AquaFarm is a spin-off from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW). Our team of entrepreneurs and eco-technologists is aming to bring the vision of AquaFarm to life. We are currently in the early project-stage to validate the idea behind AquaFarm and develop a solid business plan. As social entrepreneurs, our venture’s clear objective is a tripple bottom line of economic, ecological and social benefits.
We see ourselves as pioneers of a new space of urban farming, commercializing scientific knowledge of the ZHAW into the market place. AquaFarm operates with a credible and sustainability concept without compromise. Urban farming offers an alternative to the mass market and disintegrated global food industry of today. We believe in organic produce of fish and vegetables, but we also acknowledge the need to provide commercial scale and cost competitiveness to our products as the basis of long-term success.
Project History
May 25, 2010 – AquaFarm wins Startup Weekend 1st price in the category “Potential der Wettbewerbsveränderungen”, validating the support behind the concept.
June 4, 2010 – AquaFarm finds eco-technology group at ZHAW, and decides to join forces as a spin-off project from the ZHAW.
June 9, 2010 – AquaFarm talks to prospective industrial partners, discusses opportunity for collaboration in urban farming and eco-sustainable business.
June 19, 2010 – AquaFarm talks to strategic real-estate developer about site specifications and needs, discuss urban farmin project in the Greater Zurich Area.
Jul 26, 2010 – AquaFarm meets potential Member of the Board, as well as prospective team members, shares vision and strategy for first AquaFarm project.
Jul 31, 2010 – AquaFarm submits entry for STARTUP.ch business plan competition.
Sept 2, 2010 – AquaFarm pitches to potential angel investors at the GoBeyond network. Recieves positive feedback and interest to invest in early-stage project.
Sept 4, 2010 – AquaFarm branding workshop with support of 10 team members across all areas of expertise. Supported by brand strategy team of Wirz advertising agency.
Oct 4, 2010 – AquaFarm to participate in PrixNature Competition
Oct 4, 2010 – Develops new Corporate Identity and brand name / logo, soon to be annnounced, with ad ageny partner Lucas Vetsch.
Upcoming news: AquaFarm to announce membership at the HUB zurich, a social-entrepeneurship network in Zurich — Notes pitch presentation at major real-estate developer —
AquaFarm - Sustainable and organic urban farming systems 
Posted by 2010 in review THANK YOU! « AquaFarm – Sustainable and organic urban farming systems on January 2, 2011 at 1:40 pm
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Posted by Philip Yates on September 14, 2010 at 5:53 am
I’m trying to run down a design for a vertical garden developed at ZAHW. It is made of plexiglass and uses a wicking system to water the plants. I saw a reference to it in a video found here:http://vimeo.com/10810856, at about minute 17.
Any help you can provide would be most appreciated. I’m planning on building a wicking wall and I’d love to see more about the one mentioned in the video.
Posted by Andreas on September 14, 2010 at 7:35 am
well, this system was developed by my collegues at ZHAW indeed.
The system is somewhat documented on http://www.verticalis.ch
Please address your technical questions directly to Philipp Stauffer.