Product Launch at Coop
Vertical Farming pioneer brings very first products to market
YASAI herbs are now available in around 80 Coop shops in north-western Switzerland. To start with, Coop is featuring YASAI basil, which can be found in 20g packs on the fresh food shelves. With its sophisticated cultivation method, the ETH spin-off produces more plants with fewer resources practically on the doorstep. This allows for sustainable production 365 days a year while maintaining consistently high quality.
Switzerland’s first fully automated Vertical Farm
In Niederhasli, just outside Zurich, the construction of the first pilot farm was completed by the end of 2021. The CHF 2.5 million project was financed by YASAI AG and the fenaco agricultural cooperative. Initially, thousands of basil plants will be growing here. Other herbs will follow step by step and, at a later date, leafy greens and berries. The plant currently offers space for 50,000 plants and can be further expanded.
Forward-looking plant cultivation without compromising nature
Through stacked cultivation, vertical farming achieves 200 times more yield per square meter than traditional methods. This is accomplished with 95% less freshwater consumption and without the use of pesticides. All substrates used are 100% biodegradable. In addition, the living conditions of the plants are constantly optimized using artificial intelligence, and fertilizer can be saved. Electricity for the plant is supplied entirely from renewable sources. Recycling systems make it possible to save resources. In
Start-up with global ambitions
The three young Swiss entrepreneurs Mark E. Zahran, Stefano Augstburger, and Philipp Bosshard founded their start-up at the beginning of 2020. With Zahran as an architect, business expert Augstburger, and environmental engineer Bosshard, the founding team has an interdisciplinary set-up. YASAI AG makes vertical farming available as a service for companies and end consumers. It builds, operates, and markets vertical farms for its business partners. The technology is independent of local circumstances and can therefore be used worldwide for sustainable, future-oriented precision agriculture.