Vertically Urban

This interview details Vertically Urban, an indoor farming company based in the UK. The interview is with Andrew Little, Chief Executive Officer of Vertically Urban.

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What is the origin story of Vertically Urban?

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Having been in the optoelectronics industry for some time, in 2010 I co-founded Vertically Urban’s sister company, Vexica. The company rapidly established itself amongst the leaders in the architectural lighting sector, expanding the team and building bespoke in-house production facilities.

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Always looking for areas to apply our experience and expertise, in 2019 I challenged the team to produce a highly efficient luminaire for use in vertical farming. Vertically Urban was formed off the back of that challenge and we’ve never looked back, continuing to push the limits of what is possible. 

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What are some of the biggest challenges facing Vertically Urban in the future? 

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The realm of horticultural LED lighting is a relatively new but rapidly advancing field, with significant resources being continuously invested in research. This surge in exploration makes it increasingly challenging to stay updated and assess the latest findings, a task crucial for staying ahead in development.

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Recognizing this need early on, we forged our plant science team – a vital component of the Vertically Urban family. Their role is pivotal in navigating the fast-paced landscape of horticultural LED advancements, ensuring that we not only keep pace but lead the charge in shaping the future of this technology.

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We’re also looking to apply our hard-fought knowledge of the sector to new markets and areas outside of lighting, which will be an exciting challenge that the team are looking forward to with gusto.

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What is unique about Vertically Urban compared to competitors? 

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With 15 years of expertise in LED technology through our sister company, our team brings a wealth of experience to the table. Every Vertically Urban product not only benefits from this extensive knowledge but is also fully designed and manufactured at our UK-based factory. This ensures that only the finest 'tier 1' components are employed in their construction.

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Our focus revolves around maximizing efficacy and efficiency. Simultaneously, we're dedicated to minimizing the vertical height occupied by our fixtures, paving the way for increased crop density per cubic meter.

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As part of our design philosophy, we strategically position power supplies remotely from the luminaire. This not only enhances safety but also facilitates the removal of heat from the growing space. This clever approach can unlock potential savings of up to 10% on HVAC costs, aligning with our commitment to both performance and practicality.

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What size growing areas (range) do you typically work with? 

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We collaborate with farms of various sizes, catering to the needs of microgreen growers cultivating just a couple of square meters, mid-sized research facilities managing a few hundred square meters, and even the largest commercial growers overseeing thousands of square meters.

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Our capacity to accommodate this diverse range of clients stems from our cutting-edge, UK-based factory, empowering us with unparalleled flexibility of our production schedule.

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Irrespective of the scale, our dedicated team ensures a consistent and personalized approach to every potential customer. Leveraging the expertise of our plant science team and incorporating specific customer preferences, our engineers meticulously design and simulate the optimal solution. This results in a proposed layout tailored to the unique requirements of each farm in consideration.

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Energy is a big topic in indoor farming right now. What rates for indoor farms are you seeing for electricity (kWh)? Is it mainly from the grid or renewables?

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The focus on energy use in the industry is indeed stronger than ever, especially with energy prices still hovering at unprecedented levels (though slightly down from last year's peak). This has reignited the ongoing mission to slash energy consumption in indoor farming for long-term sustainability.

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Lighting takes a hefty 40% chunk of a farm's total energy use. That's where Vertically Urban steps in with innovations that can make a real difference. Take our latest star, Horti-Blaze—it's crafted to need fewer luminaires than the competition, often translating into energy savings of 10-20%. Our design team aren't resting on their laurels…They're cooking up a tunable spectrum version of the Horti-Blaze as I speak which can unlock further potential savings because the grower can select the exact spectrum required by their crop at any given time.

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Now, let's talk grid vs. renewable energy. Many of our savvy customers are putting their money into renewable sources to power their farms for the long haul. But here's a twist: in the current market, some find it juicier to sell the excess energy back to the grid instead of using it to run their farm. It's a tricky choice, and it's even impacted some UK glasshouses, causing them to miss or cut short their growing season.

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We’ll always continue to push the envelope of what is possible with LED technology producing some of the most effective and efficient luminaires in the market. In addition, we’re looking towards new technology for even bigger potential savings for our customers through the development of our AI analysis and control platform HORISS. Watch this space!

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How can people connect with you or learn more about Vertically Urban?

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We genuinely love to talk about what we do and would welcome any potential customers or collaborators to get in touch. The easiest way is via email at hello@verticallyurban.com, but you can reach out on LinkedIn or even give us a call at +44 (0)113 3226459. We look forward to hearing from you!

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