OnePointOne

This interview details OnePointOne, an indoor farming technology company based in the United States. The interview is with Sam Bertram, CEO and co-founder of OnePointOne.

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How did OnePointOne originate and what was its founding vision?

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At OnePointOne, our origin story is a tale of ambition and innovation. My brother and I, Australian natives with a passion for tennis, found our way to the U.S. where we pursued higher education in engineering.

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Our paths in mechanical and electrical engineering led us to the realization about the finiteness of life and the urgency to tackle monumental challenges. Identifying poor nutrition as the world's most pressing issue, we delved into the limitations of traditional and greenhouse farming. This exploration brought us to vertical farming, a solution ripe with potential yet hindered by economic inefficiencies. Convinced of its viability, we embarked on a mission to revolutionize food production through automation and advanced technologies, resulting in the birth of OnePointOne.

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What are the industry challenges and how does OnePointOne differentiate itself?

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In the vertical farming sector, the primary challenge is achieving efficient and reliable plant growth. At OnePointOne, we set ourselves apart by focusing on technology rather than traditional farming operations. Our business model revolves around selling licenses for advanced, autonomous farming technology. This approach allows us to spearhead innovation in the field, offering a distinct alternative to competitors who primarily operate as produce companies.

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What are unique aspects of OnePointOne's technology?

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Our technology's uniqueness lies in its integration of proven large-scale systems and a comprehensive, system-wide patent. This patent is a significant competitive advantage, given the crowded field of vertical farming. We also emphasize space efficiency, utilizing areas typically not conducive to plant growth, and offer flexibility with technology that supports both aeroponics and hydroponics.

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Could you share some details about OnePointOne's operations and achievements?

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OnePointOne has established a solid foothold with farms in California and Arizona, and additional ones underway in Arizona. With a diversified team of 25 and $65 million in funding, our ambition is to deploy 100 farms next year. We specialize in leafy greens, microgreens, and herbs, but also see significant potential in biopharmaceutical applications. Our technology is also beneficial for greenhouse nurseries, offering high-quality starter crops.

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What is OnePointOne's long-term vision and goals?

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Our long-term vision is to impact 1.1 billion lives, a goal inspired by the global malnutrition statistics from 2000. We aim to address immediate nutritional needs while contributing to broader issues like climate change. Financially, we're focused on scaling up our farm deployments and developing diverse farm models to cater to a range of agricultural needs.

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How does OnePointOne view the automation of indoor farming and the role of human presence?

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We believe that automation in indoor farming is not just feasible but essential for future growth. While automation in plant science and growth poses challenges, advancements in AI and technology are progressively bridging these gaps. The role of human intervention is evolving, with on-site expertise becoming less critical as we move towards more automated solutions.

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Can you provide details on the size and production capability of OnePointOne's farms?

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Our standard farm is a model of modern agricultural efficiency, occupying 1,000 square feet, 23 feet tall, and capable of producing on the order of 140-150,000 pounds of leafy greens. We're also adept at cultivating microgreens and strawberries, adapting to the complexities of different crops. These farms symbolize a major advancement in agricultural technology, offering diverse models for various farming requirements.

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What are some key learnings and advice from your journey with OnePointOne?

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Our journey has been an enlightening one, with key takeaways being the importance of precision, humility, and staying focused on core objectives. Emphasizing personality in our hiring process has been crucial in building a strong, cohesive team. Adaptability, effective personnel management, and maintaining a competitive, yet empathetic business approach have been vital to our success.

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For those interested in OnePointOne, where can they find more information?

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For anyone interested in learning more about OnePointOne and our innovative approach to vertical farming, our website (www.onepointone.com) is the best resource. We are committed to responsiveness and offer a range of informational materials online. Our dedication to this technology and its potential impact is unwavering, and we welcome all inquiries from those interested in joining us on this exciting and impactful journey.

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