Freya Cultivation Systems, a Lithuanian AgTech startup, is revolutionizing greenhouse farming with its innovative Aeroframe technology. In December 2024, the company secured €500,000 in seed funding to advance this groundbreaking system, aiming to enhance efficiency and profitability in controlled environment agriculture.
Overview of Freya Cultivation Systems
Founded in 2019 by a team of young scientists, Freya Cultivation Systems is dedicated to transforming the landscape of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). The company focuses on developing advanced aeroponic irrigation platforms that enable scalable and sustainable greenhouse farming. Their mission is to improve greenhouse profitability by engineering complex technologies into simple, efficient solutions.
Freya has already made significant strides in the AgTech sector, with deployments in various international projects. Notably, the company has been involved in pilot projects in Djibouti and South Africa, demonstrating the versatility and effectiveness of their technology in diverse environments.
The Aeroframe Technology
What is Aeroframe?
The Aeroframe is Freya’s flagship product—a three-dimensional cultivation platform equipped with advanced aeroponic irrigation. This system utilizes A-frame structures to double the active cultivation area within the same greenhouse footprint. By suspending plant roots in the air and delivering nutrient-rich mist through proprietary ultrasonic E-nozzles, the Aeroframe enhances root oxygenation, leading to faster growth and higher yields.
Benefits:
- Increased Yield: The Aeroframe can deliver up to double the yield for various crops—such as strawberries, lettuce, herbs, and tomatoes—compared to existing systems.
- Resource Efficiency: Aeroponic systems use up to 95% less water than traditional methods, making the Aeroframe a sustainable choice for modern agriculture.
- Enhanced Profitability: By increasing plant density and optimizing resource use, the Aeroframe helps growers achieve higher margins and a faster return on investment.
- Adaptability: The system is suitable for a wide variety of crops, including microgreens, baby leaf lettuce, and strawberries, ensuring maximum yield and efficiency.
Key Features:
- Three-Dimensional Structures: The A-frame design maximizes the use of vertical space, effectively doubling the cultivation area per unit of floor space.
- Ultrasonic E-Nozzles: Freya’s proprietary ultrasonic nozzles ensure precise and efficient irrigation, producing a fine mist that enhances nutrient uptake and reduces the risk of clogging.
- FreyaOS Operating System: This powerful software provides real-time analytics and control over cultivation processes, optimizing every aspect of greenhouse operations.
The Aeroframe is designed for seamless integration into existing greenhouses and is adaptable to different automation levels, making it a versatile solution for growers aiming to enhance productivity and sustainability in their operations.
The Funding Round
In December 2024, Freya Cultivation Systems secured €500,000 in seed funding to advance its Aeroframe technology. This investment round was led by Coinvest Capital, contributing approximately €250,000, with additional participation from BSV Ventures, Sofigama, and Zunami Oy. The funding is earmarked for launching pilot projects, developing a demonstration greenhouse near Kaunas, and enhancing automation features within the Aeroframe system.
Implications for Agriculture
Freya’s Aeroframe technology has the potential to significantly impact greenhouse farming by:
- Enhancing Efficiency: The system’s three-dimensional structures and advanced aeroponic irrigation can double cultivation areas within existing greenhouse spaces, leading to increased productivity.
- Promoting Sustainability: Aeroponic systems use up to 95% less water than traditional methods, aligning with sustainable agricultural practices.
- Boosting Profitability: By increasing plant density and optimizing resource use, the Aeroframe system can deliver up to 2x revenue and 3x EBITDA in commercial greenhouses, enhancing overall profitability.
Global Applications and Achievements
Freya’s technology has been deployed in various international projects, demonstrating its versatility and effectiveness:
- Pilot Projects: The company has conducted pilot tests in Djibouti and South Africa, showcasing the Aeroframe’s adaptability to diverse climates and conditions.
- Future Plans: With the recent funding, Freya plans to expand its market presence by launching additional pilot projects and developing a demonstration greenhouse near Kaunas to validate the Aeroframe system’s benefits to smart farm owners and operators from Central and Western Europe, the USA, Canada, and Japan.
These initiatives underscore Freya’s commitment to revolutionizing greenhouse farming on a global scale.
Challenges and Future Goals
Freya Cultivation Systems is poised to revolutionize greenhouse farming, yet several challenges and objectives lie ahead:
Challenges:
- Scalability: Transitioning from pilot projects to large-scale commercial operations requires meticulous planning to maintain system efficiency and reliability.
- Market Adoption: Encouraging traditional growers to embrace innovative technologies like the Aeroframe involves overcoming resistance to change and demonstrating clear benefits.
- Customization: Adapting the Aeroframe system to accommodate diverse crops and varying greenhouse environments necessitates ongoing research and development.
Future Goals:
- Pilot Programs: Freya aims to initiate pilot programs in 2024 to validate the Aeroframe’s performance in real-world settings, gathering data to refine the system further.
- Product Launch: The company plans to release the first version of the Aeroframe in 2024, designed for retrofitting existing greenhouse infrastructures, with a fully automated platform anticipated by late 2025.
- Global Expansion: Freya is actively seeking partnerships with growers, developers, and distributors worldwide to broaden its market presence and drive adoption of the Aeroframe system.
- Technological Advancements: Ongoing development efforts include enhancing automation features such as seeding, harvesting, and integrating advanced monitoring systems to optimize crop production.
Conclusion
Freya Cultivation Systems stands at the forefront of agricultural innovation with its Aeroframe technology, offering a transformative approach to greenhouse farming. By doubling cultivation areas, enhancing resource efficiency, and boosting profitability, the Aeroframe presents a compelling solution for modern agriculture’s challenges. As Freya progresses toward its goals, its impact on sustainable and efficient food production is anticipated to be substantial, potentially setting new standards in the industry.
