BrightFarms, a New York-based grower of indoor leafy greens since 2013, has announced the launch of BrightLabs, their new innovation and research hub located at their Wilmington, Ohio farm. "With the launch of this new venture, we’re also excited to share that Matt Lingard, PhD, will lead the BrightLabs team as our new Vice President of Agriculture & Science," they say.
"With plans to reach more than two-thirds of the U.S. population by 2025, we’re charting a future where BrightFarms continues to grow as a leading household name for safe, clean and innovative products in multiple categories. "
BrightLabs will combine the strongest minds from across the food industry to cement our position as the leading provider of indoor leafy greens. It will also expand our roots beyond growing fresh produce, adding the development of proprietary ag-tech and biotechnology to our roster of capabilities.
We’ve always believed that big ideas and innovations should be designed to serve our mission: giving more people access to the freshest, tastiest and most responsibly grown produce. BrightLabs won't be turning out moonshot ideas or strange products for the culinary elite. We’re committed to developing delicious, breakthrough and nutrient-rich products that improve the health of Americans and the health of our planet.
According to bizjournals, CEO Steve Platt declined to disclose the exact investment but told me it’s in the multimillions. The project is being launched as part of the company’s $100 million Series E funding round in October led by media conglomerate Cox Enterprises.
Phase one for BrightLabs includes a new, approximately 1,350 square foot lab that has been built at the Wilmington greenhouse site. BrightFarms will also dedicate space on the farm for the BrightLabs team to work.
Platt said BrightLabs will focus on three key areas:
Biotech. BrightFarms wants to study the environments in which plants grow to increase yield, flavor and texture.
Agtech. BrightOS, the company’s proprietary AI software system, acts as the company’s central nervous system, Platt said, collecting millions of data points from its fives farms to streamline operations. How can the company improve that technology?
Product innovation. BrightFarms recently launched NutriGreens, a new lettuce packed with antioxidants – double the amount, Platt said, found in a serving of blueberries. BrightFarms wants more advances like that.
