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Top 25 Illinois Vertical Farming Innovators

4
min read
Top 25 vertical farming companies in Illinois Main

Top 25 Illinois Vertical Farming Innovators

4
min read
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Top 25 vertical farming companies in Illinois Main
Top firms trust Inven to find niche companies

The vertical farming industry in Illinois is a dynamic spectrum of companies specializing in sustainable, innovative, and efficient agricultural practices. These enterprises range from urban hydroponic farms to specialized algae-based research ventures, all utilizing vertical farming methods to transform conventional agriculture. Their offerings include novel products like fresh greens and herbs, naturally derived food ingredients, and toxin-free produce. With the rapid advances in technology, these Illinois companies are paving the way for a future where food production is less dependent on weather conditions or extensive land use.


Top 25 vertical farming companies in Illinois

1. Second City Greens

Second City Greens is an urban hydroponic farm offering a variety of fresh greens, lettuce, and herbs, available for purchase through their CSA subscription service.


2. Back of the Yards algae sciences (BYAS)

  • Website: algaesciences.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2018
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Latest funding type: Debt Financing
  • LinkedIn

We work to find new uses for algae as sustainable, natural ingredients for food colorants and flavors protein powders for plant-based meat biostimulants to improve yield and quality in vertical farming and growth media to move cell-based food from the laboratory to the table. Based at The Plant in Chicago, BYAS has its own laboratories, production units, photobioreactors and access to a large anaerobic digester.


3. Illinois Food Retailers Association Service CORP

IL Food is a food company committed to sustainable practices. They offer toxin-free produce through their indoor farming technology, providing fresh local produce year-round.


4. Nick Greens, INC.

Learn to grow food and microgreens indoors or outdoors. Controlled Environment Agriculture, Hydroponic. Nick Greens LLC. is located in Chicago, IL.


5. Urban Vine

  • Website: urbanvine.co
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2016
  • Headcount: 1-10

Urban Vine provides urban farming and urban agriculture services.


6. Mac & Fulton Talent Partners

M&F Talent Partners is a technical recruiting service that specializes in direct-hire placements for mid to senior-level roles in the horticulture, hydroponics, and cannabis industries. Their mission is to strengthen clients' businesses by placing skilled, passionate, and innovative candidates to fill critical roles.


7. Root-Riot Urban Garden Network

  • Website: root-riot.com
  • Headquarters: Chicaog Il, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2010
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

Root Riot Urban Garden Network is a company that provides innovative and sustainable solutions for urban gardening and farming. They offer a range of products and services to help people grow their own food and cultivate green spaces in urban environments.


8. Sente Ventures

  • Website: sente.vc
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2008
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn

Sente Ventures invests globally in technology entrepreneurs who solve industrial problems with sustainable, digital, and connected business models and technologies. They offer investment and collaboration opportunities for startups in Supply Chain & Warehouse Tech, Transportation Tech and Industrial Tech.


9. Organics of Chicago

Organics of Chicago’s mission is to introduce Chicagoland communities to urban, renewable technologies through hands-on, inquiry-based learning while providing the local community with fresh, organic produce. The Center’s focus will be on offering housing, employment and counseling to deserving, local domestic violence victims and run-away teens with the intention of self-improvement and overall community betterment.


10. Innovative Growers Equipment

Innovative Growers Equipment offers high-quality Ebb & Flow Benches, LED Lighting, Grow Racks, and additional products for indoor horticultural growing facilities.


11. Gods Gang

God's Gang has been working for over the past 20 years with 700 low-income families in the Robert Taylor Homes to address the problems of inner city life. God's Gang has worked to promote self-esteem for youth through programs that offer growth and opportunity. The youth that have been involved in God's Gang have learned to interact with children from different backgrounds and act as an alternative to negative influences in the community. God's Gang has developed and managed community gardening ventures, vermiculture and aquacultural farms, a children's historical library, and a food security program that includes a food pantry that served over 1,000 families monthly.


