Vertically Urban
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersLeeds, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
Vertically Urban firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Vertically Urban
- Legal name
- Vertically Urban Limited
- Website
- https://verticallyurban.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Vertically Urban industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Horticultural LED Lighting
- NAICS
- Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (3351), Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512)
- SIC
- Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Controlled Environment Lighting (LED Grow Lights, Controls) (AFAAAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Lighting Controls & Building Integration (Drivers, sensors, dimming, lighting control panels, networked lighting) (IMAGAIAI)
Keywords
Where Vertically Urban is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Leeds
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Vertically Urban business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- LED Luminaire Sales: Sale of horticultural LED lighting products including Horti-Blade, Horti-Blaze, and Odyssey ranges. Products are designed and manufactured in-house in the UK using highest photon-yielding LEDs.
- Bespoke Solutions: Custom-designed lighting solutions for specific customer requirements, working with clients to develop tailored spectra and configurations for unique growing applications.
- HORISS AI Software Platform: AI-based control and monitoring system for vertical farms, providing intelligent farm management capabilities with sensors and software integration.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Quote-based pricing for all products |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Vertically Urban product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Vertically Urban designs, manufactures and sells horticultural LED luminaires (Horti-Blade, Horti-Blaze and Odyssey families) for vertical farming, glasshouse growing and inter-lighting applications. Products are designed and produced in-house at the Leeds facility using high photon-yielding LEDs and proprietary crop-optimized spectra. The company also offers the EZ Control dimming system and, through its partnership with Microsoft Azure, the H.O.R.I.S.S. AI-based control and monitoring platform for vertical farms, plus bespoke engineering services for unique customer requirements.
Product overview
Vertically Urban is a UK-based horticultural LED lighting manufacturer offering a portfolio of luminaire families for vertical farming, glasshouse growing, and inter-lighting applications. The core product lines include the Horti-Blaze family (high-power, plug-and-play fixtures for vertical farms and glasshouses) and the Horti-Blade family (ultra-slim 8mm deep luminaires for space-constrained vertical farms, available in standard, tunable, and high-efficiency variants), alongside the Odyssey glasshouse range (available in 100, 300, 600, and tunable configurations for high-bay, mid-height, and inter-lighting use). Supporting these luminaires are the EZ Control dimming system and the HORISS AI control platform developed with Microsoft Azure. All products are designed and manufactured in-house at the Leeds factory.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- HORISS: AI-based CEA control platform developed in partnership with Microsoft for autonomous monitoring and control of vertical farms
- Horti-Blade
- Horti-Blaze
- Odyssey
- EZ Control
Products and services
- Horti-Blaze High-powered LED grow light for vertical farms and glasshouses, with industry-leading efficiencies across three exclusive spectra and simplified installation requiring fewer luminaires and drivers than alternatives.
- Horti-Blaze Tunable Fully tunable spectrum version of Horti-Blaze with individually addressable fixtures, four-channel (blue, red, white, far-red) tunable spectrum, and single-cable power and control for vertical farms and glasshouses.
- Horti-Blade Ultra-slim 8mm deep LED grow light, food-safe polyurethane resin-protected, designed for vertical farming and tight spaces where maximum stacking density is required.
- Horti-Blade Tunable 4-channel tunable spectrum variant of Horti-Blade for research applications or multi-crop facilities, with individually controlled and fully dimmable spectrum channels.
- Horti-Blade HE High-efficiency version of Horti-Blade consuming up to 26% less energy for the same PPFD output, with efficacies up to 3.8 µmol/J, designed to slash vertical farm lighting OPEX.
- Odyssey 600 Most powerful Odyssey glasshouse luminaire, tailored for high-bay installations on tomatoes, cucumbers, soft fruits and medicinal crops, with IP66 rating and remote power supply.
- Odyssey 300 High-efficiency, lower-power Odyssey glasshouse luminaire suited to mid-height installations and seedling propagation, with remote power supply and IP66 rating.
- Odyssey 100 Versatile Odyssey inter-light for use between high-wire crops where overhead lighting struggles to penetrate, with IP66 rating.
- Odyssey Tunable Tunable spectrum luminaire in the Odyssey glasshouse range, suited to research applications requiring maximum versatility and high far-red capability.
- EZ Control Control system for managing Horti-Blade and other Vertically Urban luminaires, providing dimming and lighting management, backed by a 2-year warranty.
- H.O.R.I.S.S. AI-based CEA control and monitoring platform built with Microsoft Azure, autonomously reacting to environmental changes, detecting anomalies via camera vision, and optimizing yield while minimizing resource use, with an integrated wireless sensor hub.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 26% energy reduction with Horti-Blade HE
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Vertically Urban
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Vertically Urban technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability5 records
Feature6 records
Vertically Urban partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MicrosoftcoreStrategic partnership with Microsoft Azure to develop HORISS, an AI-based CEA control platform. Microsoft provides AI and machine learning capabilities to process data from Vertically Urban's sensor systems and enable autonomous farm optimization. Jason Price, Director and AI Leader at Microsoft Azure EMEA, confirmed Microsoft's commitment to supporting VU's initiative for sustainable agriculture.
- University of YorkcoreJoint collaboration with LettUs Grow and University of York's Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP) on the FixOurFood programme. Vertically Urban provided tunable spectrum Horti-Blade lights as joint investment to boost research capabilities at Grow It York facility, enhancing research scope for vertical farming impact on food systems.
