Key Takeaways
- Oishii has announced the first closing of $150 million in Series C financing, led by SPARX Asset Management, with participation from Nomura Real Estate Development, MISUMI Group, Mizuho Bank, and others, bringing total funding since founding to $370 million.
- The financing will be used to increase production capacity, advance robotics integration, expand farm infrastructure, and develop new product formats within Oishii's Smart Farm model across the United States and Japan.
- Oishii has expanded distribution to 18 states and launched in Toronto as its first international retail market, with a product range now spanning $4.99 to $15 across multiple berry varieties and pack sizes, down from its original near-$50 per tray Omakase Berry launch in 2018.
- Robotics and automation are central to Oishii's scaling strategy, following the 2025 acquisition of Tortuga AgTech and a strategic partnership with MISUMI Group to support automation and manufacturing needs across the U.S. and Japan.
- The company is developing an Open Innovation Center in Tokyo, its first such facility in Japan, designed to advance R&D capabilities and support the next phase of product and technology innovation.
Oishii, the operator of the world's largest indoor vertical strawberry farm, has announced the first closing of $150 million in Series C financing. The round was led by SPARX Asset Management Co., Ltd., with participation from Nomura Real Estate Development Co., Ltd., MISUMI Group Inc., Mizuho Bank Ltd., and others. The raise brings Oishii's total funding since its 2016 founding to $370 million, and comes as the company expands retail distribution, advances robotics integration, and opens an R&D centre in Japan.
Oishii Series C: Use of Proceeds and Strategic Direction
Oishii plans to deploy the Series C capital across production capacity expansion, robotics integration, farm infrastructure development, and new product format development within its Smart Farm model. The company will also continue investing in R&D and innovation capabilities across the United States and Japan. The raise follows a period in which the broader vertical farming sector contracted, with several well-funded competitors filing for bankruptcy, while Oishii maintained growth through a more focused approach to automation, consumer access, and product diversification.
“When we chose strawberries, we knew we were selecting one of the hardest paths in indoor farming. They require precision at every stage, from pollination and harvesting to freshness and shelf life, and there were moments along the way where solving one challenge revealed the next one underneath it. This funding marks a new phase for Oishii as we scale what we've built, with deeper confidence in the decisions we've made and the role we can play in bringing high-quality produce to more people,” said Hiroki Koga, Co-Founder and CEO of Oishii.
Oishii Retail Expansion and Product Range
Since launching the Omakase Berry at nearly $50 per tray in 2018, Oishii has systematically broadened its retail positioning. The company has added the Koyo Berry and Nikko Berry, introduced new pack sizes, and expanded its price range to $4.99–$15, reaching a wider everyday consumer base. Its new Premium Preserves line extends the brand into pantry staples beyond fresh produce. Oishii has expanded distribution across 18 U.S. states and launched in Toronto as its first international retail market. The Nikko Berry, introduced in 2025, is also sold in a new top-seal packaging format that reduces plastic usage by 80% compared to traditional clamshell packaging.
Robotics, Automation, and the Japan Open Innovation Center
Following the 2025 acquisition of harvesting robotics specialist Tortuga AgTech, Oishii has deepened its automation capabilities across its Smart Farm operations. A strategic partnership with MISUMI Group provides ongoing support for automation and manufacturing component needs across U.S. and Japan facilities. In Japan, the company is developing its first Open Innovation Center in Tokyo, intended to serve as an R&D hub for advancing the next generation of Smart Farm technology and product innovation.
“Since our Series A investment in 2019, we have continuously supported Oishii Farm's growth. It is truly inspiring to see the vision we shared at that time steadily becoming a reality, as the company advances seamlessly from research and development to proof of concept and commercialization,” said Shuhei Abe, President and CEO of SPARX Asset Management Co., Ltd.
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