Vertical farming innovations are turning heads. Big names like Jeff Bezos are investing, and even NASA is exploring vertical farming to grow food sustainably in space. The global market for vertical farming is poised for remarkable growth of $35 billion by 2030.
With huge opportunities lying ahead, companies are rushing to secure their spot, using patents to protect their unique innovations and stand out in this competitive space.
Curious to know these leading innovators?
Here, we have listed the top ten vertical farming companies leveraging patented technologies to lead the industry, grow faster, and reshape the future of agriculture.
Let’s dive in.
1. Plenty Unlimited, Inc.
Plenty is a California-based vertical farming company backed by major investors like SoftBank and Jeff Bezos. The company focuses on scalable, high-tech farming solutions.
Source: plenty.ag
Patents Filed:
100+ patents as of 2024.
Key Patented Innovations:
(Based on company disclosures, direct patents under Plenty as the assignee were not found in Google Patents.)
Modular vertical growing systems: Patented towers for uniform nutrient delivery, airflow, and lighting (used for strawberries, leafy greens, and tomatoes).
AI-driven environmental control: Software to optimize temperature, humidity, and light, analyzing 10M+ data points daily.
Pollination technology: Patent-pending airflow method for efficient strawberry pollination.
Crop genetics: Patented tomato varieties and plant stress-detection systems.
2. AeroFarms
AeroFarms is a New Jersey-based leader in aeroponic vertical farming, using a soil-free, mist-based growing system to optimize plant health while reducing water usage by 95%. The company specializes in leafy greens and microgreens, supplying retailers and food service providers with year-round, pesticide-free produce grown in fully climate-controlled farms.
Source: AeroFarms indoor vertical farming
Patents Filed:
10+ granted patents, 20+ published applications (filed across the U.S., Japan, China, Singapore, South Africa, UAE, Hong Kong, and South Korea)
Key Patented Innovations:
(The applications listed below are highlighted on the Intellectual Property page on their website.)
Method and Apparatus for Aeroponic Farming (US8533992B2 & US8782948B2) – Covers aeroponic farming processes, replacing soil with mist-based nutrient delivery for optimized plant growth.
Rotomolded Vertical Farming Apparatus and System (US10182537B1) – Covers a durable, modular vertical farming structure that enhances scalability and efficiency in aeroponic farms.
Cleaner System and Method for Plant Growth Media (US10801147B2) – Describes a cleaning system for soilless plant growth media, improving farm hygiene and plant health.
Leaf Color Pattern Creation (US10750672B2) – Covers methods for enhancing plant aesthetics and leaf pigmentation, which may be useful for premium produce markets.
It’s evident that AeroFarms has strategically patented multiple aspects of vertical farming, covering everything from apparatus to growing methods. No doubt, they have a robust innovation team that collaborates to generate a broad range of promising ideas.
| 💡Spotting high-value innovations takes a thorough review from key teams like R&D, business leadership, and patent counsel. Using collaboration tools and structured evaluation methods, like an idea evaluation matrix, can make this process smoother and help ensure the best ideas move forward. |
3. Freight Farms
Freight Farms, a leader in hydroponic vertical farming systems, operates globally with over 800 farms in 41 countries. Founded in 2013 in Boston by Brad McNamara and Jon Friedman, the company revolutionizes local food access with its Greenery™ container farms and farmhand® software, aiming to make fresh produce accessible anywhere, enhance sustainability, and empower communities and businesses worldwide.
Source: freightfarms.com/home/
Patents Filed:
A total of 15 patents as per CB Insights, with a focus on sustainable agriculture, agriculture, and horticulture.
Key Patented Innovations:
Closed Farm System (US11730090B2): This patent covers a closed farm system with controlled airflow and temperature regulation, integrating LED lighting and airflow ductwork to create an optimal microclimate for plant growth.
Modular Farm with Carousel System (US11202418B2): Freight Farms’ container farms utilize vertical grow towers within a rotatable carousel system, allowing easy access to plants while maximizing space. This includes separate zones for plant growth and maintenance.
Panel Assembly with Nutrient Flow Channels (US11026380B2): This patent describes a panel assembly with nutrient flow channels aligned with grow pockets, providing efficient nutrient distribution to ensure every plant receives an optimal amount of resources.
