N.Thing, a Korean startup developing smart farm and vertical farming technology, has secured a strategic investment from Deepstone Investment. The two companies have signed an investment agreement and will collaborate on fostering startups in the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) Tech sector.

Deepstone Investment decided to invest in N.Thing based on the company’s strong customer base and stable revenue performance, as well as the promising growth potential of its new business ventures. In particular, N.Thing has been recognized as a leading company in the food security sector within SDGs Tech, demonstrating strong technological capabilities and business viability.

Founded in 2014, N.Thing develops and operates advanced IoT-based modular vertical farm solutions that integrate IT and data. The company operates two main divisions: the Fresh Business Unit, which supplies salad greens and herbs grown in its own vertical farms, and the Technology Business Unit, which provides modular vertical farm solutions. N.Thing developed the world’s first organically connected modular smart farm, CUBE, and gained international recognition by winning the CES 2020 Best of Innovation Award, the first-ever in the agriculture sector.

With this investment, N.Thing plans to accelerate its domestic and international business expansion. Amid worsening agricultural instability and price surges due to extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves, heavy rains, and cold spells, N.Thing’s smart farm technology is emerging as a key solution for the future of agriculture. Notably, its modular smart farm CUBE, developed in collaboration with e-Mart and built in Icheon, produces 110 tons of European-style lettuce annually, ensuring a stable supply to e-Mart’s Fresh Center. This facility boasts a 40 times higher yield per unit area compared to conventional open-field or greenhouse farming.

N.Thing’s smart farms maintain a controlled indoor environment, enabling year-round production of high-quality vegetables regardless of season or location. By eliminating the need for pesticides and reducing water consumption by 94% compared to traditional open-field farming, the company is recognized for its contributions to ESG management and sustainability. Furthermore, by creating optimal growing conditions and utilizing big data-driven cultivation methods, N.Thing ensures a stable supply of premium vegetables year-round, helping to mitigate agricultural supply chain disruptions caused by climate change.

As global concerns over food security and climate change grow, the vertical farming market is expanding rapidly at an annual growth rate of over 25%. N.Thing is positioning itself as a leader in this space with its high-efficiency, eco-friendly food production technology. The company is experiencing a surge in demand for its vertical farm solutions, particularly in regions with low food self-sufficiency such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia, further accelerating its global expansion. In partnership with Deepstone Investment, N.Thing also plans to co-run an accelerator program to foster a thriving startup ecosystem in the food security sector.

Kyu-Wan Kim, CEO of Deepstone Investment, stated, “With N.Thing’s innovative technology in food security and its strong distribution network, we expect this collaboration to significantly support the success of SDGs Tech startups.”

Hye-Yeon Kim, CEO of N.Thing, remarked, “This investment will allow us to further enhance our technology and expand into new markets. As extreme weather and agricultural instability worsen, smart farm technology is becoming a crucial solution for future food production. Through our strategic partnership with Deepstone Investment, we aim to expand sustainable food production systems both domestically and globally, contributing to the resolution of global food security challenges.”