Melbourne-based startup, Gaia Project Australia (GPA), has secured $1.7 million AUD in capital to deliver and expand its unique technology-based plant spacing infrastructure, set to revolutionize farming for growers around the world.
Founded in 2020 by engineer and innovator Nadun Hennayaka, GPA was born from the identification of a critical gap in sustainable food production. Despite increasing climate and cost pressures amidst a backdrop of rising global demand for sustainable food, the shift to Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) remains slow.
© Gaia Project Australia
GPA has developed a groundbreaking technology, Omni-Yield, which is patented in 49 countries. This technology is designed to help leafy green vegetable growers increase yields by up to 40% without relying on expensive robotics or complex workflow systems that are prone to failure. The simple innovation lies in real-time dynamic plant spacing. Young plants require far less space than mature ones, but traditional CEA systems keep spacing fixed or rely on intricate, costly adjustments.
GPA Chief Executive Officer, Nadun Hennayaka, said: "We have seen firsthand, in Australia and abroad, the impact of the rising cost of fresh produce during a cost-of-living crisis. Our mission is to empower farmers with the latest cost-efficient technology to set them up for sustainable success, enabling them to absorb variability in costs by delivering consistent, predictable, efficient yields. Ultimately, all consumers should be able to afford fresh produce."
© Gaia Project Australia
"High capital costs and stagnant adoptable technology have kept CEA systems out of reach for many farmers, limiting the potential to transform global food systems. Omni-Yield optimizes plant space requirements throughout the entire growth cycle, allowing plants to start growing in a compact layout and gradually expand as they mature. This breakthrough offers existing CEA operators and large-scale new projects a critical advantage—enhancing efficiency and strengthening the return on investment."
After four years of rigorous development, Omni-Yield has earned top honors from NASA in its Deep Space Food Challenges. Now, with a $1.7 million investment led by the Eagle Fund, a joint venture between Breakthrough Victoria (Victorian Government) and La Trobe University, alongside Mandalay Venture Partners and LaunchVic's Hugh Victor McKay Fund, GPA is moving rapidly toward commercialization.
Omni-Yield is now preparing for deployment, with projects underway in Australia, India, and Sri Lanka, and market partnerships being established in Europe and the USA. In addition, grower demonstration sites in Australia and India, developed in partnership with CSIRO, will launch later this year. The company is gearing up for a hard launch in spring 2025, positioning itself as a global leader in next-generation CEA technology.
Expanding leadership for global growth
To drive this next phase of growth, GPA has strengthened its leadership team. Jan Vydra, a horticulture industry award winner with a 20-year track record in Australia's CEA sector, has joined as Chief Commercial Officer. Leveraging his deep industry experience, as well as his R&D experience as a Non-Executive Director of Horticulture Innovation, Mr. Vydra will lead industry collaboration and commercial expansion.
© Gaia Project Australia
Adrian Persi has also joined the business as General Manager, bringing experience from Global Victoria, where he helped Victorian businesses expand into the Americas and beyond. He will lead GPA's transition from a startup to maturity, focusing on operational structure, business administration, and sustainable growth.
This expanded leadership team is set to amplify GPA's mission—delivering accessible, high-efficiency technology that improves return on investment for CEA operators while ensuring consumers benefit from a more reliable, cost-effective fresh food supply. All of GPA's technologies are being developed in Melbourne, Australia, by a team of Australian engineers, in close collaboration with design firm Cobalt in North Melbourne and La Trobe University's engineering department.
For more information:
GAIA Project Australia
gaiaprojectaustralia.com.au