has been awarded "Best Growth Company" in the Western Finland province.

Netled’s revenue increased by 1070 percent from 2019 to 2022. The award was granted by Kauppalehti, the largest financial media company in Finland, at a gala event today.

“We are extremely honored by this acknowledgement. I’m glad our persistent work is getting national attention. Finland, and the entire world, need growth companies that are tackling the negative effects of climate change.

The scalability, proven efficiency, real competitive advantage, and market demand play a big role in our success. At the core of it all, is our talented and hard-working team,” says Netled CEO Niko Kivioja.

Thank you once more Kauppalehti and the entire Netled team!

province. Netled’s revenue raised by 1070 percent from 2019 to 2022. The award was granted by Kauppalehti, the largest financial media company in Finland, at a gala event on June 7th 2023.