A Fresh Approach to Farming
SkyAcres Agrotechnologies is transforming the agricultural landscape by addressing the decline of small farms in the US and Canada, where 170 farms are lost daily to large producers. This shift has led to prioritizing transport durability over nutrition — exacerbating climate, health, and food insecurity issues. Despite the growing demand from grocery stores for local produce, there has been no seamless way to facilitate this until now. SkyAcres democratizes farming with its innovative model, creating an “Airbnb of indoor farms.” By utilizing patent-pending hardware and an AI-powered marketplace, they enable anyone with under-utilized space to grow and sell produce. Their energy-efficient vertical farming system — which operates year-round with 90% fewer resources — automates the growing process and connects growers with commercial buyers through predictive demand, maximizing profits and making farming more accessible.
The Surrey startup’s vertical farming system is designed to be user-friendly and highly efficient. This patent-pending system eliminates the need for energy-intensive water pumps, making it the lowest energy commercial vertical farming system available. The system includes all necessary knowledge, equipment, software, and sales channels, allowing individuals with under-utilized space—whether in barns, residential, or commercial areas—to grow and sell fresh produce. With no prior growing or marketing experience required, users can follow step-by-step instructions via a mobile app to cultivate and sell produce through SkyAcres’ direct sales channels. This marketplace consists of commercial buyers who source produce from a network of local growers, thereby contributing to the local food system and generating healthy profits.
Reaping the Rewards
The agtech startup has achieved significant milestones over the last few years that highlight its impact and growth. The company is one of only three Canadian startups selected for this year’s Google Startup Accelerator, where they’re refining their AI-driven marketplace for predictive insights to maximize profits, securing an annual recurring revenue (ARR) of $200k. Additionally, SkyAcres has been recognized as one of Canada’s top 20 most innovative startups by CIX and has secured over $400,000 CAD in non-dilutive research funding. Arguably their biggest standout achievement includes reducing the cost of fresh produce by up to 76% by utilizing an unused storage room inside a grocery store in a remote Indigenous community. Their early backing by the University of Calgary’s UCeed Fund further underscores their potential and further validates the company’s success to date.
Participating in the 2024 New Ventures BC Competition is a strategic move for SkyAcres as they look to attract attention from key players in the tech industry. The NVBC platform offers unparalleled access to BC’s top advisors, mentors, investors, and industry leaders and being selected as one of the Top 26 startups has already led to valuable connections and exposure. The competition’s rigorous submission process has also provided SkyAcres with a unique opportunity to refine their business model and showcase their potential to a broader audience, positioning them for further growth and investment.
Primed for Success
Ishaan Kohli, SkyAcres’ CEO and Co-Founder Co-Founder, has a diverse background that uniquely positioned him to lead a cutting-edge agtech company. Starting at the age of 12, Ishaan worked in his family business within the CPG space, gaining early exposure to product labeling and graphic design. This foundation was expanded through his entrepreneurial venture in the media and film sector, where he honed his customer service and project management skills. His experience at the BC Cancer Agency provided valuable insights into device development, while his tenure at a Sam Altman-backed startup offered firsthand knowledge of successful startup operations. These varied experiences have collectively equipped Ishaan with a comprehensive skill set and a deep understanding of multiple industries, preparing him to navigate the complexities of leading an innovative startup.
As the CEO, Ishaan’s immediate focus is on addressing the primary bottlenecks in SkyAcres’ growth: the sales process and manufacturing constraints. He recognizes that overcoming these challenges requires both strategic guidance and additional capital, which is why SkyAcres has recently opened a seed financing round. By securing the necessary resources and expertise, Ishaan and the team aim to streamline operations and scale the company effectively — ensuring that SkyAcres can continue to democratize farming and revolutionize the agricultural industry.
About the Founders
Ishaan Kohli, CEO & Co-Founder
Fun Fact: Isaan is an avid nordic skier.
Zaffia Laplante, COO & Co-Founder
Fun Fact: Zaffia is a 5x National Champion in sprint canoe and kayaking.
Company Cheatsheet:
Location: Surrey
Founded: October 2021
Sector: Agtech, IoT
