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AeroFarms Selected as a Red Herring Top 100 North America Tech Startup

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ITHACA, NY, – June 28, 2010 – Aero Farm Systems LLC (www.aerofarms.com) announced today that it has been won Red Herring’s North America 100 award, in recognition of the leading private companies from North America, celebrating these startups’ innovations and technologies across their respective industries.

Red Herring’s Top 100 North America list has become a mark of distinction for identifying promising new companies and entrepreneurs. Red Herring editors were among the first to recognize that companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, Yahoo, Skype, Salesforce.com, YouTube, and eBay would change the way we live and work.

“Choosing the companies with the strongest potential was by no means a small feat,” said Alex Vieux, publisher and CEO of Red Herring. “After rigorous contemplation and discussion, we narrowed our list down from hundreds of candidates from across North America to the Top 100 Winners. We believe AeroFarms embodies the vision, drive and innovation that define a successful entrepreneurial venture. AeroFarms should be proud of its accomplishment, as the competition was very strong.”

Red Herring’s editorial staff evaluated the companies on both quantitative and qualitative criteria, such as financial performance, technology innovation, management quality, strategy, and market penetration. This assessment of potential is complemented by a review of the track record and standing of startups relative to their sector peers, allowing Red Herring to see past the “buzz” and make the list a valuable instrument of discovery and advocacy for the most promising new business models in North America.

“AeroFarms appreciates the recognition from Red Herring and the attention that aeroponic farming has been receiving in the media,” said Ed Harwood, AeroFarms founder and CEO. “We believe that we’re solving some of the biggest problems facing the world – the lack of arable land and water, and concern over food safety and security.”

About AeroFarms

AeroFarms provides aeroponic growing systems that grow produce without soil and without sun, all year round and in any location.  AeroFarms modular, vertically stackable systems are designed for locating in old or vacant urban buildings, enabling local production of pesticide-free, fresh, clean greens.  AeroFarms systems transform food production into a more sustainable, efficient, and safe process by enabling profitable, commercial-scale vertical farming in urban centers.  Founded in 2004, AeroFarms is based in Ithaca, NY.  More information can be found at www.aerofarms.com.

New LED Device Sheds Light on Aeroponics Industry

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Installation of One-of-a-Kind Lighting Array Positions AeroFarms
as the Leader in Aeroponics and Optimized LED Usage for Plants

Ithaca, NY – March 23, 2010 – Aero Farm Systems LLC (www.aerofarms.com), a provider of aeroponic technology and aeroponic solutions, in collaboration with Cornell University’s Department of Horticulture and The Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, announced today the acquisition of a first-of-its-kind scientific instrument for testing the application of artificial lighting to plants. The announcement was made from the NCERA-101 Committee of Controlled Environment Technology and Use at the University of Wisconsin where Dr. Ed Harwood, founder and CEO of AeroFarms, presented the planned use for the new device.

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AeroFarms Appoints Robert Newman as COO

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Ithaca, NY – February 22, 2010 – Aero Farm Systems LLC (“AeroFarms”, the “Company”), a provider of aeroponic technology and solutions, announced today that Robert Newman has been appointed to the role of chief operating officer (COO).  Newman will be responsible for leadership of the Company’s operations including engineering, purchasing, quality control, implementations, and follow on support,.  Newman most recently served as Business Manager of Service and Customer Support at Mettler Toledo Hi-Speed, North America’s leading manufacturer of checkweighers and integrated product inspection solutions.  Before that, Newman served as Vice President of Customer Support and Implementation at Moldflow Corp. the global leader in CAE for polymer processing and related production monitoring (more…)

AeroFarms Raises $500,000 in Seed Funding

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Ithaca, NY – February 8, 2010 – Aero Farm Systems LLC (“AeroFarms”, the “Company”), a provider of aeroponic technology and solutions, announced today that it has secured $500,000 in seed financing.  The round was led by The Quercus Trust of Newport Beach, CA, with co-investor 21Ventures LLC, a New York-based venture capital firm.  The Company has developed aeroponic technology, a cutting-edge subsector of hydroponics, that grows produce without soil and without sun, all year round and in any location.  Its modular, vertically stackable systems are designed for locating in old or vacant urban buildings, enabling local production of pesticide-free, fresh, clean greens. (more…)

Press Contact

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David Andrew Goldman

Expansion Media

(646) 335-0268

In The News

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Tompkins small businesses discuss high-tech job creation

Empire State News 06/27/2010

Clean greens: AeroFarms focuses on spreading soil-less farming

Green Right Now 06/27/2010

Aerofarms urban agriculture system – less space, less water and no pesticides

Gizmag 06/11/2010

Are Aeroponically Grown Foods Safer?

Maximum Yield 06/01/2010

Urban Farming – The Answer to Both Economists and Environmentalists

Go Green Street 05/17/2010

Vertical Farming in Masdar City? AeroFarms’ Soil-less Solution

Green Prophet 05/16/2010

Future Farming

Businessworld India 04/23/2010

The New American Farmer

Greentech Media 04/06/2010

Bright ideas from Agriculture 2.0

Grist 04/05/2010

LED Lighting News From AeroFarms

Inside Urban Green 03/30/2010

Former professor creates new plant production technology

The Ithacan, Ithaca College 03/29/2010

Green Agriculture—The Next Hot Investment Sector?

Greentech Media 03/25/2010

Company develops new methods for growing crops without soil

The Ithaca Journal 03/04/2010

Ag-tech firm secures seed money, expects first sales soon

Central New York Business Journal 02/26/2010

Green Shoots? AeroFarms Systems Aims To Bring In $5M

Clean Technology Insight (Dow Jones) 02/17/2010

AeroFarms Appoints Chief Marketing Officer

Daily Vista 02/16/2010

Indoor Ag’s AeroFarms Seeded with $500K

alarm:clock 02/08/2010

Movers and Shakers

Maximum Yield Magazine 02/01/2010

Are LEDs Ready for Use in Commercial Hydroponics?

Growing Edge Magazine 10/01/2008