Planet Farms

What Planet Farms does

Planet Farms is an Italian controlled-environment agriculture company that builds and operates large-scale vertical farming facilities producing pesticide-free salads, leafy greens, and basil. Its core technology stack combines a proprietary AI system (Gaia VF) with Cisco Industrial IoT infrastructure, Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul connectivity, 3D computer vision, robotics, and automated guided vehicles to autonomously manage the full seed-to-pack cycle, with crops harvested and packed within 60 seconds. The company operates a 10,000 sqm flagship facility in Cirimido, Lombardy — among the largest and most advanced vertical farms globally — and is constructing a dedicated facility in Brusaporto to supply the 3-Michelin-star Da Vittorio restaurant.

The company monetizes through B2B fresh-produce sales to two primary channels: premium retail (an exclusive partnership with Marks & Spencer across UK stores for three vertically farmed salad SKUs) and high-end foodservice (direct supply to starred restaurants including Da Vittorio and chef Giancarlo Morelli's establishments). GTM motion is enterprise field sales targeting major retailers and Michelin-level hospitality operators. Product portfolio includes the Frescaah salad line, Lattuga Gentile, Mix Vivace, and the Basilicooh extension into basil-based ice cream and freeze drinks.

Planet Farms is privately held and majority-owned by Swiss Life Asset Managers following a 2025 Luxembourg-fund joint venture that committed up to EUR 135 million for European facility development, with co-founders Luca Travaglini (Co-CEO and Chairman) and Daniele Benatoff (Co-CEO) retaining a minority position alongside the founding team. The company has raised approximately EUR 170 million+ in cumulative funding across debt (SACE/UniCredit EUR 17.5M, 2022) and equity/JV structures, supported by EU LIFE Program grant funding, and holds certifications including B Corp, GlobalG.A.P., GRASP, BRCGS, IFS Food, LEAF Marque, and Residuo Zero that qualify it for premium retail and export markets.

Name

Planet Farms

Legal name

PLANET FARMS HOLDING SPA SB

Website

https://planetfarms.ag

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Planet Farms is an Italian vertical farming company operating a 10,000 sqm AI-powered facility in Cirimido, producing pesticide-free salads and basil for premium retailers (Marks & Spencer) and Michelin-starred restaurants (Da Vittorio), majority-owned by Swiss Life Asset Managers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vertical Farming / Controlled Environment Agriculture (Fresh Produce)

NAICS

Food Crops Grown Under Cover (11141), Other Food Crops Grown Under Cover (111419), Vegetable and Melon Farming (1112), Other Vegetable (except Potato) and Melon Farming (111219)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Greenhouse Vegetable Production (Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Peppers, Leafy Greens) (AFAGAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Leafy Greens Farming (Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Arugula, Chard) (AFAGADAA), Greenhouse Herb & Microgreens Production (Culinary Herbs, Microgreens) (AFAGAHAC), Robotic Harvesting & Picking Systems (Fruit/Vegetable harvest robots) (AFAAAGAD), Agricultural & Field Robotics (HDAAAIAD)

Keywords

• Vertical farming
• Controlled environment agriculture
• Hydroponic produce
• Fresh salads
• Indoor farming

Headquarters

HQ city

Milan

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Fresh Produce Sales: Sale of vertically farmed vegetables and salads to retail and foodservice customers. Products include lettuce varieties, basil, and specialty salad mixes sold under exclusive partnerships.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Planet Farms operates large-scale, fully automated vertical farms that grow pesticide-free salads, lettuce, mixed greens, and basil year-round using AI-controlled hydroponics, LED light recipes, and robotic harvesting. Produce is harvested and packed within 60 seconds and sold to retailers (e.g., Marks & Spencer in the UK) and premium foodservice operators (e.g., Da Vittorio), using 96% less water and 97% less fertilizer than conventional farming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Frescaah: Product line for Planet Farms salads and fresh produce
• Lattuga Gentile
• Mix Vivace
• Basilicooh

Products and services

• Frescaah (Planet Farms salad product line)
• Mix Vivace (mixed salad)
• Basilicooh (basil-based product line)
• M&S Exclusive Vertically Farmed Salad Range (Citrus Sorrel Baby Leaves, Spicy Baby Leaves, Baby Garlic Kale)

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% less water use compared to open-field agriculture
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Marks & SpencercoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 May 2026Marks & Spencer launched three vertically farmed salad products in UK stores in partnership with Planet Farms. Products use 96% less water, 97% less fertiliser, and no pesticides. Launch supports M&S Plan A sustainability commitment for net zero across supply chain by 2040.
• Da Vittorio (Cerea Brothers)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Cerea brothers, owners of the 3 Michelin Star restaurant Da Vittorio in Brusaporto. Collaboration includes construction of a dedicated Vertical Farm to supply fresh products directly to the starred restaurant, united by shared vision of unique flavor and quality.
• CiscocoreTechnology or IntegrationCisco provides networking infrastructure and Industrial IoT solutions powering Planet Farms' AI-powered farming system with thousands of sensors, robotic systems, and automated vision systems. Company uses Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB) for seamless connectivity.
• SignifycoreTechnology or IntegrationSignify (world leader in lighting for professionals and IoT) is a partner in the LIFE Program project, providing advanced LED lighting technology for the Planet Farms vertical farm, enabling creation of optimal light recipes for plant growth.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Local Bounti: US-based indoor agriculture company operating hybrid greenhouse/vertical farms for retail leafy greens and herbs. Comparable in supplying major retailer private label and branded produce programs.
• Bowery Farming: New York-based vertical farming company serving major US retailers with pesticide-free leafy greens and herbs. Operates large-scale automated indoor farms comparable in concept and customer profile to Planet Farms.
• AeroFarms: Newark, NJ-based vertical farming pioneer producing leafy greens via aeroponics. Direct comparable in controlled environment agriculture for retail and foodservice, though AeroFarms filed Chapter 11 in 2023 before restructuring.
• Plenty: San Francisco-based vertical farming company building large-scale indoor farms with proprietary robotics and AI for retail produce. Direct comparable in technology approach (AI-driven, robotized farms) and target market.
• Infarm: Berlin-headquartered vertical farming operator that grew herbs and salads in modular in-store and central farms across Europe. Closest direct competitor to Planet Farms in the European CEA leafy-greens market, though Infarm wound down most operations in 2023.
• 80 Acres Farms: Ohio-based vertical farming operator serving US retailers with leafy greens, herbs, and tomatoes grown in fully automated indoor facilities. Comparable in operating model, customer segments, and product mix.

Broad incumbents

• Crop One Holdings: Vertically integrated indoor farming company operating large-scale facilities (including the Emirates Flight Kitchen farm) for leafy greens and herbs. Comparable in technology platform and B2B foodservice orientation.

Regional players

• Sky Greens: Singapore-based developer of low-carbon vertical farming systems using rotating tiers for tropical leafy vegetables. Comparable in stackable vertical farm architecture though targeting Asian markets and crops.
• Nordic Harvest: Copenhagen-based vertical farming operator running one of Europe's largest indoor farms for salads and herbs. Geographic peer serving Scandinavian retailers with similar sustainability positioning.

Emerging players

• Oishii: Vertical farming startup specializing in premium strawberries and tomatoes using AI-driven indoor facilities. Comparable in technology stack and premium positioning though focused on higher-value fruits.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Planet Farms