Are you ready to explore the intersection of technology and agriculture with insights from a seasoned expert? Join me as I sit down with Floris Berghout, CEO of Viemose DGS, a leader in the horticulture industry. Floris brings a wealth of experience from his journey through various roles in horticulture, culminating in his current position where he bridges traditional and modern agricultural practices.
In our conversation, Floris shares his unexpected entry into the world of horticulture and how his passion for green technology and international business has shaped his career. We delve into the sophisticated technologies behind greenhouse systems and the innovative moving gutter systems for leafy greens and herbs that Viemose specializes in. Floris offers a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities within the vertical farming industry, emphasizing the importance of blending old and new knowledge to drive innovation.
Beyond the main discussion, we touch on the importance of mentorship, the dynamics of building a cohesive team, and the evolving landscape of indoor farming. Floris also shares his thoughts on the future of agriculture, the impact of climate change on farming practices, and the potential for growth in international markets.
Curious to learn more about how technology is transforming agriculture and what the future holds for this vital industry? Click to listen and gain valuable insights from Floris Berghout's experiences and vision for the future of farming.
05:00 Early Career and Horticulture
10:00 Moving Gutter Systems
15:00 Team Building and Company Culture
20:00 Industry Trends and Challenges
25:00 Conferences and Networking
30:00 Future Plans for Viemose
"I stumbled upon horticulture by chance, and it was a steep learning curve. But the industry either captivates you, or you leave straight away."
"The mindset is crucial. It's not about reaching the end, but enjoying the journey. I try to make the best out of every situation, even when things don't go as planned."
"Reach out and talk to people from all walks of life. Don't create a bubble for yourself. The more diverse your conversations, the more you learn and grow."
Website - https://viemose-dgs.dk/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/floris-berghout-88630a9/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ViemoseDgs
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHPRlFRsoGmCVj6usewG-FQ
VFP - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast
VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod
VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/
VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod
Vertical Farming Jobs - http://verticalfarmingjobs.com
Vertical Farming Weekly - www.getrevue.co/profile/verticalfarmingpodcast
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Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCast
Mentioned in this episode:
CEA Summit East 2024
Indoor AgCon 2025
Are you tired of bland supermarket produce that lacks flavor and nutrition? Join me as I dive into a conversation with Daniel Bosman, the innovative founder of Our Greenery, who is revolutionizing the way we think about food production and consumption. With a background in entrepreneurship and sustainable product development, Daniel brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the table, aiming to reconnect people with the food they eat.
In this episode, Daniel shares his journey from a young entrepreneur selling cocktails outside clubs to founding a company focused on hyper-local food production. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of creating the Raumgarten, a stylish and efficient indoor gardening system that allows users to grow fresh produce right in their living rooms. Daniel's insights into the importance of food quality and the impact of supply chains on nutrition are eye-opening and thought-provoking.
We also explore Daniel's diverse background, including his ventures in surfboard manufacturing and his passion for design and sustainability. The conversation touches on the role of technology in food production, the potential health benefits of interacting with living plants, and the importance of building a community around innovative food solutions.
Curious to learn how you can transform your relationship with food and embrace a healthier lifestyle? Click to listen to the full episode and discover the future of indoor farming with Daniel Bosman.
05:00 Fundraising and Major Customers
10:00 Passion for Electronic Music
20:00 Our Greenery's Mission
25:00 Product Design and Community
30:00 Form Factor and Market Approach
35:00 Challenges and Timing
40:00 Collaboration in the Industry
"I always love to create new things that have a combination of usefulness and design. With our greenery, that is hopefully the pinnacle of that journey, where a furniture piece can inspire people to live healthier and better."
"We have to step away from trying to be perfect or pretending something that is not natural because I feel that is actually one of the roots of our current society issues."
"I really believe that together we are standing a way better chance. This market is so young, and I think that even the D2C brands, even the brands that are doing similar products, should look into our timeline of the next products that we want to do."
