INFARM · Project

Indoor Vertical Farms That Grow Fresh Produce Right Where People Buy It

foodPilotedTRL 7

Imagine a mini-farm the size of a refrigerator, sitting inside your local supermarket, growing herbs and greens under LED lights without any soil. That's what INFARM built — modular "Microfarms" that use hydroponics and smart lighting algorithms to grow food indoors, using a fraction of the water and zero pesticides. Instead of shipping lettuce across continents, the food grows right where customers are. The company tested these units with real clients and proved the concept works at commercial scale.

By the numbers

70%

of planet's freshwater consumed by conventional agriculture

up to 24%

of greenhouse gas emissions from conventional agriculture

32%

of all food produced globally is wasted

100,000 km²

of arable land lost every year

clients tested in 3-month pilot phase

9.8 billion

projected global population by 2050

795 million

people suffering from chronic undernourishment

The business problem

What needed solving

Conventional agriculture uses 70% of the planet's freshwater, produces up to 24% of greenhouse gas emissions, and loses over 100,000 km² of arable land every year. Meanwhile, 32% of all food produced is wasted — largely because of the long and complex supply chain between farm and consumer. Grocery retailers, restaurants, and food service companies bear the cost of this waste through spoilage, logistics expenses, and inconsistent supply quality.

The solution

What was built

INFARM built modular indoor vertical farming units called Microfarms that use hydroponics and patented growth trays with proprietary lighting algorithms to grow produce without soil or pesticides. The project delivered working farm installations and completed a 3-month pilot with at least 5 clients, proving the farming-as-a-service model in real commercial settings.

Audience

Who needs this

Supermarket chains looking to reduce fresh produce waste and differentiate with ultra-local foodRestaurant chains and hotels wanting year-round consistent herb and greens supplyCorporate catering companies seeking sustainable sourcing for ESG commitmentsCommercial real estate developers adding food-production amenities to mixed-use propertiesUrban municipalities planning food security and local food production initiatives

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Grocery retail

enterprise

Target: Supermarket chains and specialty food retailers

If you are a grocery retailer dealing with food waste and the logistics of keeping herbs and leafy greens fresh — INFARM developed modular indoor Microfarms that can be installed directly in your store. The system uses 70% less water than conventional agriculture and eliminates transport-related spoilage. They completed a 3-month testing phase with at least 5 clients, proving the unit works in real retail environments.

Commercial real estate

mid-size

Target: Property developers and building managers with unused indoor space

If you are a property developer looking to add value to commercial or mixed-use buildings — INFARM created vertical farming units that turn unused indoor space into productive growing areas. Their patented growth tray system and proprietary lighting algorithms make the setup compact and efficient. With 32% of all food produced globally going to waste largely due to logistics, on-site growing eliminates the transport chain entirely.

Food service and hospitality

any

Target: Restaurant chains, hotels, and corporate catering companies

If you are a restaurant or hotel chain struggling with inconsistent herb and greens supply — INFARM built a farming-as-a-service model where Microfarms are installed at your location and managed remotely. The hydroponic system grows produce without soil or pesticides, delivering harvest-fresh ingredients year-round. Their demo included farm installation and testing with at least 5 clients over 3 months.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does this cost to implement?

INFARM operates a farming-as-a-service model, meaning clients likely pay a recurring fee rather than a large upfront capital expense. Based on available project data, specific pricing is not disclosed. Contact the company through infarm.de for current pricing and service packages.

Can this scale to supply a full retail chain?

The system is designed as modular Microfarms that can be replicated across locations. The project demonstrated installation and a 3-month testing phase with at least 5 clients, confirming the model works across multiple sites. The modular design means scaling is a matter of adding more units rather than redesigning the system.

What about intellectual property and licensing?

INFARM holds a patent on their growth tray technology and uses proprietary lighting algorithms. The company is the sole owner of the IP as a single-partner consortium. Businesses would access the technology through the farming-as-a-service model rather than licensing the technology directly.

Does this comply with food safety regulations?

The system uses hydroponics with no soil and no pesticides, which simplifies food safety compliance. Based on available project data, the 3-month client testing phase would have required meeting local food safety standards in Germany. Specific certifications are not detailed in the project documentation.

How quickly can a farm be installed and producing?

The project included a dedicated deliverable for farm installation, suggesting the process is standardized. Based on the 3-month testing timeline with at least 5 clients, the setup-to-harvest cycle appears rapid. Contact INFARM directly for current lead times and installation schedules.

How does this integrate with existing store operations?

The Microfarms are designed as self-contained units that fit into existing retail or food service spaces. The farming-as-a-service model means INFARM handles the technical management, including their proprietary lighting and growing algorithms, minimizing the burden on store staff.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a single-company project — Infarm GmbH from Germany is the sole participant, which is typical for SME Instrument Phase 2 grants. The consortium is 100% industry with no university or research institute partners, meaning all IP and know-how stays within the company. As an SME, INFARM has the agility to commercialize quickly. The absence of academic partners signals this is a market-scaling effort, not basic research. For a business buyer, this means you'd be working directly with the technology developer and commercial operator, not navigating a multi-partner academic consortium.

How to reach the team

Infarm - Indoor urban farming GmbH is based in Germany. Contact can be found through their website infarm.de or via SciTransfer's matchmaking service.

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Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore indoor vertical farming for your retail or food service operation? SciTransfer can arrange a direct introduction to the INFARM team and help you evaluate the business case for your specific situation.

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