What UMAMI does

UMAMI is a Swiss indoor farming company that operates a Biosphere Farm in Zurich combining aquaponics and vertical farming into a four-floor closed-loop ecosystem. Fish, shrimp, mussels, snails, bacteria, and plants form a circular biological system in which aquatic animals produce nutrient-rich water that feeds the plants, which in turn purify the water, eliminating the need for artificial pesticides, antibiotics, or fertilizers. The company claims up to 3x faster crop cycles and 9x more yield per square meter than conventional farming, using organic hemp substrate, 12V technology, solar power, and water recycling.

The core product is microgreens, sold under names such as Power Mix, Protein Mix, Vital Mix, Baby Basilikum, and Baby Koriander, distributed in Freshly Cut, Swiss Sakura Mix, Kilo Cut bulk, and whole Tray formats. UMAMI also sells add-on products including pesto and concentrated microgreen shots developed with partner Mono. Revenue is generated across three streams: B2B sales to high-end gastronomy via logistics partners Bianchi and Marinello; B2C retail through Coop, Migros, and Alnatura; and agritourism revenue from public farm tours (CHF 29 per person), Culinary Masterclasses, and UMAMI Schools educational programs.

The company serves Swiss Michelin-starred restaurants and boutique hotels including Park Hyatt Zurich, Igniv Bad Ragaz, Villa Honegg, Park Hotel Vitznau, Studio Bellerive, and Hitzberger, alongside multi-location operators such as Familie Wiesner Gastronomie and Two Spice. Founded in 2017 by Denis Weinberg and Robin Bertschinger, UMAMI raised a CHF 4.3 million Series A in October 2024 to expand industrial-scale operations in Zurich and increase production capacity fivefold. The company is privately held and operates exclusively within Switzerland.

Name

UMAMI

Legal name

UMAMI LTD

Website

https://eat-umami.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

UMAMI is a Swiss indoor farming company that uses a four-floor closed-loop aquaponics ecosystem to grow pesticide-free microgreens, selling to Michelin-starred restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets across Switzerland, with supplementary agritourism revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Indoor Vertical Farming

NAICS

Food Crops Grown Under Cover (11141), Aquaculture (11251), Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (3117)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092)

akta.pro primary industry

Greenhouse Herb & Microgreens Production (Culinary Herbs, Microgreens) (AFAGAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Crustacean Farming (e.g., shrimp, prawns, crab) (AFAEAAAC), Freshwater Shellfish & Crustacean Farming (e.g., crayfish) (AFAEAAAD)

Keywords

• Indoor vertical farming
• Aquaponics microgreens
• Pesticide-free produce
• Urban farming
• Circular ecosystem agriculture

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Microgreens and Fresh Produce Sales: Primary revenue from selling microgreens (Power Mix, Protein Mix, Vital Mix, Baby Basilikum, Baby Koriander), herbs, and mussel products to gastronomy (restaurants, hotels) and retail (Coop, Migros, Alnatura). Products sold as freshly cut (daily harvested), Swiss Sakura Mix, Kilo-Cut bulk, and whole trays.
2. Farm Tours and Events: Revenue from guided farm tours (public at CHF 29/person, private for 10+ groups), team activities with Culinary Masterclasses, and UMAMI Schools educational programs. Includes Microgreens Tasting Game and culinary apéro experiences.
3. Gastronomy Bulk Supply: Wholesale supply to restaurants through Bianchi and Marinello logistics partners, with direct ordering for Kilo-Cut bulk quantities at attractive pricing for larger commercial kitchens.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

UMAMI operates a Biosphere Farm in Zurich using aquaponics and vertical farming to grow pesticide-free microgreens, herbs, and mussels in a closed circular ecosystem combining fish, shrimp, mussels, snails, bacteria, and plants. The company sells freshly harvested microgreens in multiple formats (Power Mix, Protein Mix, Vital Mix, Baby Cilantro, Baby Basil) to high-end gastronomy, retail supermarkets, and offers farm tours and culinary experiences.

