Funding will include a new R&D center
By Janet Kanters

GoodLeaf Farms, Canada’s largest vertical farming operator, has completed a $52 million equity financing round to significantly expand production capacity at its Alberta and Quebec facilities while establishing a new research and development center in Ontario.

The funding comes as the company experiences unprecedented growth, with CEO Andy O’Brien reporting that demand for GoodLeaf’s Canadian-grown baby greens and microgreens nearly doubled by April 2025.

“We entered 2025 with incredible momentum, and by April, demand for our products nearly doubled as Canadians from coast to coast embraced Canadian-grown greens,” O’Brien said. “With this new funding, we will double the capacity of our two largest farms in 2026.”

The investment round attracted backing from both new and existing shareholders, including Farm Credit Canada (FCC), Power Sustainable Lios, and McCain Foods, signaling strong investor confidence in the vertical farming sector.

A portion of the new capital will fund the creation of a dedicated research and development facility in Ontario, focused on developing more sustainable and efficient growing practices across GoodLeaf’s three vertical farms. This expansion builds on the company’s recently launched Agricultural Centre of Excellence in Guelph, Ontario.

Founded in Halifax in 2011, GoodLeaf has pioneered the use of multi-level vertical farming technology to create controlled indoor environments capable of producing fresh, pesticide-free produce year-round, regardless of weather conditions. The company’s innovative approach has enabled it to supply leading retailers and food service operators across Canada.

The company maintains ongoing collaboration programs with universities in Canada, the United States, and Europe, positioning itself at the forefront of agricultural innovation as it scales operations to meet growing demand for locally-produced fresh greens.