Infarm
Berlin, Germany · Operator: Infarm - Indoor Urban Farming GmbH
Overview
A Berlin-founded firm that raised over $500M to become Europe's largest urban vertical farmer; after mass layoffs and insolvencies in 2022–2023 it retreated from Europe.
Citizen participation
In-store modular growing units brought production close to shoppers, but growing itself was company-run.
Operating model
Commercial model installing modular vertical farms in supermarkets and hubs to grow herbs and greens close to point of sale.
Impact
Soaring energy prices prevented profitability; inflation, supply-chain disruption and slower market growth compounded, cutting over half of its 500+ staff. It became insolvent in Germany, the UK and the Netherlands and wound down European operations. Lesson: energy-cost-exposed indoor farming struggles in high-energy Europe.
Crops
- herbs
- leafy greens
Scale
Laid off ~50% of 500 staff in late 2022; declared insolvent in Germany, the UK and the Netherlands in 2023 and exited Europe
Sources(2)
This entry is compiled from the public sources, official sites and research below.
Related cases
Pasona Urban Farm (Pasona O2)
JPTokyo, Japan
An indoor farm created by staffing company Pasona inside its Otemachi headquarters, with rice paddies in the lobby and tomatoes in meeting rooms, pioneering the fusion of office and farm.
en.japantravel.com+1
EAT LOCAL KOBE FARMSTAND (Kitanozaka)
JPKobe, Japan
A permanent shop that lets people experience the weekly EAT LOCAL KOBE Farmers Market every day. Open daily in Kobe's Kitanozaka, it sells local agricultural and marine products, processed goods, drinks and bread, with a cafe, serving as a standing hub for connecting producers and consumers.
eatlocalkobe.org+1
Tokyo Portcity Takeshiba Skip Terrace
JPTokyo, Japan
A greened low-rise terrace of a Takeshiba office tower with a rice paddy, vegetable beds and beehives, run as corporate branding offering growing experiences to workers and local children.
tokyu-land.co.jp
Mayakovsky Park Community Garden (Greenhouse)
RUYekaterinburg, Russia
Yekaterinburg's first community garden, opened in 2021 in Mayakovsky Central Park by converting an old greenhouse once used to grow the park's flowers. Residents rent beds free of charge and grow plants year-round.
e1.ru+1