Oishii has closed the first $150 million tranche of its Series C financing, marking a major new phase of scale for the company behind the world’s largest indoor vertical strawberry farm. The round was led by SPARX Asset Management with participation from Nomura Real Estate Development, MISUMI Group, Mizuho Bank, and others.
The investment reflects growing confidence in Oishii’s Smart Farm model, which blends robotics, automation, and advanced engineering with centuries‑old Japanese farming techniques to produce pesticide‑free, Non‑GMO strawberries grown year‑round and harvested at peak ripeness. The company said the new capital will support increased production, expanded retail access, and continued operational advancements across the United States and Japan.
While the broader vertical farming sector has cooled, Oishii has accelerated through a more focused approach to scale, driven by robotics, automation and broader consumer reach. The company has expanded distribution across 18 states, launched in Toronto as its first international retail market, introduced new product formats and is now advancing R&D in Japan through its first‑of‑its‑kind Open Innovation Center in Tokyo. Robotics and automation have become central to Oishii’s strategy, strengthened by its 2025 acquisition of Tortuga AgTech and a strategic partnership with MISUMI Group to support automation and manufacturing needs across both the U.S. and Japan.
Oishii has also broadened its retail positioning beyond its original ultra‑premium offering. Since launching the Omakase Berry at nearly $50 per tray in 2018, the company has added the Koyo Berry and Nikko Berry, introduced new pack sizes, and expanded into more accessible price points ranging from $4.99 to $15. Its new Premium Preserves line extends the brand into pantry staples. The Nikko Berry, introduced in 2025, has become a strong proof point for Oishii’s product innovation strategy, supported by the company’s new stay‑fresh top‑seal packaging that improves shelf life, enhances retail scalability and reduces plastic usage by 80% compared to traditional clamshells.
Together, these milestones signal Oishii’s transition into a more mature, scaled business capable of defining the next era of indoor vertical farming. With the first closing of its Series C, the company plans to expand production capacity, deepen robotics integration, grow farm infrastructure and develop new product formats within its Smart Farm model, while continuing to invest in R&D across the U.S. and Japan. Oishii has now raised a total of $370 million since its founding in 2016.
KEY QUOTES:
“Since our Series A investment in 2019, we have continuously supported Oishii Farm’s growth. It is truly inspiring to see the vision we shared at that time steadily becoming a reality, as the company advances seamlessly from research and development to proof of concept and commercialization. One of the company’s key strengths lies in its exceptional execution capability, which has enabled rapid technological advancement. As Oishii Farm enters a new phase with the establishment of its Open Innovation Center in Japan, we look forward to continuing to support its growth.”
Shuhei Abe, President & CEO, SPARX Asset Management
“When we chose strawberries, we knew we were selecting one of the hardest paths in indoor farming. They require precision at every stage, from pollination and harvesting to freshness and shelf life, and there were moments along the way where solving one challenge revealed the next one underneath it. This funding marks a new phase for Oishii as we scale what we’ve built, with deeper confidence in the decisions we’ve made and the role we can play in bringing high‑quality produce to more people.”
Hiroki Koga, Co‑Founder and CEO, Oishii