Product overview

UMAMI is an indoor farming company operating a Biosphere Farm in Zurich with a circular aquaponics system. The core product portfolio consists of microgreens (Power Mix, Protein Mix, Vital Mix, Baby Cilantro, Baby Basilikum) sold in various formats: Freshly Cut (daily harvested in compostable containers), Swiss Sakura Mix (premium tray selection), Kilo Cut (bulk quantities), and whole Trays. The company also offers culinary products including Pesto and Shots. Revenue is supplemented through experiential offerings: Guided Tours, Culinary Masterclasses, Public Farm Tours, and UMAMI Schools educational programs. All products are grown pesticide-free using aquaponics and vertical farming technologies, with the ecosystem combining fish, shrimp, mussels, snails, bacteria, and plants in a closed nutrient循环 system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Power Mix Spicy, sharp bestseller microgreens mix containing Daikon radish, radish, and arugula, designed to enhance the flavor profile of dishes for restaurants and home consumers.
• Protein Mix Aromatic, nutty microgreens mix containing pea, red radish, and sunflower, marketed toward protein-conscious diners and chefs.
• Vital Mix Balanced freshness and spiciness mix containing red clover, sweet pea, pink radish, pak choi, and onion, designed as a versatile culinary microgreens blend.
• Baby Cilantro (Baby Koriander) Delicate microgreens cilantro with intense, lemony-fresh and sweet-spicy flavor profile, targeted at cilantro enthusiasts and fine dining applications.
• Baby Basilikum Microgreens basil with sweet and intense flavor, suited for adding aromatic finishing touches to restaurant and home-cooked dishes.
• Freshly Cut Microgreens (Gastronomy Format) Best-selling microgreens harvested and packaged daily by hand in compostable PLA containers, intended for daily fresh delivery to restaurants and hotels.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3x faster crop cycles compared to conventional farming methods
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BianchicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFifth-generation family business specializing in fish, meat, and culinary delicacies for gastronomy. Bianchi is a logistics master delivering products for over 135 years. UMAMI relies on their long-standing logistics expertise to make products available nationwide to gastronomy.
• MarinellocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDelivers fresh produce, dairy products, and specialties to gastronomy in and around Zurich for over 100 years. Products also available through Engros-Markthalle via all vegetable suppliers. Marinello offers enthusiasm for new, old, and unusual products with above-average service.
• MINI (BMW Group)minorOthersUMAMI uses the new fully electric MINI Countryman for emissions-free transportation. The brand has stood for innovative mobility solutions for over 50 years and provides impressive range while meeting UMAMI's representative vehicle needs.
• Too Good To GominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood waste rescue partnership. UMAMI's self-developed production software helps produce exactly the needed quantity, but occasional overproduction is rescued through Too Good To Go app.
• Frau Gerolds GartenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamous urban garden in Zurich, formerly a gravel lot converted to modular city garden. Runs a custom aquaponic UMAMI ecosystem in summer season and creates daily-changing vegan 'Frau Gerolds Power Salad' with UMAMI greens.
• Familie Wiesner GastronomiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily Wiesner has been successfully active in Swiss market since early 1990s with innovative concepts. They shape Swiss gastronomy landscape with exceptional ideas. UMAMI refines their dishes with greens and develops joint collaboration ideas.
• Kleiner BäckereiminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZurich city bakery combining tradition and innovation. Seven locations in Zurich selling homemade delicacies including various sandwiches and salads with UMAMI greens.
• HitzbergercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStar chef Eduard Hitzberger's unique fast food concept (18 Gault-Millau points, 2 Michelin stars). UMAMI Shots and UMAMI Zöpfli available in all Hitzberger locations.
• MonominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduces smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and concentrated shots from ripest fruits and vegetables. UMAMI and Mono jointly created a delicious UMAMI microgreen shot. Products sourced regionally when possible.
• Two SpicecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCreative gastronomy and lifestyle company from Zurich with 27+ years creating business concepts and brands including yootea beverage brand, wine shop, and various restaurants in Zurich, Winterthur, Basel, Bern, Zug, Luzern, and St. Gallen. UMAMI supplies multiple locations.
• Zum Guten HeinrichminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsistently sustainable Zurich catering partner for larger food waste quantities. They cook with what nature provides, especially misshapen and surplus vegetables. Both partners benefit from this mutually beneficial relationship.
• The Organic CompanyminorOthersDanish company creating functional, cool-designed aprons from organic cotton. Supports UMAMI with high-quality aprons for the production team.
• ElectroluxminorOthersOfficial kitchen partner of UMAMI. Electrolux kitchen enables experimentation and culinary arts learning. UMAMI cultivates weekly team lunches and offers exciting cooking workshop space.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Gotham Greens: US indoor hydroponic greenhouse operator producing fresh herbs, leafy greens, and dressings for retail and foodservice; comparable on greenhouse-grown culinary herbs/microgreens and premium retail partnerships.
• Infarm: Berlin-based vertical-farming company operating modular in-store and urban farms for herbs, microgreens, and leafy greens sold through European grocery and foodservice channels — the closest direct analog to UMAMI in geography, product, and channel.
• BrightFarms: US indoor hydroponic greenhouse operator supplying pesticide-free leafy greens and herbs to grocery retailers; comparable on the controlled-environment greens-to-retail model.

Broad incumbents

• AeroFarms: US-based indoor vertical-farming incumbent producing microgreens and leafy greens at industrial scale using aeroponics; comparable in controlled-environment agriculture technology and B2B/B2C produce distribution.
• Bowery Farming: US-based indoor farming operator with retail distribution of leafy greens and herbs across major grocery chains; comparable on the indoor-farming-to-retail-shelf go-to-market motion.
• Plenty: US indoor vertical-farming company building large-scale vertical farms for leafy greens and herbs; relevant comparable for industrial-scale indoor farm economics and capital-intensive expansion strategy.

Emerging players

• Eden Green Technology: US-based vertical/greenhouse hybrid farming company producing herbs and leafy greens for retail; comparable on indoor-farming technology and produce-supply business model.
• 80 Acres Farms: US indoor vertical farm producing herbs, microgreens, and leafy greens for retail and foodservice; comparable in product mix and controlled-environment agriculture technology.

Regional players

• Nordic Harvest: Denmark-based vertical farming company producing herbs and greens for European retail; comparable as a European-region indoor-farming peer targeting premium retail and foodservice customers.
• Yasai: Swiss vertical-farming startup producing herbs and leafy greens for Swiss retail and gastronomy; the most direct Swiss domestic comparable competing for the same Coop/Migros and restaurant accounts.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors1 record

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 UMAMI