What Cultivators does

Cultivators BV is a Dutch B2B consultancy headquartered in Breda, Netherlands, specializing in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) with a deliberately narrow focus on two early-stage, technically complex sectors: licensed cannabis cultivation and hydroponic lettuce/leafy greens production. Founded by practitioners with deep greenhouse heritage, the firm employs 12 named specialists spanning managing partner, senior cultivation consultants, climate systems engineering, legal compliance, business analysis, and marketing. The team's competitive core is applied horticultural expertise rather than software; differentiated capabilities include a "committed consultancy" model with shared client outcomes, a documented HVAC optimization methodology (40-50% HVAC budget saving at Thai Stick in Thailand), and operating presence across 27 countries with 100+ clients.

The firm generates revenue through professional services engagements spanning facility design, commissioning, daily operations support, climate system optimization, training and workshops, GACP/GMP compliance, and business analysis/due diligence for investors. Beyond client services, Cultivators operates two flagship platforms: the Leafy Hydroponics Consortium (LHC), a multi-year applied research initiative executed at PSKW in Belgium with industry partners including Signify, Grodan, Rijk Zwaan, Enza Zaden, and Priva; and the annual Leafy Hydroponics Summit (LHS), an invitation-only industry event. A second research consortium, Cultivation For Compounds, was launched in 2022 with Vertify and World Horti Centre for cannabis research. Services are priced via contract-specific fees rather than published rate cards, with multi-year engagement structures.

Go-to-market is senior-led through personal networks, referrals, conference speaking engagements, case-study publication, and event-based demand generation via LHC and LHS. Customer concentration is diversified across commercial growers (Whole Leaf, Equinox Growers, Kruidenaer, Desmet), cannabis cultivators (Thai Stick, Medical Plants, AlmaCann, Overseed), and investment/operating groups (Bright Farms, Mucci Farms, Mastronardi Produce, Thanet Earth) in North America, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Oceania. The company is privately held, with no disclosed institutional investors, funding rounds, or public-market listings.

Name

Cultivators

Legal name

Cultivators BV

Website

https://cultivators.nl

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cultivators BV is a Dutch B2B consultancy providing committed consultancy services to 100+ clients in 27 countries across licensed cannabis and hydroponic leafy greens, spanning facility design, daily operations, training, and investor due diligence.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Horticultural Consultancy Services

NAICS

Food Crops Grown Under Cover (11141), Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating (115112), Vegetable and Melon Farming (1112)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) / Vertical Farming (Indoor LED Farms) (AFAGAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Greenhouse Herb & Microgreens Production (Culinary Herbs, Microgreens) (AFAGAHAC), CEA Monitoring, Sensors & Automation Software (SCADA, IoT, Climate/Recipe Control) (AFAAAHAG), Irrigation, Fertigation & Nutrient Delivery Systems (Dosing, Injectors, Sensors) (AFAAAHAE), Environmental Control & Climate Systems (HVAC, CO₂, Ventilation, Dehumidification) (AFAAAHAB)

Keywords

• Controlled environment agriculture
• Horticultural consultancy services
• Hydroponic lettuce cultivation
• Licensed cannabis cultivation
• Greenhouse cultivation advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Breda

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Consulting and Advisory Services: Cultivators generates revenue through professional consulting and advisory fees charged to growers, investors, suppliers, and other stakeholders. Services span from one-time project reviews to long-term committed consultancy engagements, where the company takes a stake in project outcomes. Revenue is earned through hourly fees, fixed project fees, and potentially equity or revenue-sharing arrangements depending on the engagement model.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Cultivators is a specialized consultancy firm for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) that provides advisory services to growers, investors, suppliers, and other stakeholders in licensed cannabis and hydroponic lettuce/leafy greens. Its core offerings span cultivation consultancy (facility design, commissioning, daily operations), business analysis and investment due diligence, training and workshops, climate system design and HVAC optimization, and compliance advisory (GACP/GMP). The firm also operates the Leafy Hydroponics Consortium, a multi-year applied research initiative, and hosts the annual Leafy Hydroponics Summit.