High-Yield Plant Production System (US10271486): This system includes a container, a growing station, and a monitoring system. The growing station features vertical racks, a lighting system, an irrigation system, a climate control system, and a ventilation system. The monitoring system provides real-time data and alerts to users.
High-Yield Fungi Production System (US10172301B2): Techniques for generating high-yield fungi production are disclosed, including a modular container with a growing system that includes substrate preparation, pasteurization, inoculation, and vertical racks for holding growing containers.
4. 80 Acres Urban Agriculture, Inc.
80 Acres Urban Agriculture, Inc. (commonly known as 80 Acres Farms), with headquarters in Hamilton, Ohio, is a leading innovator in indoor vertical farming, specializing in fully automated, data-driven farms that produce fresh, pesticide-free produce year-round.
Source: 80acresfarms.com
Patents Filed:
6 unique patent filings (2 granted, four published applications)
Key Patented Innovations:
High-Density Indoor Farming Apparatus (US11672209B2, Granted) – Modular carts/trays for vertical plant growth with integrated climate control.
Remote Indoor Farm Control System (US11638402B2, Granted) – Cloud-based system for monitoring and automating farm conditions like water levels, pH, CO₂, and temperature.
Method and Apparatus for Autonomous Indoor Farming (WO2021097368A1, Pending): Protects an AI-driven system that monitors plant conditions in real-time and automatically adjusts light, temperature, humidity, and nutrients for optimized growth.
The patent family tree for this application shows it was immediately filed internationally (WO, EP, US, JP, AU, CA, MX) to secure key markets, block competitors, and support global expansion & licensing in regions where automated, sustainable agriculture is in high demand.
Source: Patent Family Tree by TIP ToolTM
5. OnePointOne
OnePointOne, founded in 2017 by Samuel and John Bertram in Avondale, Arizona, revolutionizes agriculture with cutting-edge vertical farming technologies. With $21.2 million in revenue and 90 employees, their mission is to “nourish the world” by developing automated vertical farms that grow food, develop medicines, and explore plant genetics.
Source: Opollo™
Patents Filed:
5+ patents have been filed, and one of them has been granted.
Key Patented Innovations:
Vertical Farming Systems and Methods (US11483988): This granted patent outlines an automatic vertical farming system equipped with robotics, lighting, and controlled delivery systems for nutrients and gases, optimizing the plant growth environment and operational efficiency.
Advanced Modular Lighting System (US20220400623): Focuses on a modular lighting system for vertical farms that can be easily configured and managed by overhead robots, enhancing energy efficiency and adaptability in plant illumination.
Infiltration Chamber Integration (US20220201926): Introduces an infiltration chamber within the farming framework that allows for precise application of inoculants to plants, increasing disease resistance and crop yield.
Comprehensive Farming Control System (US20220087114): Features a networked control system that receives remote configuration instructions to automate planting, maintenance, and harvesting processes, significantly reducing labor requirements and improving crop consistency.
6. Eden Green Technology
Eden Green Technology, founded in 2017 in Cleburne, Texas, by Jacques and Eugene van Buuren, innovates in vertical farming with sustainable hydroponic systems. Offering turnkey solutions, their greenhouses produce pesticide-free, non-GMO crops using 99% less land and water.
Source: edengreen.com/tech
Collaborating with giants like Walmart, Eden Green enhances local food production, cuts costs, and supports global food security. With $16 million raised for expansion, they continue to pioneer in agricultural technology.
Patents Filed:
Currently holds five patents related to hydroponic systems and planters.
Key Patented Innovations:
Hydroponic Planter (US12041892B2): This patent describes a hydroponic planter with a longitudinal body featuring two liquid channels and plant holders. The plant holders are spaced on the outer circumference and connected to the liquid channels for efficient nutrient delivery.
Hydroponic Planter System (US11602106B2): Covers a hydroponic planter system designed for optimal nutrient flow and plant growth efficiency.
Hydroponic Planter with Liquid Channels (US10932425B2): Focuses on a planter forming part of a hydroponic system, featuring liquid channels and plant holders for effective irrigation and nutrient distribution.
