Virgo Global Inc.

This interview details Virgo Global Inc., a company based in Canada. The interview is with Guillaume Paquet, Director R&D at Virgo Global Inc.

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What is the origin story of Virgo Global Inc.?

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Virgo Global traces its roots back to 2022 when two companies operating in the indoor agriculture sector merged after 4 years of R&D and market development by each group. This merger united a team of qualified professionals from diverse backgrounds and expertise with the common goal of addressing the urgent need for optimized solutions in the agricultural industry to face the challenges brought by climate changes, such as the lack of arable land, the rising rarity of water, the cost of energy and the scarcity of labor which all have an impact on the food chain, producers, and consumers. 

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After nearly a decade of research and development, Virgo had the opportunity to integrate the research chair in organic agriculture at Laval University. This opportunity was seized without hesitation as it would further develop the technology behind the Virgo solution and confirm multiple hypotheses previously formulated. To date, Virgo Global is pleased to announce the opening of its first production facility in June. The company has also begun to tap into the international market in countries where agriculture is threatened by various environmental factors.

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What are some of the biggest challenges facing Virgo Global Inc. in the future?

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The main challenge that faces indoor cultivation technologies is the cost associated with the acquisition of the equipment (CAPEX) and the construction of the installations. Financing these types of installations is problematic because there is no database to back this type of production being profitable.

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However, the Virgo solution is designed to limit costs while optimizing the production cycle, therefore the service given to the customers who adopt it. Another challenge is the availability of various resources such as water, energy, and labor depending on the geographic factor. This is why the Virgo solution continuously works to improve and adapt to the different needs and reality of customers worldwide.

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What is unique about Virgo Global Inc. compared to competitors?

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The uniqueness of the Virgo technology resides in the full integration of the devices within the infrastructure of the building. The system has the shape of a rotary drum in which the plants themselves move around a light source, unlike the more commonly seen vertical or indoor agriculture systems with stationary lights. The Virgo solution is economically viable at small or large scale due to its unique design which optimizes the utilization of resources and eliminates the necessity of other equipment to achieve a maximal yield.

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This feature allows customers to easily adapt the technology to their new or existing installation with limited environmental impact. The Virgo solution is a modular product that includes the equipment, the infrastructures, commissioning, agronomic and mechanical monitoring, and product development.

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What are some other relevant metrics of the company (growing area size, production quantity, team size, etc.)?

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The system occupies 8 square meters for 18 square meters of growing area, and it is possible to produce 17 cycles of lettuce production. This production will offer nearly 285 kilograms per square meter per year. For this production, 21 people will be required to ensure that all systems and the robot are functioning. Finally, the resource consumption of the system is 0.6 liters per kilogram of lettuce and 35-83 kilowatt-hours per kilogram of lettuce produced. 

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What are some goals in 2024 and beyond for Virgo Global Inc.?

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As we are on the midst of commercialization, our primary goal for 2024 is to conclude the sale of our first modular farm of 90 drums and start delivering the first 30 drums. To support the sale of the Virgo solution, we plan on completing our showcase farm on the North shore of Montreal. This farm will be used to develop fresh product for the future drum buyers. By the end of this farm, the showcase will have 18 drums in production with a variety of leafy greens and different herbs but will transition to whatever product our future clients will require. 

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For the future years, we aim to provide farmer a new solution to produce fruits and vegetables all year round with a solution integrating the climate control and the growing equipment on a single platform. We plan to sell thousands of drums around the world due to the flexibility of the technology and accompany our clients. 

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Finally, we want to develop an expertise in agriculture that can profit every region of the world and provide access to clean food at an affordable price.

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How can people connect with you or learn more about Virgo Global Inc.?

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Anyone interested can contact us at the following address or via our website and social platforms:

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filiatrault.stephanie@virgoltd.com

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