Website - http://www.ourgreenery.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-bosman-og/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ourgreenery_de/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz0J896ueMg
VFP - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast
VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod
VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/
VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod
Vertical Farming Jobs - http://verticalfarmingjobs.com
Vertical Farming Weekly - www.getrevue.co/profile/verticalfarmingpodcast
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Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCast
Mentioned in this episode:
Indoor AgCon 2025
CEA Summit East 2024
Are you curious about the challenges and triumphs of building a business in the vertical farming industry? Join me as I sit down with Jacob, the Co-founder of FarmBox Foods, who shares his journey from firefighting to entrepreneurship. With a background in building companies and a passion for mission-driven work, Jake offers a unique perspective on the indoor farming space.
In our conversation, Jacob delves into the origins of FarmBox Foods, highlighting the company's evolution from an idea for shipping container homes to a thriving business in vertical farming. He discusses the development of their key products, including the Vertical Hydroponic Farm and the Gourmet Mushroom Farm, and the lessons learned along the way. Jacob’s insights into the importance of adaptability and learning from mistakes provide valuable takeaways for anyone interested in entrepreneurship.
We also explore the impact of COVID-19 on FarmBox Foods, the company's approach to team building, and the significance of mission-driven work. Jacob’s shares stories of how their products have made a difference in communities, from providing fresh food to creating educational opportunities. His reflections on the indoor farming industry and the importance of collaboration offer a thought-provoking look at the future of sustainable agriculture.
If you're eager to learn more about the innovative world of vertical farming and the inspiring journey of FarmBox Foods, click to listen to the full episode.
Discover how Jacob and his team are making a difference, one container at a time.
05:34 Entrepreneurial beginnings and firefighting
10:09 Transition to solar and business influences
15:34 Founding FarmBox and initial challenges
20:46 Impact of COVID-19 on business operations
26:00 Product offerings and market focus
31:07 Mission-driven approach and community impact
36:33 Industry insights and future outlook for FarmBox
"We started FarmBox in late 2017... we didn't know anything about the industry, we didn't know anything about what we were doing. We just kind of jumped into it and figured it out."
"There's a lot of problems in the world and I think there's a lot of smart people that can solve those problems, but they need to solve them. So if we can be part of the solution, which we're not the solution, you know, we're just this little piece of it, I think that's powerful."
"I think our food system is broken... people need to start understanding, you know, if we don't change it, like if we don't start changing what we're putting in our bodies, it's going to be really bad."
Website - https://farmboxfoods.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-savageau-0b99a5193/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/farmboxfoods/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@farmboxfoods
VFP - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast
VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod
VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/
VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod
Vertical Farming Jobs - http://verticalfarmingjobs.com
Vertical Farming Weekly - www.getrevue.co/profile/verticalfarmingpodcast
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Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCast
Mentioned in this episode:
CEA Summit East 2024
Indoor AgCon 2025
In this episode, I speak with Mattias Karls, a seasoned entrepreneur hailing from Stockholm, Sweden. Mattias shares his journey from the heartland of Sweden to becoming a serial entrepreneur, starting right after his university days during the IT boom of the late '90s. We dive into his experiences with his first company, which grew rapidly and hooked him on the thrill of entrepreneurship. Mattias also opens up about his time at Disruptive Materials, where he helped launch a groundbreaking new material, and how his career took a turn after a personal health challenge. His story is one of resilience and passion for innovation, and it's fascinating to hear how these experiences have shaped his approach to leadership and business.
We also explore Mattias's current venture, Direct Carbon, and the exciting potential it holds in the indoor farming and air quality sectors. Mattias talks about the company's origins, the innovative technology they're developing, and the unique challenges and opportunities in the vertical farming industry. He shares insights into the decision-making process behind joining Direct Carbon and the strategic moves they're making to expand their impact. Whether you're interested in entrepreneurship, cutting-edge technology, or sustainable solutions, Mattias's journey offers valuable lessons and inspiration.