Hydroponic Planter with Longitudinal Channels (US10524434B2): Describes a hydroponic planter with longitudinal liquid channels and plant holders to enhance nutrient delivery to plants.
Hydroponics Planter (US20230200321): A pending patent application detailing advancements in hydroponic planter design for improved efficiency and scalability.
7. AGEYE Technologies, Inc.
AGEYE Technologies, Inc. leads in AI-powered vertical farming and controlled environment agriculture (CEA), enhancing indoor farming efficiency and sustainability. Through strategic partnerships and recent advancements, including the acquisition of HYVE and backing from MANN+HUMMEL, AGEYE aims to make vertical farming accessible, reducing waste and optimizing resource use to improve crop health and streamline operations, pushing the boundaries of agricultural technology.
Source: ageyetech.com
Patents Filed:
Four patents as of now.
Key Patented Innovations:
AGEYE Technologies, Inc. has developed a suite of patents around their innovative AI-powered plant-growth optimization system. These patents are continuations of one another, indicating an evolving technology that the company has refined over time. Here’s a breakdown of what the parent-child relationship of these patents looks like:
Source: Patent Family Tree by TIP ToolTM
AI-powered Autonomous Plant-Growth Optimization System (US10803312): This is their foundational patent that introduces a system that, deployed to an edge device at the indoor farm, automates the adjustment of light and other environmental factors, ensuring optimal plant growth conditions. It establishes the base technology for subsequent refinements.
AI-powered Autonomous Plant-Growth Optimization System (US11308715): Building on the initial technology, this patent enhances the AI-driven optimization system by improving the integration and responsiveness of the machine-learning model. It focuses on deploying these advancements directly within the farm’s operational framework to enhance real-time data processing and decision-making.
AI-powered Autonomous Plant-Growth Optimization System (US11775828): This continuation patent further refines the system by streamlining the deployment of machine learning models and enhancing connectivity solutions between sensors and the cloud. It ensures that the real-time adjustments of environmental conditions are even more precise, improving crop yield and quality.
Optimization System That Automatically Adjusts Input Variables to Yield Desired Harvest Traits (US12182709): Latest patent in this series advances the technology by focusing on the self-regulating features of the system, where the growth of the plants directly influences and controls the spectral output and intensity of the light.
While finding AbEYE’s filled patents, we have come up with data suggesting their latest application is assigned to Art Unit 2675, which is known for its expertise in AI data processing and generic control systems.
| 📌 What does “Art Unit” mean? An Art Unit is a group of patent examiners at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that reviews patent applications in a specific area of technology. Each Art Unit falls under a Technology Center (TC) and is responsible for examining applications related to fields such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, or telecommunications. 💡 Example: If an inventor applies for a patent on new AI-powered medical imaging software, the USPTO assigns the application to an Art Unit specializing in artificial intelligence and healthcare technologies. Examiners in that unit assess whether the invention meets patentability requirements under 35 U.S.C. §§ 101, 102, 103, and 112. Understanding which Art Unit examines your patent can help in optimizing prosecution, predicting examination trends, and even drafting claims that align with the unit’s approach. |
The assignment to the correct art unit is critical, as it heavily influences the likelihood of a patent’s approval. Notably, Art Unit 2675 boasts a high allowance rate, exceeding 94%, indicating a generally favorable environment for patent approvals.
Source: Portfolio Manager by TIP ToolTM
On the other hand, some art units, like Art Unit 2121, have a lower allowance rate of 72.7%, with many others even lower.
Therefore, we strongly advocate optimizing your patent prosecution strategy using the Art Unit Predictor tool. These tools help you navigate away from challenging Art Units with examiners known for low allowance rates, enhancing your strategy right from the start.
In fact, Art Unit Predictor tools can indicate the likely art unit for your idea at an early stage. This allows you to refine your application proactively, steering clear of stringent Art Units and avoiding multiple office actions and rejections during the patenting process. Such strategic adjustments ensure that your resources are used efficiently, increasing your chances of a successful patent grant.
8. GrowPura
GrowPura, a UK-based agricultural technology firm founded in 2012, specializes in advanced hydroponic solutions for vertical farming. Serving both the food and pharmaceutical sectors, GrowPura focuses on sustainability by reducing energy use and eliminating pesticides.