12. Stoney Branch Ag Ventures LLC

Stoney Branch is a family-owned CBD hemp flower farm that uses sustainable and organic practices to cultivate craft CBD hemp in Illinois. All products are grown, cured, and packaged in-house, from farm-to-flower.


13. The Talking Farm

The Talking Farm is a not-for-profit corporation that provides education, example, and hands-on experience to members of the community to expand the awareness, importance, and availability of food grown sustainably. They operate an urban farm and educational programs and distribute locally-grown vegetables throughout the community.


14. Ask Judge Mathis

Ask Judge Mathis is a company that operates in the Media and Entertainment industry. It employs 21-50 people and has $5M-$10M of revenue. The company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.


15. Urban Growers Collective

Urban Growers Collective is a non-profit farm in Chicago, Illinois that aims to build a more just and equitable local food system. They address inequities and structural racism in the food system and communities of color. Through urban agriculture, they cultivate nourishing environments that support health, economic development, healing, and creativity.


16. Growing Home Inc.

Growing Home is a non-profit organization based in Chicago that empowers people and communities through urban organic agriculture. They offer a comprehensive paid employment training program and provide resources to help participants find the next step in their career journey. They also operate as a USDA-certified organic urban farm and social enterprise, promoting healthy, affordable food and supporting a vibrant community.


17. Angelic Organics Learning Center

Angelic Organics Learning Center is dedicated to building sustainable local food and farm systems through experiential education and training programs. They offer farmer training events, farm viability circles, farm programs, homeschool programs, and more. They also have a farm store where they sell organic local hams and bulk pork cuts. The Learning Center relies on volunteers and sponsorship for support.


18. Tsamma Juice

Tsamma® is a brand of watermelon juice, packed with immune-boosting nutrients and Citrulline, which improves blood flow and helps the body absorb nutrients faster.


19. Glenwood Sunday Market

Glenwood Sunday Market is a non-profit organization that operates in Chicago. The company is associated with Rogers Park Business Alliance, and it offers a farmers' market.


20. Pots Planters & More

Pots Planters & More offers high-quality planters and containers made from a range of materials like fiberglass, wood, and metal. They focus on urban farming and gardens, providing an array of products that bring life and vibrancy to any space. Their website offers free color samples and wholesale pricing.


21. Bradford Systems

Bradford Systems is a leading storage equipment supplier, specializing in organizing experts across various industries. They offer a range of solutions like high-density filing systems, office supply storage, smart lockers, mail centers, and more. With a focus on efficient, safe, and effective storage, they help clients create holistic storage systems to improve their working environments.


22. Gary Comer Youth Center

The Gary Comer Youth Center is a community organization that prepares young people for leadership and success. Through diverse programs and services, they empower youth to become well-rounded global citizens and provide career exploration opportunities.


23. Advocates for Urban Agriculture

Advocates for Urban Agriculture is a non-profit organization promoting sustainable agriculture in the Chicago region through capacity building grants, farmer mentorship, good practices program, and soil testing program.


24. Jubilee Habitat for Humanity

Jubilee Habitat is a Chinese state-owned enterprise that specializes in agriculture and related industries such as distribution and financial services. It is focused on supplying sustainable agricultural products to local and international markets while also promoting rural development and poverty alleviation.


25. Fresh Picks

Fresh Picks is committed to bringing the best local and organic groceries and meals to customers in the Chicagoland area. They source directly from local farmers, chefs, and producers, providing a safe and trusted local food chain. Their offerings include fruits, vegetables, herbs, grass-fed meats, dairy products, sustainably sourced fish, farm-fresh eggs, and pantry staples.


Want to find more vertical farming companies?


If you want to find more companies that provide services ranging from urban hydroponics to innovative algae-based research you can do so with Inven. This list was built with Inven and there are hundreds of companies like these globally.


With Inven you'll also get to know the company's:


  • Ownership: Which of these are private equity backed? Which are family-owned?
  • Contact data: Who are the owners and CEO's? What are their emails and phone numbers?
  • Financials: How do these companies perform financially? What are their revenues and profit margins?

...and a lot more!

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