- Raiz Vertical FarmsminorPortuguese vertical farm startup selected Vertically Urban's Horti-Blade for their concept farm in Lisbon's Beato district. Horti-Blade's ultra-slim form factor succeeded where other products failed due to space constraints in the rotating drum hydroponic system.
- LettUs GrowcoreLettUs Grow partnered with Vertically Urban to use Horti-Blade LED lights in their DROP & GROW container farms. Following internal trials showing superior performance, Horti-Blade was selected for its efficiency, flexibility, and growth promotion. The partnership was further strengthened with joint investment in Grow It York facility upgrades.
- Square Mile FarmsminorVertically Urban developed modular plug-and-play vertical farm systems for workplace installations. Horti-Blade provides ultra-low-profile aesthetic lighting solution for live modules in corporate offices, supporting Square Mile Farms' brand focus on wellness and sustainability.
- Harper Adams UniversitycoreHarper Adams University selected Vertically Urban to create a bespoke LED grow light solution for their Jean Jackson Glass House research facility. Personal recommendation led to initial order expanded to 10x 4-channel Horti-Blade units and 10x single channel blue blades for DEFRA-funded research projects.
- VexicacoreVexica is the parent/sister company of Vertically Urban, with shared founding team and history. Steve Thompson, Operations Director, joined from Vexica's sister company. Melissa Astley, Director, was a founder member of sister company Vexica. Leon Gibson joined Vexica in 2018 and was heavily involved in Vertically Urban's creation.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Vertically Urban competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Fluence by ams OSRAM: Austin-based horticultural LED lighting brand now owned by ams OSRAM, supplying full-spectrum and tunable LED solutions to vertical farms and greenhouses globally. Direct competitor in the same product category with similar enterprise customer base.
- Illumitex: US-based horticultural LED lighting company focused on vertical farming and greenhouse applications. Comparable to Vertically Urban in target segments and product category, though smaller and more US-centric.
- Valoya: Finland-based horticultural LED lighting manufacturer specializing in wide-spectrum and research-grade fixtures. Comparable to Vertically Urban in focus on tailored spectra for research and commercial crop science applications.
- Gavita: Dutch horticultural lighting specialist offering HPS and LED fixtures for greenhouses and indoor farms. Comparable to Vertically Urban's Odyssey glasshouse range and horticultural LED product focus, with longer market history.
- Sollum Technologies: Canadian horticultural LED lighting company offering fully dynamic, programmable spectrum fixtures for greenhouses and vertical farms. Comparable to Vertically Urban's HORISS and Horti-Blaze Tunable products in the software-controlled, spectrum-tunable niche.
- Heliospectra: Sweden-based horticultural LED lighting specialist selling tunable-spectrum fixtures to greenhouse and vertical farm operators. Closely comparable to Vertically Urban in target customers (commercial growers and research institutions), product category (LED grow lights with proprietary spectra), and company size.
Broad incumbents
- Signify (Philips Lighting): Global lighting incumbent whose Philips horticulture range includes LED toplighting, inter-lighting, and vertical farming solutions. Competes with Vertically Urban across all segments but offers broader portfolio and much larger sales and manufacturing footprint.
- ams OSRAM: Global optoelectronics leader and parent company of Fluence. Comparable as a large incumbent supplying LED components and horticultural lighting systems, with Vertically Urban purchasing high-photon-yield LEDs from OSRAM-class supply chains.
- Current (GE): GE's commercial lighting spin-off offering horticulture LED solutions including the Arize product family. Competes in greenhouse and vertical farming segments as part of a broader commercial and industrial lighting portfolio.
Others
- LettUs Grow: UK-based aeroponic container farm and farm management software provider that is both a Vertically Urban customer and integration partner (Horti-Blade is standard lighting in DROP & GROW). Comparable as an adjacent UK Agri-tech company serving the same vertical farm customer base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Vertically Urban social profiles
Digital presenceVertically Urban financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Vertically Urban leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Vertically Urban funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Vertically Urban M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Vertically Urban
What does Vertically Urban do?
Vertically Urban designs, manufactures and sells horticultural LED luminaires (Horti-Blade, Horti-Blaze and Odyssey families) for vertical farming, glasshouse growing and inter-lighting applications. Products are designed and produced in-house at the Leeds facility using high photon-yielding LEDs and proprietary crop-optimized spectra. The company also offers the EZ Control dimming system and, through its partnership with Microsoft Azure, the H.O.R.I.S.S. AI-based control and monitoring platform for vertical farms, plus bespoke engineering services for unique customer requirements.
Is Vertically Urban a public or private company?
Vertically Urban is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Vertically Urban founded?
Vertically Urban was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Vertically Urban based?
Vertically Urban is headquartered in Leeds, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Vertically Urban make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. LED Luminaire Sales are the primary driver. The others are bespoke Solutions and HORISS AI Software Platform.
Who are Vertically Urban's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Fluence by ams OSRAM, Illumitex, Valoya, Gavita, Sollum Technologies and Heliospectra. Broad incumbents are Signify (Philips Lighting), ams OSRAM and Current (GE). LettUs Grow is listed as an others.
Does Vertically Urban have an API?
No public API is recorded for Vertically Urban.
What industry is Vertically Urban in?
Vertically Urban's product category is Horticultural LED Lighting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAAAHAC, Controlled Environment Lighting (LED Grow Lights, Controls), with a secondary code of IMAGAIAI, Lighting Controls & Building Integration (Drivers, sensors, dimming, lighting control panels, networked lighting). Its NAICS code is 3351 and its SIC code is 3640.