Key Takeaways
- • Oishii closed the first tranche of a Series C financing round at $150 million, led by SPARX Asset Management with participation from Nomura Real Estate Development, MISUMI Group, and Mizuho Bank.
- • The capital infusion supports expansion of Oishii's indoor vertical farming operations, which the company positions as the world's largest indoor vertical strawberry farm integrating robotics, automation, and Japanese agricultural techniques.
- • Oishii's business model centers on year-round production of pesticide-free, Non-GMO strawberries harvested at peak ripeness, with expansion focused on increased production capacity and broader retail distribution.
- • The financing demonstrates institutional investor confidence in controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) technology as a viable alternative to traditional farming, particularly for premium produce segments.
Summary
Oishii announced the first closing of $150 million in Series C financing on May 13, 2026, marking a significant capital raise for the indoor vertical farming company. The round was led by SPARX Asset Management Co., Ltd., with co-investment from Nomura Real Estate Development Co., Ltd., MISUMI Group Inc., Mizuho Bank Ltd., and others, signaling broad institutional backing across real estate, industrial manufacturing, and banking sectors in Japan.
The company, based in Jersey City, operates what it describes as the world's largest indoor vertical strawberry farm. Oishii's competitive positioning rests on a hybrid agricultural model that combines modern technology—including robotics and automation systems—with centuries-old Japanese farming techniques. This approach enables year-round production of strawberries that are grown without pesticides and without genetic modification, harvested at peak ripeness to optimize both nutritional value and consumer appeal.
The Series C capital will be deployed to increase production capacity, advance farm operations and infrastructure, and expand retail access for Oishii's strawberry products. The financing reflects investor confidence in the scalability of controlled-environment agriculture as a solution to supply chain vulnerabilities and seasonal production constraints inherent in traditional outdoor farming. With participation from a diversified investor base spanning asset management, real estate development, and industrial operations, the round underscores growing institutional interest in agtech ventures addressing food security and premium produce markets.
The company, based in Jersey City, operates what it describes as the world's largest indoor vertical strawberry farm. Oishii's competitive positioning rests on a hybrid agricultural model that combines modern technology—including robotics and automation systems—with centuries-old Japanese farming techniques. This approach enables year-round production of strawberries that are grown without pesticides and without genetic modification, harvested at peak ripeness to optimize both nutritional value and consumer appeal.
The Series C capital will be deployed to increase production capacity, advance farm operations and infrastructure, and expand retail access for Oishii's strawberry products. The financing reflects investor confidence in the scalability of controlled-environment agriculture as a solution to supply chain vulnerabilities and seasonal production constraints inherent in traditional outdoor farming. With participation from a diversified investor base spanning asset management, real estate development, and industrial operations, the round underscores growing institutional interest in agtech ventures addressing food security and premium produce markets.
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