Source: growpura.com/solutions
Recently, they partnered with OAZO USA Inc. for global expansion, aiming to strengthen food security with environmentally friendly farming innovations.
Patents Filed:
A total of 4 patents for its innovative Vertical Farming System (VFS). Additionally, there is a U.S. patent application filed by GrowPura Ltd., assigned to H2O-GANICS LIMITED, with the patent number US12010959B2. However, this patent is not directly held by GrowPura but is associated with their technology.
Key Patented Innovations:
Systems and methods for hydroponic plant growth (US12010959B2) – The patent addresses a significant limitation in traditional greenhouse crop production, where typically only 85% of the floor area is used for growing crops. This invention proposes a system that increases the usable growing area by four times. It achieves this through:
#1. Conveyor System: Plants are moved around a closed loop using a conveyor.
#2. Carriages and Trays: A plurality of carriages is mounted on the conveyor, each supporting at least one tray for plant growth.
#3. Efficiency: This design optimizes space usage and enhances productivity within the same footprint.
This system is designed to improve hydroponic farming’s scalability and efficiency, making it suitable for commercial applications.
Source: Patent Family Tree by TIP ToolTM
In the family tree above, you can see that the patent, initially filed in the UK, has been extended to other countries, starting with Singapore. This strategic decision is driven by the realization of the demand for vertical farming in specific geographies where land is a constraint.
9. Bowery Farming Inc.
Founded in 2015, Bowery Farming emerged as a leader in vertical farming, utilizing advanced technology to grow pesticide-free produce in urban indoor environments. The company aimed to revolutionize agriculture by producing fresh, locally sourced greens year-round, regardless of external weather conditions.
Source: Bowery in Forbes
Bowery’s proprietary operating system, BoweryOS, integrated automation, sensors, robotics, and artificial intelligence to optimize crop growth and resource efficiency.
Patents Filed:
Three patents, focusing on technological advancements in indoor farming systems.
Key Patented Innovations:
System and Method for Real-Time Light Mapping (US12228449): This patent discloses devices and systems for real-time light mapping in indoor or vertical farming, aiming to optimize light distribution for plant growth.
Systems, Methods, and Devices for Harvesting Plants with an Ultrasonic Blade (US20240049646): This application describes systems and devices that use ultrasonic blades to harvest plants efficiently, enhancing the precision and speed of the harvesting process.
Product Packaging (USD844429): This design patent covers innovative product packaging, reflecting Bowery’s attention to both functional and aesthetic aspects of its product offerings.
10. BrightFarms
BrightFarms is changing how fresh produce reaches consumers. Known for hydroponically grown greens, BrightFarms builds climate-controlled indoor farms close to major markets, reducing food miles and delivering produce faster and fresher. Its innovative farming techniques have attracted significant investment, allowing BrightFarms to expand rapidly across the U.S.
Source: linkedin.com/company/brightfarms/
Patents Filed:
BrightFarms has filed two patent applications by now.
Key Patented Innovations:
Hydroponic High-Density Grow Board for Deep Water Culture (US20210289725A1): This application describes a hydroponic grow board designed to enhance plant density and yield in deep water culture systems.
Centralized Planning and Analytics System for Greenhouse Growing of Hydroponic Greens (US20230267394A1): This application details a system for centralized planning and analytics in greenhouse environments, optimizing the cultivation of hydroponic greens.
Before We Wrap Up
We’ve explored these industry leaders and their strategic patenting efforts, and one thing is clear: competition in vertical farming is fierce, and innovation is the key to staying ahead. To carve out your place in this constantly rising and evolving landscape, having the right innovation pipeline management strategy is essential. This means not only capturing groundbreaking ideas but also systematically evaluating their worth, filtering the most promising ones, and efficiently filing for patent protection.
With our intuitive TIP Tool™, you can streamline this entire process, ensuring that your innovations are safeguarded and your competitive edge remains strong in this rapidly growing market.
But don’t rush in just yet. See it in action first! We invite you to explore TIP Tool™ with a free trial to experience how it simplifies IP management. The choice to upgrade is entirely yours, based on what suits your needs best.
