Posts By Nicola Kerslake
5 Ways to Fund Your Indoor Agriculture Venture’s Expansion
April 20, 2018 | Nicola KerslakeAccess to sufficient appropriate capital remains one of the greatest keys to success for indoor agriculture entrepreneurs. In a survey conducted of indoor agriculture industry participants, Newbean Capital found that 53% of respondents stated their biggest business challenge was finding enough funding to operate or expand their farm. In addition, 74% of respondents were currently seeking external capital for their farm.
When discussing funding options for expansion, it is important to make the distinction between debt-based funding and equity-based funding. Debt-based funding is a loan. You either pay it back in installments, or when the loan comes due. Equity funding, on the other hand, is funding that gives investors shares in your company. Typically, with equity funding, an investor does not expect repayment until the business is sold or another investor buys their stake in the business. Read More
Top 5 Advantages of Container Farming
April 20, 2018 | Nicola KerslakeThe allure of container farming has introduced many new farmers to indoor agriculture. Their portability and low fixed costs have expanded the possibilities for grow sites for many people. Based on discussions with industry players, we estimate that there are between 250 and 300 branded container farms in the world, with likely as many “homegrown” operations in existence.
This growing practice has not only captured the imagination of the media, but it has also attracted entrepreneurs and investors. A container farm’s size, cost and ability to grow in extreme temperatures have made it a great indoor farming option. Here are their five top advantages: Read More
Indoor Farming Exec Sees Industry Growth in Urban, Small-scale Localized Production
April 3, 2017 | Nicola KerslakeJoe Swartz is Vice President at American Hydroponics (AmHydro), a longstanding indoor agriculture consultant and supplier. Based in California, the company services clients across the world. Joe has a lengthy career as a grower, and lives with his family on his East coast family farm. Ahead of his presentation at Indoor Ag-Con in May, we posed five questions to him on the hydroponic greenhouse industry and growing on Mars. Read More
Indoor Growing Propels a Small Town’s Reign as ‘Mushroom Capital of World’
March 28, 2017 | Nicola KerslakeMichael Guttman is the Sustainability Officer for Kennett Towsnhip, PA, a small town that single-handedly supplies around half of the US’s mushroom supplies. A veteran of the IT world, Michael is applying his entrepreneurial skills to aiding the town in diversifying … Read More
Indoor Ag-Con Returns to Las Vegas to Discuss Farm Economics and New Technology Trends in Hydroponics, Aquaponics & Aeroponics
March 14, 2017 | Nicola Kerslake
Photo credit: Robert Puro.
News Release — Las Vegas, NV – March 14, 2017 — Indoor agriculture – growing crops using hydroponic, aquaponic and aeroponic techniques – has become popular as consumer demand for “local food” leads growers to add new farms in industrial and suburban areas across the country. Indoor Ag-Con – the industry’s premier conference – will be returning to Las Vegas for the fifth year on May 3-4, 2017 to discuss the prospects for this increasingly important contributor to the global food supply chain.
The two-day event will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and is tailored toward corporate executives from the technology, investment, vertical farming, greenhouse growing, and food and beverage industries, along with hydroponic, aquaponic and aeroponic startups and urban farmers. It is unique in being crop-agnostic, covering crops from leafy greens and mushrooms to alternate proteins and legal cannabis. Participants will receive an exclusive hard copy of the newest edition in a popular white paper series, which is sponsored by Urban Crops and will focus on the US industry’s development. Read More
Visit our sister sites!
