Stealthy SkyAcres to Foster ‘Food Sovereignty’ with Vertical Farm Tech

Last year, Innovate BC and the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program provided $2 million in research and development funding to help regional companies pilot technologies and create new jobs across British Columbia.

The B.C. Fast Pilot invested in 14 companies at the time—including SkyAcres Agrotechnologies, which was recently named one of the most innovative technology startups in the province.

Launched from a Surrey basecamp in 2021, SkyAcres is building a network of scaleable vertical farming operations, aiming to deploy turnkey farms through franchise-like partnerships.

“At SkyAcres, we are committed to pioneering a new era of agriculture through our state-of-the-art, energy-efficient aeroponic vertical farming systems,” the BC company states online. “We strive to make sustainable farming accessible and profitable for all, transcending the limitations of traditional agriculture.”

Once out of stealth mode, SkyAcres’ mission is to “foster food sovereignty” by helping to decentralize food production and thus alleviate some of the negative effects of the globalization of fresh produce production.

The company hopes to convert existing commercial infrastructure, “including neglected and under-utilized spaces, into smart indoor farms and sustainable green building systems.”

“By creating a decentralized network of small-scale, low-cost farming operations, we aim to revolutionize the food supply chain, alleviate food insecurity, and empower communities with food sovereignty,” states the ag-tech.

Promising the “lowest energy aeroponic vertical farming system on the market today,” SkyAcres says its solution offers a diverse crop selection that extends “beyond just leafy greens.”

“Our focus is not just on leafy greens but a diverse array of crops that nourish communities both nutritionally and economically,” reads the company’s website.

The SkyAcres system is also eco-friendly, the startup says, using 94% less water than traditional farming.

“At SkyAcres, we believe that better farming leads to better living,” the startup says. “Together, let’s cultivate a future where everyone has access to fresh, local, and nutritious produce.”