Product overview

Cultivators is a specialized consultancy firm for controlled environment agriculture (CEA), offering advisory services for cannabis and hydroponic leafy greens cultivation. The company's service portfolio includes cultivation consultancy (facility design, commissioning, daily operations), business analysis and due diligence for investments, training and workshops, climate system optimization, and compliance services. Beyond individual client engagements, Cultivators manages two flagship initiatives: the Leafy Hydroponics Consortium, a multi-year research platform conducted at PSKW in Belgium to advance greenhouse hydroponic systems for leafy crops, and the annual Leafy Hydroponics Summit, an international knowledge exchange event. Cultivators operates as a services-based consultancy rather than a software product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Leafy Hydroponics Summit (LHS): An international two-day invitation-only event focused on non-commercial communication, knowledge exchange, and networking in the hydroponic leafy greens industry. Now in its third edition as of 2026.
• Leafy Hydroponic Consortium (LHC)
• Cultivation for Compounds (CfC)

Products and services

• Cultivation Consultancy Services Comprehensive cultivation advisory services for cannabis, lettuce, leafy greens, herbs, and other CEA crops, covering facility design, commissioning, daily operations, crop planning, climate control, fertilization, and crop protection. Targeted at commercial growers, investors, and suppliers.
• Business Analysis & Due Diligence Investment due diligence services for new projects and M&A, including market analysis, facility assessment, technical review, financial benchmarking, and management organization evaluation. Targeted at investors, PE firms, and family offices evaluating CEA opportunities.
• Training & Workshops Educational programs covering cannabis cultivation basics, hydroponic lettuce industry insights, compliance training (GACP/GMP), and business strategy workshops for growers, investors, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
• Climate System Design & Optimization HVAC and climate control optimization services for cultivation facilities, focusing on airflow dynamics, temperature and humidity management, energy efficiency, and system integration for optimal growing conditions. Targeted at cannabis and leafy greens cultivation facilities.
• Compliance Services Legal compliance advisory for the cannabis industry, including GACP and GMP protocols, quality systems setup, regulatory monitoring, and license validity management for growers and suppliers.
• Leafy Hydroponics Consortium Multi-year collaborative research initiative uniting breeders, technology providers, and cultivation specialists to develop, test, and validate next-generation greenhouse hydroponic growing systems for leafy crops, managed by Cultivators and executed at PSKW in Belgium.
• Leafy Hydroponics Summit Annual invitation-only international two-day event for non-commercial knowledge exchange, networking, and industry collaboration focused on hydroponic leafy greens production, hosted by Cultivators.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40-50% HVAC system budget savings achieved through Cultivators' climate optimization methodology for a tropical cannabis facility in Thailand (Thai Stick case study)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers27 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

56 partnerships are on record, tiered core, main and supporting.

