About
us

We are a diverse team of architects, designers, engineers, agronomists, plant scientists, business and marketing experts. We are constantly growing as a team.

The YASAI founders

  • Mark E. Zahran

    CEO & Co-Founder

    MSc Architecture at ETH, Zurich & UNAM, Mexico City

  • Philipp Bosshard

    CTO & Co-Founder

    BSc Ecological Engineering at Zurich University of Applied Sciences

  • Stefano Augstburger

    CCO & Co-Founder

    Master's Degree in Sales, Distribution & Management at SDA Bocconi, Milano & ESADE, Barcelona

The team

  • Pierre Swaelus

    Business Manager

    MSc Sustainable Business Management, Energy Economics and Corporate Sustainability at Bocconi University

  • Gerhardus Petrus Scheepers

    Farm Manager

    PhD in Forest Science at University of Stellenbosch

  • Darko Drasler

    Plant Developer

    Bachelor of Energineering & BE, Biotechnology at UL

  • Eldrid Funck

    Head of Brand & Marketing

    BBA FH Marketing, Consulting & Finance

  • Miriam Bächtold

    HR Manager

    Federal Diploma of International Human Resources Management

  • Luca Somm

    Mechanical Engineer

    MSc Robotics, Systems and Control at ETH Zurich

  • Danila Cabral

    Plant Scientist

    PhD in Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology University Cote d'Azur

  • Anouk C. Schaedler

    Content Creator

    Bachelor in Trends & Identity at Zurich University of the Arts

  • Annalisa Tarabini

    Office Assistant

    Bachelor in Foreign Languages, Cultures, and Literature in Milan University Cattolica

  • Florian Annen

    Production Worker & Technician

  • Kamil Kosturek

    Production Worker

  • Dima Tkachev

    Production Worker

  • Bastiyan Anthonimuthu

    Production Worker

  • Lahcen Bounia

    Production Worker

  • Leonardo Della Canonica

    Plant Scientist Intern

  • Julian Frey

    Freelancer

    Bachelor in Industrial Design at Zurich University of the Arts

  • Edgar Schnauzmann

    Serotonin Manager

THE EXPERT ADVISORS

  • Dr. Prof. Dickson Despommier

    Former professor at Columbia University in NYC

    Author of the book: "Vertical Farms: How to feed the world in the 21st century"

  • Dr. Martijn Sonnevelt

    Lecturer at the department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich

    Executive Director of The World Food System Center ETH

  • Prof. Dr. Ranka Junge

    Head Centre Ecological Engineering Institute of Natural Resource Sciences (IUNR)

    Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)

  • Dr. Michel Roux

    Co-Founder and President of Food Forum Zurich

    Community Building and Innovation in the Agri-Food Sector

  • Fabian Weinländer

    Former project developer at Urban Farmers AG

    Business development manager at RethinkResource in Zurich

  • Dr. Iris Wollmann

    Agronomist

    Ph.D. in plant nutrition on closed nutrient cycles and recycled fertilizers at the University of Hohenheim.

OUR VISION

TO CREATE BALANCE BY EMPOWERING THE WORLD TO GROW MORE WITH LESS. ‍

Our Vertical Farming is based on a circular economy. With the right people, technology & know-how we actively shape the future of food, whether in deserts, cities, remote islands, or in outer space.

"Our mission is to feed the world sustainably and contribute to your health."

Our story

Creating impact to change the industry as we know it today.

YASAI, established in 2020, builds and manages Vertical Farms. We create circular food production systems in cities and regions where agricultural resources, such as freshwater and fertile arable land, are scarce.

Our model boosts biodiversity by combining food production with resource-saving technologies and eliminating pesticide use. By focusing on locality and premium quality, YASAI replaces food imports and lowers production costs across the supply chain.

Our values

growing together

  • Curosity

    Be curious and willing to learn. Explore creative ways to solve challenging problems and join us on our evolutionary journey.

  • Integrity

    Do things with integrity and allow your actions to match your words. Adopt a virtuous mindset and contribute to the creation of a corrupt-free environment.

  • Impact

    Be mindful and act with intention. Contribute to the betterment of society and the future of our planet.

  • Transparency

    Communicate with sincere intentions and clarity to create an environment of trust and acceptance.

  • Diversity

    Thrive in a multiverse of people by cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect and is free to be their true, authentic selves.