How AppHarvest’s indoor farming scheme imploded (2023)
Hacker NewsThursday, May 22, 2025 at 1:00:09 AM
AppHarvest, a high-profile indoor farming startup that promised to revolutionize agriculture with tech-driven greenhouses, has collapsed. The company, once valued at over $1 billion, faced financial troubles, layoffs, and bankruptcy despite massive investments and big claims about sustainability. Critics say it overpromised and underdelivered, raising questions about the viability of similar ventures.
Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about one company failing—it’s a reality check for the high-tech farming boom. Indoor agriculture was pitched as a solution to food insecurity and climate change, but AppHarvest’s downfall shows how hard it is to turn bold ideas into profitable businesses. If even well-funded startups can’t make it work, investors and policymakers might start asking tougher questions before backing the next big thing in farming tech.
— Curated via WP Now’s