• Proefstation voor de Groenteteelt (PSKW)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Leading Belgian applied research institute for leafy greens and vegetable production. PSKW serves as the trial execution site for the Leafy Hydroponics Consortium, responsible for experimental execution, data generation, and scientific validation of all trials. Cultivators and PSKW co-host consortium partner events at the PSKW facility in Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium.
• Rijk ZwaanmainStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Global breeding company and main partner in the Leafy Hydroponics Consortium, focused on developing high-performance leafy crop varieties optimized for hydroponic greenhouse production systems. Rijk Zwaan also co-presents workshops at GreenTech Americas alongside Cultivators.
• Enza ZadenmainStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026International seed breeding company and main partner in the Leafy Hydroponics Consortium, specializing in innovative leafy crop genetics with a focus on yield potential, crop uniformity, and production efficiency. Enza Zaden also co-sponsored LHS 2025 and participated in facility tours.
• SignifymainTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Global leader in horticultural LED lighting and main partner in the Leafy Hydroponics Consortium, responsible for spectrum development, dynamic lighting strategies, and optimization of light recipes for leafy crop performance and quality.
• GrodanmainTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Developer of advanced stone wool substrates and main partner in the Leafy Hydroponics Consortium, responsible for root zone optimization, irrigation strategies, and substrate-driven crop performance trials.
• HortiplanmainTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Specialist in greenhouse cultivation systems and main partner in the Leafy Hydroponics Consortium, responsible for system layout, gutter design, plant handling solutions, and overall cultivation infrastructure optimization. Hortiplan is also referenced in facility visits for LHS.
• EllepotmainTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Specialist in sustainable propagation systems and main partner in the Leafy Hydroponics Consortium, providing biodegradable paper-based plugs and sleeves for optimized germination, uniform plant establishment, and transplant performance.
• LetsGrow.comsupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Supporting partner in the Leafy Hydroponics Consortium, providing advanced greenhouse control and data analytics platforms to support trial monitoring, climate optimization, and performance benchmarking across consortium research activities.
• Ammerlaan ConstructionsupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Supporting partner in the Leafy Hydroponics Consortium and sponsor of LHS 2025. Specialist in greenhouse construction and technical infrastructure, supporting the physical setup and structural optimization of trial environments.
• SvenssonsupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Supporting partner in the Leafy Hydroponics Consortium and sponsor of LHS 2024. Global supplier of climate screens, supporting research on energy efficiency, light diffusion, and microclimate optimization.
• Roam TechnologysupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Supporting partner in the Leafy Hydroponics Consortium. A science-driven specialist in cleaning, disinfection, and performance solutions for horticulture, supporting safe and efficient operations.
• JB GroepsupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Supporting partner in the Leafy Hydroponics Consortium. A Dutch technology company specializing in pumps, misting, filtration, and water treatment solutions for horticulture.
• DelgecosupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Supporting partner in the Leafy Hydroponics Consortium. Developer of natural and probiotic products that enhance plant health and microbiological balance in horticulture.
• ZayndusupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Supporting partner in the Leafy Hydroponics Consortium. Agri-tech company specializing in advanced seed treatment using cold plasma technology through its ActivatedAir™ platform, enhancing germination, plant vigor, and crop uniformity.
• BASF | NunhemsmainGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Main partner and presenter at LHS 2026 and LHS Recap. Vegetable seeds business of BASF delivering high-performance varieties designed for quality, yield, and consistency in leafy greens. Company representative Carlos Umaña presented on 'Across the Pond: Bringing 10 Years of Teen Leaf from North America to Europe.'
• JASA Packaging SolutionsmainGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Main partner and presenter at LHS 2026 and sponsor of LHS 2025 and LHS 2024. Leading system integrator for weighing and packaging solutions for fresh produce and leafy greens. Joost Somford led a session on AI applications in post-harvest automation and packaging.
• KUBO Greenhouse ProjectsmainGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Main partner at LHS 2026 and facility visited during LHS 2024. Global greenhouse technology provider delivering high-tech, turnkey growing solutions and data-driven, sustainable crop production. David Riseborough presented on 'Planning your Leafy Greens Project.'
• PrivamainTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Main partner at LHS 2026. Global technology company specializing in climate control, water management, and process automation for horticulture and CEA. Rudy van den Berg presented on 'Leafy Production at Various Levels: The Key Factors Behind the Success of Scalable Lettuce Cultivation.' Also visited during LHS 2026 field trip.
• MechaTronixmainTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Main partner at LHS 2026. Developer of advanced LED grow light solutions for horticulture, focusing on energy efficiency and crop-specific light strategies. Koen Vangorp presented on 'LED Innovation & Trends: Driving Consistent Growth with Light.'
• Light4FoodmainTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Main partner at LHS 2026. Specializes in innovative LED lighting concepts tailored to vertical farming and indoor cultivation. Niels Jacobs presented on 'Developments in Floating Systems: From Basic Setup to Full Automation.'
• HAWEmainTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Main partner at LHS 2026. Architects of smart cultivation systems since 1958, ranging from mobile container systems to multilayer growing systems. Jelmer Huizing presented on 'Designing for Performance in Controlled Environment Agriculture.'
• CultiwoolmainTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Main partner at LHS 2026. Produces stone wool growing substrates designed for precision, uniformity, and root-zone control. Ryan Wankel led a deep-dive session on 'From Plug to Profit: How Cultiwool Prime Redefines the Leafy Greens Plug.'
• UrbinatimainTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Main partner at LHS 2026. Designs and manufactures automated sowing, transplanting, and nursery systems for horticulture. Matteo Ricci and Andrea Bocchini led a deep-dive session on 'Urbinati: Advanced Technology for Leafy Production.'
• GreenTech AmericascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Cultivators co-organizes a dedicated hydroponic leafy greens workshop at GreenTech Americas in Querétaro, Mexico, with support from GreenTech Americas. The workshop brings together growers, investors, and technology providers from Latin America and internationally to discuss commercial success in the region's hydroponic leafy greens sector. Cultivators also led industry dialogue sessions at the broader exhibition.
