Deptford’s first vertical farm #CreeksideCommunity: MiniCrops
Soon to be celebrating its one-year anniversary, Vertical Future , MiniCrops parent company was founded in September 2016 by Jamie and Marie- Alexandrine Burrows. Part-funded by HSBC corporate, the husband-and-wife duo joined The Artworks Creekside during the company’s first stages of the development.
With a growing concern for the effects of rapid urbanisation, both Jamie and Marie used their health-related backgrounds to developVertical Future – a technology start-up focused on improving health in cities by targeting key socio-economic and environment issues then developing initiatives to tackle them. MiniCrops is their first initiative, targeting food sustainability, food security, and environmental concerns in cities.
With “a great deal of confidence in the Creekside development” Jamie and Marie both saw that their aims and objectives for Vertical Future very much aligned with The Artworks Creekside.
Most recently, MiniCrops launched at The Artworks Creekside inviting the public, industry professionals and press to visit Deptford’s first vertical farm. The day included tours of the production facilities, blind food testing, and a presentation – discussing the future of food and how technology has a role to play.
Deptford’s culturally rich identity, wide mix of people and artistic roots are paramount to their belief that “The Artworks Creekside development will successfully represent all that is going on in this part of London and become a hub for business and culture”
In 5 years, Jamie and Marie hope to be a sustainable business with a significant impact on the local Deptford community, both through jobs, education and wider business activities.
When asked what advice they would give a start-up business they responded “be prepared to wear many different hats and expect to do a lot yourself – nobody knows your business better than you.
To find out more about Vertical Future follow them on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. To find out more about the MiniCrops initiative, follow on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.