Ljusgårda

Ljusgårda AB is a Swedish food-tech company specializing in large-scale indoor vertical farming. It was established in 2017 by Andreas Wilhelmsson, Erik Lundgren, and Magnus Crommert. The venture began in a garage in Tibro, Sweden, driven by a desire to address the climate impact of imported produce. Erik Lundgren's Samoan heritage and his awareness of climate change's global effects were a key inspiration for the company's founding. Andreas Wilhelmsson, a serial entrepreneur since age 17, brings multifaceted business experience to the company.

The company operates in the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) market, challenging Sweden's reliance on imported greens, which account for over 70% of consumption. Ljusgårda’s business model is centered on producing and selling pre-packaged, ready-to-eat lettuce directly to major grocery retailers and online food stores in Sweden. Revenue is generated from the sale of these products to clients like ICA, Hemköp, Willys, Tempo, and Mathem. By establishing partnerships with major distributors such as Dagab, Ljusgårda has significantly expanded its market presence to over 500 stores nationwide.

Ljusgårda has developed one of Europe's largest vertical farms inside a converted 7,000-square-meter furniture factory. This facility utilizes a circular cultivation system with automated controls for light, water, and climate, running entirely on renewable energy. This process allows for year-round cultivation without pesticides and with significantly less water usage compared to traditional farming. The company employs advanced technology, including specialized pallet shuttle systems and Philips LED lighting solutions, to optimize growing conditions and yields. This results in a product with a lower environmental impact than imported alternatives. The company has successfully raised significant capital to fund its expansion, with notable investors including investment firms backed by the Lundin family, H&M chairman Karl-Johan Persson, and Jula Group.

Keywords: vertical farming, food-tech, controlled environment agriculture, sustainable agriculture, indoor farming, hydroponics, Swedish agriculture, lettuce production, agritech, local food production, circular economy, food supply chain, sustainable food systems, retail food supply, automation in agriculture, renewable energy farming, pesticide-free, ready-to-eat salads, Dagab partnership, ICA supplier