• Flier SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Dutch automation company and co-presenter at the GreenTech Americas 2026 workshop alongside Cultivators. Flier Systems presented on automation strategies that improve efficiency, reduce labor pressure, and support long-term profitability in indoor lettuce production.
• Enza ZadenmainGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Sponsor of LHS 2025. Contributed to the second edition of the Leafy Hydroponics Summit with presentations and hosted a facility tour on day 2 of the event.
• OreonmainGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Sponsor of LHS 2025. LED grow light technology provider contributing to the summit's program on sustainable lighting strategies.
• Green Production SystemsmainGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Sponsor of LHS 2025. Contributed to the summit program focusing on sustainable production strategies.
• SormacmainGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Sponsor of LHS 2025. Contributed to the summit's program covering processing and handling technology.
• Meteor SystemsmainTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Sponsor of LHS 2025. Horticultural systems specialist contributing to the summit's technical program.
• Hoogendoorn Growth ManagementmainTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Sponsor of LHS 2025. Climate control and process automation specialist contributing to the summit's technical program.
• TTA-ISOmainTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Sponsor of LHS 2025. Contributed to the summit's program on automation and technical systems.
• Maan Biobased ProductsmainTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Sponsor of LHS 2025. Contributed to the summit's program on sustainable substrates and materials.
• Rijk ZwaanmainGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Sponsor of LHS 2024. Hosted a tour of their demo greenhouse during the first edition of the Leafy Hydroponics Summit.
• JASA Packaging SolutionsmainGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Sponsor of LHS 2024. Participated in the inaugural Leafy Hydroponics Summit as a partner.
• Flier SystemsmainTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Sponsor of LHS 2024. Partner in the inaugural Leafy Hydroponics Summit.
• HeliospectramainTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Sponsor of LHS 2024. LED lighting technology partner for the inaugural summit.
• Van Der HoevenmainTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Sponsor of LHS 2024. Greenhouse technology provider and partner in the inaugural Leafy Hydroponics Summit.
• HortiplanmainTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Sponsor of LHS 2024. Cultivation systems specialist and partner in the inaugural summit, with offices visited during the program.
• SvenssonmainTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Sponsor of LHS 2024. Climate screen specialist and partner in the inaugural Leafy Hydroponics Summit.
• Grower2GrowersupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Cultivators partnered with Grower2Grower to organize and host the Medical Cannabis growing workshop in New Zealand, facilitating access to local industry participants and helping deliver cannabis cultivation training content to the local market.
• VBcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Dutch greenhouse technology provider and co-presenter at the GreenTech Americas 2026 hydroponic leafy greens workshop alongside Cultivators. VB presented on high-tech greenhouse concepts, automation, and hygiene standards for professional leafy greens production.
• Cultivation For Compounds Consortium (Vertify + World Horti Centre)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022A four-year research and representation program on cannabis cultivation formed by Vertify, Cultivators, and World Horti Centre (WHC), together with dedicated horticultural suppliers. The consortium focuses on cultivating cannabis for specific active compounds and includes an educational pavilion at WHC. The research program is underway at Vertify's facility in Naaldwijk, Netherlands.
• BiobestsupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Supplier partner in the Cultivation For Compounds consortium, contributing expertise in biological pest control as part of the four-year cannabis cultivation research program.
• BrightLabssupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Supplier partner in the Cultivation For Compounds consortium, supporting the four-year cannabis cultivation research program.
• Cannabis DryingsupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Supplier partner in the Cultivation For Compounds consortium, contributing to post-harvest processing research within the four-year cannabis program.
• DCMsupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Supplier partner in the Cultivation For Compounds consortium, supporting the four-year cannabis cultivation research program.
• FluencesupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Supplier partner in the Cultivation For Compounds consortium, contributing LED lighting expertise to the four-year cannabis research program.
• GrodansupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Supplier partner in the Cultivation For Compounds consortium, contributing substrate expertise to the four-year cannabis cultivation research program.
• Master ProductssupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Supplier partner in the Cultivation For Compounds consortium.
• MJ TechsupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Supplier partner in the Cultivation For Compounds consortium, contributing technology expertise to the four-year cannabis research program.
• PhormiumsupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Supplier partner in the Cultivation For Compounds consortium.
• PrivasupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Supplier partner in the Cultivation For Compounds consortium, contributing climate control and process automation expertise to the four-year cannabis research program.
• KG SystemssupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Sponsor partner of the Cultivation For Compounds consortium.
• Van Dijk HeatingsupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Sponsor partner of the Cultivation For Compounds consortium.
• Perfect PlantssupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Sponsor partner of the Cultivation For Compounds consortium.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Delphy: Dutch independent horticulture consultancy providing crop-technical advice, training, and applied research to greenhouse growers across vegetables, ornamentals, and soft fruit. Closest direct analogue to Cultivators in terms of independent advisory positioning serving commercial CEA operators.
• Hort Americas: North American horticulture consultancy and supplier focused on hydroponic and controlled-environment production, including leafy greens and specialty crops. Comparable to Cultivators in its crop-technical advisory role for CEA operators.
• Vertical Future: UK-based vertical farming company that combines proprietary technology with consulting and R&D services for indoor CEA producers. Comparable to Cultivators in offering cultivation advisory alongside operational know-how in CEA.