Join us as we uncover the story behind Direct Carbon and the future of indoor farming.
02:05 Journey of a Serial Entrepreneur
8:26 The Disruptive Materials Journey
12:10 The Origin Story of Direct Carbon
18:09 The Potential of Direct Air Capture and Indoor Farming
22:54 Greentech Conference Experience
26:44 Direct Carbon Capture for Small Farms
29:25 Plug and Play Farm Technology
38:08 Challenges in the Indoor Farming Industry
39:42 Transitioning to New Technologies
"I think when you get more experienced, you have the confidence to actually make decisions, even if you don't have all the information. Early in your career, you gather input endlessly, thinking it will make the decision easier, but it often doesn't."
"We launched our first unit at Greentech, and having the machine running in the booth drew a lot of attention. It was a smart move because it allowed us to show how it worked, which was crucial for engaging potential clients."
"Balancing spending and progress is always a struggle in a startup. You want to invest in everything—fairs, customer visits, better processes—but you have to decide if it's the right time or if you should achieve certain milestones first."
Website - www.direct-carbon.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattiaskarls/
VFP - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast
VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod
VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/
VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod
Vertical Farming Jobs - http://verticalfarmingjobs.com
Vertical Farming Weekly - www.getrevue.co/profile/verticalfarmingpodcast
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Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCast
Mentioned in this episode:
Indoor AgCon 2025
CEA Summit East 2024
In this episode, I speak with Juan Gabriel Succar, the Co-founder of Verde Compacto, as he returns to share the latest developments in the world of vertical farming. Since our last conversation in 2022, Juan and his team have been busy refining their approach, focusing on standardizing their product offerings and expanding their reach. We dive into the lessons learned over the past two years, including the importance of selecting the right opportunities and aligning them with their core business strategy. Juan's insights into the evolving market in Mexico and beyond are invaluable, especially as he discusses the growing interest in vertical farming and the strategic shifts his company has made to stay ahead.
Juan also opens up about the exciting new projects Verde Compacto is working on, such as their micro-farming catalog aimed at bringing vertical farming into homes. He shares how the company is leveraging partnerships, like their collaboration with Siemens, to enhance their technology and data capabilities. We also explore the broader industry trends, including the increasing visibility of vertical farming in Mexico and the role of conferences in fostering industry growth.
Juan's passion for innovation and his commitment to making a positive impact through sustainable farming practices shine through, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of agriculture.
04:22 Lessons Learned from International Expansion
07:41 Evolution of Leadership Roles at Verde Compacto
12:55 Vertical Farming's Rise in Mexico
14:13 Building a Vertical Farming Ecosystem
15:34 Shift in Vertical Farming Investments
17:28 Launch of Micro Farming Catalog
22:19 The Impact of Severe Drought on Water Awareness
24:27 Political Environment and NAFTA's Role in North American Trade
28:04 Educating Consumers on Home Hydroponics
29:53 Vertical Farming's Brand Strategy in Mexico
31:20 Growth of Vertical Farming Industry in Mexico
34:20 Zen Communities in Mexico
"Experience is the best teacher there is. We've made a lot of mistakes on this road, but these mistakes have helped us improve our quality controls, selling terms, sales strategy, and partnerships."
"Our client's success is our own success. Most of the success of the client is in the daily operations and management of the farms."
"As long as we work together and are willing to cooperate, make partnerships, and talk about success stories, more than seeing us as competitors, we can create confidence behind the industry."
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-gabriel-succar-abascal-53331b191/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerdeCompacto
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/verdecompacto/
VFP - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast
VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod
VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/
VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod
Vertical Farming Jobs - http://verticalfarmingjobs.com
Vertical Farming Weekly - www.getrevue.co/profile/verticalfarmingpodcast
🎙️🎙️🎙️
Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCast
Mentioned in this episode:
CEA Summit East 2024
Indoor AgCon 2025