Key Takeaways
- 80 Acres Farms® and Soli Organic® have merged to create one of the largest indoor farming networks globally.
- The combined company, headquartered in Hamilton, Ohio, projects first-year revenues near $200 million.
- Operations will cover more than 17,000 retail locations nationwide with capacity to produce up to 20 million pounds of fresh produce annually.
- The merger integrates 80 Acres’ GroLoop™ platform with Soli Organic’s retail reach and agronomic expertise.
- The company will operate under the 80 Acres Farms name, supported by a unified leadership team.
A Strategic Merger Between 80 Acres Farms & Soli Organic
80 Acres Farms and Soli Organic announced a merger aimed at consolidating their operations into a single company positioned as one of the largest indoor farming networks in the world. The combined entity will operate under the 80 Acres Farms brand and will be headquartered in Hamilton, Ohio. Projected first-year revenues are expected to approach $200 million.
Mike Zelkind, co-founder of 80 Acres Farms and CEO of the new company, emphasized the shift toward scale and execution: “Vertical farming is entering the next phase of business maturity, and it’s about execution, efficiency, and results. This merger unites two top operators that, together, have the scale, economics, and teams to deliver the results that the industry has been waiting for.”
Market Reach and 80 Acres Farm’s New Capacity
The combined company will serve more than 17,000 retail locations across the U.S. through its farms and logistics network. With seven distributed vertical farms, the company has the capacity to produce between 15 and 20 million pounds of fresh produce annually.
Walter Robb, former co-CEO of Whole Foods Market and current co-chairman of Soli Organic, noted the appeal for retailers: “This merger is a win for forward-thinking retailers and the customers they serve. The combined company checks all the boxes: great product quality, increased product portfolio, supply chain resilience, and enhanced customer choice.”
Technology and Operations
The merger brings together 80 Acres’ GroLoop™ platform—an integrated system of hardware, software, and automation—with Soli Organic’s proprietary organic growing system and 35 years of commercial experience. The combined capabilities aim to deliver precise crop optimization, improve supply chain responsiveness, and reduce waste.
Tisha Livingston, co-founder of 80 Acres Farms and CEO of Infinite Acres, highlighted the value of integration: “GroLoop was built to adapt and scale across crops, climates, and facility types. By combining it with Soli’s reach, experience, and knowledge in agronomy, we’re able to move faster, work smarter, and deliver more value across the entire supply chain.”
Ulf Jonsson, founder of Soli Organic, added: “We’ve moved beyond what greenhouses can deliver. Vertical farms offer greater consistency, quality, and yield. I’m excited about combining two leading technologies to create the system that will define the next generation of indoor agriculture.”
Strategic Investments and Future Growth
Over the past 18 months, both companies have made strategic investments that will support the merger, including acquiring assets from Kalera, partnering with Plantae Biosciences, and expanding product offerings such as salad dressings through Reunion Foods.
The company’s portfolio will include herbs, salads, tomatoes, and microgreens, distributed nationwide with a focus on freshness, food safety, and shelf life. All produce is free from pesticides, heavy metals, and other contaminants, with USDA Organic certification where applicable.
Verbitsky Capital acted as financial advisor to Soli Organic for the transaction.
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