Others

• Priva: Global climate-control and process-automation technology provider for horticulture and CEA, and a main partner in Cultivators' flagship events. Comparable as an adjacent infrastructure provider that increasingly delivers advisory-adjacent services.
• Wageningen University & Research (WUR): Dutch applied research institution (Wageningen UR Glastuinbouw) generating greenhouse crop research and providing advisory output to industry. Comparable to Cultivators as a knowledge-generation partner overlapping on CEA research.
• Signify (Philips Horticulture LED): Global horticultural LED lighting leader and a main partner in the Leafy Hydroponics Consortium. Comparable as a technology supplier providing light-recipe expertise and cultivation guidance to CEA operators.

Broad incumbents

• KUBO Greenhouse Projects: Global high-tech greenhouse builder and turnkey project developer, partner of Cultivators and LHS sponsor. Comparable as a broader CEA solutions provider that increasingly bundles cultivation advisory into its offering.
• Certhon: Dutch horticultural greenhouse builder active in both vegetables and cannabis, with growing advisory and cultivation-support capabilities. Comparable to Cultivators as a larger player offering overlapping CEA expertise.
• Royal Brinkman: Major Dutch horticulture supplier providing products, technical advice, and project support to commercial growers worldwide. Comparable to Cultivators in delivering consultative services to CEA growers as part of a broader supply offering.

Emerging players

• LetsGrow.com: Horticulture data platform offering climate monitoring, benchmarking, and analytics to CEA operators. Comparable to Cultivators as a data-driven partner supporting cultivation optimization decisions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cultivatorsnl
• Instagraminstagram.com/cultivators.nl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Cultivators