Oishii, the vertical farming pioneer headquartered in Jersey City, on Wednesday announced the first closing of a $150 million Series C financing round. The investment signals a major vote of confidence in the company’s high-tech approach to agriculture at a time when the broader vertical farming sector has faced significant headwinds.
The funding round was led by SPARX Asset Management Co., Ltd., with participation from a heavy-hitting roster of investors including Nomura Real Estate Development, MISUMI Group and Mizuho Bank. The capital infusion will be used to grow production, advance robotics, and expand retail access across the U.S. and Japan.
Oishii, known for producing the world’s first indoor-grown, pesticide-free strawberries, has distinguished itself through its proprietary Smart Farm™ model. The system replicates the ideal elements of nature—including rain, air, and even natural bee pollination—using advanced robotics and automation.
Following the 2025 acquisition of Tortuga AgTech, Oishii has rapidly integrated harvesting robots to increase precision and quality control. A new strategic partnership with MISUMI Group Inc. will further bolster the manufacturing of automation components for its farms.
“Since our Series A in 2019, we have continuously supported Oishii’s growth,” Shuhei Abe, president & CEO of SPARX Asset Management said. “It is truly inspiring to see the vision… steadily becoming a reality as the company advances from R&D to commercialization.”
While Oishii famously entered the market in 2018 with the $50-per-tray Omakase Berry, the company has successfully transitioned into a more accessible retail brand. By introducing the Koyo Berry and Nikko Berry, Oishii now offers product formats ranging from $4.99 to $15, allowing everyday shoppers to experience peak ripeness produce year-round.
The brand has expanded its footprint to 18 states and recently made its international debut in Toronto. In addition to fresh fruit, Oishii recently launched a Premium Preserves line, extending its reach into the pantry staples category.
The company is also making strides in sustainable logistics. Earlier this year, Oishii introduced new top-seal packaging for its Nikko Berry line, which reduces plastic usage by 80% compared to traditional clamshells while extending the fruit’s shelf life.
“When we chose strawberries, we knew we were selecting one of the hardest paths in indoor farming,” said Hiroki Koga, Co-Founder and CEO of Oishii. “This funding marks a new phase as we scale what we’ve built, with deeper confidence in the role we can play in bringing high-quality produce to more people.”
While its production is anchored in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area, Oishii is deepening its ties to its Japanese roots through the development of an Open Innovation Center in Tokyo. This facility will serve as a hub for R&D, blending centuries-old Japanese farming techniques with the cutting-edge robotics being refined at its Jersey City headquarters.
To date, Oishii has raised a total of $370 million since its founding in 2016, cementing its status as a leader in the next generation of global indoor agriculture.
