The announcement was made last week at Intelligent Growth Solutions Ltd’s COP 26 exhibition site with the total raise reaching £42.2 million.
This latest investment round has been supported by new investors including COFRA AG (Zug, Switzerland), Cleveland Avenue LLC (Chicago) and DC Thomson (Dundee, Scotland).
COFRA, Cleveland Avenue and DC Thomson were joined by existing institutional investors Ospraie Ag Science (New York City), S2G Ventures (Chicago), venture capital firm AgFunder (San Francisco); and Scottish Enterprise in the Series B investment round, with private shareholders and IGS staff also contributing.
Donald Brenninkmeijer, Director appointed by COFRA, commented: “With a growing population putting ever greater strain on resources and the environment, there is an urgent need for sustainable, high-yield forms of food production. We’re excited to support IGS on its journey to resolve the dual challenge of food insecurity and environmental degradation through its vertical farming technology.
“IGS’s technology is unique, its growth plan solid and we are confident in its potential to rethink the future of agricultural food systems.”
Donald Brenninkmeijer and Jason Mraz from Ospraie Ag Science LLC have both been appointed to the IGS Board as non-executive directors.
Speaking at IGS’ COP26 demonstration site in Glasgow, First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said: “Here at COP26, it’s fantastic to see a Scottish company at the forefront of innovation in agri-tech and vertical farming attracting investment from across the world. With a great team behind it and support from Scottish Enterprise, IGS is expanding rapidly and now has nearly 150 staff. This investment will enable its next stage of global growth. The success of IGS shows that the transition to net zero can create new opportunities for fair work and prosperity. The Scottish Government is determined to work with businesses and partners to grasp those opportunities as part of a just transition to net zero.”
The Series B investment reflects a broad, global momentum driving agricultural transformation and will be pivotal for IGS’ technical development and enhancement of scientific understanding. It will allow wider and faster market penetration for IGS as demand for its technology increases from growers, retailers and governments aiming to address food security issues, mitigate environmental concerns and develop sustainable methods of production and new business models in their regions.
IGS Chief Executive Officer David Farquhar said: “We are delighted to welcome the First Minister to our COP 26 site as we make this incredibly important announcement for our business. The conclusion of a hugely over-subscribed Series B round represents another exciting step for IGS and our investors. We have been supported with this investment by well-established, globally recognised and highly ethical investors in COFRA, Cleveland Avenue and DC Thomson, who understand the transformational potential of our technology for controlled environment agriculture.
“There is growing realisation in all regions of the world that sustainable, deliverable and scalable food production is fundamental to the future of the planet and its people. The challenge to deliver this is more important than ever, with the backdrop to this announcement coming at COP 26 and the pivotal actions being agreed here. An Agriculture 4.0 future must revolutionise crop production and the science behind it, and with high levels of investor confidence in the future of indoor and vertical farming and the brilliant innovation taking place, this vision can become a certainty.”
The Series B funding round was overseen by Alistair Lang and Victoria McLaren of Thorntons Solicitors, principal legal advisors for IGS.
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