When Maximilian Lössl read the book "The Vertical Farm: Feeding the World in the 21st Century" by Dr. Dickson Despommiers, the future agrilution founder quickly realized: vertical farming was exactly his thing! He wanted to earn money with it and make a contribution to society.
Vertical farming is a special form of urban agriculture. Based on circular economy and hydroponics under greenhouse conditions, fruits, vegetables, salads, and much more are grown year-round in building complexes on several levels stacked one above the other.
plantCube: The greenhouse for your home
Agrilution In this context, agrilution has a unique development: the plantCube, a greenhouse for the home, which is scheduled to be launched in 2016. The goals of agrilution are quickly explained: to raise awareness of healthy nutrition in society and to bring healthy, nutrient-rich food directly to the end consumer.
The plantCube resembles a standard built-in refrigerator, equipped with a transparent glass door that allows the consumer to watch their green plants diligently thrive.
“With the plantCube, the end consumer harvests directly from the field to the plate”, explains Chief Operating Officer Manuel Ott.
According to the manufacturer, everything consumers grow in their plantCube has a significantly higher nutrient content than vegetables from supermarkets. This is due, among other things, to the ideal growing conditions in the enclosed plantCube system, the special LEDs, and the elimination of transport routes. The vertical farming method can save up to 98 percent of water consumption compared to conventional agriculture. Fertilizer consumption can be reduced to approximately 60 percent, and land use can be halved.
This means no nutrients are lost, nor is there food waste. Unlike many products that have to travel many miles on their way to our supermarket, food produced in the plantCube doesn't accumulate food miles. Consumers can easily operate their plantCube via an app.
Manuel, who is also responsible for the seed mats called “seedbundle,” makes it clear in an interview with Munich Startup that, given the current global development, there is no way around vertical farming, both demographically and economically and ecologically.
"Currently, humanity cultivates an agricultural area the size of South America. By 2050, we would need an additional area the size of Brazil. And with a constantly growing population, that can't work."
That's why agrilution wants to make a start with the plantCube and embark on a "flight to the top." In the long run, the actual monetization will come from the sale of seed mats, which are distributed by agrilution using a specially developed substrate and untreated seeds and can be easily disposed of in organic waste after harvesting.
New models to follow
In 2016, agrilution plans to initially launch 500 units. Interested parties can already pre-order the plantCube without obligation. The Munich-based startup plans to further expand its product portfolio in the coming years. Currently, it's possible to grow baby lettuce and various herbs, with tomatoes, strawberries, mini cucumbers, and much more to follow.
A market analysis has already shown that there is significant potential for the product in the European market alone. Currently, agrilution has two business angels on board. However, the company is still looking for investors who can identify with the founders' ideas and ideals. At the end of the conversation with Munich Startup, Manuel Ott reiterates that he and his colleagues at agrilution naturally want to make money with the company, but that the monetary aspect is only one part of the project:
“We are not all here to become multimillionaires, but we are here to make a small change, in the positive and right direction.”
You can find further information about agrilution on the website of the company.
